Comparison of Physical Activity Level, Physical Activity Pattern and Energy Expenditure in Male and Female Elementary School Soccer Players using Accelerometer and Physical Activity Diary / 대한지역사회영양학회지

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare the physical activity level (PAL), the physical activity pattern and the energy expenditure in male and female elementary school soccer players using the accelerometer and the physical activity diary. METHODS: Twenty-five (male 11, female 14) elementary school soccer players (9–12 years) participated in this study. During their daily activities, they wore an accelerometer for seven days (five weekdays and two weekend days) and completed the physical activity diary for three days (two weekdays and one weekend day). PAL was calculated by using the physical activity diary and three equations (Pate Preschool, Freedson Children, and Freedson) were used to calculate the intensity of physical activity and energy expenditure from the counts of accelerometer. RESULTS: The average of physical activity by day of the week, CPM (Counts Per Minute) and METs (Metabolic Equivalents) were significantly higher in males (723.3 ± 149.2 CPM, 2.07 ± 0.18 METs) compared to females (505.6 ± 119.9 CPM, 1.79 ± 0.20 METs), but there was no significant difference in PAEE (Physical Activity Energy Expenditure) between the two groups (males 15.5 ± 9.1 kcal/day, females 11.5 ± 6.0 kcal/day). During weekdays, physical activity intensity was significantly higher in males compared to females at lunch time and training time than at other times. In both genders, the PAL was higher during weekdays (males 1.98, females 1.89) compared to weekend (males 1.62, females 1.61) (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our study observations suggest the necessity to develop an accelerometer equation for accurately evaluating the physical activity of elementary school athletes.