Preliminary reliability of the five item physical activity questionnaire

Area of Science:

• Exercise Science
• Public Health
• Gerontology

Background:

• Physical activity is crucial for health, yet accurately measuring it remains challenging.
• Existing questionnaires may not fully capture the nuances of exercise recommendations.
• Developing reliable assessment tools is vital for public health initiatives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design a physical activity questionnaire based on fundamental exercise principles and recommendations.
• To evaluate the reliability of the newly developed questionnaire.
• To provide a practical tool for assessing physical activity levels.

Main Methods:

• A physical activity questionnaire was designed incorporating frequency, duration, intensity, and type of leisure activities.
• Test-retest reliability was assessed over a three-month interval.
• Participants (342 males, 374 females) were recruited from various community centers.

Main Results:

• The physical activity questionnaire demonstrated strong test-retest reliability, with coefficients ranging from 0.61 to 0.91.
• These reliability scores indicate the questionnaire is a useful instrument for assessing physical activity.
• The questionnaire effectively captured key aspects of leisure-time physical activity.

Conclusions:

• The developed physical activity questionnaire is a reliable tool for assessing leisure-time exercise.
• The questionnaire's design reflects essential exercise principles and recommendations.
• This reliable instrument can aid in monitoring and promoting physical activity in community settings.