Relationship between objective and subjective daily physical activity for preschool children

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the relationships between objectively measured daily physical activity (PA) and perceived activity in preschool children as evaluated by their parents and kindergartens or nursery schools teachers. PA was assessed using a triaxial accelerometer (ActivTracer, GMS) for 6 consecutive days,including weekdays and weekends, in 147 Japanese preschool children (5.6±0.6 years old). The triaxial accelerometer allowed for an accurate discrimination between locomotive and non-locomotive activity during medium intensity PA. Perceived activity for each child was evaluated in three categories through a questionnaire completed by their parents and teachers. Time in PAR (physical activity ratio) <2, 2≦PAR<3, moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA, PARB3) and PARB4 were 1187 (±51) min ⁄ day, 158 (±31) min⁄day,95 (±29) min⁄day, and 20 (±12) min⁄day, respectively. Perceived by the teachers showed significant relationships between time in PAR<2, MVPA, PARB4 and locomotive activity during moderate PA compared to other groups when adjusted for age, sex, body height and weight. On the other hand, only the inactivity children group as perceived by parents showed significantly lower time spent in MVPA and PARB 4. The findings indicate that teachers could classify childrenʼsPAineach intensity and locomotive activity during moderate PA, while parents could only evaluate moderate or higher intensity PA. Perceived children activity as evaluated by parents and teachers could be improved by focusing on non-locomotive activity during moderate PA.