Citation

Ridley K, Olds T. J. Phys. Act. Health 2016; 13(6 Suppl 1): S75-S77.

Affiliation

Sport, Health, and Physical Education (SHAPE) Research Centre, School of Education, Flinders University, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Human Kinetics Publishers)

DOI

10.1123/jpah.2015-0706

PMID

27392385

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.

Language: en