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Updated: May 25, 2026
Visualization of Intensity Levels to Reduce the Gap Between Self-Reported and Directly Measured Physical Activity
Published on: March 7, 2019
Recommendations to improve the accuracy of estimates of physical activity derived from self report
Barbara E Ainsworth1, Carl J Caspersen, Charles E Matthews
1Program in Exercise and Wellness, School of Nutrition and Health Promotion, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
Context:
Assessment of physical activity using self-report has the potential for measurement error that can lead to incorrect inferences about physical activity behaviors and bias study results.
Objective:
To provide recommendations to improve the accuracy of physical activity derived from self report.
Process:
We provide an overview of presentations and a compilation of perspectives shared by the authors of this paper and workgroup members.
Findings:
We identified a conceptual framework for reducing errors using physical activity self-report questionnaires. The framework identifies 6 steps to reduce error: 1) identifying the need to measure physical activity, 2) selecting an instrument, 3) collecting data, 4) analyzing data, 5) developing a summary score, and 6) interpreting data. Underlying the first 4 steps are behavioral parameters of type, intensity, frequency, and duration of physical activities performed, activity domains, and the location where activities are performed. We identified ways to reduce measurement error at each step and made recommendations for practitioners, researchers, and organizational units to reduce error in questionnaire assessment of physical activity.
Conclusions:
Self-report measures of physical activity have a prominent role in research and practice settings. Measurement error may be reduced by applying the framework discussed in this paper.
