Daily Step Count Target For Meeting Physical Activity Guidelines In Shanghai Preschoolers

Purpose: The accelerometer sensors as an objective physical activity measurem ent method is adopted to measure 3 to 5 years old preschoolers’ daily physical activity levels in Shanghai. The aim is to realize the basic situation of prescho olers’ physical activity in Shanghai nowadays. And according to the current int ernational physical activity guidelines, translate into a step count target in Chin ese preschoolers.Methods: 306 Chinese preschoolers(176 boys and 130 girls, mean age: 4.35±0.52)were instructed to wear an Acti Graph accelerometers(GT3X+)for seven consecutive days. After 7 days, the accelerometers were taken back by the researchers and the data download through Actilife software(Version 6.11.5). Essential parameters are presented as mean±SD. Pearson correlation coefficient tests the correlation between variables. Step count thresholds corresponding with 60 min of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and 180 min of physical activity of total PA including at least 60 min of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity were derived using prediction equations developed from regression analyses. Make a comparison about the proportion of days between meeting physical activity recommendations and meeting step count targets.Receiver operating curve(ROC) analyses were conducted to compare the sensitivity and specificity of the derived thresholds as well as a range of other targets. Statistical significance was set at P<0.05.Results:1. The value of Pearson correlation coefficient between the time of MVPA and TPA is 0.908, and the value of Pearson correlation coefficient between the tim e of PA and the steps is 0.864.2. The average steps of meeting 60 min of moderate-to-vigorous physical activi ty is 9376±2538(range:3677-21709), the average steps of meeting 180 min ofp hysical activity of total PA including at least 60 min of moderate-to-vigorous p hysical activity is 10528±2476(range:6210-21709).3. The daily step count target derived for meeting 60 min of moderate-to-vigor ous physical activity was 6922±38(range:6916-6938), meanwhile, meeting 180 min of total physical activity was 8028±33(range:8005—8060).4. The best value of daily step count targets is 8000 steps by comparing betw een sensitivity and specificity.Conclusions:1. Although, the data up to standard is roughly same compared with other cou ntries, the status of physical activity is not optimistic.2. On the basis of our data, we propose to use a provisional step count target of 8000 steps/day as the target that is meeting physical activity recommendatio ns. This step count target is helpful and realistic for promoting Chinese presch oolers’ physical activity.