Validity of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Long Form for Assessing Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Subjects with Chronic Stroke

• Main Authors: Maria-Arantzazu Ruescas-Nicolau, María Luz Sánchez-Sánchez, Sara Cortés-Amador, Sofía Pérez-Alenda, Anna Arnal-Gómez, Assumpta Climent-Toledo, Juan J. Carrasco
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-04-01
• Series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Subjects: stroke; physical activity; sedentary behavior; international physical activity questionnaire; IPAQ; validity
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/9/4729

Validation studies of questionnaires used to assess physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) in stroke survivors are scarce. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the validity of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire long-form (IPAQ-LF) in community living adults with post-stroke sequelae (≥6 months) and preserved ambulation. Participants’ functional mobility, lower limb strength, ambulatory level, stroke severity, and disability were assessed. An accelerometer (ActiGraph GT3X+) was worn for ≥7 consecutive days. Subsequently, the IPAQ-LF was interview-administered. Fifty-six participants (58.1 ± 11.1 years, 66.1% male) were included. A strong correlation between the two methods was found for total PA time (ρ = 0.55, <i>p</i> < 0.001). According to the Bland-Altman analyses, over-reporting moderate-to-vigorous PA and under-reporting total PA in the IPAQ-LF were found in those participants with higher PA levels. Both methods measured sedentary time similarly, though random error was observed between them. Moderate-strong correlations were found between the IPAQ-LF and physical function (ρ = 0.29–0.60, <i>p</i> < 0.05). In conclusion, in people with chronic stroke, the IPAQ-LF presented acceptable levels of validity for estimating total PA time in those who are insufficiently active. Therefore, it could be a useful tool to screen for inactive individuals with chronic stroke who can benefit from PA interventions addressed to implement healthier lifestyles.