MA450 Assessment of physical activity and fitness (15 ECTS) 

Course facts

Introduction

The subject will introduce the students to various research-based methods for assessing physical activity and physical fitness in individuals and populations. Students are expected to acquire extensive theoretical and practical knowledge about the topic.

Learning outcomes

After completing the course the students shall be able to

• extensively give an account of and know how to apply self-report and device-measured methods for assessing physical activity and field-based methods for assessing physical fitness in individuals and populations
• provide an in-depth assessment of the strengths and limitations with assessment methods for physical activity and aerobic fitness
• use programmes for data reduction of physical activity data
• evaluate (critically) and recommend which method is best suited for different research purposes

Learning styles and activities

Student active learning methods including filed work, student presentations, seminars and interactive plenary lectures are planned. Specific data reductions programs will be introduced during a data lab.

Mandatory assignment

• Group presentations, seminars and data labs are compulsory.
• Attendance and active participation in the seminar is required, including the presentation of individual assignments / group assignments. 

Requirements must be approved before the final assessment.

Assessment

Students will conduct a small research project including data collections using various measurement methods for physical activity and/or physical fitness, data analyses and reporting.

The project report and oral presentation are assessed by grades A to F with the written report weighted as 75 %.  

Core material

20 ELECTRONIC ARTICLES + 2 BOOK CHAPTERS:

NB! To open electronic articles off campus, you must use the following VPN connection: Click here to download.

Bakker, E. A., Hartman, Y. A. W., Hopman, M. T. E., Hopkins, N. D., Graves, L. E. F., Dunstan, D., Healy, G. N., Eijsvogels, T. & Thijssen D. H. J. (2020). Validity and reliability of subjective methods to assess sedentary behaviour in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity, 17(1), 75. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-020-00972-1
* The article is available online: Click here to download.

Brage, S., Westgate, K., Franks, P. W., Stegle, O., Wright, A., Ekelund, U. & Wareham, N. J. (2015). Estimation of free-living energy expenditure by heart rate and movement sensing: A doubly-labelled water study. PLoS One, 10(9), e0137206. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0137206
* The article is available online: Click here to download.

Cain, K. L., Sallis, J. F., Conway, T. L., Van Dyck, D. & Calhoon, L. (2013). Using accelerometers in youth physical activity studies: A review of methods. Journal of Physical Activity & Health, 10(3), 437-450. https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.10.3.437
* The article is available online: Click here to download.

Careau, V., Halsey, L. G., Pontzer, H., Ainslie, P. N., Andersen, L. F., Anderson, L. J., Arab, L., Baddou, I., Bedu-Addo, K., Blaak, E. E., Blanc, S., Bonomi, A. G., Bouten, C. V. C., Buchowski, M. S., Butte, N. F., Camps, S. G. J. A., Close, G. L., Cooper, J. A., Das, S. K., Cooper, R., … IAEA DLW database group (2021). Energy compensation and adiposity in humans. Current biology, 31(20), 4659–4666.e2. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2021.08.016
* The article is available online: Click here to download.

Dalene, K. E., & Ekelund, U. (2023). Assessment of physical activity behaviours: Methods, levels and time trends. In N. Armstrong & W. van Mechelen (Eds.), Oxford Textbook in paediatric exercise medicine (2nd ed., pp. 211-226). Oxford university press.
* This book chapter is available through Canvas.
(Accepted through BOLK .23./ AGG - Bibl.)

Doherty, A., Jackson, D., Hammerla, N., Plötz, T., Olivier, P., Granat, M. H., White, T., van Hees, V. T., Trenell, M. I., Owen, C. G., Preece, S. J., Gillions, R., Sheard, S., Peakman, T., Brage, S., & Wareham, N. J. (2017). Large scale population assessment of physical activity using wrist worn accelerometers: The UK Biobank study. PLoS One, 12(2), e0169649. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0169649
* The article is available online: Click here to download.

Dowd, K. P., Szeklicki, R., Minetto, M. A., Murphy, M. H., Polito, A., Ghigo, E., van der Ploeg, H., Ekelund, U., Maciaszek, J., Stemplewski, R., Tomczak, M. & Donnelly, A. E. (2018). A systematic literature review of reviews on techniques for physical activity measurement in adults: A DEDIPAC study. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 15(1), 15. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-017-0636-2
* The article is available online: Click here to download.

Evenson, K. R., Goto, M. M. & Furberg, R. D. (2015). Systematic review of the validity and reliability of consumer-wearable activity trackers. The International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 12(1), 159. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-015-0314-1
* The article is available online: Click here to download.

Helmerhorst, H. J., Brage, S., Warren, J., Besson, H. & Ekelund, U. (2012). A systematic review of reliability and objective criterion-related validity of physical activity questionnaires. International Journal of Behavior Nutrition and Physical Activity, 9, 103. https://doi.org/10.1186/1479-5868-9-103
* The article is available online: Click here to download.

