Comparison of the college alumnus questionnaire physical activity index with objective monitoring.
OBJECTIVE
Two methods of measuring physical activity (PA) were compared over a consecutive 7-day period among 25 adults (12 men and 13 women).


METHODS
Each day estimates of energy expended in light, moderate, vigorous, and total PA were derived from the simultaneous heart-rate motion sensor (HR+M) technique. At the end of the 7-day period participants completed the College Alumnus Questionnaire Physical Activity Index (CAQ-PAI) and results were compared with HR+M technique estimates.


RESULTS
Correlations between the two methods in the four activity categories ranged from r=0.20 to r=0.47, with vigorous and total PA showing higher associations than light and moderate PA. Mean levels of PA (MET-minxwk(-1)) obtained using the two methods were similar in the moderate and vigorous categories, but individual differences were large. Energy expended in light PA was significantly underestimated on the CAQ-PAI, resulting in lower total activity scores on this questionnaire as compared with the HR+M.


CONCLUSIONS
The CAQ-PAI accurately reflected mean moderate and vigorous activity in comparison with the HR+M technique. The results are consistent with other studies which have shown that physical activity questionnaires are better at assessing vigorous PA than ubiquitous light-moderate activities.
Strath
Scott J
SJ
Department of Health and Exercise Science, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA. sstrath@uwm.edu
Bassett
David R
DR
Swartz
Ann M
AM
D000328:Adult; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D010809:Physical Fitness; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities