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Table 4 Validity results of new PAQs

From: A systematic review of reliability and objective criterion-related validity of physical activity questionnaires

Age Group

Reference

Criterion method

Duration of validation

PAQ

Variables tested

Criterion intensity thresholds

Validity results

       

Correlation coefficients

Agreement

Youth

Dwyer (2011)[19]

Acc (ActiGraph)

4 - 5 days

Pre-PAQ

Level 5 min/day(Q) – VPA min/day(Acc)

>5016 counts/min

Pearson r = 0.17

MD (95 % LoA) = 1.9 ± 39.4 min/day

     

Level 4 min/day(Q) – MPA min/day(Acc)

3560-5016 counts/min

Pearson r = 0.13

MD (95 % LoA) = 48.2 ± 73.1 min/day

     

Level 3 min/day(Q) – LPA min/day(Acc)

1592-3560 counts/min

Pearson r = −0.07

MD (95 % LoA) = −4.8 ± 100.7 min/day

     

Levels 1–2 min/day(Q) – sedentary min/day(Acc)

<1592 counts/min

Pearson r = 0.19

MD (95 % LoA) = −235.4 ± 147.7 min/day

Youth

Economos (2010)[20]

Acc (ActiGraph)

2 days

BONES PAS

High METs(Q) – total counts/min(Acc)

–

Spearman r (95 % CI) = 0.25 (−0.07;0.52)

–

     

High METs(Q) – VPA(Acc)

6-9 METs, 1952–5724 counts/min

Spearman r (95 % CI) = 0.23 (−0.09;0.51)

–

     

Moderate-high METs(Q) – total counts/min(Acc)

–

Spearman r (95 % CI) = 0.27 (−0.05;0.54)

–

Youth

Martinez-Gomez (2010)[21]

Acc (ActiGraph)

1 day

RPAR

Total MET-min(Q) – total counts(Acc)

–

Pearson r = 0.42 (P = 0.021)

κ = 0.16

     

MVPA min(Q) – MVPA counts(Acc)

≥2000 counts/min

Pearson r = 0.52 (P < 0.001)

MD (95 % LoA) = 2.15 ± 7.19 min

  

Acc (Biotrainer)

1 day

 

Total MET-min(Q) – total counts(Acc)

–

Pearson r = 0.40 (P = 0.025)

κ = 0.39

     

Total MET-min(Q) – total counts/mov(Acc)

–

Pearson r = 0.54 (P = 0.004)

κ = 0.16

Youth

Philippaerts (2006)[22]

Acc (ActiGraph)

7 days

FPACQ

Total hr/week(Q) – total counts(Acc)

–

Pearson r = 0.56 (P < 0.01)

–

     

Total hr/week(Q) – mean counts/min(Acc)

–

Pearson r = 0.43 (P < 0.05)

–

     

TEE(Q) – total counts(Acc)

–

Pearson r = 0.58 (P < 0.01)

–

     

TEE(Q) – mean counts/min(Acc)

–

Pearson r = 0.49 (P < 0.05)

–

     

Inactivity(Q) – total counts(Acc)

–

Pearson r = −0.13

–

     

Inactivity(Q) – mean counts/min(Acc)

–

Pearson r = −0.06

–

Youth

Ridley (2001)[23]

Acc (Caltrac)

2x 1 day

CDPAQ

Total METs(Q) – total counts(Acc)

–

Pearson r = 0.41 (P < 0.05)

–

     

Total compendium METs(Q) – total counts(Acc)

–

Pearson r = 0.54 (P < 0.05)

–

     

Total mins(Q) – total counts(Acc)

–

Pearson r = 0.41 (P < 0.05)

–

  

HR (Polar)

2x 1 day

 

MVPA mins(Q) – MVPA mins(HR)

≥145 bpm

Pearson r = 0.66 (P = 0.01)

–

  

Acc (Caltrac)

2x 1 day

CDPAQ-HC

Total METs(Q) – total counts(Acc)

–

Pearson r = 0.25 (P < 0.05)

–

     

Total compendium METs(Q) – total counts(Acc)

–

Pearson r = 0.22 (P < 0.05)

