Comparison of two approaches to structured physical activity surveys for adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the test-retest reliability, convergent validity, and overall feasibility/ usability of activity-based (AB) and time-based (TB) approaches for obtaining self-reported moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) from adolescents.


METHODS
Adolescents (206 females and 114 males) completed two 3-d physical activity recalls using the AB and TB surveys, which contained identical lists of physical activities. The participants wore an MTI Actigraph accelerometer for the same period.


RESULTS
The TB instrument took about 3 min longer to complete (P = 0.022). Overall 2-d test-retest correlations for MVPA were similar for the two surveys (r = 0.676 and 0.667), but the girls had higher reliability on the AB survey than the boys (girls: r = 0.713; boys: r = 0.568). The overall 3-d correlations for MVPA surveys and Actigraph counts varied by gender (girls: AB = 0.265 vs TB = 0.314; boys: AB = 0.340 vs TB = 0.277). Correlations for vigorous physical activity and Actigraph counts were higher for the AB than for the TB (r = 0.281 vs 0.162). As the interval between completing the surveys and the days being recalled increased, reliability and validity were lower, especially for the AB survey.


CONCLUSIONS
For both genders, either approach is acceptable for obtaining MVPA information on a single day, but the TB approach appears to be slightly favored over the AB approach for obtaining multiple days of MVPA. A 3-d recall period appears to be too long for accurate recall of MVPA information from either instrument. For both genders, the surveys overestimated activity levels; thus, self-reports should be supplemented with objective data.
McMurray
Robert G
RG
Department of Exercise and Sport Science, CB#8700, Fetzer Gym, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-8700, USA. exphys@email.unc.edu
Ring
Kimberly B
KB
Treuth
Margarita S
MS
Welk
Gregory J
GJ
Pate
Russell R
RR
Schmitz
Kathryn H
KH
Pickrel
Julie L
JL
Gonzalez
Vivian
V
Almedia
M Jaoa C A
MJ
Young
Deborah Rohm
DR
Sallis
James F
JF
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D015444:Exercise; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D010809:Physical Fitness; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity