This study examined the accuracy of the Phillips et al. GENEActiv accelerometer wrist worn cut-points in children aged 5-8. Fifteen children (six girls, nine boys) aged 5-8 years wore a GENEActiv monitor on their non-dominant wrist while undertaking 5 min bouts of lying supine, playing Lego, walking at slow, medium and fast pace and running. Receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis was employed to establish how well the Phillips et al. (2013) cut-points classified intensity of the activities compared to the actual intensity determined by indirect calorimetry. Area under the curve (AUC) values were high for sedentary (.970), moderate (.815) and vigorous (.974) activity.
Conclusion: The Phillips et al. (2013) cut-points for the GENEActiv accelerometer can be used in children aged 5-8 years old to distinguish sedentary behaviour, moderate and vigorous PA behaviour. What is Known: • Accelerometers are fast becoming the most widely used measure of physical activity in public health research. • The GENEActive wrist worn accelerometer has been validated for use with children aged 8 years and older What is New: • The GENEActive wrist worn accelerometer can be used to assess physical activity in children aged 5-8 years old. • Previously established cut-points for the GENEActiv accelerometer can be used in children aged 5-8 years old to distinguish sedentary behaviour, moderate and vigorous PA behaviour.
Keywords: Accelerometry; Physical activity; Preschoolers; Validation.