Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the factors that influence compliance and practical utility of a continuous wear protocols for activPAL™ among adolescents.
Methods: Seven hundred and fifty-five (11-18 y; 50.6% girls) students wore the waterproof activPAL™ for 7 consecutive days. The effects of factors such as weather and practical strategies on compliance were assessed. Students were asked to note reasons for removing it in a log. After the 7-day period, students anonymously completed a practical utility questionnaire.
Results: The final sample used to analyze compliance contained 588 available data points; 72.4% met the validity criteria, which were ≥4 valid days. Rainfall was inversely associated with total wear time, whereas using alcohol pads and cartoon stickers during the application were positively associated with total wear time. Sweating (25.2%) and skin irritation (39.0%) were the most reasons for 290 removal episodes by 235 students. The 131 questionnaires showed that 80.1% regarded the continuous wear period as too long and encountered problems, and 55% would rather not wear it again.
Conclusion: Rainy weather affected girls' compliance with the continuous wear protocol for activPAL™. Skin irritation and sweat-induced inadvertent drops caused removal. Future studies should investigate more user-friendly protocols.
Keywords: accelerometer; free-living environment; physical activity; sedentary behavior.