Quantifying Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity in High School Physical Education: A Pedometer Steps/Minute Standard

Abstract

The primary objective of this research was to quantify the recommended minimum level (i.e., 50% of the class time) of moderate to vigorous physical activity within high school physical education via pedometry steps/min. A secondary objective was to explore the influence of lesson duration (i.e., traditional vs. block schedules) on quantifying moderate to vigorous physical activity via steps/min. Data (N = 218) were collected from 27 physical education classes taught by 10 certified physical educators in 6 schools. Physical activity measures were steps/min, percent of time engaged in moderate to vigorous physical activity (%MVPA), and time engaged in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPAtime, min.). Steps/min and %MVPA were strongly associated for all data and traditional and block schedules (r ≥ .94, p ≤ .01). Diagnostic statistics suggest that steps/min accurately discriminates between achievement and non-achievement of the 50% moderate to vigorous physical activity criterion. A steps/min interval of 82 to 83 was the most accurate indicator of the 50% criterion for all data. Steps/min and MVPAtime were strongly associated for traditional and block schedules independently (r ≥ .93, p ≤ .01) but not for all data combined (r ≥ .64, p ≤ .01). In conclusion, steps/min accurately quantifies the 50% moderate to vigorous physical activity criterion in high school physical education, and it is recommended as a physical education physical activity surveillance measure.

Associação entre estrutura da escola com a atividade física na aula de educação física e no recreio

“…In this sense, Scruggs et al 21 used the same evaluation method in the physical education class and found similar results. In addition, studies that evaluated PA through other methods also showed that boys are more active in both physical education class 7,22,23 and school recess 14,24 .…”

Pedometer step guidelines for physical education settings

“…Scruggs found greater steps/min intervals for the 50% MVPA recommendation of 79-86 among participants of a similar age (12.9 -13.8 years in Scruggs 2007a& Scruggs 2013b. A higher steps/min interval of 80-88 steps/min was found in another study among older participants (16.5 years in Scruggs et al, 2010). It is unclear what may account for the difference in steps/min intervals identified between the present study and Scruggs' research.…”

“…For the one third MVPA criteria, similar pedometer steps/min intervals were found across four studies ranging from 60.8-65.0, mainly among primary children aged between 6.9 and 13.8 years old (Scruggs et al, 2003, Scruggs, Beveridge, Watson, & Clocksin, 2005, Scruggs 2007b, Scruggs 2013b. For spending half of PE class time engaged in MVPA as recommended by The United States Department for Health and Human Services (2009), two studies found greater steps/min ranging from 79.1-88.0 for youth aged 12.5-15.5 years (Scruggs 2007a& Scruggs, Mungen & Oh, 2010. A follow up study sought to identify optimal steps/min intervals for both 33.33% and 50% MVPA criteria from combined data sets from previous research (Scruggs, 2013b).…”

“…Despite comparatively moderate sensitivity and specificity levels for 73-76 steps/min in this study, overall diagnostic efficiency was high with AUC = 0.90. Scruggs found greater AUC values of ≥0.97 (Scruggs, 2007a;Scruggs et al, 2010;Scruggs, 2013b) in relation to the same MVPA recommendation. For the studies that quantified 50% MVPA, mean PE lesson time was greater (33.2 ± 3.01 min, Scruggs, 2007a;49.69 ± 19.77 min in Scruggs et al, 2010;38.23 ± 16.36 min in Scruggs, 2013a) compared to the present study (26.3 ± 3.5 minutes).…”

“…The findings of the study indicated that it was possible for common steps/min intervals to be set for students in 1 st through to 12 th grade Physical Education (United States). Steps/min intervals of 59.5-61.8 and 82.5-88.1 were identified for the 33.33% and 50% MVPA criteria respectively (Scruggs, 2007a;2007b;2013a;2013b;& Scruggs et al, 2010).…”