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. 2018 Sep;89(3):273-281.
doi: 10.1080/02701367.2018.1487754. Epub 2018 Jul 18.

Utility of the Youth Compendium of Physical Activities

Barbara E Ainsworth  1 , Kathleen B Watson  2 , Kate Ridley  3 , Karin A Pfeiffer  4 , Stephen D Herrmann  5 , Scott E Crouter  6 , Robert G McMurray  7 , Nancy F Butte  8 , David R Bassett Jr  6 , Stewart G Trost  9 , David Berrigan  10 , Janet E Fulton  2
Affiliations

Utility of the Youth Compendium of Physical Activities

Barbara E Ainsworth et al. Res Q Exerc Sport. 2018 Sep.

Erratum in

  • Correction.
    [No authors listed] [No authors listed] Res Q Exerc Sport. 2019 Mar;90(1):103-104. doi: 10.1080/02701367.2018.1547073. Epub 2018 Nov 20. Res Q Exerc Sport. 2019. PMID: 30457450 No abstract available.

Abstract

Purpose: The purposes of this article are to: (a) describe the rationale and development of the Youth Compendium of Physical Activities (Youth Compendium); and (b) discuss the utility of the Youth Compendium for audiences in research, education, community, health care, public health, and the private sector.

Methods: The Youth Compendium provides a list of 196 physical activities (PA) categorized by activity types, specific activities, and metabolic costs (youth metabolic equivalents of task [METy]) as measured by indirect calorimetry. The utility of the Youth Compendium was assessed by describing ways in which it can be used by a variety of audiences.

Results: Researchers can use METy values to estimate PA levels and determine changes in PA in intervention studies. Educators can ask students to complete PA records to determine time spent in physical activities and to identify health-enhancing activities for classroom PA breaks. Community leaders, parents, and health care professionals can identify activity types that promote healthful behaviors. Public health agencies can use the METy values for surveillance and as a resource to inform progress toward meeting national physical activity guidelines. Applications for the private sector include the use of METy in PA trackers and other applications.

Conclusion: The National Collaborative on Childhood Obesity Research Web site presents the Youth Compendium and related materials to facilitate measurement of the energy cost of nearly 200 physical activities in children and youth. The Youth Compendium provides a way to standardize energy costs in children and youth and has application for a wide variety of audiences.

Keywords: Adolescent; MET; children; energy expenditure.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest

None of the authors has conflicts or potential conflicts of interest, including relevant financial interests, activities, relationships, and affiliations related to this research. The results of the study are presented clearly, honestly, and without fabrication, falsification, or inappropriate data manipulation.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
An example of a physical activity diary to record the time spent in types of physical activities and sedentary behaviors Note: For exemplar purposes, diary entries start after the 10 year old youth has arisen from bed, got dressed, and had breakfast and end before youth had lunch; Diary activities match activities in Table 3
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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