–

     

Total mins(Q) – total counts(Acc)

–

Pearson r = 0.33 (P < 0.05)

–

  

HR (Polar)

2x 1 day

 

MVPA mins(Q) – MVPA mins(HR)

≥145 bpm

Pearson r = 0.48 (P = 0.05)

–

Youth

Ridley (2006)[24]

Acc (ActiGraph)

1 day

MARCA

PAL(Q) – total counts(Acc)

–

Spearman r = 0.45 (P < 0.01)

–

Youth

Telford (2004)[25]

Acc (ActiGraph)

8 days

CLASS-parental report

5-6 yrs: total min/day(Q) – total min/day(Acc)

–

Spearman r = −0.04

MD (95 % LoA) = −140.7 (−164.9;-116.6) min/day

     

10-12 yrs: total min/day(Q) – total min/day(Acc)

–

Spearman r = 0.09

MD (95 % LoA) = 11.2 (−6.9;29.4) min/day

     

5-6 yrs: total min/day(Q) – total raw counts/day(Acc)

–

Spearman r = 0.05

–

     

10-12 yrs: total min/day(Q) – total raw counts/day(Acc)

–

Spearman r = 0.11

–

    

CLASS-self

10-12 yrs: total min/day(Q) – total min/day(Acc)

–

Spearman r = −0.04

MD (95 % LoA) = 1.5 (−17.2;20.3) min/day

     

10-12 yrs: total min/day(Q) – total raw counts/day(Acc)

–

Spearman r = 0.06

–

Youth

Treuth (2003)[26]

Acc (ActiGraph)

4 days

GAQ

Yesterday: GAQ score(Q) – mean counts/min(Acc)

–

Pearson r = 0.27 (P < 0.05)

–

     

Usual: GAQ score(Q) – mean counts/min(Acc)

–

Pearson r = 0.29 (P < 0.05)

–

     

Yesterday: TV watching(Q) – mean counts/min(Acc)

–

Pearson r = −0.145 (P = 0.24)

–

     

Usual: TV watching(Q) – mean counts/min(Acc)

–

Pearson r = −0.004 (P = 0.98)

–

     

Yesterday: other sedentary(Q) – mean counts/min(Acc)

–

Pearson r = 0.0227 (P = 0.85)

–

     

Usual: other sedentary(Q) – mean counts/min(Acc)

–

Pearson r = −0.0916 (P = 0.46)

–

    

Activitygram

Activitygram score(Q) – mean counts/min(Acc)

–

Pearson r = 0.37 (P < 0.002)

–

Youth

Treuth (2005)[27]

Acc (Actiwatch)

6 days

Fels PAQ

Elementary: Fels PAQ score(Q) – mean counts/min(Acc)

–

Spearman r = 0.34 (P = 0.004)

–

     

Middle: Fels PAQ score(Q) – mean counts/min(Acc)

–

Spearman r = 0.11 (P = 0.31)

–

     

High: Fels PAQ score(Q) – mean counts/min(Acc)

–

Spearman r = 0.21 (P = 0.006)

–

Youth

Welk (2007)[28]

Acc (ActiGraph)

7 days

YMCLS

Weekly PA bouts(Q) – weekly PA bouts(Acc)

–

r = 0.24 (P < 0.05)

MD (95 % LoA) = −8.4 ± 28.4 min

     

Previous day: total MVPA mins(Q) – total MVPA mins(Acc)

3-6 METs

r = 0.53 (P < 0.05)

MD (95 % LoA) = 14.5 ± 173.9 min

Youth

Wong (2006)[29]

Acc (ActiGraph)

7 - 9 days

SHAPES

VPA min/day(Q) – VPA min/day(Acc)

≥8200 counts/min

Spearman r = 0.25 (P = 0.07)

–

     

MVPA min/day(Q) – MVPA min/day(Acc)

≥3200 counts/min

Spearman r = 0.44 (P < 0.01)

–

     

MPA min/day(Q) – MPA min/day(Acc)

3200-8199 counts/min

Spearman r = 0.31 (P = 0.02)

–

Adults

Ainsworth (2000)[30]

