Key Knowledge
Subjective and objective methods of assessing physical
activity and sedentary behaviour including recall survey or
diaries, pedometry, accelerometry and observational tools in
relation to the National Physical Activity Guidelines.
Subjective and objective methods of
assessing physical activity and
sedentary behaviour
Subjective and objective
measures of sedentary
behaviours and physical activity
Subjective
Objective
- Rely on a person recalling or
remembering which activities they
participated in, or recalling their
perception of the intensity of the
session. Subjective measures are useful
for measuring activity levels of large
groups and are low cost.
- Rely on information presented by
another person through direct
observation, or from a device like a
pedometer or accelerometer. Objective
measures remove the disadvantages
associated with subjective measures but
are much more expensive.
Examples: Diary or log, recall
Examples: direct oberservation,
accelerometer, pedometer
Source: Dollman et. al, 2009, as cited in Malpeli, Telford, Whittle & Corrie, 2010)
Which method is more suitable for small groups of people?
Which method is more cost effective?
This task is aimed at students developing their own knowledge about
subjective and objectives measures of physical activity. The task will be
completed in groups. Each group will focus on one measure of physical
activity and present their findings to class. Task instructions are in a
Microsoft Word document.
Read and discuss the information sheet titled:
‘Appropriate measures for assessing physical
activity among population subgroups’
Subjective versus objective assessment
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Subjective methods of assessing physical activity or
sedentary behaviour
Involves qualitative or descriptive recall of behaviours
Are less reliable than objective
More easily administered to population groups and subgroups
Include: recall, logbooks, proxy reports and diaries
Objective methods of assessing physical activity or
sedentary behaviour
Involves quantitative analysis or analysis of numerical data
Are more reliable than subjective measures of physical activity or
inactivity and can be highly accurate
Can be expensive or time consuming, and are best suited to
individuals
Include: pedometry, accelerometry and observational tools
Testing your understanding
Objective measures of physical activity and sedentary behaviour
are more reliable than subjective measures? True/ False
Which of the following is an example of a subjective measure?
A) Direct observation
B) Pedometer
C) Keeping a diary
D) Accelerometer
Which of the following is the least effective measure of physical
activity for an 8 year old?
A) Recall
B) Direct Observation
C) Accelerometry
D) Pedometry