This document discusses various methods for assessing physical activity intensity and monitoring physical activity. It describes tools for measuring intensity levels like the talk test, target heart rate zones, and perceived exertion scales. It also outlines subjective self-report methods and objective tools like heart rate monitors, pedometers, accelerometers, and direct observation systems to quantitatively measure physical activity.

1. Unit 3&4 Physical
Education
Assessing Physical Activity

2. Assessment of Intensity
Talk Test
 Determine the extent a person has enough
breath to be able to speak during activity.
 Low Intensity level – should be able to sing.
 Moderate Intensity level – should be able to
carry on a conversation.
 Vigorous intensity level – too out of breath to
conduct a conversation.

3. Assessment of Intensity
Target Heart Rate
 Determines whether a persons heart
rate is within the target zone during
activity.
 Moderate Intensity level
– 50-70% max HR
 Vigorous Intensity level
– 70-85% max HR
 Note – Max HR = 220 – age.

4. Assessment of Intensity
Perceived Exertion
(Borg Rating Scale)
 Refers to how hard you
feel your body is working
on a scale from 6-20
 6 – ‘no exertion at all’
 20 – ‘maximal exertion’

5. Assessment of Intensity
Metabolic Equivalent (MET) Level
 A MET is the unit used to measure the amount of
oxygen used by the body during physical
activity.
 1 MET equals the energy (O2) used by the body
as you sit quietly.
 Moderate Intensity Activity – 3 to 6 METS
 Vigorous Intensity Activity – over 6 METS

6. Examples of Intensity Related
Activities!
 Light Activity
 Moderate Activity
 Vigorous Activity

7. Methods for Assessing
Physical Activity
Subjective Methods
 Depend on our perceptions of physical
activity
 Predominately used for measurement in
populations
Objective Methods
 Rely on solid data or observations
 Predominately used for measurement in
individuals

8. Subjective Methods
Self Report
 Physical Activity Diaries
 Logs
Recall
 Usually made up of short simple
questionnaire of 5-15 items
 Set to investigate physical activity patterns

9. Objective Methods
Heart-rate Telemetry
 Subject wears device that provides data
on the heart rate in response to exercise
 Can be set to record and collect data

10. Objective Methods
Pedometry
 Subject wears device that records the
number of steps taken and estimates
distance covered
 10000 steps is considered equivalent to
meeting National Physical Activity
Guidelines

11. Objective Methods
Accelerometry
 Subject wears device to assess the
acceleration of the body in certain directions
 Provides data on the frequency, duration and
intensity of activity
Doubly Labelled Water
 Technique used to accurately estimate total
energy expenditure.
 Based on the movement of 2 different types
of water found in the body

12. Objective Methods
Direct Observation
 Data collected that measures activity in
regards to type, time, place and social
setting
 Very useful for children
 Can be used in conjunction with other
methods
 There are 3 main observation systems
used:

13. Direct Observation
BEACHES (Behaviours of Eating Activity for Children’s Health
Evaluation System)
 Designed to monitor children eating and activity
both at home and at school
SOFIT (System for observing Fitness Instruction Time)
 Used during PE classes, measures activity, lesson
context and teacher behaviour.
SOPLAY (System for Observing Play and Leisure Activity in Youth)
 Used to assess the physical activity of groups in
certain settings.
 Assesses the number of people in a designated
activity area and their activity level at specific
times