Physical Activity Questionnaire For Older Children Research Articles

Measuring Activity in Children and Adolescents Using Self-Report

This study examined the psychometric properties of two versions of a commonly used physical activity 7-d self-report, the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C) and Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A). We longitudinally examined the internal consistency, stability, and situational effects of the PAQ-C and PAQ-A in a cohort of children (N = 210) at ages 11 and 13 yr. Statistical analysis included factor loading and standardized Cronbach coefficient alphas. We cross-sectionally examined concurrent validity of the PAQ-A in a subsample of our cohort (N = 49) at age 13 by comparing it with concurrently measured physical activity using an activity monitor (Actigraph). Spearman correlation coefficients were used for this analysis. Standardized Cronbach alphas ranged from 0.72 to 0.88. A subsample analysis suggested that completing the questionnaires during the summer months slightly reduced the standardized alpha for the PAQ-C, but not the PAQ-A. Associations between the PAQ-A (revised) summary score and activity monitor variables were rho = 0.56 for total PA and rho = 0.63 for moderate through vigorous activity (P < 0.05). Associations between individual PAQ-A questions and activity monitor variables for the same time frame ranged from rho = 0.41 to 0.62 (P < 0.05). The PAQ-C and PAQ-A show good internal consistency. The PAQ-A has acceptable validity.

Validation of the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children in Children of Different Races

The Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C) is a validated self-report measure of physical activity widely used to assess physical activity in children (8-14 years of age). To date, however, the instrument has been validated in largely White Canadian samples. The purpose of the present article is to determine the psychometric properties of the PAQ-C for African American, European American, and Hispanic children. Two studies were conducted in which independent samples were administered the PAQ-C, along with varying indices of cardiovascular fitness, fatness, and psychological measures related to physical activity. Results showed that the reliability and validity of the PAQ-C varied by race and that modifications might be necessary.

The Psychometric Properties of the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children in Minority Populations

0787A The Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C) is a validated selfreport measure of physical activity which has been widely used to assess physical activity in children (8–14 yrs). To date however, the instrument has been validated in largely Caucasian, Canadian samples. PURPOSE: To determine the psychometric properties of the PAQ-C for American Caucasian, Hispanic, and African-American youth. METHODS: Two independent samples were administered the PAQ-C in a classroom setting along with a step test for measurement of cardiovascular fitness. Heart rate was recorded immediately following the completion of the step test and at 1 and 2 minutes post, and then averaged to produce an average recovery heart rate. Lower heart rate response to the step test was considered indicative of better fitness. Sample one consisted of 600 (303M, 297F) Hispanic fifth grade children (11.3 ± .5 yrs). Sample two consisted of 108 Caucasian (8.8 ± .5 yrs) and 189 African-American (8.8 ± .6 yrs) third grade children (143M, 154F). RESULTS: For sample one, the PAQC demonstrated acceptable reliability for Hispanic children (α = .74). Furthermore, the PAQ-C was significantly correlated with average recovery heart rate (r = −.11, ñ < .01). For sample two, the reliability coefficients (α) were .68, and .60 for Caucasian and African-American children, respectively. Furthermore, the PAQ-C was significantly correlated with average recovery heart rate following the step test in Caucasian children (r = −.22, ñ < .05) and in African American children (r = −.14, ñ = .052). CONCLUSIONS: The PAQ demonstrated reliability and validity in all three major US ethnic groups. Research supported by NIH grants DK63391 & DK59213

Convergent Validity of the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents

This study assessed the convergent validity of the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A). The PAQ-A is a modified version for high school students of the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQC). The PAQ-A is a 7-day recall used to assess general physical activity levels during the school year. Eighty-five high school students in Grades 8 through 12 filled out the PAQ-A and other physical activity measures. The PAQ-A was moderately related to an activity rating (r = .73), the Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire (r = .57), a Caltrac motion sensor (r = .33), and the 7-day physical activity recall interview (r = .59). The results of this study support the convergent validity of the PAQ-A as a measure of general physical activity level for high school students.

Measuring general levels of physical activity: preliminary evidence for the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children.

This article reports three studies that investigated psychometric properties of the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C). The PAQ-C is a guided self-administered 7-day recall measure designed to assess general physical activity levels during the school year for children in grades four and higher. Study one, with 215 students ranging in age from 9 to 15 yr, found the PAQ-C had acceptable item and test score characteristics such as item distribution, corrected item-total correlations, and internal consistency. Study two, involving 84 students ranging from 9 to 14 yr, indicated acceptable levels of test-retest reliability for both males (r = 0.75) and females (r = 0.82) after 1 wk. The third study used Generalizability theory to investigate the reliability for using the average of either two or three PAQ-C scores collected during fall, winter, and spring seasons. Based on the responses of 200 students ranging from 8 to 16 yr, generalizability coefficients exceeded 0.80 for either the average of two or three responses for both younger (<13 yr) and older subjects. In all three studies, the PAQ-C demonstrated acceptable internal consistency and males were significantly more active than females. These results provide preliminary support for the PAQ-C as a cost efficient method of assessing general levels of children's physical activity during the school year.

Validation of the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children

Two studies assessed the validity of the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C), a 7-day recall that assesses general moderate to vigorous physical activity levels during the school year. The first study, involving 89 elementary school students in Grades 4–8, investigated convergent, divergent, and construct validity. The PAQ-C was moderately related to an activity rating (r = .63), week summation of 24-hr moderate to vigorous activity recalls (r = .53), a teacher’s rating of physical activity (r = .45), and perceptions of athletic competence (r = .48). As expected, the PAQ-C was not related to perceptions of behavioral conduct. The second study, involving 97 elementary school students, investigated convergent and construct validity. The PAQ-C was moderately related to an activity rating (r = .57), the Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire (r = .41), a Caltrac motion sensor (r = .39), a 7-day physical activity recall interview (r = .46) and a step test of fitness (r = .28). The PAQ-C validity coefficients were as high as or greater than the 7-day recall interview. These two studies support the validity of the PAQ-C as a method of assessing older children’s general physical activity levels.

CONSTRUCT AND CONVERGENT VALIDITY OF THE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY QUESTIONNAIRE FOR OLDER CHILDREN (PAQ-C) 610

This research assessed the construct and convergent validity of the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C), a seven day self-report recall of moderate to vigorous physical activity levels (Crocker, Bailey, Faulkner, Kowalski, & McGrath, 1995). The PAQ-C produces a summary score ranging from 1(low) to 5(high). Subjects were 109 elementary school students (9 to 14 yrs; m=11.3 yrs) assessed in classrooms. On day one, the PAQ-C was administered, followed by an Activity Rating (AR: Sallis et al., 1988). Godin and Shephard's (1985) Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire (LTEQ), and the children's step-test of fitness (CHFT; Bailey & Mirwald, 1978). A Caltrac motion sensor (activity counts) was worn for the following seven days, followed by the administration of the Physical Activity Recall interview (PAR; Sallis et al., 1985). Correlations were as followsTable The findings provide moderate support for the validity of the PAQ-C.