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The repeatability and validity of questionnaires assessing occupational physical activity--a systematic review
Lydia Kwak1, Karin I Proper, Maria Hagströmer
1Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge, Sweden. lydia.kwak@ki.se
Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health
|August 31, 2010
Summary
Four occupational physical activity questionnaires demonstrate good reliability. However, none showed good criterion validity against objective measures, highlighting the need for better assessment tools.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Physical Activity Measurement
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Assessing occupational physical activity (OPA) is crucial for understanding health impacts.
- Existing questionnaires vary in their reliability and validity, necessitating a systematic review.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the repeatability and validity of questionnaires used to assess OPA in healthy adults.
Main Methods:
- Searched PubMed and Embase for studies on occupational physical activity questionnaires.
- Two reviewers independently selected articles, extracted data, and assessed study quality.
- Evaluated evidence level, repeatability, criterion validity, and construct validity.
Main Results:
- 31 papers describing 30 questionnaires were reviewed.
- Four questionnaires showed good reliability (repeatability).
- No questionnaire demonstrated good criterion validity against objective measures; two showed moderate-to-good validity against physical activity records.
Conclusions:
- Strong evidence supports the reliability of four OPA questionnaires.
- Current questionnaires lack sufficient criterion validity when compared to objective measures.
- Development and validation of objective measures for OPA are essential.
