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- Title
Identifying and Quantifying the Unintended Variability in Common Systematic Observation Instruments to Measure Youth Physical Activity.
- Authors
Weaver, Robert G.; Beighle, Aaron; Erwin, Heather; Whitfield, Michelle; Beets, Michael W.; Hardin, James W.
- Abstract
Background: Direct observation protocols may introduce variability in physical activity estimates. Methods: Thirty-five physical education lessons were video recorded and coded using the System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time (SOFIT). A multistep process examined variability in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA%; walking + vigorous/total scans). Initially, per-SOFIT protocol MVPA% (MVPA%SOFIT) estimates were produced for each lesson. Second, true MVPA% (mean MVPA% of all students using all observations, MVPA%true) estimates were calculated. Third, MVPA% (MVPA%perm) was calculated based on all permutations of students and observation order. Fourth, physical education lessons were divided into 2 groups with 5 lessons from each group randomly selected 10,000 times. Group MVPA%perm differences between the 10 selected lessons were compared with the MVPA%true difference between group 1 and group 2. Results: Across all lessons, 10,212,600 permutations were possible (average 291,789 combinations per lesson; range = 73,440–570,024). Across lessons, the average absolute difference between MVPA%true and MVPA%SOFIT estimates was ±4.8% (range = 0.1%–17.5%). Permutations, based on students selected and observation order, indicated that the mean range of MVPA%perm estimates was 41.6% within a lesson (range = 29.8%–55.9%). Differences in MVPA% estimates between the randomly selected groups of lessons varied by 32.0%. Conclusion: MVPA% estimates from focal child observation should be interpreted with caution.
- Subjects
PHYSICAL activity; PHYSICAL education; PHYSICAL fitness for children; EXERCISE; COORDINATED school health programs
- Publication
Journal of Physical Activity & Health, 2018, Vol 15, Issue 9, p651
- ISSN
1543-3080
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1123/jpah.2017-0375