TY - JOUR
T1 - The Take PART study (Physical Activity Research for Teenagers)
T2 - Rationale and methods
AU - Woods, Catherine B.
AU - Nelson, Norah M.
AU - O'Gorman, Donal J.
AU - Foley, Eimear
AU - Moyna, Niall M.
PY - 2009/3
Y1 - 2009/3
N2 - Background: The Take PART study - Physical Activity Research for Teenagers - was undertaken to assess (1) physical activity and sedentary behaviors, (2) indices of health and fitness, and (3) to provide information, from a social ecological perspective, on the correlates of physical activity in a large sample of 15- to 17-year-old Irish adolescents. This manuscript outlines the rationale and methodology of the Take PART study. Methods: A sample of 4720 students (mean age = 16.03 years ± 0.66, range 15 to 17 years; 49.5% female) participated. Fifty participants were assessed during each 3-hour school visit, with a ratio of 1 researcher to 10 students. Standardized testing procedures and extensive researcher training ensured that intertester and intratester reliability for all physical measures was ≥.85. The height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, blood pressure, and cardiorespiratory fitness protocols are explained. The questionnaire used well-known, valid, and reliable self-report measures. Where appropriate, additional psychometric testing was undertaken. Conclusions: Take PART is a school-based study. Its methods are simple, easy to replicate, financially viable, and scientifically valid. Its unique dataset will allow the evaluation of a social ecological approach as a viable option for improving understanding of youth inactivity. Ultimately, this knowledge will assist in successful intervention design.
AB - Background: The Take PART study - Physical Activity Research for Teenagers - was undertaken to assess (1) physical activity and sedentary behaviors, (2) indices of health and fitness, and (3) to provide information, from a social ecological perspective, on the correlates of physical activity in a large sample of 15- to 17-year-old Irish adolescents. This manuscript outlines the rationale and methodology of the Take PART study. Methods: A sample of 4720 students (mean age = 16.03 years ± 0.66, range 15 to 17 years; 49.5% female) participated. Fifty participants were assessed during each 3-hour school visit, with a ratio of 1 researcher to 10 students. Standardized testing procedures and extensive researcher training ensured that intertester and intratester reliability for all physical measures was ≥.85. The height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, blood pressure, and cardiorespiratory fitness protocols are explained. The questionnaire used well-known, valid, and reliable self-report measures. Where appropriate, additional psychometric testing was undertaken. Conclusions: Take PART is a school-based study. Its methods are simple, easy to replicate, financially viable, and scientifically valid. Its unique dataset will allow the evaluation of a social ecological approach as a viable option for improving understanding of youth inactivity. Ultimately, this knowledge will assist in successful intervention design.
KW - Adolescents
KW - Body mass index
KW - Physical activity
KW - Sedentary activity
KW - Social ecological model
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=63049103647&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1123/jpah.6.2.170
DO - 10.1123/jpah.6.2.170
M3 - Article
C2 - 19420394
AN - SCOPUS:63049103647
SN - 1543-3080
VL - 6
SP - 170
EP - 177
JO - Journal of Physical Activity and Health
JF - Journal of Physical Activity and Health
IS - 2
ER -