Acc (Caltrac)

2x 7 days

KPAS

3 point summary index(Q) – MET-min/day(Acc)

–

Spearman r = 0.53 (P < 0.01)

–

     

4 point summary index(Q) – MET-min/day(Acc)

–

Spearman r = 0.49 (P < 0.01)

–

Adults

Besson (2010)[31]

DLW

14 days

RPAQ

TEE(Q) – TEE(DLW)

–

Spearman r = 0.67 (P < 0.0001)

MD (95 % LoA) = −3451.9 ± 2025.1 kJ/day (P < 0.05)

     

PAEE(Q) – PAEE(DLW)

–

Spearman r = 0.39 (P = 0.0004)

MD (95 % LoA) = −12.9 ± 23.9 kJ/day (P < 0.05)

  

Acc + HR (Actiheart)

11 days

 

VPA(Q) – VPA(Acc + HR)

>6 METs

Spearman r = 0.70 (P < 0.0001)

MD (95 % LoA) = 0.2 ± 0.4 h/day

     

MPA(Q) – MPA(Acc + HR)

3.6-6 METs

–

MD (95 % LoA) = −0.8 ± 1.0 h/day

     

Light PA(Q) – light PA(Acc + HR)

2-3.5 METs

–

MD (95 % LoA) = −0.1 ± 2.4 h/day

     

Sedentary time(Q) – sedentary time(Acc + HR)

<2 METs

Spearman r = 0.27 (P = 0.06)

MD (95 % LoA) = 0.7 ± 2.8 h/day

Adults

Chasan-Taber (2004)[32]

Acc (ActiGraph)

7 days

PPAQ

Total activity(Q) – Swartz cut point min/day(Acc)

≥3 METs, ≥574 counts/min

Spearman r = 0.32

–

     

Total activity(Q) – Hendelman cut point min/day(Acc)

≥3 METs, ≥191 counts/min

Spearman r = 0.43

–

     

Total activity(Q) – Freedson cut point min/day(Acc)

≥3 METs, ≥1952 counts/min

Spearman r = 0.08

–

     

Total activity(Q) – mean counts/min(Acc)

–

Spearman r = 0.27

–

     

Sedentary(Q) – Swartz cut point min/day(Acc)

<1.5 METs

Spearman r = −0.17

–

     

Sedentary(Q) – Hendelman cut point min/day(Acc)

<1.5 METs

Spearman r = −0.34

–

     

Sedentary(Q) – Freedson cut point min/day(Acc)

<1.5 METs

Spearman r = 0.12

–

     

Sedentary(Q) – mean counts/min(Acc)

–

Spearman r = −0.10

–

Adults

Chinapaw (2009)[33]

Acc (ActiGraph)

14 days

AQuAA

Adolescents: AQuAA score(Q) – counts/min(Acc)

≥ 2 METs, ≥699 counts/min

Spearman r = 0.13

–

     

Adults: AQuAA score(Q) – counts/min(Acc)

≥ 2 METs, ≥699 counts/min

Spearman r = −0.16

–

     

Adolescents: sedentary(Q) – counts/min(Acc)

< 2 METs, <699 counts/min

Spearman r = 0.23

–

     

Adults: sedentary(Q) – counts/min(Acc)

< 2 METs, <699 counts/min

Spearman r = 0.15

–

Adults

Craig (2003)[34]

Acc (ActiGraph)

7 days

IPAQ

Long form: total PA(Q) – total counts(Acc)

–

Pooled Spearman r (95 % CI) = 0.33 (0.26;0.39), range: -0.27 - 0.61

–

     

Short form: total PA(Q) – total counts(Acc)

–

Pooled Spearman r (95 % CI) = 0.30 (0.23;0.36), range: -0.12 - 0.57

–

Adults

Fjeldsoe (2009)[35]

Acc (ActiGraph)

7 days

AWAS

Total activity(Q) – total activity(Acc)

≥100 counts/min

Spearman r = 0.13 (P = 0.24)

–

     

HEPA(Q) – Freedson cut point min/week(Acc)

–

Spearman r = 0.28 (P = 0.01)