Hildebrand, M., van Hees, V. T., Hansen, B. H. & Ekelund, U. (2014). Age-group comparability of raw accelerometer output from wrist- and hip-worn monitors. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 46(9), 1816-1824. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000000289
* The article is available online: Click here to download.

Hildebrand, M., Hansen, B. H., van Hees, V. T. & Ekelund, U. (2017). Evaluation of raw acceleration sedentary thresholds in children and adults. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 27(12), 1814-1823. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.12795
* The article is available online: Click here to download.

Migueles, J. H., Cadenas-Sanchez, C., Ekelund, U., Delisle Nyström, C., Mora-Gonzalez, J., Löf, M., Labayen, I., Ruiz, J. R., & Ortega, F. B. (2017). Accelerometer data collection and processing criteria to assess physical activity and other outcomes: A systematic review and practical considerations. Sports Medicine, 47(9), 1821-1845. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-017-0716-0
* The article is available online: Click here to download.

Migueles, J. H., Aadland, E., Andersen, L. B., Brønd, J. C., Chastin, S. F., Hansen, B. H., Konstabel, K., Kvalheim, O. M., McGregor, D. E., Rowlands, A. V., Sabia, S., van Hees, V. T., Walmsley, R., Ortega, F. B., & External review group. (2021). GRANADA consensus on analytical approaches to assess associations with accelerometer-determined physical activity behaviours (physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep) in epidemiological studies. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 56(7), 376-384. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2020-103604 
* The article is available online: Click here to download.

Nascimento-Ferreira, M. V., De Moraes, A., Toazza Oliveira, P. V., Rendo-Urteaga, T., Gracia-Marco, L., Forjaz, C., Moreno, L. A., & Carvalho, H. B. (2018). Assessment of physical activity intensity and duration in the paediatric population: Evidence to support an a priori hypothesis and sample size agreement between subjective and objective methods. Obesity Reviews, 19(6), 810-824. https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.12676
* The arcticle is available as PDF in Canvas.
(OK based on §15 of the Copyright Law/ AGG - Bibl.)

Pontzer, H., Yamada, Y., Sagayama, H., Ainslie, P. N., Andersen, L. F., Anderson, L. J., Arab, L., Baddou, I., Bedu-Addo, K., Blaak, E. E., Blanc, S., Bonomi, A. G., Bouten, C. V. C., Bovet, P., Buchowski, M. S., Butte, N. F., Camps, S. G., Close, G. L., Cooper, J. A., Cooper, R., … IAEA DLW Database Consortium (2021). Daily energy expenditure through the human life course. Science, 373(6556), 808–812. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abe5017
* The article is available online: Click here to download.

Ritchie, T., Trost, S.G., Brown, W. & Armit, C. (2005). Reliability and validity of physical fitness field tests for adults aged 50 to 75 years. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sports, 8(1), 61-70. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1440-2440(05)80025-8
* The article is available online: Click here to download.

Rowlands, A. V., Yates, T., Olds, T. S, Davies, M., Khunti, K. & Edwardson, C. L. (2016) Sedentary sphere: Wrist-worn accelerometer-brand independent posture classification. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 48(4), 748-54. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1440-2440(05)80025-8
* The article is available online: Click here to download.

Stahl, S. E., An, H. S., Dinkel, D.M., Noble, J. M. & Lee, J. M. (2016) How accurate are the wrist-based heart rate monitors during walking and running activities? Are they accurate enough? BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, 2(1), e000106. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2015-000106
* The article is available online: Click here to download.

Tomkinson, G. R. & Olds, T. (2008). Filed tests of fitness. In N. Armstrong & W. van Mechelen (Eds). Pediatric exercise science and medicine (2nd ed., pp 109-128.) Oxford University Press.
* This book chapter is available through Canvas.
(Accepted through BOLK .23./ AGG - Bibl.)

Troiano, R. P., McClain, J. J., Brychta, R. J. & Chen, K. Y. (2014). Evolution of accelerometer methods for physical activity research. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 48(13), 1019-1023. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2014-093546
* The article is available online: Click here to download.

Trost, S. G., Loprinzi, P. D., Moore, R. & Pfeiffer, K. A. (2011). Comparison of accelerometer cut points for predicting activity intensity in youth. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 43(7), 1360-1368. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0b013e318206476e
* The article is available online: Click here to download.
 
Warren, J. M., Ekelund, U., Besson, H., Mezzani, A., Geladas, N. & Vanhees, L. (2010). Assessment of physical activity - a review of methodologies with reference to epidemiological research: A report of the exercise physiology section of the European Association of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation. European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation, 17(2), 127-139. https://doi.org/10.1097/HJR.0b013e32832ed875
 * Artikkelen finnes online: Klikk på denne lenken.