Cross-cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Arabic Version of the Rapid Assessment Of Physical Activity

Abstract

Measuring physical activity (PA) is a challenge especially with lack of validated questionnaires for specific populations such as Arabic population. Rapid Assessment Physical Activity (RAPA) is an easy to administer, valid and reliable measure. However, this questionnaire is in English and has not been translated or culturally adapted for Arabic speakers. PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to cross-culturally adapt the Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity (RAPA) for Arabic speaking people and examine the test-retest reliability and the construct validity in Saudi older adults. METHODS: A total of 46 older adults (67% male, mean age 71 ± 5 years) were included in this study. The original RAPA was translated into Arabic following standardized guidelines including the following steps: forward translation, synthesis of the translation, backward translation, expert committee and testing the pre-final version. Test-retest reliability was assessed over two testing visits occurring one week apart, and analyzed using weighted Kappa (K). The construct validity between RAPA and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and Timed Up and Go (TUG) was examined by Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. A weighted K value of > 0.7 for the reliability and a value of greater than or equal to 0.3 for the construct validity were considered acceptable for physical activity measurements. RESULTS: Data from the RAPA shows, about 9 (19.6%) of participants were categorized as sedentary, 12 (26%) as underactive, 7 (15%) as regular underactive, 13 (28%) as regular underactive, 5 (11%) as regular active. About half of the subjects (52%) reported that they did not participate in flexibility or strength activities. For the test-retest reliability, the weighted K was 0.87 (95% CI=0.76-0.98), which indicates very good reliability. There was a significant correlation between the Arabic version of RAPA and the SPPB (Spearman p = 0.536, P < 0.001), and the TUG test (Spearman p = -0.435, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The Arabic version of the Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity questionnaire adapted for Saudi older adults provides an easy, valid and reliable way to measure physical activity. Researchers in Saudi Arabia can use this questionnaire to quickly assess PA levels because of short time required to complete and its suitability to the Saudi culture.