Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire [LTEQ-2]

Questionnaire Description

The Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire (LTEQ-2) is a brief self-report instrument designed to assess an individual’s participation in physical exercise and leisure-time physical activity. It is associated with the broader framework for assessing physical activity developed by Godin and Shephard and has been applied in research investigating the relationship between exercise, health, and well-being.

The short LTEQ-2 consists of two items focusing on an individual’s usual participation in leisure-time physical activity. Responses provide a concise indication of the extent to which exercise and physical activity form part of the respondent’s regular lifestyle.

Due to its brevity, simple administration, and limited respondent burden, the LTEQ-2 can be particularly useful in large-scale surveys, epidemiological studies, and research protocols in which a rapid assessment of exercise behavior is required.

Objective

The primary objective of the LTEQ-2 is to provide a brief and systematic assessment of participation in leisure-time physical activity.

The questionnaire enables researchers and professionals to investigate exercise habits and examine potential associations between physical activity and indicators of physical health, psychological well-being, quality of life, and other health-related outcomes.

The instrument may also be incorporated into longitudinal studies or intervention research to examine changes in physical activity behavior over time and to evaluate whether participation in exercise changes following health promotion or behavioral interventions.

Scoring

The LTEQ-2 consists of 2 items, which are assessed using three response categories:

1 – Often
2 – Sometimes
3 – Never/Rarely

Coding and calculation of scores should follow the instructions provided for the specific version of the instrument being administered. Particular attention should be given to the direction of the numerical coding, as a higher numerical response value does not necessarily represent a higher level of physical activity.

Accordingly, researchers should verify the scoring procedure of the specific LTEQ-2 version or adaptation before calculating and interpreting scores.

Data Analysis

Analysis of LTEQ-2 data may include the calculation of frequencies and percentages for each response category, as well as the construction of summary indicators of physical activity when supported by the scoring system of the version being used.

Responses can also be examined in relation to demographic, social, behavioral, psychological, or health-related variables. Depending on the study design and research objectives, statistical procedures may include group comparisons, correlation analyses, regression models, and other appropriate analytical methods.

In studies involving repeated measurements, the LTEQ-2 may also be used to examine changes in participation in physical activity across different time points or before and after an intervention.

Applications

The LTEQ-2 can be used in research examining physical activity, exercise behavior, health, quality of life, and general well-being. Its brief format facilitates its inclusion in larger questionnaires and research protocols without substantially increasing participant burden or administration time.

Potential applications include studies in public health, exercise and sport science, health psychology, behavioral medicine, and health promotion. It may also be useful in research examining factors associated with the adoption and maintenance of a physically active lifestyle.

As a self-report measure, however, the LTEQ-2 may be affected by limitations related to recall accuracy, subjective interpretation of physical activity, and socially desirable responding. When more precise assessment is required, self-reported information may be complemented by objective measures of physical activity.

References

Godin, G., & Shephard, R. J. (1985). A simple method to assess exercise behavior in the community. Canadian Journal of Applied Sport Sciences, 10(3), 141–146.

Godin, G., & Shephard, R. J. (1997). Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 29(6 Suppl.), S36–S38.

Godin, G. (2011). The Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire. Health & Fitness Journal of Canada, 4(1), 18–22.

Amireault, S., & Godin, G. (2015). The Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire: Validity evidence supporting its use for classifying healthy adults into active and insufficiently active categories. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 120(2), 604–622.