Determining known-group validity and test-retest reliability in the PEQ (personalized exercise questionnaire)

Area of Science:

• Exercise Science
• Clinical Assessment
• Psychometrics

Background:

• Osteoporosis and low bone mass significantly impact quality of life and mobility.
• Assessing exercise barriers, facilitators, and preferences is crucial for effective management.
• Existing tools may not adequately capture these factors in this specific population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the known-group validity and test-retest reliability of the Personalized Exercise Questionnaire (PEQ).
• To establish the PEQ as a dependable tool for assessing exercise-related factors in individuals with low bone mass and osteoporosis.

Main Methods:

• A comparative design assessed known-group validity, comparing groups based on employment, age, socioeconomic status, and physical activity.
• Test-retest reliability was examined using a subset of participants (n=42) who completed the PEQ twice, one week apart.
• Reproducibility of responses was analyzed using the Kappa Coefficient (κ).

Main Results:

• Known-group validity was supported for three out of four hypotheses.
• Test-retest reliability scores varied, with seven items showing almost perfect agreement (κ: 0.81-1.00).
• A majority of items demonstrated at least substantial agreement (κ: 0.68-0.74).

Conclusions:

• The Personalized Exercise Questionnaire (PEQ) shows preliminary evidence of usefulness for individuals with low bone mass and osteoporosis.
• Moderate support for known-group validity and substantial agreement for most items suggest the PEQ is a promising assessment tool.