Convergent Validity and Reliability of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire in College Students

Abstract

The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) short form assesses vigorous, moderate, and walking activities, as well as time spent sitting, during the last 7 days. The psychometric properties of this self-administered questionnaire have not been examined in college students. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the convergent validity and stability reliability of the IPAQ short form in college students. METHODS: One hundred twenty-three college students (32 males, age: 20.8 ± 1.2 yr, BMI:27.1 ±3.9kg-m-2;91 females, age: 20.8 ± 1.6yr, BMI: 22.6 ± 2.9 kg-m-2) wore an accelerometer and unsealed pedometer at the waist for 7 consecutive days, after which they immediately completed the IPAQ. Participants completed the questionnaire again 4–6 days later, recalling their physical activity during the week that they wore the monitoring devices. To assess convergent validity, weekly time spent in vigorous (VPA), moderate (MPA), walking (WALK), and total physical activity (TOTPA) from the IPAQ were compared with steps•d-1 from the accelerometer (STP) and pedometer (PED) and count variables from the accelerometer [ct-min-1-d-1 (CT), ct-d-1 (TOTCT), and accumulated min-wk-1 of bouts ≥ 10 min of at least moderate intensity activity (TOTTIME)]. Spearman correlation coefficients (ρ) and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated. RESULTS: VPA was significantly correlated with STP, PED, and all count variables (ρ: 0.30–0.47, p< 0.001). MPA was associated with CT, TOTCT, and TOTTIME (ρ: 0.20 – 0.21, p< 0.05), while WALK was not related to STP, PED, or any count variables. TOTPA significantly correlated with PED, CT, TOTCT, and TOTTIME (ρ: 0.19–0.25, p< 0.05). ICCs ranged from 0.71–0.89. CONCLUSION: In this study, the IPAQ items examining weekly time spent in vigorous, moderate, and total physical activity were associated with most accelerometer variables, while items measuring weekly walking time were not related to any of the pedometer or accelerometer variables. Furthermore, test-retest reliability of the IPAQ was acceptable. Future studies should continue to assess convergent validity of the IPAQ short form, particularly the WALK items, in college students.