Validity of Family Child Care Providers’ Proxy Reports on Children’s Physical Activity

BACKGROUND: Interventions to promote physical activity (PA) in children attending family child care homes (FCCHs) require valid, yet practical, measurement tools. The aim of this study was to assess the validity of two proxy report instruments designed to measure PA in children attending FCCHs. METHODS: A sample of 37 FCCH providers completed the Burdette parent proxy report, modified for the family child care setting for 107 children 3.4 ± 1.2 years of age. A second sample of 42 FCCH providers completed the Harro parent and teacher proxy report, modified for the family child care setting, for 131 children 3.8 ± 1.3 years of age. Both proxy reports were assessed for validity using accelerometry as a criterion measure. RESULTS: Significant positive correlations were observed between provider-reported PA scores from the modified Burdette proxy report and objectively measured total PA (r = 0.30; p < 0.01) and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA; r = 0.34; p < 0.01). Across levels of provider-reported PA, both total PA and MVPA increased significantly in a linear dose-response fashion. The modified Harro proxy report was not associated with objectively measured PA. CONCLUSION: Proxy PA reports completed by family child care providers may be a valid assessment option in studies where more burdensome objective measures are not feasible

Validity of family child care providers' proxy reports on children's physical activity

Background Interventions to promote physical activity (PA) in children attending family child care homes (FCCHs) require valid, yet practical, measurement tools. The aim of this study was to assess the validity of two proxy report instruments designed to measure PA in children attending FCCHs. Methods A sample of 37 FCCH providers completed the Burdette parent proxy report, modified for the family child care setting for 107 children 3.4±1.2 years of age. A second sample of 42 FCCH providers completed the Harro parent and teacher proxy report, modified for the family child care setting, for 131 children 3.8±1.3 years of age. Both proxy reports were assessed for validity using accelerometry as a criterion measure. Results Significant positive correlations were observed between provider-reported PA scores from the modified Burdette proxy report and objectively measured total PA (r=0.30; p<0.01) and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA; r=0.34; p<0.01). Across levels of provider-reported PA, both total PA and MVPA increased significantly in a linear dose-response fashion. The modified Harro proxy report was not associated with objectively measured PA. Conclusion Proxy PA reports completed by family child care providers may be a valid assessment option in studies where more burdensome objective measures are not feasible

Comparison of intensity-based cut-points for the RT3 accelerometer in youth

OBJECTIVES: To compare the classification accuracy of previously published RT3 accelerometer cut-points for youth using energy expenditure, measured via portable indirect calorimetry, as a criterion measure. DESIGN: Cross-sectional cross-validation study. METHODS: 100 children (mean age 11.2±2.8 years, 61% male) completed 12 standardized activities trials (3 sedentary, 5 lifestyle and 4 ambulatory) while wearing an RT3 accelerometer. V˙O2 was measured concurrently using the Oxycon Mobile portable calorimeter. Cut-points by Vanhelst (VH), Rowlands (RW), Chu (CH), Kavouras (KV) and the RT3 manufacturer (RT3M) were used to classify PA intensity as sedentary (SED), light (LPA), moderate (MPA) or vigorous (VPA). Classification accuracy was evaluated using the area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve (ROC-AUC) and weighted Kappa (κ). RESULTS: For moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), VH, KV and RW exhibited excellent accuracy classification (ROC-AUC≥0.90), while the CH and RT3M exhibited good classification accuracy (ROC-AUC>0.80). Classification accuracy for LPA was fair to poor (ROC-AUC0.90), while RW, CH, and RT3M exhibited good classification accuracy (ROC-AUC>0.80). Kappa statistics ranged from 0.67 (VH) to 0.55 (CH). CONCLUSIONS: All cut-points provided acceptable classification accuracy for SED and MVPA, but limited accuracy for LPA. On the basis of classification accuracy over all four levels of intensity, the use of the VH cut-points is recommended

Objectively measured physical activity and sedentary behaviour in children with bronchiectasis: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundBronchiectasis is a major contributor to respiratory morbidity and health care utilization in children and youth. Current treatment guidelines for bronchiectasis recommend participation in regular physical activity (PA) to improve aerobic fitness and quality of life (QoL). However, no previous study has assessed physical activity and sedentary behavior in this patient group, and the extent to which children with bronchiectasis meet guidelines for PA is unknown. In the absence of such data, we objectively measured the PA of children with bronchiectasis and compared them to current guidelines.MethodsForty-six children with bronchiectasis between 4 to 14years (mean age 7.52.6years) were recruited from the Queensland Children's Hospital, Brisbane. Daily time in sedentary, light, and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) was measured objectively over 7days using the ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometer and compared their values to current guidelines (minimum 60min of MVPA daily). Compliance with the daily guideline and average daily steps counts were compared to normative data from two population-based health surveys of healthy children.ResultsWe had complete measurements from 36 children. On average, they accumulated 48.6min of MVPA daily and were sedentary for similar to 7h/day. There was no statistical difference in these values between sexes or weekdays vs. weekends. Only 2 (5.6%) children met the 60-min daily MVPA recommendation compared to 42.1% of healthy children. Children with bronchiectasis accumulated 8229 steps/day (boys: 8422 +/- SD 473, girls: 8037 +/- 594), well below the recommended 12,000 steps/day. In comparison, daily step counts in healthy children ranged from 11,500-14,500 steps/day.Conclusion Children with bronchiectasis are insufficiently active for health benefit and would substantially benefit from programs to promote PA and reduce sedentary behavior

Fundamental movement skill proficiency and objectively measured physical activity in children with bronchiectasis : a cross-sectional study

