Previous Day Physical Activity Recall (PDPAR) is a self-report instrument intended to capture the previous day’s physical activity of children, specifically after school hours. The PDPAR uses a time-based recall approach by asking the child to recall and record their physical activity from the previous day between 3:00pm and 11:30pm. The time between 3:00pm and 11:30pm is divided into 17 blocks, 30 minutes each. Children are asked to note their specific activity (35 common activities are listed for the child to choose from, each with a numerical code) and the intensity of the activity (very light, light, moderate, or vigorous) per block of time. The physical activity of the child is then determined using the metabolic equivalent, or MET, level.

For information on how to introduce children to the PDPAR and instruct them in its use, please download the PDPAR Script.

The Three Day Physical Activity Recall (3DPAR) is a self-report instrument based on the Previous Day Physical Activity Recall (PDPAR) and is designed to capture habitual physical activity of adolescents. 3DPAR uses a time-based recall approach over a three-day period. Each day is divided into 34 blocks of time (representing 30 minutes per block) from 7:00am to midnight. Adolescents are asked to record their specific activity (55 common activities are listed for them to select from, each with a numeric code) and the intensity of the activity for each block of time. Physical activity is then determined using the metabolic equivalent (MET) levels. The instrument can be completed during a single 30 minute session, making it ideal for school-based data collection.

For information on how to introduce adolescents to the 3DPAR and instruct them in its use, please download the 3DPAR Script.