Int J Sports Med 2006; 27(2): 131-136
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-837619
Training & Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Validity of a Physical Activity Computer Questionnaire in 12- to 18-year-old Boys and Girls

R. M. Philippaerts1 , L. Matton2 , K. Wijndaele1 , A.-L. Balduck1 , I. De Bourdeaudhuij1 , J. Lefevre2
  • 1Department of Movement and Sports Sciences, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
  • 2Department of Sport and Movement Sciences, K. U. Leuven, Belgium
Further Information

Publication History

Accepted after revision: January 30, 2005

Publication Date:
02 June 2005 (online)

Abstract

The reliability and validity of a physical activity computer questionnaire of a usual week were studied in 33 adolescents between 12 and 18 years of age. Intraclass correlation coefficients and Kappa values were calculated to verify test-retest reliability. Validity was investigated by calculating Pearson correlation coefficients between the questionnaire and the Computer Science and Applications uniaxial accelerometer (CSA). Accelerometer data were obtained during seven successive days (sum and mean counts, estimated MET). Intraclass coefficients generally exceeded 0.70 and all Kappa values but one varied between 0.44 and 1.00. Transport variables (active transport from and to school, and during leisure time) showed no relationship with CSA. Sport participation during leisure time, sport participation summed with total transport, and the frequencies of moderate and hard activity were significantly correlated with CSA (r between 0.48 and 0.78). These data indicate that the physical activity computer variables provide reliable information. Moreover, sport participation (and summed with total transport) and the frequencies of moderate and hard activity provide valid data about adolescents' usual week physical activity, based on CSA comparison.

