Abstract
ObjectivesTo compare physical activity (PA) subcomponents from EPIC Physical Activity Questionnaire (EPAQ2) and combined heart rate and movement sensing in older adults.MethodsParticipants aged 60–64y from the MRC National Survey of Health and Development in Great Britain completed EPAQ2, which assesses self-report PA in 4 domains (leisure time, occupation, transportation and domestic life) during the past year and wore a combined sensor for 5 consecutive days. Estimates of PA energy expenditure (PAEE), sedentary behaviour, light (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) were obtained from EPAQ2 and combined sensing and compared. Complete data were available in 1689 participants (52% women).ResultsEPAQ2 estimates of PAEE and MVPA were higher than objective estimates and sedentary time and LPA estimates were lower [bias (95% limits of agreement) in men and women were 32.3 (−61.5 to 122.6) and 29.0 (−39.2 to 94.6) kJ/kg/day for PAEE; −4.6 (−10.6 to 1.3) and −6.0 (−10.9 to −1.0) h/day for sedentary time; −171.8 (−454.5 to 110.8) and −60.4 (−367.5 to 246.6) min/day for LPA; 91.1 (−159.5 to 341.8) and 55.4 (−117.2 to 228.0) min/day for MVPA]. There were significant positive correlations between all self-reported and objectively assessed PA subcomponents (rho = 0.12 to 0.36); the strongest were observed for MVPA (rho = 0.30 men; rho = 0.36 women) and PAEE (rho = 0.26 men; rho = 0.25 women).ConclusionEPAQ2 produces higher estimates of PAEE and MVPA and lower estimates of sedentary and LPA than objective assessment. However, both methodologies rank individuals similarly, suggesting that EPAQ2 may be used in etiological studies in this population.
Highlights
Regular physical activity (PA) has been shown to decrease the risk of a wide range of negative health outcomes including coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, hypertension, obesity and clinical depression [1]
PA questionnaires (PAQs) have limitations related to validity and reliability [11,12], they still represent an important component of long-term surveillance systems at national and global levels [13]
The most recent data collection took place between 2006–2010, when information was obtained from 2661 participants (84% of eligible study members known to be alive and with a known address in England, Scotland or Wales) via postal questionnaires and/or a clinical assessment (conducted in a clinical research facility (CRF) (n = 1690) or by nurse home visit (n = 539)) [18,20]
Summary
Regular physical activity (PA) has been shown to decrease the risk of a wide range of negative health outcomes including coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, hypertension, obesity and clinical depression [1]. PA can be assessed using objective [6] (e.g., motion sensors, heart rate monitors, combined sensors) or subjective methods [7] (e.g., questionnaires, activity diaries.). Most objective methods have the capability to capture intensity of activity but the ability to capture type of activity is still limited. Self-report instruments generally aim to capture frequency and duration, combined with either broad intensity category or type of volitional activity to which intensity is assigned, and they may capture the context [8]. Most existing questionnaires focus on PA during leisure time or at the workplace, and only a few questionnaires capture PA in a variety of daily situations, including work, transportation, recreation and domestic life [14,15]
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