Validity Evidence for a Daily, Online-delivered, Adapted Version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF)

ABSTRACT

The International Physical Activity Questionnaire – Short Form (IPAQ-SF) is a globally-used self-report measure of physical activity (PA). Validity evidence exists; none has evaluated the IPAQ-SF with reduced recall time. This study evaluates absolute and relative agreement for PA at all intensities, and relative to recommended guideline classification through: (1) a daily, online-delivered adapted IPAQ-SF and (2) accelerometer (a) with a 10-minute bout minimum (TMBM) and (b) without (NBM). Fifty-five participants (mean 28.3 years, 61.8% females) wore an accelerometer and completed the IPAQ-SF for 7 consecutive days. IPAQ-SF and NBM correlations were acceptable (total PA 0.45, moderate-to-vigorous PA 0.38). IPAQ-SF underestimated NBM values. IPAQ-SF sensitivity compared to NBM guideline classification was 70%; specificity was 100%. Correlations with TMBM were weaker for all intensities. IPAQ-SF overestimated TMBM values. IPAQ-SF sensitivity compared to TMBM guideline classification was 77%; specificity was 55%. The adapted IPAQ-SF showed acceptable validity evidence for relative PA measurement.

KEYWORDS:

• Validation
• self report
• surveys and questionnaires
• accelerometry
• physical activity

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge Dr. Steve Amireault and the Purdue University Department of Health and Kinesiology for their support of this study.

Declaration of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.