References

  • 1 Aaron D J, Kriska A M, Dearwater S R, Cauley J A, Metz K F, Laporte R E. Reproducibility and validity of an epidemiologic questionnaire to assess past-year physical activity in adolescents.  Am J Epidemiol. 1995;  142 191-201
  • 2 Ainsworth B E, Haskell W L, Leon A S, Jacobs D R, Montoye H J, Sallis J F, Paffenbarger R S. Compendium of physical activities: classification of energy costs of human physical activities.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1993;  25 71-80
  • 3 Ainsworth B E, Haskell W L, Whitt M C, Irwin M L, Swartz A M, Strath S J, O'Brien W L, Bassett D R, Schmitz K H, Emplaincourt P O, Jacobs D R, Leon A S. Compendium of physical activities: an update of activity codes and MET intensities.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2000;  32 498-516
  • 4 Biddle S, Gorely T, Stensel D. Health-enhancing physical ativity and sedentary behaviour in children and adolescents.  J Sports Sci. 2004;  22 679-701
  • 5 Biddle S, Sallis J, Cavill N. (eds) .Young and Active? Young People and Health-Enhancing Physical Activity: Evidence and Implications. London; Health Education Authority 1998
  • 6 Blair S N, Connelly J C. How much physical activity should we do? The case for moderate amounts and intensities of physical activity.  Res Quart Exerc Sport. 1996;  67 193-205
  • 7 Caspersen C J, Nixon P A, Durant R H. Physical activity epidemiology applied to children and adolescents.  Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 1998;  26 341-403
  • 8 Crocker R PE, Bailey D A, Faulkner R A, Kowalski K C, McGrath R. Measuring general levels of physical activity: preliminary evidence for the physical activity questionnaire for older children.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1997;  29 1344-1349
  • 9 Dollman J, Olds T, Norton K, Stuart D. The evolution of fitness and fatness in 10 - 11-year-old Australian schoolchildren: changes in distributional characteristics between 1985 and 1997.  Pediat Exerc Sci. 1999;  11 108-121
  • 10 Ekelund U, Yngve A, Sjöström M, Westerterp K. Field evaluation of the Computer Science and Application's Inc. activity monitor during running and skating training in adolescent athletes.  Int J Sports Med. 2000;  21 586-591
  • 11 Eston R G, Rowlands A V, Ingledew D K. Validity of heart rate, pedometry, and accelerometry for predicting the energy cost of children's activities.  J Appl Physiol. 1998;  84 362-371
  • 12 Freedson P S, Melanson E, Sirard J. Calibration of the Computer Science and Applications, Inc accelerometer.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1998;  30 777-781
  • 13 Freedson P S, Miller K. Objective monitoring of physical activity using motion sensors and heart rate.  Res Q Exerc Sport. 2000;  71 21-30
  • 14 Freedson P S, Sirard J, Debold E, Pate R R, Dowda M, Trost S G, Sallis J. Calibration of the Computer Science and Application, Inc. (CSA) accelerometer.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1997;  29 45
  • 15 Freedson P S, Sirard J, Debold N. Validity of two physical activity monitors in children and adolescents. Armstrong N, Kirby B, Welsman J Children and Exercise XIX. London; E and FN 1997: 127-131
  • 16 Hulens M, Beunen G, Claessens A L, Lefevre J, Thomis M, Philippaerts R, Borms J, Vrijens J, Lysens R, Vansant G. Trends in BMI among Belgian children, adolescents and adults from 1969 to 1996.  Int J Obes. 2001;  25 395-399
  • 17 Kimm S YS, Glynn N W, Kriska A M, Fitzgerald S L, Aaron D J, Similo S L, McMahon R P, Barton B A. Longitudinal changes in physical activity in a biracial cohort during adolescence.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2000;  32 1445-1454
  • 18 Kohl H W, Fulton J E, Caspersen C J. Assessment of physical activity among children and adolescents.  Prev Med. 2000;  31 54-76
  • 19 Kowalski K C, Crocker R PE, Faulkner R A. Validation of the physical activity questionnaire for older children.  Pediat Exerc Sci. 1997;  9 174-186
  • 20 Kowalski K C, Crocker P RE, Kowalski N P. Convergent validity of the physical activity questionnaire for adolescents.  Pediat Exerc Sci. 1997;  9 342-352
  • 21 Landis R J, Koch G G. The measurement of observer agreement for categorical data.  Biometrics. 1977;  33 159-174
  • 22 McMurray R G, Harrell J S, Bradley C B, Webb J P, Goodman E M. Comparison of a computerized physical activity recall with a triaxial motion sensor in middle-school youth.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1998;  30 1238-1245
  • 23 McMurray R G, Harrell J S, Deng S, Bradley C B, Cox L M, Bangdiwala S I. The influence of physical activity, socioeconomic status, and ethnicity on the weight status of adolescents.  Obes Res. 2000;  8 130-139
  • 24 Millstein S G. Acceptability and reliability of sensitive information collected via computer interview.  Ed Psychol Meas. 1987;  47 523-533
  • 25 Mota J, Santos J, Guerra S, Ribeiro J C, Duarte J A, Sallis J F. Validation of a physical activity self-report questionnaire in a Portuguese pediatric population.  Pediat Exerc Sci. 2002;  14 269-276
  • 26 Ott A E, Pate R R, Trost S G, Ward D S, Saunders R. The use of uniaxial and triaxial accelerometers to measure children's “free-play” physical activity.  Pediat Exerc Sci. 2000;  12 360-370
  • 27 Ridley K, Dollman J, Olds T. Development and validation of a computer delivered physical activity questionnaire (CDPAQ) for children.  Pediat Exerc Sci. 2001;  13 35-46
  • 28 Sallis J F, Buono M J, Roby J J, Micale F G, Nelson J A. Seven-day recall and other physical activity self-reports in children and adolescents.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1993;  25 99-108
  • 29 Skinner H A, Allen B A. Does the computer make a difference? Computerized versus face-to-face versus self-report assessment of alcohol, drug, and tobacco use.  J Cons Clin Psychol. 1983;  51 267-275
  • 30 Streiner D L, Norman G R. Health Measurements Scales: A Pracitcal Guide to their Development and Use. Oxford; Oxford University Press 1995: 201-203
  • 31 Thomsen B L, Ekstrom C T, Sorensen T IA. Development of the obesity epidemic in Denmark: cohort, time and age effects among boys born 1930 - 1975.  Int J Obes Rel Metab Disord. 1999;  23 693-701
  • 32 Troiano R P, Flegal K M, Kuczmarski R J, Campbell S M, Johnson C L. Overweight prevalence and trend for children and adolescents.  Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1995;  149 1085-1091
  • 33 Trost S G, Pate R R, Freedson P S, Sallis J F, Taylor W C. Using objective physical activity measures with youth: How many days of monitoring are needed?.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2000;  32 426-431
  • 34 Trost S G, Pate R R, Sallis J F, Freedson P S, Taylor W C, Dowda M, Sirard J. Age and gender differences in objectively measured physical activity in youth.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2002;  34 350-355
  • 35 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services .Physical Activity and Health. A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta, GA; U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion 1996
  • 36 Wallace J P, McKenzie T L, Nader P R. Observed vs. recalled exercise behavior: a validation of a seven-day exercise recall for boys 11 to 13 years old.  Res Q Exerc Sport. 1985;  56 161-165
  • 37 Welk G J, Corbin C B. The validity of the Tritrac-R3 D activity monitor for the assessment of physical activity in children.  Res Q Exerc Sport. 1995;  66 202-209

R. Philippaerts

Ghent University, Department of Movement and Sports Sciences

Watersportlaan 2

9000 Gent

Belgium

Phone: + 3292646328

Fax: + 32 92 64 64 84

Email: renaat.philippaerts@UGent.be

    >