Author:

Gregory J. Welk (ed)

Publisher:

Human Kinetics Publishers, Inc.

Publication Date:

2002

Edition:

First

Binding:

Hardcover

Category:

Non-disease-specific > Physical Activity

Description:

This book serves as a guide for the use of physical activity instruments in health-related research. The text provides researchers with practical information about the most effective ways to collect, score and interpret physical activity data for research purposes. The book explains the history, current trends and approaches involved with the study of physical activity. Emphasizing the instruments for health-related research, the book supplies specific resources for analyzing and interpreting data and includes several assessment techniques. The book is broken down into four parts:

Part I: “Introduction and Overview of Physical Activity Assessment.”

Part 2: “Measurement and Analysis Issues for Physical Activity Assessment.”

Part 3: “Techniques for Physical Activity Assessment.”

Part 4: “Innovative Approaches for Physical Activity Assessments.”

Types of Information or Instruments:

The book contains reviews of various techniques including their advantages and disadvantages. There are practical suggestions to help improve the quality and accuracy of data collection. The book describes the application of various techniques, including self-report instruments, activity monitors, pedometers, heart rate monitors, direct observation, and the doubly labeled water technique, and describes new applications to better assess specific measurement needs.

Quantity of Instruments:

There are approximately 22 instruments referenced in the book, such as the Stage Instrument for Interviews and Questionnaires, System for Observing Play and Leisure Activity in Youth (SOPLAY), Children’s Attitude Toward Physical Activity Scale, and Children’s Activity Rating Scale(CARS).

Quality of Instrument Descriptions:

The purposes for using the instruments are described in detail as well as the type of data collected.

Quality of Psychometric Information:

There is no specific psychometric information provided for the instruments in this book. Rather, the book provides a general background on physical activity assessment and highlights the importance of such in health-related research. It explores specific measurement issues, including an overview of the importance of validity, reliability, and generalizability of physical activity instruments.

Scale Accessibility:

The book does not provide full scales.

Book Provides Actual Scale Items:

The book does not contain actual scale items.

User-friendly Navigation:

The book is easy to navigate.

Other Types of Information:

The book contains an Appendix, Credits for Table and Figures, list of Contributors, and an Index.

Hints:

None.