Abstract
Citation
Liggett L, Gray A, Parnell W, McGee R, McKenzie Y. Validation and reliability of the New Lifestyles NL-1000 accelerometer in New Zealand preschoolers. J Phys Act Health 2012 Feb;9(2):295-9.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Objective measures, such as accelerometers, are increasingly being used to measure physical activity (PA) levels in children, and the use of validated and reliable instruments is desirable when measuring the effectiveness of programs. The purpose of this study was to determine the validity and reliability of the New Lifestyles NL-1000 accelerometer among preschoolers using a modified version of the Children's Activity Rating Scale (CARS). METHODS: Fourteen preschoolers wore the NL-1000 at their waist while the device measured activity levels [in seconds of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA)]. They were also videoed for approximately 12 minutes while participating in normal activities at an early childhood center. At approximately 2-minute intervals, activity level readings derived from the NL-1000 were recorded. The video footage was analyzed using a modified CARS technique and the CARS scores compared with data obtained from the accelerometer. RESULTS: Within subject reliability was measured using intraclass correlation coefficients (0.58 for CARS and 0.59 for NL-1000). Furthermore, 95% of the variation in CARS could be explained by variation in the accelerometer counts, with 2.4% of the variation being participant-specific. CONCLUSION: The NL-1000 is a sufficiently reliable and valid tool for assessing MVPA in preschoolers.
Full Text
The full text is available at https://dx.doi.org/10.1123/jpah.9.2.295
At A Glance
Individual Physical Activity Behavior Variables
| Expenditure |
|---|
| Moderate Physical Activity |
| Vigorous Physical Activity |
| Step/Activity Counts |
Domain(s)
Individual Physical Activity Behavior
Measure Type
Electronic monitor (e.g., accelerometer, pedometer, heart rate)
Measure Availability
Cost associated. Contact New Lifestyles, Inc., Lee's Summit, Missouri, USA
Number of Items
Not applicable
Study location
Metro/Urban
Invercargill, New
Languages
Not applicable
Information about Development of Measure
New Lifestyles NL-1000 Accelerometer was pretested in children age 3 and 4 years to determine which settings best reflected observed moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), when compared with direct observation. The device captures comparable information to that of an advanced pedometer, estimates distance traveled, takes into account stride lengths, and has a MVPA timer accumulation feature.
Study Design
Study Participants
Age
2 - 5 Years
Sex
Female
Male
Race/Ethnicity
Not reported
Predominantly Low-income/Low-SES
Not applicable
Sample Size
14
Study Design
Design Type
Validation/Reliability
Health Outcomes Assessed
None
Obesity Measures
Not reported
BMI Measured or Self-reported
Not reported
Covariates
Not reported
Data Reported on Race/Ethnicity
Not applicable
Data Reported on SES
Not applicable
SES-related Variables
Not applicable
How To Use
Administration
Who Administered
Researcher-administered
How Administered
In-person
Direct observation, hard-copy form
Time Required
12 minutes
Training Required
Yes, time not reported
Instructions on Use
Instructions on instrument use included in article
Data Analysis
Data Collection/Analysis Costs
Not available
Data Collection/Protocol
The NewLifestyles-1000 (NL-1000) was attached to the waistband of each child's clothing. Once the NL-1000 was attached, each child was observed for the next 15 to 20 minutes, producing in total approximately 12 minutes (or 5 to 6 observations) of usable video footage, which were later coded. Two observers recorded the child's activity. The researcher provided instructions to the child and also read aloud the details from the moderate to vigorous physical activity timer.
Instructions on Data Analysis
Instructions on analysis included in article
Validity (1)
| Type of validity | Construct/subscale assessed | Criterion measure used | Test/statistic used | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criterion | The NewLifestyles-1000 (NL-1000) moderate to vigorous physical activity | Children's Activity Rating Scale (CARS) observed moderate to vigorous physical activity | Linear mixed model | 95% of the variation in CARS could be explained by variation in the accelerometer counts, with 2.4% of the variation being participant-specific |
Reliability (2)
| Type of reliability | Construct/subscale assessed | Test/statistic used | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test-retest | The NewLifestyles-1000 (NL-1000) measures of moderate to vigorous physical activity | Intraclass correlation coefficients | ICC = 0.59 |
| Test-retest | Children's Activity Rating Scale (CARS) observed moderate to vigorous physical activity | Intraclass correlation coefficients | ICC = 0.58 |