Tracking refers to the tendency for individuals to maintain their rank in a group over time. The authors explored tracking of pedometer-determined physical activity. In October of 2000, 2003, and 2005, data of physical activity as steps per day were collected with sealed Yamax SW-200 pedometers (Tokyo, Japan) for 4 consecutive schooldays in 97 (46 boys and 51 girls) Swedish adolescents (mean ag...

The age-related decline in physical activity during adolescence is well documented; however, little is known about differences in physical activity among early, average, and late maturing adolescents. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between maturity status and physical activity among 167 adolescents who were 13-14 years old. The maturity offset was derived and biologic...

The purpose of this study was to report on the efficacy of a web-based technology support to encourage physical activity in children. This program was designed to promote physical activity and proper nutrition in the diabetic adolescent with a weekly meeting that consisted of a 30-minute educational session followed by 60- minutes of exercise. A specifically designed website was used as a suppo...

While the determination of exercise capacity is viewed as clinical best practice in cystic fibrosis (CF), its measurement using a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) remains as somewhat of a mystery for many CF clinicians. Two studies [1,2] in the current issue (of the Journal of Cystic Fibrosis) highlight the use of exercise testing in CF clinical practice. The role of retained exercise capac...

This study examined the effect of a 6-week school-based pedometer intervention for children. It compared the number of step counts between group- and individual-based step goal conditions over time, and compared the number of goal attainments between the two step goal conditions by physical activity levels. Ninety-nine 4th-grade students' (50 boys, 49 girls) data were analyzed. Overall step cou...

CRD summary The review concluded that pedometers had a moderate positive effect on physical activity of approximately 2,000 steps per day compared with comparator. There were greater effects in females and the intervention strategy of 10,000 steps/day as a goal. Given uncertain quality of the included studies and a lack of study detail, caution is required when interpreting the authors’ conclus...

PURPOSE Instruments to assess physical activity are needed for (inter)national surveillance systems and comparison. METHODS Male and female adults were recruited from diverse sociocultural, educational and economic backgrounds in 9 countries (total n = 2657). GPAQ and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) were administered on at least 2 occasions. Eight countries assessed c...