The use of whole day (24 hour) heart rate monitoring in assessing physical activity patterns in primary school children

The relationship between physical activity and health has been established in adult populations (Blair et al, 1992; Powell et al. 1987). Less is known about the antecedents of physical activity in children. Sallis and Patrick (1994) produced guidelines for physical activity levels, in adolescents, from the limited data available. They suggested periods of moderate to vigorous physical activity, of 20 minutes or more, repeated three times weekly. These activity levels were chosen so as to promote cardiorespiratory health.