The purpose of the MOCA and miniMOCA studies is to develop methods for processing activity tracker data so we can more accurately measure physical activity levels across a wide age range of youth (6 months to 25 years old). To accomplish this, each child is videotaped in several natural settings (home, playground/sports/activity class, in the community, and in school) while wearing two activity trackers (one on the wrist and one on the hip).
For new participants 6-months to 3 years old in the miniMOCA portion of the study, children will wear two devices (one on the wrist and one on the ankle) using soft cotton sleeves to securely house the activity trackers. We videotape the children in natural settings, for about 1-hour per session. Kids keep wearing the trackers for up to one week.
Follow the link below for a more detailed description of the study:
Participant Involvement:
To participate in either the MOCA or miniMOCA Studies, please reach out to Professor Sirard at jsirard@umass.edu or 413-545-7898 with any questions. You can also go right to a study description and eligibility questions HERE.
Undergraduate Student Involvement:
The MOCA and miniMOCA Studies offer opportunities for UMass undergrads to be involved in research as research assistants. Research assistants are exposed to theoretical and practical knowledge related to measuring free-living activity and sedentary behavior in unstructured environments. For more information or an interest in becoming a MOCA research assistant, email John Sirard at jsirard@umass.edu
Investigators:
- Dr. John Sirard, Co-Principal Investigator, Kinesiology
- Dr. John W Staudenmayer, Co-Principal Investigator, Mathematics and Statistics
- Dr. Patty S Freedson, Co-Investigator
Graduate Research Assistants:
Undergraduate Assistants Fall 2020:
- Kin 297J Spring 2020: Omar Abdelaal, Madelyn Andrie, Zachary Berlin, Andrew Bourguignon, Megan Brown, Daniel Chen, Elyjah Collins, Kaylin Cousineau, Ava Dawley, Liam Gallinagh, Ryan Ipaicca, Sabrina Leoce, Charles May, David Moscoso, Julia Olivia, Lauren Pedrini, Leah Sacco, Telma Takang, and Yijun Zou
- Returning RAs: Erin Bergeron, Kelley Burbine, Jatin Bussa, Megan Diep, Madisyn Erwin, Arik Howe, Camille Jean, Maggie Jiang, Tansuree Kumar, Steve Nguyen, Mae Norton, Aisling O’Malley, Helen Orton, and Sophia Ouimette
This study is funded by grant 5R01DK110148-02 from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
