Validating of the Urdu version of international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ-U) among Pakistani population

Abstract

Background/objectives: Physical inactivity is a primary risk factor for global mortality and a large percentage of population are sedentary. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) is a self-reported mechanism for measuring physical activity and inactivity. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to measure the reliability and validity of the short IPAQ-U among Pakistani adults. Methods: The study sample includes Pakistani male and female adults aged between 18 and 65 Years (M + SD 31.71 + 10.30), who were regular participating for the last six months in various physical activity and exercise. The total 386 participants were asked to complete the Urdu version of IPAQ short (male 60.6%, n = 234, and female 39.4%, n= 152). Results: The value of Spear-man's coefficients correlation for Vigorous-intensity was showed good value of test-retest reliability and significantly correlated (male = 0.72), (female = 0.80), and (total sample = 0.73). While, moderate intensity was also significantly correlated (male = 0.69), (female = 0.76), and (total sample = 0.71). Walking significantly correlated (male = 0.56), (female = 0.82 (total sample = 0.59). Physical activity overall was significantly correlated (male = 0.74), (female = 0.42), (age 18-34 Years = 0.86), (age 35-50 Years = 0.78), (age 51-65 Years = 0.85) and (total sample = 0.90). Conclusion: In this population, the short IPAQ-U established acceptable instrument, the reliability and validity of the IPAQ-U was significant. While there were some limitations of the study regarding test-retest reliability and in classification, the IPAQ-U was a suitable tool for measuring level of physical activity.