Combining Ecological Momentary Assessment and Social Network Analysis to Study Youth Physical Activity and Environmental Influences: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Feasibility Study.

Abstract

Background: Physical activity (PA) is crucial for youth health, but up to 74% of adolescents fail to meet recommended levels, especially during summer when structured supports associated with school are not available. The social and built environments significantly influence youth PA; yet, their complex interactions remain poorly understood. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of combining ecological momentary assessment (EMA) and social network analysis to examine bidirectional influences among youth PA, built environments, and social networks during summer.

Objective: The objectives are to (1) evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the combined EMA and Social Network Analysis protocol, and (2) identify phenotypes using person-level, microtemporal, and dynamic overlap between social and built environments.

Methods: This mixed methods feasibility study with an exploratory observational component will recruit 120 youth aged 12 years to 15 years from an urban school district in Central Texas, US. Participants will first complete a baseline survey to report their general social network patterns and environmental perceptions. Then participants will wear an ActiGraph LEAP accelerometer and respond to EMA prompts via smartphone for 7 days. EMA will assess real-time perceptions of social networks and surrounding built environments, which will be time-matched with accelerometer-assessed PA data. GPS coordinates will be collected with each EMA prompt to assess features of the built environment. Follow-up semistructured interviews will assess protocol acceptability.

Results: This study has been funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Data collection is expected in the summers of 2025, 2026, and 2027.

Conclusions: This innovative approach combines EMA, SNA, accelerometry, and GPS data to provide unprecedented insights into the dynamic interplay between social networks, built environments, and youth PA during summer. Findings will inform the development of more targeted, effective interventions to promote PA among youth. While limitations include potential participant burden and generalizability, the study's strengths in capturing real-time, contextualized data make it a valuable contribution to understanding youth PA determinants.

International registered report identifier (irrid): PRR1-10.2196/68667.