Background: Bronchiectasis is a major contributor to respiratory morbidity and healthcare utilization in children. Children with bronchiectasis exhibit low levels of physical activity (PA) and poor fundamental movement skills (FMS) may be a contributing factor. However, there are no data on FMS’s in this population. The current study assessed FMS proficiency in children with bronchiectasis and examined associations with objectively measured PA. Methods: Forty-six children with bronchiectasis (mean age 7.5 ± 2.6 year, 63% Male) were recruited from the Queensland Children’s Hospital, Brisbane. PA was measured using the ActiGraph GT3X + accelerometer. Raw accelerometer data were processed into daily time spent in sedentary activities, light-intensity activities and games, walking, running, and moderate-to-vigorous activities and games using a random forest (RF) PA classification algorithm specifically developed for children. Daily MVPA was calculated by summing time spent in walking, running, and moderate-to-vigorous activities and games. FMS were assessed using the Test of Gross Motor Development 2nd Edition (TGMD-2). Results: Fewer than 5% of children demonstrated mastery in the run, gallop, hop, and leap; while fewer than 10% demonstrated mastery for the two-handed strike, overarm throw, and underarm throw. Only eight of the 46 children (17.4%) achieved their age equivalency for locomotor skills, while just four (8.7%) achieved their age equivalency for object control skills. One-way ANCOVA revealed that children achieving their age equivalency for FMS had significantly higher levels of MVPA than children not achieving their age equivalency (51.7 vs 36.7 min/day). When examined by the five activity classes predicted by the RF algorithm, children achieving their age equivalency exhibited significantly greater participation moderate-to-vigorous intensity activities and games (22.1 vs 10.7 min/day). No significant differences were observed for sedentary activities, light-intensity activities and games, walking, and running. Conclusion: Children with bronchiectasis exhibit significant delays in their FMS development. However, those who meet their age equivalency for FMS proficiency participate in significantly more daily MVPA than children who do not meet their age-equivalency. Therapeutic exercise programs designed to improve FMS proficiency are thus likely to be beneficial in this population.</p

Effects of a therapeutic exercise program in children with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis : A pilot randomized controlled trial

Background: In the absence of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the benefits of therapeutic exercise programs involving children with bronchiectasis, we undertook a pilot RCT to evaluate the effects of a play-based therapeutic exercise program on fundamental movement skill (FMS) proficiency. The effects of the program on cardiorespiratory fitness, perceived competence, and health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) were examined as secondary outcomes. Methods: Children [median (IQR) age: 6.8 (5.3–8.8) years] with bronchiectasis unrelated to cystic fibrosis were randomized to a 7-week therapeutic exercise program (n = 11) or wait-list control (n = 10). The exercise program comprised 7 × 60-min weekly sessions and was supplemented by a home-based program 2-days/week. Participants were assessed on: FMS (locomotor and object control skills) using the Test of Gross Motor Development 2nd Edition (TGMD-2); cardiovascular fitness by calculating the percent change in heart rate (%ΔHR) from rest to completion of the first stage of a submaximal treadmill test; perceived competence using Harter’s athletic competence subscale; and QoL with the PedsQL. Results: Significant group by time interactions were observed for locomotor and object control skills. Children completing the therapeutic exercise program exhibited significant improvements in both locomotor (pre 29.0 ± 2.0, post 35.2 ± 2.2, p = 0.01) and object control (pre 27.0 ± 2.0, post 35.5 ± 2.2, p = 0.01) skills, with no significant change in controls (pre 31.6 ± 2.1, post 31.8 ± 2.3 and pre 31.0 ± 2.1, post 32.3 ± 2.3, respectively). Among children completing the program, %ΔHR declined by 6% points, while %ΔHR declined only marginally among controls (0.9% points), but the group by time interaction was not statistically significant. The program had a small positive impact on competence perceptions (Cohen’s d = 0.2) and HR-QoL (Cohen’s d = 0.3). Conclusion: This pilot RCT provides preliminary evidence for the efficacy of a play-based therapeutic exercise program to improve proficiency in FMS and fitness in children with bronchiectasis. The results are sufficiently positive to warrant conducting a larger RCT testing the efficacy of the exercise program in children with bronchiectasis and/or other chronic respiratory conditions.</p

Effects of exercise training on physical and psychosocial health in children with chronic respiratory disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction Chronic disease in children is increasing, including the prevalence of chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma, cystic fibrosis (CF), bronchiectasis and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of exercise training on health outcomes in children with chronic respiratory disease. Method Five databases were searched for randomised controlled trials investigating the effects of exercise training on children with chronic respiratory disease. Following the PRISMA guidelines, eligible studies were identified and data were extracted. A meta-analysis was conducted for the outcomes cardiovascular fitness, lung function and quality of life (QoL). Results The initial search returned 3688 papers. Twenty-seven (17 in children with asthma, 10 in children with CF) were included in the systematic review and 24 of these were included in the meta-analysis. No studies were identified in children with bronchiectasis or BPD. Included papers had a total of 1009 participants aged 8-20 years. In addition to cardiovascular fitness, lung function and QoL, studies also assessed pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, muscular strength and inflammation. Meta-analysis showed a large significant effect size in favour of exercise for cardiovascular fitness (peak VO 2) (standard mean difference (SMD)=1.16, 95%CI 0.61 to 1.70) and QoL (SMD=1.27, 95% CI 0.72 to 1.82) as well as a small, non-significant effect size for lung function (FEV 1) (SMD=0.02, 95% CI -0.38 to 0.42). Conclusion Exercise training significantly improves cardiovascular fitness and QoL in children with asthma and CF. Further research is needed, particularly in children with bronchiectasis and BPD