Accelerometers are a valuable tool for collecting youth physical activity data. This workshop presented strategies for collecting objective physical activity data (using accelerometers) and subjective physical activity data (using self-report questionnaires) from school-aged youth in low resource communities. These strategies were presented by a research team comprised of a university researcher, a state health department public health practitioner, and a project coordinator. Presenters shared how collaboration facilitated successful physical activity data collection in their study despite a limited study budget and limited resources within community data collection sites. Examples from the presenters’ current research were used to facilitate group discussion and brainstorming. Practical guidance on recruitment, ensuring complete wearing times and enhancing quality of data was provided. The team also provided an overview on managing and analyzing accelerometer data using ActiLife™ and MeterPlus™ software.

Learning Objectives:

• Conceptualize barriers to accelerometer data collection given the nature of their specific low resource target population, as well as identify strategies to address some of these barriers.
• Identify groups or individuals with whom they might collaborate in order to facilitate large-scale accelerometer data collection on a limited budget.
• Understand time and equipment specifications related to the use of accelerometers in field-based research.
• Understand guidelines for selecting validated self-report physical activity measures for youth subjects.