The "moderate to vigorous physical activity" screening measure is recommended for clinical practice with adolescents.

No abstract

No abstract

This paper reviews the descriptive epidemiology of physical activity in adolescents. Large population-based studies were reviewed, along with smaller studies using objective monitoring of physical activity. Estimates showed that adolescents engage in physical activity of any intensity for a mean of one hour per day. Approximately two thirds of males and one quarter of females participate in moderate to vigorous activity for 20 min 3 or more days per week. Activity levels decline with increasing age across adolescence, and this decrease is more marked in females than in males. Comparison of these data to physical activity guidelines for adolescents suggests the vast majority are meeting the guideline of accumulating physical activity. However, a substantial number of males, and the majority of females, are not meeting the guideline for moderate to vigorous physical activity.

In brief Promoting physical activity among patients is an essential role for physicians. Project PACE (Physician-based Assessment and Counseling for Exercise) is a practical system of matching physician counseling with patient readiness for physical activity. The PACE counseling approach will help physicians attain national goals for health promotion for the year 2000.