Step counts and self-reported physical activity among upper elementary school students vary with aerobic fitness

Study aim: The purpose of this study was to examine if step-counts during PE and self-reported PA of elementary grade students varied based on the aerobic capacity. Material and methods: Ninety elementary physical education students, enrolled in the 4th and 5th grade, from one elementary school in the Midwestern USA participated. Each participant completed the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children (PAQ-C), wore a pedometer in PE to measure steps taken, and completed the PACER aerobic fitness test. A multiple regression analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between steps taken by students and PAQ-C score in predicting aerobic capacity as measured through the PACER test. Results: Average steps significantly predicted PACER laps (beta = 0.48, p < 0.01), as did the PAQ-C (beta = 0.28, p < 0.001). For males, average steps significantly predicted PACER laps (beta = 0.48, p < 0.01), while the PAQ-C and the PACER beta coefficients were not statistically significant (beta = 0.14, p = 0.30). Results for females indicated average steps significantly predicted PACER laps (beta = 0.38, p < 0.01), as did the PAQ-C (beta = 0.46, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Results from this study indicate that student steps taken during PE and self-report PA has an association with students' completed PACER laps.