Description

The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) is a tool designed to assess levels of physical activity and sedentary behavior across various populations. The IPAQ is available in different formats, including short and long versions, and is widely used in research and clinical practice for monitoring physical activity and related health outcomes.

Analysis

The IPAQ includes questions that cover different aspects of physical activity:

Moderate Physical Activity:
Assesses the duration and frequency of moderate-intensity activities, such as walking and cycling.
Vigorous Physical Activity:
Evaluates participation in high-intensity activities, such as running or gym workouts, which significantly increase heart rate.
Sedentary Time:
Measures the time an individual spends sitting to understand the health impact of sedentary behavior.
The questions address activities related to work, transportation, and leisure time, using either a Likert scale or time (e.g., hours per week).

Purpose

The purpose of the IPAQ is:

Physical Activity Assessment:
To provide a comprehensive picture of physical activity levels in an individual or population.
Health Research:
To support research into the relationship between physical activity and health.
Public Health:
To aid in the design and evaluation of health promotion and physical activity programs.

Scoring

Scoring of the IPAQ includes:

Total Score:
Calculated based on the total time spent on physical activity and the intensity of those activities, according to responses.
Activity Categories:
Responses are categorized into levels (low, moderate, high) to determine the overall level of physical activity.

References

Craig, C. L., Marshall, A. L., Sjöström, M., Bauman, A. E., Booth, M. L., Ainsworth, B. E., … & Oja, P. (2003). International Physical Activity Questionnaire: 12-Country Reliability and Validity. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 35(8), 1381–1395.
Gordon, N. F., & Scibek, J. (2005). The International Physical Activity Questionnaire and Its Application in Clinical Settings. Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention, 25(3), 175–182.
Kriska, A. M., & Knowler, W. C. (2007). Using the IPAQ to Measure Physical Activity: Insights from the Diabetes Prevention Program. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 4, 41.