Revised Protocol for a scoping review: The use of accelerometers on preschool aged children: a methodological review

Background: Investigation of physical activity (PA) levels in Canadian preschool aged children (6 months-6 years) is essential in order to determine whether or not they are meeting the current national recommendation of 180 minutes of any type of PA per day. Major methodological inconsistencies may be preventing proper representation of how much and what types of activities these children are actually completing on a daily basis. Although advances in wearable technology have permitted researchers to capture free-living movement in adult, adolescent and school-aged child populations, few studies have validated and calibrated the use of accelerometers in preschool aged children. Among the studies that have been completed in this population, major methodological inconsistencies exist with regards to data processing and other methodological considerations, making it impossible to compare results across studies. To improve tracking of PA in children aged 6 months-6 years, a standardized best practices protocol should be developed; therefore, a review of the current data processing technics is imperative. Methods: Intervention studies and randomized and non-randomized clinical trials describing PA tracking through use of accelerometers in children aged 6 months-6 years from the last ten years are eligible for inclusion. Eligible outcome measures include accelerometer model, accelerometer placement, sample rate, epoch length, and data processing measures including “non-wear” time definition, description of a “valid day” and cut points used for defining each intensity of PA. The search strategy will use Medline (via OvidSP), CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science and Global Health CABI. A search of gray literature will be conducted through Google Scholar (first 20 pages) and ProQuest conference papers and proceedings, ProQuest dissertations and Open Access Theses and Dissertations. Discussion: This review will aim to provide a summary of the current methodological techniques used to track PA in a preschool aged population found within the literature. Emphasis will be placed on the frequency of reporting for the outcome measures listed above.