One to two months after their household took part in the 1992 NHIS interview, a sample of 12-21 year olds was contacted to participate in the YBS. For applicable households, field representatives in 1992 were asked to notify survey respondents at the time of the initial NHIS interview that there would be a follow-up YBS interview for some people. The Field Representative's Manual instructed field representatives as follows:

Although an interviewer was present during the administration of the YBS questionnaire, the interviewers did not ask the survey questions. Instead, survey questions were pre-recorded on an audio cassette. Respondents were provided with a tape player and were instructed to rewind the tape as needed to hear a question again, to stop the tape as needed to think about a question before answering, and to ask the interviewer for help if they had any questions. This method of administering the survey was used so that respondents would feel comfortable answering questions honestly. Respondents marked their answers on the survey form themselves. According to the YBS survey form, the information provided by respondents would be "useful for developing programs to protect the health of young people throughout the [United States]."

In addition to being questioned about swimming or running, YBS respondents were asked how many days in the past week they had done the following physical activities:

• football or basketball (EXBALLDAY7)

• walking or biking for 30 minutes (EXBIKEDAY7)

• cleaning or gardening for 30 minutes (EXCLEANDAY7)

• baseball or Frisbee (EXFRISDAY7)

• skating, skiing, or skateboarding (EXSKATDAY7)

• running or swimming (EXSWIMDAY7)

• tennis or squash (EXTENNDAY7)

• exercising enough to sweat (EXSWEATDAY7)

• stretching exercises (STRETCHDAY7)

• strengthening exercises (STRONGDAY7)