Validity and reliability of the Portuguese version of the Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity questionnaire

Abstract

Aim: To translate and validate a European Portuguese version of the Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity (RAPA) questionnaire. Methods: The original English version of RAPA was translated into Portuguese following standardized procedures. Fifty-five Portuguese older adults were assessed in two sessions, approximately one week apart. Test-retest reliability was evaluated by weighted kappa (K). Construct validity was evaluated by Spearman's correlation coefficient between the RAPA and the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0) and the short physical performance battery (SPPB) (gait and chair stands tests, and total score); and by the Mann-Whitney U test between participants with and without depression and able and unable to complete the SPPB balance test. Results: Weighted K was 0.67 (95% CI=0.52–0.81) for reliability. A significant correlation was found between the RAPA and WHODAS 2.0 (rs=–0.47, p<0.01), gait test (rs=–0.45, p<0.01) and total SPPB score (rs=0.45, p<0.01). Participants able to complete the SPPB balance test had higher levels of physical activity than those unable (3.25±1.23 vs 2.37±1.30, p<0.05), and those without depression had higher levels of physical activity than those with depression (3.24±1.23 vs 2.50±1.34, p<0.05). Conclusions: The European Portuguese version of the RAPA questionnaire seems valid. However, its reliability requires further investigation.