Comparison of Physical Activity Obtained Via Questionnaire and Accelerometry During Pregnancy and Postpartum

Abstract

The Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ) is a commonly used tool to assess pregnant women’s current physical activity levels. However, few studies have evaluated the level of agreement between the PPAQ and physical activity measurement devices during free living conditions at multiple time points throughout pregnancy. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the PPAQ and device based physical activity assessment across phases of pregnancy and postpartum. METHODS: Physical activity behaviors of 38 women were quantified by the PPAQ and accelerometers worn at the right hip and ankle, at approximately 21 and 32 weeks of pregnancy, and 12 weeks postpartum. Women were evaluated at least eight hours per day for at least five days of a week. Percent time spent in light, moderate, and vigorous physical activity were compared between the PPAQ and accelerometers using a two-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). RESULTS: Percent of total physical activity time spent in light and moderate activity levels was similar between hip (93.1, 5.7%, respectively) and ankle (89.4, 5.7%, respectively) accelerometers, compared to 47.8, 40.3%, respectively, for the PPAQ (P<0.01). Specifically, the PPAQ results indicated significantly less time in light physical activity and more time in moderate activity. In addition, the hip and ankle accelerometers and the PPAQ showed significantly different percent of total physical activity time spent in vigorous activity (1.0, 4.7, 11.8%, respectively, P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In free living conditions, accelerometer placement at hip and ankle resulted in similar percent wear time among physical activity intensities, regardless of pregnancy time point. In contrast, greater moderate and vigorous physical activity was recorded via PPAQ survey. These results are similar to those found with nonpregnant adults (Troiano et al., 2008). Researchers should use caution when utilizing and comparing the results of these two physical activity measurement modalities during pregnancy and the postpartum period.