Validation of a one-day self-report questionnaire for physical activity assessment in healthy adults

A self-report physical activity scale (PAS) has previously been developed to document physical activity (MET-hours) undertaken by adults during an average weekday. The current study aimed to validate the PAS over 24 hours via pedometer determinations of physical activity in healthy, active adults, and to determine possible influences of gender and body mass status on this relationship. One-hundred and seven healthy university students (age 18–41 years) wore a pedometer (Yamax DigiWalker SW-700) during the waking hours of an average weekday followed by successful completion of the PAS. Relationships between the PAS and pedometer measures (steps taken and energy expenditure) were examined by Pearson's correlation coefficients. Significant (P<0.05) gender and body mass status differences were examined by two-way analysis of variance with Tukey post-hoc tests. Participants reported 48.0±10.4 MET-hours of activity, completed 11,506±4195 steps, and expended 499±227 kcal during an average weekday. Physical activity measures, except energy expenditure, were similar across groups by gender and body mass status. The total number of MET-hours was significantly associated with pedometer steps taken (r=0.375–0.568, P