Show cards of the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) – do they impact validity? A crossover study

Abstract

Background: The Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) is applied internationally as a tool to assess the level of physical activity. The GPAQ was designed as an interview, including the use of show cards, which visualise activities of moderate and intensive physical activity and support the distinction between these intensities. The selfadministered version of the GPAQ is used in the application-oriented research for reasons of economy and practicality. However, the use of show cards often remains unknown. The aim of the present study was to examine differences in validity between two self-administered versions of the GPAQ with and without show cards. Methods: In this crossover study, two groups (n = 54; 57.4% female; 28.3 ± 12.2 years) received the GPAQ with or without show cards after 7 days and the respective other version after additional 7 days. For validation, all participants wore an accelerometer (ActiGraph GT3X+) on all 14 days. Differences between GPAQ versions and accelerometer data were compared by Wilcoxon signed rank test. Additionally, Spearman analyses and Bland-Altman plots were calculated. Results: No statistically significant difference between the GPAQ versions could be found in regard to the accuracy of physical activity assessment (p > 0.05). Both GPAQ versions show similar correlation coefficients for vigorous physical activity (rho = 0.31-0.42) and sedentary behaviour (rho = 0.29-0.32). No statistically significant correlation was found for physical activity of moderate intensity. The Bland-Altman plots support these results, as both GPAQ versions have the same trends in terms of overestimation and underestimation of physical activity. Conclusion: The use of show cards had no significant impact on questionnaire validity. Therefore, both GPAQ versions can be applied interchangeably. Nevertheless the exact description of application of the GPAQ is desirable in terms of reproducibility and transparent scientific research.

Validity and Reliability of IPAQ-SF and GPAQ for Assessing Sedentary Behaviour in Adults in the European Union: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Figure 1 shows the flow of the study selection process. Of the 4716 studies identified through the search, 14 studies [ 20 , 21 , 25 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 ] were included in the present systematic review and meta-analysis ( Figure 1 ). General characteristics, such as the country where the study was conducted, population, and modes and means of administration, are presented in Table 2 .…”

“…In 13 of 14 studies, the participants’ gender ratio was included (93%), with the gender ratio unknown in one study [ 47 ]. In terms of sampling, nine studies used convenient (64%), three random (21%), and one multistage stratified probability sample (7.5%), while one study did not provide sample description (7.5%) [ 44 ]. Most studies ( n = 7.5%) used a self-administered mode of administration, four studies used interviews (29%), two studies used a self-administered mode and an interview (14%), and one used a telephone interview (7%).…”

“…Most of the associations that assessed concurrent validity were graded with grade 1, four of them were graded with grade 2, and three associations were graded with methodological grade 3. Criterion validity was observed in 10 of 13 included studies, with 24 associations for this measurement construct [ 20 , 21 , 31 , 32 , 34 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 48 ]. One result with negative criterion validity stood out (r = −0.48), otherwise criterion validity results were low but close to each other ( Figure 4 ).…”

History of vigorous leisure-time physical activity and early onset amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), data from the national ALS registry: 2010–2018

“…The Registry physical activity survey was pulled from the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) by the World Health Organization released in 2002 (30). Lifetime physical activity questionnaires including the GPAQ have been evaluated and validated (31,32). The Registry's physical activity survey module was launched on 19 October 2010.…”

Measurement Characteristics of the Most Common Used International Physical Activity Questionnaires for Adults Across EU-28 in National Language Versions: Systematic Review and Meta Analysis

“…Most of these studies assessed concurrent validity for tPA (11) and the least for MVPA (6). Table 2 represents information from 13 studies regarding criterion validity of PAQs in selected studies across EU [37,38,52,57,58,[62][63][64]66,67,69,70,73], including information about country where study was carried out, duration of objective assessment, number of valid days and minutes per day, method for validity comparison, cut-off points, epoch length, definition of non-wear time and measured construct. Most studies assessed criterion validity for VPA and tPA (both 11) for MPA, the least studies assessed criterion validity for MPA and MVPA (both 9).…”