Measuring physical activity-related environmental factors: reliability and predictive validity of the European environmental questionnaire ALPHA

Abstract

BackgroundA questionnaire to assess physical activity related environmental factors in the European population (a 49-item and an 11-item version) was created as part of the framework of the EU-funded project "Instruments for Assessing Levels of PHysical Activity and fitness (ALPHA)". This paper reports on the development and assessment of the questionnaire's test-retest stability, predictive validity, and applicability to European adults.MethodsThe first pilot test was conducted in Belgium, France and the UK. In total 190 adults completed both forms of the ALPHA questionnaire twice with a one-week interval. Physical activity was concurrently measured (i) by administration of the long version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) by interview and (ii) by accelerometry (Actigraph™ device). After adaptations, the second field test took place in Belgium, the UK and Austria; 166 adults completed the adapted questionnaire at two time points, with minimum one-week interval. In both field studies intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and proportion of agreement were computed to assess the stability of the two test scores. Predictive validity was examined in the first field test by correlating the results of the questionnaires with physical activity data from accelerometry and long IPAQ-last 7 days.ResultsThe reliability scores of the ALPHA questionnaire were moderate-to good in the first field testing (ICC range 0.66 - 0.86) and good in the second field testing (ICC range 0.71 - 0.87). The proportion of agreement for the ALPHA short increased significantly from the first (range 50 - 83%) to the second field testing (range 85 - 95%). Environmental scales from both versions of the ALPHA questionnaire were significantly associated with self-reported minutes of transport-related walking, and objectively measured low intensity physical activity levels, particularly in women. Both versions were easily administered with an average completion time of six minutes for the 49-item version and less than two minutes for the short version.ConclusionThe ALPHA questionnaire is an instrument to measure environmental perceptions in relation to physical activity. It appears to have good reliability and predictive validity. The questionnaire is now available to other researchers to investigate its usefulness and applicability across Europe.

Reliability and validity findings of the ALPHA environmental questionnaire in Germany

“…All in all the correlations were low but pointed in the expected direction. Concerning reliability, we found similar findings compared to the paper-and-pencil version of the ALPHA environmental questionnaire of Spittaels et al (2010). In detail, the internal consistency was also overall low and somewhat lower compared to Spittaels et al (2010).…”

“…transport-related walking) were correlated with specific features of the neighbourhood environment. These findings pointed to the predictive validity of the ALPHA environmental questionnaire (Spittaels et al 2010). However, more studies in different European countries are necessary to confirm these findings and to use the ALPHA environmental questionnaire as a reliable and valid instrument throughout all countries in Europe.…”

“…The questionnaire was adapted and refined in different test phases, as described in detail elsewhere (Spittaels et al 2009(Spittaels et al , 2010. The questionnaire is available in six different languages on the website of the International PA and the Environment Network (http://www.ipenproject.org/surveyalpha.htm).…”

“…Therefore, the objective of this study was to test whether a computer-assisted self-administered German version of the ALPHA environmental questionnaire provides similar results on reliability and validity compared to the recently published data on the ALPHA environmental questionnaire by Spittaels et al (2010).…”

Physical activity patterns in the French 18–74-year-old population: French Nutrition and Health Survey (Etude Nationale Nutrition Santé, ENNS) 2006–2007

“…As suggested by King and Sallis (6) , the current challenge for physical activity programmes is to 'create more activity-friendly environments to improve population-wide physical activity'. Use of such new instruments as the European ALPHA questionnaire (34) and geographic information systems should help to clarify the way in which an individual views his/her surroundings, so as to eventually encourage a higher level of physical activity.…”