Kate Ridley1, Timothy Olds. 1. Sport, Health, and Physical Education (SHAPE) Research Centre, School of Education, Flinders University, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: To improve the scope of the Youth Compendium of Energy Expenditures, a range of everyday activities of varying intensity should be measured. This study measures the energy cost of children undertaking common household chores, rollerblading and riding a foot-propelled scooter. METHODS: Participants were 9- to 14-year-old children. A metabolic cart was used to measure oxygen cost (VO2) of a variety of household chores. A Cosmed K4b2 portable oxygen analyzer was used to measure VO2 during rollerblading and riding a scooter at self-selected speeds. Energy costs for each participant were calculated as child METs. RESULTS: Mean child MET costs for the household chores ranged from 1.3 to 3.6 METs. Rollerblading and riding a scooter yielded mean child MET costs of 6.5 and 6.3 METs respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Household chores were found to be of light to moderate intensity, while rollerblading and riding a scooter were vigorous activities.
BACKGROUND: To improve the scope of the Youth Compendium of Energy Expenditures, a range of everyday activities of varying intensity should be measured. This study measures the energy cost of children undertaking common household chores, rollerblading and riding a foot-propelled scooter. METHODS:Participants were 9- to 14-year-old children. A metabolic cart was used to measure oxygen cost (VO2) of a variety of household chores. A Cosmed K4b2 portable oxygen analyzer was used to measure VO2 during rollerblading and riding a scooter at self-selected speeds. Energy costs for each participant were calculated as child METs. RESULTS: Mean child MET costs for the household chores ranged from 1.3 to 3.6 METs. Rollerblading and riding a scooter yielded mean child MET costs of 6.5 and 6.3 METs respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Household chores were found to be of light to moderate intensity, while rollerblading and riding a scooter were vigorous activities.
Authors: Nancy F Butte; Kathleen B Watson; Kate Ridley; Issa F Zakeri; Robert G McMurray; Karin A Pfeiffer; Scott E Crouter; Stephen D Herrmann; David R Bassett; Alexander Long; Zekarias Berhane; Stewart G Trost; Barbara E Ainsworth; David Berrigan; Janet E Fulton Journal: Med Sci Sports Exerc Date: 2018-02 Impact factor: 5.411