A new measure for assessing the physical activity behaviors of persons with disabilities and chronic health conditions: the Physical Activity and Disability Survey.
OBJECTIVE
Assess the psychometric properties of the Physical Activity and Disability Survey (PADS), a new physical activity measure for persons with disabilities and chronic health conditions.


METHODS
Cross-sectional and pre-post designs were employed.


METHODS
A Midwestern university fitness center.


METHODS
Participants were 103 individuals with disabilities and/or chronic health conditions.


METHODS
The Physical Activity and Disability Survey (PADS), peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2), maximum workload (MW), and time to exhaustion (TE) during exercise.


RESULTS
Factor analysis revealed a four-factor model that generally corresponded to PADS subscales. Cronbach alpha coefficients ranged from .67 (Exercise) to .77 (Time Indoors). Test-retest reliability (1-week interval) ranged from .78 (Time Indoors) to .95 (Leisure Time Physical Activity). Interrater reliability ranged from .92 (Household Activities) to .99 (Exercise, Leisure Time Physical Activity, Total Activity). Significant (p < .05) correlations were found between PADS subscales and absolute peak VO2 (Leisure Time Physical Activity, Household Activity, Total Activity), relative peak VO2 (Exercise, Time Indoors), MW (Time Indoors, Household Activity), and TE (Household Activity, Total Activity). Analyses of variance revealed that, unlike controls, health promotion program participants evidenced significant pre-post gains as measured by the Exercise subscale and Total Activity score.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings lend support for the reliability and validity of the PADS as a measure of physical activity of groups who are sedentary and disabled.
Rimmer
J H
JH
Center on Health Promotion Research for Persons with Disabilities, University of Illinois at Chicago, Department of Disability and Human Development, (M/C 626), 1640 West Roosevelt Road, Chicago, IL 60608-6904, USA.
Riley
B B
BB
Rubin
S S
SS
D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000145:classification*; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D020446:Fitness Centers; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015146:Midwestern United States; D011594:Psychometrics; D013333:Student Health Services