Subjective Estimation of Physical Activity Using the IPAQ Varies by Fitness Level

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2015-04-05
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Shook, Robin
Gribben, Nicole
Hand, Gregory
Paluch, Amanda
Welk, Gregory
Jakici, John
Hutto, Brent
Burgess, Stephanie
Blair, Steven
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Kinesiology
The Department of Kinesiology seeks to provide an ample knowledge of physical activity and active living to students both within and outside of the program; by providing knowledge of the role of movement and physical activity throughout the lifespan, it seeks to improve the lives of all members of the community. Its options for students enrolled in the department include: Athletic Training; Community and Public Health; Exercise Sciences; Pre-Health Professions; and Physical Education Teacher Licensure. The Department of Physical Education was founded in 1974 from the merger of the Department of Physical Education for Men and the Department of Physical Education for Women. In 1981 its name changed to the Department of Physical Education and Leisure Studies. In 1993 its name changed to the Department of Health and Human Performance. In 2007 its name changed to the Department of Kinesiology. Dates of Existence: 1974-present. Historical Names: Department of Physical Education (1974-1981), Department of Physical Education and Leisure Studies (1981-1993), Department of Health and Human Performance (1993-2007). Related Units: College of Human Sciences (parent college), College of Education (parent college, 1974 - 2005), Department of Physical Education for Women (predecessor) Department of Physical Education for Men
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Abstract

Background: Subjective measures of moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA) rely on ‘relative’ intensity while objective measures capture ‘absolute’ intensity, thus fit individuals may perceive the same activity differently than unfit individuals. Methods: Adults (N=211) wore the SenseWear Armband (SWA) for ten consecutive days to objectively assess sedentary time and MVPA. On day eight participants completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) to subjectively assess sitting time and MVPA. Fitness was assessed via a maximal treadmill test, and participants were classified as ’unfit’ if the result was in the bottom tertile of the study population by sex or ‘fit’ if in the upper two tertiles. Results: Overall, estimates of MVPA between the IPAQ and SWA were not significantly different (IPAQ minus SWA, 67.4±919.1 MVPA minutes/week, P=.29). However, unfit participants overestimated MVPA using the IPAQ by 37.3% (P=.02), but fit participants did not (P=.99). This between-group difference was due to overestimation using the IPAQ of moderate activity by 93.8 minutes/week among the unfit individuals, but underestimation of moderate activity among the fit participants by 149.4 minutes/week. Conclusion: Subjective measures of MVPA using the IPAQ varied by fitness category, with unfit participants overestimating their MVPA and fit participants accurately estimating their MVPA.

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This is a manuscript of an article from Journal of Physical Activity & Health; April 2015; doi: 10.1123/jpah.2014-0543. Posted with permission.

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Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 UTC 2015
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