Abstract
BackgroundIn order to accurately measure and monitor levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) in older adults, cost efficient and valid instruments are required. To date, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) has not been validated with older adults (aged 60 years plus) in the United Kingdom. The current study aimed to test the validity of the IPAQ in a group of older adults for both MVPA and SB.MethodsParticipants wore an Actigraph GT3X+ for seven consecutive days and following the monitor wear participants were asked to complete the IPAQ. Statistical analysis included: Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests; descriptive analyses; Spearman’s rho coefficients; and Bland-Altman analyses.ResultsA sample of 253 older adults were recruited (mean age 71.8 years (SD 6.6) and 57% male). In total, 226 had valid accelerometer and IPAQ data for MVPA and 228 had valid data for SB. Results showed the IPAQ had moderate/acceptable levels of validity (r = .430–.557) for MVPA. For SB, there was substantial levels of validity on weekdays (r = .702) and fair levels of validity (r = .257) on weekend days. Bland-Altman analysis showed inherent measurement error with the majority of participants tending to under-report both MVPA and SB. Results showed the majority of older adult’s under-report their level of MVPA and SB when completing the IPAQ and the linear relationship above the mean shows an error from under to over reporting as the mean increases.ConclusionsFindings from the current study suggest that the IPAQ is better implemented in larger surveillance studies comparing groups within or between countries rather than on an individual basis. Findings also suggest that the IPAQ validity scores could be strengthened by providing additional detail of types of activities older adults might do on a daily basis, improving recall; and it may also be necessary to provide an example of a daily break down of typical activities performed. This may enable older adults to more fully comprehend the amount of time they may spend active, sitting and/or lying during waking hours.
Highlights
In order to accurately measure and monitor levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) in older adults, cost efficient and valid instruments are required
Of the 253 individuals who participated in the study, 89.3% (n = 226) had both valid accelerometer and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) data meeting applied criteria for MVPA, and 90.1% (n = 228) for sedentary behaviour (Fig. 1)
The aim of this study was to determine the validity of the IPAQ for the measurement of MVPA and sedentary behaviour when compared with Actigraph GT3X accelerometer measurement for older adults (60 years and older) in the United Kingdom (UK)
Summary
In order to accurately measure and monitor levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) in older adults, cost efficient and valid instruments are required. Measurement of physical activity and sedentary behaviour in older adults can be performed in various ways, including the implementation of subjective (indirect) and objective (direct) instruments [4]. The implementation of indirect subjective measurement relies heavily upon the individual and their ability to self-report their level of physical activity and sedentary behaviour over a period of up to seven days through the completion of a questionnaire. This type of measurement approach provides researchers with an inexpensive, efficient and simple method, placing only a low level of burden on the participant and research team [4]. Limitations of subjective measurement of physical activity and sedentary behaviour have been well-documented, and include desirability bias [6, 12, 13]
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