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Validity and Reliability of International Physical Activity Questionnaires for Adults across EU Countries: Systematic Review and Meta Analysis

Author

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  • Vedrana Sember

    (Faculty of Sports, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

  • Kaja Meh

    (Faculty of Sports, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

  • Maroje Sorić

    (Faculty of Sports, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
    Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb, 10110 Zagreb, Croatia)

  • Gregor Starc

    (Faculty of Sports, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

  • Paulo Rocha

    (Portuguese Institute of Sport and Youth, 1250-190 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • Gregor Jurak

    (Faculty of Sports, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

Abstract

This review and meta-analysis (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020138845) critically evaluates test-retest reliability, concurrent validity and criterion validity of different physical activity (PA) levels of three most commonly used international PA questionnaires (PAQs) in official language versions of European Union (EU): International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF), Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ), and European Health Interview Survey-Physical Activity Questionnaire (EHIS-PAQ). In total, 1749 abstracts were screened, 287 full-text articles were identified as relevant to the study objectives, and 20 studies were included. The studies’ results and quality were evaluated using the Quality Assessment of Physical Activity Questionnaires checklist. Results indicate that only ten EU countries validated official language versions of selected PAQs. A meta-analysis revealed that assessment of moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) is the most relevant PA level outcome, since no publication bias in any of measurement properties was detected while test-retest reliability was moderately high (r w = 0.74), moderate for the criterion (r w = 0.41) and moderately-high for concurrent validity (r w = 0.72). Reporting of methods and results of the studies was poor, with an overall moderate risk of bias with a total score of 0.43. In conclusion, where only self-reporting of PA is feasible, assessment of MVPA with selected PAQs in EU adult populations is recommended.

Suggested Citation

  • Vedrana Sember & Kaja Meh & Maroje Sorić & Gregor Starc & Paulo Rocha & Gregor Jurak, 2020. "Validity and Reliability of International Physical Activity Questionnaires for Adults across EU Countries: Systematic Review and Meta Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-23, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:19:p:7161-:d:421866
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Xiaofen D. Keating & Ke Zhou & Xiaolu Liu & Michael Hodges & Jingwen Liu & Jianmin Guan & Ashley Phelps & Jose Castro-Piñero, 2019. "Reliability and Concurrent Validity of Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ): A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-27, October.
    2. David Moher & Alessandro Liberati & Jennifer Tetzlaff & Douglas G Altman & The PRISMA Group, 2009. "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(7), pages 1-6, July.
    3. Riley, L. & Guthold, R. & Cowan, M. & Savin, S. & Bhatti, L. & Armstrong, T. & Bonita, R., 2016. "The world health organization STEPwise approach to noncommunicable disease risk-factor surveillance: Methods, challenges, and opportunities," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 106(1), pages 74-78.
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