International physical activity questionnaire: 12-country reliability and validity

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Exercise Science

Background:

• Physical inactivity is a significant global health issue.
• Varied physical activity measurement tools hinder international comparisons.
• The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was developed for standardized cross-national monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) for international use.
• To assess the reliability and validity of different IPAQ forms and administration methods.

Main Methods:

• Developed eight IPAQ forms (long/short, telephone/self-administered, "last 7 d"/"usual week" recall).
• Collected reliability and validity data from 14 centers in 12 countries (1997-2000).
• Assessed test-retest reliability, concurrent validity, and criterion validity against accelerometers.

Main Results:

• IPAQ questionnaires demonstrated high repeatability (Spearman's rho ~0.8).
• Criterion validity showed a median rho of approximately 0.30, comparable to other self-report measures.
• Both "usual week" and "last 7 d" recall periods performed similarly, as did telephone and self-administration.

Conclusions:

• IPAQ instruments possess acceptable measurement properties, comparable to existing self-report tools.
• The IPAQ is suitable for monitoring population physical activity levels in diverse adult populations (18-65 years).
• The short IPAQ form ("last 7 d" recall) is recommended for national monitoring; the long form for detailed research.