Showing papers by "Patty S. Freedson published in 2017"
TL;DR: The activPALTM monitor can be used to accurately capture individualized estimates of active and sedentary behavior variables in free-living settings and is valid in estimating time spent in sedentary, light, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in a free- living environment.
Abstract: The activPALTM (AP) monitor is well established for distinguishing sitting, standing, and stepping time. However, its validity in predicting time in physical activity intensity categories in a free-living environment has not been determined.PurposeThis study aimed to determine the validity o
127 citations
TL;DR: In an intervention study designed to increase MVPA, participants who increase their time spent exercising will obtain much of this time by reducing their SB, suggesting that changes in physical activity have an impact on sedentary behavior during a lifestyle intervention.
Abstract: Purpose. To investigate whether changes in physical activity (PA) have an impact on sedentary behavior (SB) during a lifestyle intervention. Design. Study design was a randomized trial. Setting/Subjects. Participants (n = 204) were individuals with low PA and high sedentary leisure screen time from the Chicago area. Intervention. Participants were randomized to either increase PA (iPA) or decrease sedentary leisure (dSED). The intervention consisted of decision support, coaching, and financial incentives. For iPA participants, the goal was at least 60 min/d of self-reported moderate-to-vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA). For dSED participants the goal was less than 90 min/d of sedentary leisure screen time. Measures. Daily accelerometer-based measures of SB and bout-corrected MVPA were obtained. Analysis. Linear mixed-effects models were fit to estimate the effect of the intervention on MVPA and total SB and to estimate the effect of daily changes in MVPA on daily SB. Results. The iPA participants incr...
21 citations
TL;DR: The validity of youth-oriented activity trackers may directly impact their effectiveness as behavior modification tools, demonstrating a need for more research on such devices.
Abstract: Background: Commercial activity trackers are growing in popularity among adults and some are beginning to be marketed to children. There is, however, a paucity of independent research examining the validity of these devices to detect physical activity of different intensity levels. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the validity of the output from 3 commercial youth-oriented activity trackers in 3 phases: (1) orbital shaker, (2) structured indoor activities, and (3) 4 days of free-living activity. Methods: Four units of each activity tracker (Movband [MB], Sqord [SQ], and Zamzee [ZZ]) were tested in an orbital shaker for 5-minutes at three frequencies (1.3, 1.9, and 2.5 Hz). Participants for Phase 2 (N=14) and Phase 3 (N=16) were 6-12 year old children (50% male). For Phase 2, participants completed 9 structured activities while wearing each tracker, the ActiGraph GT3X+ (AG) research accelerometer, and a portable indirect calorimetry system to assess energy expenditure (EE). For Phase 3, participants wore all 4 devices for 4 consecutive days. Correlation coefficients, linear models, and non-parametric statistics evaluated the criterion and construct validity of the activity tracker output. Results: Output from all devices was significantly associated with oscillation frequency (r=.92-.99). During Phase 2, MB and ZZ only differentiated sedentary from light intensity (P<.01), whereas the SQ significantly differentiated among all intensity categories (all comparisons P<.01), similar to AG and EE. During Phase 3, AG counts were significantly associated with activity tracker output (r=.76, .86, and .59 for the MB, SQ, and ZZ, respectively). Conclusions: Across study phases, the SQ demonstrated stronger validity than the MB and ZZ. The validity of youth-oriented activity trackers may directly impact their effectiveness as behavior modification tools, demonstrating a need for more research on such devices. [J Med Internet Res 2017;19(7):e250]
12 citations
TL;DR: Children “liked” the social aspects of the websites more than the activity tracking features, and developers of commercial activity trackers for youth may benefit from considering a theoretical perspective during the website design process.
Abstract: Background: Activity trackers are widely used by adults and several models are now marketed for children. Objective: The aims of this study were to (1) perform a content analysis of behavioral change techniques (BCTs) used by three commercially available youth-oriented activity trackers and (2) obtain feedback describing children’s perception of these devices and the associated websites. Methods: A content analysis recorded the presence of 36 possible BCTs for the MovBand (MB), Sqord (SQ), and Zamzee (ZZ) activity trackers. In addition, 16 participants (mean age 8.6 years [SD 1.6]; 50% female [8/16]) received all three trackers and were oriented to the devices and websites. Participants were instructed to wear the trackers on 4 consecutive days and spend ≥10 min/day on each website. A cognitive interview and survey were administered when the participant returned the devices. Qualitative data analysis was used to analyze the content of the cognitive interviews. Chi-square analyses were used to determine differences in behavioral monitoring and social interaction features between websites. Results: The MB, SQ, and ZZ devices or websites included 8, 15, and 14 of the possible 36 BCTs, respectively. All of the websites had a behavioral monitoring feature (charts for tracking activity), but the percentage of participants indicating that they “liked” those features varied by website (MB: 8/16, 50%; SQ: 6/16, 38%; ZZ: 11/16, 69%). Two websites (SQ and ZZ) included an “avatar” that the user could create to represent themselves on the website. Participants reported that they “liked” creating and changing their avatar (SQ: 12/16, 75%, ZZ: 15/16, 94%), which was supported by the qualitative analyses of the cognitive interviews. Most participants (75%) indicated that they would want to wear the devices more if their friends were wearing a tracker. No significant differences were observed between SQ and ZZ devices in regards to liking or use of social support interaction features (P=.21 to .37). Conclusions: The websites contained several BCTs consistent with previously identified strategies. Children “liked” the social aspects of the websites more than the activity tracking features. Developers of commercial activity trackers for youth may benefit from considering a theoretical perspective during the website design process. [JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2017;5(4):e55]
11 citations
22 Jan 2017
TL;DR: The CFS DO technique was reliable for assessment of free-living PA in the current study and may be limited to shorter blocks of observation (2-3 hr).
Abstract: Objective: To demonstrate the feasibility and application of ‘continuous focal sampling’ direct observation (CFS DO) for physical activity (PA) measurement in free-living adults. Methods: Nine observers were trained to use CFS DO and completed two video-based examinations to evaluate observer reliability. We applied the method in free-living conditions by recording activity type and intensity among thirty college-aged students during 11.1 ± 1.0 hr observation periods. Results: Percent correct classification of activity type and intensity by the observers were 86.6 ± 6.5% and 76.1 ± 15.4%, respectively. Test-retest reliability coefficients for activity type and activity intensity were r = .79 and r = .78. Based on CFS DO measures, participants spent 57.4% and 15.5% of the time sitting and walking. Mean time spent in sedentary, light, moderate, and vigorous physical activity intensities were 359.6 ± 100.1, 178.8 ± 107.3, 85.4 ± 63.1, and 24.6 ± 24.6 min for the 11.1 ± 1.0 hr observation period. Conclusion: The CFS DO technique was reliable for assessment of free-living PA in the current study. Feasibility of CFS DO may be limited to shorter blocks of observation (2-3 hr).
2 citations
TL;DR: This research was funded by: UMass Institute for Life Sciences Seed Grant and Misfit/Fossil Contract.
Abstract: Greg J. Petrucci, Jr, Brittany R. Masterller, Melanna F. Cox, John W. Staudenmayer, John R. Sirard, Patty S. Freedson, FACSM. University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA. (Sponsor: Patty S. Freedson, FACSM) Email: gpetrucci@umass.edu Reported Relationships: G.J. Petrucci: Contracted Research Including Principle Investigator; This research was funded by: UMass Institute for Life Sciences Seed Grant and Misfit/Fossil Contract.
1 citations