The purpose of this study was to assess parent-child dyad's proportion of time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), accelerometer counts per minute (CPM), enjoyment, and acceptability of five physical activities (PA) during shared physical PA and to identify significant predictors of shared PA in parent-child dyads.

Thirty-one parent-child dyads completed PA sessions, which included five different PAs performed in random order. During the PA sessions, parent and child PA were measured using Actigraph GT9X activity monitors worn at the right hip and enjoyment was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale. One week later, 28 parents reported their dyad's subsequent participation in the five shared PAs, demographic characteristics, family chaos, parent self-efficacy, parental self-efficacy for their child, average min/week of shared PA, and acceptability of the five PAs.

Jumping games resulted in the highest proportion of time spent in MVPA and higher CPM for children and parents (p < 0.05). Tag games were the most enjoyable PA for both children and parents (p < 0.05). Compared to parents, children spent more time in MVPA during jumping games, body-weight exercises, and tag games (all, p < 0.05). Children enjoyed body-weight exercises more than parents (p < 0.05). The proportion of parents who perceived brisk walking as an acceptable PA was not different (p = 0.125) than those who briskly walked with their child. The proportion of parents who perceived jumping games, body-weight exercises, dancing, and tag games as acceptable PAs was greater than those who completed these PAs with their child (all, p < 0.05). Lower family chaos (B = --19.41, p = 0.034), higher parent body mass index (BMI) (B = 7.65, p = 0.003), and higher annual household income (B = 11.85, p = 0.023) predicted minutes of shared PA.

Due to high MVPA, CPM, and enjoyment, future PA programs and interventions that include parent-child dyads should consider implementing jumping games, body-weight exercises, and tag games during shared PA. Brisk walking was found to be an acceptable PA for parent-child dyads. Lower family chaos, a higher parent BMI, and higher annual household income significantly predicted minutes of shared PA.