The Physical Activity Levels of English Adolescent Boys

Abstract

This study assessed the physical activity levels of 96 English boys aged 11‐14 years. Activity levels were determined by means of an interviewer administered physical activity questionnaire, the Four by One‐Day Recall. Half of the sample were declared active or moderately active on the basis of their estimated average daily energy expenditures (in kcal.kg‐1 .day‐1) while approximately one third (31.3%) had engaged in no vigorous activity at all over the 4 day period. However, more than 90% of boys had engaged in a daily average of 30 minutes or more of moderate activity and 63.5% in a daily average of one hour or more. It was thus concluded that most boys appear to be engaging in at least some physical activity which is likely to positively influence their health.