–

     

HEPA(Q) – Swartz cut point min/week(Acc)

–

Spearman r = 0.06 (P = 0.64)

–

     

Sitting(Q) – sitting(Acc)

<100 counts/min

Spearman r = 0.32 (P = 0.006)

–

Adults

Friedenreich (2006)[36]

Acc (ActiGraph)

4x 7 days

PYTPAQ

Total MET-hr/week(Q) – total MET-hr/week(Acc)

–

Spearman r = 0.26 (P < 0.05), ICC (95 % CI) = 0.18 (0.03;0.32)

–

Adults

Kurtze (2007)[37]

Acc (ActiReg)

7 days

HUNT2

Hard activity(Q) – EE(Acc)

–

Spearman r = 0.11

–

     

Hard activity(Q) – PAL(Acc)

–

Spearman r = 0.16

–

     

Light activity(Q) – EE(Acc)

–

Spearman r = 0.21 (P < 0.05)

–

     

Light activity(Q) – PAL(Acc)

–

Spearman r = 0.08

–

     

Occupational activity(Q) – EE(Acc)

–

Spearman r = 0.39 (P < 0.01)

–

     

Occupational activity(Q) – PAL(Acc)

–

Spearman r = 0.38 (P < 0.01)

–

Adults

Kurtze (2008)[38]

Acc (ActiReg)

7 days

HUNT1

Summary index(Q) – EE(Acc)

–

Spearman r = 0.03

–

     

Summary index(Q) – PAL(Acc)

–

Spearman r = 0.07

–

     

Summary index(Q) – MET-min/day(Acc)

–

Spearman r = 0.07

–

Adults

Lowther (1999)[39]

Acc (Caltrac)

4 days

SPAQ

Total mins(Q) – total kcal(Acc)

–

r = 0.1294, corrected for confounding: r = 0.52 (P < 0.05)

–

Adults

Mäder (2006)[40]

Acc (ActiGraph)

7 days

SHS97

Sweat episodes/week(Q) – total counts/min(Acc)

–

Spearman r = 0.23

–

    

HEPA99

–

–

–

–

    

IPAQ

Total MET-min/week(Q) – total counts/min(Acc)

–

Spearman r = 0.39 (P < 0.05)

–

     

Sitting(Q) – sitting(Acc)

<100 counts/min

Spearman r = 0.22

–

    

OIMQ

Total MET-min/week(Q) – total counts/min(Acc)

–

Spearman r = 0.44 (P < 0.05)

–

Adults

Meriwether (2006)[41]

Acc (MTI)

14 days

PAAT

VPA min/week(Q) – VPA min/week(Acc)

≥5 METs, ≥5725 counts/min

Spearman r = 0.380 (P < 0.01)

–

     

MVPA min/week(Q) – MVPA min/week(Acc)

≥5 METs, ≥1952 counts/min

Spearman r = 0.392 (P < 0.01)

–

     

MPA min/week(Q) – MPA min/week(Acc)

3-4.9 METs, 1952–5724 counts/min

Spearman r = 0.392 (P < 0.01)

–

Adults

Reis (2005)[42]

Acc (ActiGraph)

7 days

OPAQ

Total hr/week(Q) – VPA(Acc)

≥5725 counts/min

Spearman r = −0.02

–

     

Total hr/week(Q) – MPA(Acc)

1952-5724 counts/min

Spearman r = 0.12

–

     

Total hr/week(Q) – light activity(Acc)

<1952 counts/min

Spearman r = 0.22

–

     

Sedentary(Q) – light activity(Acc)

<1952 counts/min

Spearman r = −0.20

–

Adults

Rosenberg (2010)[43]

Acc (ActiGraph)

7 days

SBQ

Female: total sedentary hr/week(Q) – total sedentary counts(Acc)

<100 counts/min

Partial r = 0.10 (P = 0.07)

–

     

Male: total sedentary hr/week(Q) – total sedentary counts(Acc)

<100 counts/min

Partial r = −0.01 (P = 0.81)

–

Adults

Sobngwi (2001)[44]

Acc (Caltrac)

