Physical Activity Assessments for Health-related Research

Gregory J. Welk, PhD, is an assistant professor at Iowa State University in the area of physical activity and health promotion. He is an extensively published author and researcher in the field of physical activity assessments. His work with children and adults in both laboratory and field studies makes him uniquely qualified to address the challenges of collecting, processing, and interpreting data on physical activity. Dr. Welk previously worked at the Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research, where he studied the broad applications of public health and epidemiological research and gained a deep understanding of the importance of accurate assessments to advance research. Additionally, he is an active member, both regionally and nationally, of the American College of Sports Medicine; the Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance; and the Society for Public Health Education. In his free time, Dr. Welk enjoys aerobic activities such as running, biking, cross-country skiing, and swimming, as well as golf and hiking. He makes his home in Ames, Iowa, with his wife, Karen, and their four children.

Methods for assessing physical activity and challenges for research; measurement issues for the assessment of physical activity; construct validity in physical activity research; physical activity data - odd distributions yield strange answers; equating and linking of physical activity questionnaires; power calculations and the design of behavioural interventions; use of self-report instruments to assess physical activity; use of accelerometry-based activity monitors to assess physical activity; use of heart rate monitors to assess physical activity; use of pedometers to assess physical activity; use of direct observation to assess physical activity; use of doubly labelled water and indirect calorimetry to assess physical activity; applying multiple methods to improve the accuracy of activity assessments; physical activity assessment issues in population-based interventions - a stage; environmental and policy measurement in physial activity research.