Using Ecological Momentary Assessment to Evaluate Current Physical Activity

Table 1

Using EMA to evaluate PA among children and adolescents—a literature review compilation (2005–2009).

Authors (year)	Aim	Material	Timing	Activity/objective tool/EMA tool
Dunton et al. (2005) [9]	Using EMA to assess PA among adolescents	𝑛=526; ♂ 51%; 𝑋=14.47±0.47; Single survey	(i) Fall and spring each year (1998–2004); spaced approximately 6 months/4 days (Thursday–Sunday)/30 min intervals (±10); (ii) Three reminder signals/25–30 surveys	current activity—select from the list/A, HRm/e
Dunton et al. (2007) [19]	Using EMA to map the social and physical contexts of PA among adolescents	𝑛=502; ♀ 51%; 𝑋=14.47±0.47; Surveyed 8 times during 4 years	(i) Fall and spring each year (1998–2004); spaced approximately 6 months/4 days (Thursday–Sunday)/30 min intervals (±10); (ii) 3 reminder signals/25–30 surveys	current activity—select from the list/A, HRm/e
Gorely et al. (2007) [20]	Using EMA to examine patterns of PA and SB across adolescents in the UK and to investigate if lifestyles of different groups differ on key explanatory variables	𝑛=1371; ♂ 521/♀ 850; 𝑋=14.7±0.92; Single survey	2 times: March–May and September–November (2000–2002); spaced approximately 6 months/3 weekdays, 1 weekend day/15 min intervals/44 surveys on weekdays and 68 on weekend days	current activity, with whom, and where—select from the list/p
Gorely et al. (2007) [21]	Using EMA to describe PA and SB in adolescent girls in the UK in their leisure time	♀ 923; 𝑋=14.7±0.94; (12.5–17.6 years); Single survey	2 times; spaced approximately 6 months/3 weekdays, 1 weekend day/15 min intervals/44 surveys on weekdays and 68 on weekend days	current activity, with whom, and where—select from the list/p
Biddle et al. (2009) [22]	Using EMA to describe prevalence of PA and SB in Scottish adolescents	𝑛=991; ♂ 385/♀ 606; 𝑋=14.1±0.89; Single survey	2 times: October-November 2002 and February-March 2003; spaced approximately 6 months/3 weekdays, 1 weekend day/15 min intervals/44 surveys on weekdays and 68 on weekend days	current activity—select from the list/p
Biddle et al. (2009) [23]	Investigate PA and SB in adolescents of different socioeconomic status in Central-Eastern European countries	𝑛=623; ♂ 247/♀ 376; 𝑋=15.5±0.9	3 weekdays, 1 weekend day/15 min intervals/44 surveys on weekdays and 68 on weekend days	current activity, with whom, and where—select from the list/p
Gorely et al. (2009) [24]	Investigate the relationships between family circumstance, PA, and SB among adolescents	𝑛=1171; ♂ 477/♀ 694; 𝑋=14.8±0.86; Single survey	2 times: March–May and September–November (2000–2002); spaced approximately 6 months/3 weekdays, 1 weekend day/15 min intervals/44 surveys on weekdays and 68 on weekend days	current activity, with whom, and where—select from the list/p
Gorely et al. (2009) [25]	Using EMA to describe PA and SB across adolescent boys in the UK in their leisure time	♂ 561; 𝑋=14.6±0.89; Single survey	2 times: March–May and September–November (2000–2002); spaced approximately 6 months/3 weekdays, 1 weekend day/15 min intervals/44 surveys on weekdays and 68 on weekend days	current activity, with whom, and where—select from the list/p

PA: physical activity; SB: sedentary behavior; EMA: ecological momentary assessment; 𝑛: number of subjects; ♂: males; ♀: females; 𝑋: mean age [years] ± standard deviation; BMI: body mass index [kg/m²]; E: electronic diary/questionnaire on mobile phone with MyExperience software [16]; e: electronic diary in handheld computer; p: pencil and paper diary/questionnaire; p.c.: phone call; A: an accelerometer; HRm: a heart rate monitor.