Assessment of Physical Activity Behavior

Authors: Jeannie Haller and Patty S. Freedson, Ph.D., FACSM and PCPFS Science Board Member, Department of Kinesiology, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Amherst, MA

The importance of physical activity assessment
The American College of Sports Medicine and the American Heart Association recently issued updated health-based physical activity recommendations (1). It is indisputable that an association between physical activity and health exists and the measurement of physical activity behavior is central to defining this relationship and clarifying the nature of the dose-response relationship. Additionally, physical activity assessment is useful for evaluating the effectiveness of programs and interventions designed to increase physical activity as well as for monitoring population trends and providing individuals with feedback on their current level of physical activity.

AHEMD Project Affordances in the home environment for motor development

The Department of Health & Kinesiology from Texas A&M in an partnership with the Instituto Politecnico Viana do Castelo (Portugal) are working in a very interesting project. The researchers are developing an instrument to assess the quality of motor development opportunities in the home environment. The instrument is being developed under the Ecological (Affordances) Theory. Please click here for more information about the project.

Accurate 3D Measurements From Photos

I recently filmed my students performing fundamental movement skills with the intent to use the results for evaluation. Although I had previously standardized the test conditions, I noticed, by looking at the videos, that the distance used for performance seemed different from the first group of students to the last ones. Thanks to Visualize, I can take a still frame from the video and measure the exactly distance used by all students. This will ensure the standardization of the test was accurate. An article about Visualize can be found here