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A simultaneous evaluation of 10 commonly used physical activity questionnaires
D R Jacobs1, B E Ainsworth, T J Hartman
1Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55454.
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|January 1, 1993
Summary
Physical activity questionnaires show varied reliability and validity. Questionnaire question logic, not just length, is key for accurately measuring diverse physical activity dimensions like intensity and occupation.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Science
- Public Health
- Biostatistics
Background:
- Accurate measurement of physical activity is crucial for health research.
- Existing physical activity questionnaires vary in their reliability and validity.
- Understanding the strengths and limitations of different questionnaires is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the reliability and validity of ten commonly used physical activity questionnaires.
- To compare questionnaire performance against objective measures and detailed activity histories.
- To identify key characteristics of effective physical activity assessment tools.
Main Methods:
- Assessed reliability and validity of 10 physical activity questionnaires in 78 adults.
- Examined test-retest reliability over one month and longer terms.
- Validated questionnaires against treadmill performance, vital capacity, body fatness, activity histories, and accelerometer data.
Main Results:
- High one-month reliability for most questionnaires, but lower longer-term reliability.
- No correlation found between questionnaire measures and accelerometer readings.
- Questionnaires correlated with heavy-intensity activity and treadmill performance, and with body fatness, but less so with light/moderate activity or vital capacity.
- Only the Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire showed correlation for household chores.
Conclusions:
- Physical activity is multidimensional, requiring diverse assessment approaches.
- The logical structure of questionnaire questions appears more critical than length or detail.
- Future questionnaires should incorporate sleep, varied leisure intensities, household, and occupational activities, considering recent vs. habitual measures.