1 day

SSAAQ

Female: total METs(Q) – total METs(Acc)

–

r = 0.74 (P < 0.01)

–

     

Male: total METs(Q) – total METs(Acc)

–

r = 0.60 (P < 0.01)

–

  

HR (Polar)

1 day

 

Urban female: total METs(Q) – total activity(HR)

–

r = 0.63 (P < 0.01)

–

     

Rural female: total METs(Q) – total activity(HR)

–

r = 0.41 (P < 0.05)

–

     

Urban male: total METs(Q) – total activity(HR)

–

r = 0.54 (P < 0.05)

–

     

Rural male: total METs(Q) – total activity(HR)

–

r = 0.59 (P < 0.01)

–

Adults

Timperio (2003)[45]

Acc (ActiGraph)

7 days

1WPAR

Men: total min/day(Q) – total min/day(Acc)

≥3 METs, ≥1952 counts/min

Spearman r = 0.29 (P < 0.05)

–

     

Women: total min/day(Q) – total min/day(Acc)

≥3 METs, ≥1952 counts/min

Spearman r = 0.25 (P < 0.05)

–

Adults

Wareham (2002)[46]

HR (Polar)

4x 4 days

EPAQ2

Total MET-hr/week(Q) – EE(HR)

–

Pearson partial r = 0.28 (P < 0.001)

–

     

TV time(Q) – EE(HR)

–

Pearson partial r = −0.07

–

Adults

Wareham (2003)[47]

HR (Polar)

4x 4 days

EPAQ-s

Physical activity index(Q) – DayPAR(HR)

–

P for trend = 0.003

–

     

Total hr/week(Q) – DayPAR(HR)

–

r = 0.04 (P = 0.59)

–

Adults

Yore (2007)[48]

Acc (ActiGraph)

7 days

BRFSS PAQ

VPA min/week(Q1) – VPA min/week(Acc)

≥5999 counts/min

Pearson r = 0.52

–

     

VPA min/week(Q2) – VPA min/week(Acc)

≥5999 counts/min

Pearson r = 0.54

–

     

VPA min/week(Q3) – VPA min/week(Acc)

≥5999 counts/min

Pearson r = 0.63

–

     

MPA min/week(Q1) – MPA min/week(Acc)

2020-5998 counts/min

Pearson r = 0.27

–

     

MPA min/week(Q2) – MPA min/week(Acc)

2020-5998 counts/min

Pearson r = 0.20

–

     

MPA min/week(Q3) – MPA min/week(Acc)

2020-5998 counts/min

Pearson r = 0.16

–

Elderly

Yasunaga (2007)[49]

Acc (Kenz Lifecorder)

1 month

PAQ-EJ

PAQ-EJ score(Q) – MET-min/day(Acc)

–

Spearman r = 0.41 (P < 0.05)

–

       

Median Spearman r = 0.25 (youth: 0.22, adults: 0.27, elderly: 0.41)

 
       

Median Pearson r = 0.41 (youth: 0.41, adults: 0.28, elderly: –)

