Before-school physical activity patterns among adolescents using accelerometer and GPS data

James Woodforde; Sjaan Gomersall; Anna Timperio; Suzanne Mavoa; Francisco Perales; Jo Salmon; Michalis Stylianou

doi:10.1016/j.healthplace.2024.103222

Before-school physical activity patterns among adolescents using accelerometer and GPS data

Health Place. 2024 Mar:86:103222. doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2024.103222. Epub 2024 Mar 8.

Authors

James Woodforde¹, Sjaan Gomersall², Anna Timperio³, Suzanne Mavoa⁴, Francisco Perales⁵, Jo Salmon³, Michalis Stylianou⁶

Affiliations

¹ School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia. Electronic address: j.woodforde@uq.edu.au.
² Centre for Health and Wellbeing Research Innovation, School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia; School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia.
³ Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, 3216, Australia.
⁴ Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia.
⁵ School of Social Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia.
⁶ School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia.

PMID: 38458126
DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2024.103222

Abstract

Most adolescents do not meet physical activity (PA) guidelines. The before-school segment has been identified as one promising opportunity for intervention; however, there is a need for contextual understanding of PA in this segment. This study aimed to examine: a) adolescents' PA levels across various locations before school (6:00am - school start), b) contributions of before-school PA to daily PA and PA guidelines, and c) correlates of location-specific before-school PA. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using adolescents' (n = 148, mean age 14.7) accelerometer and GPS data. Adolescents averaged 9.7 min in before-school moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), representing substantial contributions to daily activity. Most MVPA occurred away from home and school. Significant correlates included segment duration, age, socio-economic status, and PA self-efficacy. Future work should consider these patterns and correlates to support adolescents' PA through targeted interventions.

Keywords: Adolescents; Before-school; Correlates; Location; Physical activity.

MeSH terms

Accelerometry
Adolescent
Cross-Sectional Studies
Exercise*
Humans
Motor Activity*
Schools