 
  1. Q1 = first completed questionnaire, Q2 = second completed questionnaire, Q3 = third completed questionnaire, r = correlation coefficient (rho), CI = Confidence Interval (lower;upper), κ = kappa (i.e. Cohen weighted kappa unless specified otherwise), LoA = Limits of Agreement, MD = Mean Difference, – = not stated.
  2. Acc = Accelerometry [NB: ActiGraph (Model 7164) is successor of preceding accelerometer by MTI, formerly CSA]. Accelerometer names as used in the respective papers.
  3. Ainsworth (2000): 3 point summary index = 3 domains: sports/exercise, occupation, active living habits. 4 point summary index = all 4 domains: sports/exercise, occupation, active living habits, housework/caregiving.
  4. Craig (2003): Pooled Spearman = pooled results from data of 22 studies examining the IPAQ long form and 23 studies examining the short form.
  5. Dwyer (2011): Levels 1–2 = stationary, level 3 = moving slowly, level 4 = moving at a medium or moderate pace, level 5 = moving at a fast pace.
  6. Economos (2010): Moderate-high METs = 3–6 METs. High METs = ≥6 METs.
  7. Fjeldsoe (2009): Total activity includes light-, moderate-, and vigorous-intensity activities. HEPA = Health Enhancing Physical Activity: brisk walking and moderate- and vigorous activities from the planned activity and transport domains.
  8. Kurtze (2007): EE = Energy Expenditure in MJ/day. PAL = total EE divided by basal metabolic rate (BMR). Light activity = no sweating or being out of breath. Hard activity = sweating/out of breath.
  9. Kurtze (2008): EE = Energy Expenditure in MJ/day. PAL = total EE divided by basal metabolic rate (BMR).
  10. Lowther (1999): Initial r = 0.1294, but after correction for less reliable high data (occupational walking data, extreme data for 4 participants) the correlation improved to 0.52.
  11. Mäder (2006): IPAQ - Total MET-min/week = MET-min/week for total activity excluding sitting. OIMQ - Total MET-min/week = MET-min/week for total activity, i.e. moderate and vigorous activities.
  12. Martinez-Gomez (2010): Counts/mov = counts adjusted by movement time over the recess time. MD = mean difference between the mean times spent at MVPA by the two instruments. Kappa = agreement between the two instruments among tertiles of total PA.
  13. Reis (2005): ActiGraph only worn during occupational hours. Sedentary = sitting or standing activities.
  14. Ridley (2001): CDPAQ-HC = hard copy of CDPAQ. MVPA = Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity. Total compendium METs = compendium values to derive total METs due to reported problems associated with children's perception of intensity (Compendium of physical activities: classification of energy costs of human physical activities. Ainsworth BE, Haskell WL, Leon AS, Jacobs DR Jr, Montoye HJ, Sallis JF, Paffenbarger RS Jr. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1993 Jan;25(1):71–80).
  15. Rosenberg (2010): Partial r = partial correlation, adjusted for age, marital status, white or nonwhite ethnicity, number of children, and highest level of education.
  16. Sobngwi (2001): Total activity by Heart Rate monitoring is defined as variability in heart rate measured as area under the minute-to-minute heart rate curve and above individual resting heart rate.
  17. Telford (2004): Validity results for total PA minutes for 5 to 6 or 10 to 12 year old children in parental proxy-reports or self-administered questionnaires.
  18. Timperio (2003): Total activity in min/day is specified as ≥3 METs.
  19. Treuth (2003): GAQ score = MET weighted mean score of 18 more reliable, and more frequently performed, activities. Activitygram score = average intensity/min over 3 day period. Other sedentary = sedentary activities excluding TV watching. The scores are an average of the two days administrations.
  20. Treuth (2005): Fels PAQ score = mean Fels PAQ score (total activity) of both administrations of the PAQ. Counts/min = mean counts/min. Elementary = elementary school. Middle = middle school. High = high school.
  21. Wareham (2002): Subject wore the HR monitor 4x four days across one year. EE = Energy Expenditure in kJ/hr. TV time = hours per week watching television and videos. Partial correlation coefficient is adjusted for age and sex.
  22. Wareham (2003): Subject wore the HR monitor 4x four days across one year. Physical activity index = combined index for the four-level classification of self-reported occupational activity and four-level categorisation of time spent in cycling and other physical exercise. DayPAR = Physical Activity Ratio calculated as the ratio of daytime energy expenditure to resting energy expenditure. P for trend = P for positive trend of the association between DayPAR (measured by calibrated HR data) over four categories of physical activity (i.e. inactive, moderately inactive, moderately active, active) estimated from the EPAQ.
  23. Welk (2007): PA bouts = number of sessions of physical activity performed during the week. Total MVPA mins = total minutes in moderate to vigorous physical activity performed during the previous day. Cut point used is Freedson age-based cut point, calculated as METs = 2.757 + (0.0015*counts per minute) - (0.0896*age[yr]) - (0.000038*counts per minute*age[yr]). Correlation = group-level correlation. No correlation coefficient specified.
  24. Yasunaga (2007): PAQ-EJ score = MET score in MET-hr/week, calculated as number of days*time*intensity weight.
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International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity

ISSN: 1479-5868

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