Comparison between pedometer and questionnaire determinations of 24-hour physical activity in healthy adults

Abstract

A simple questionnaire (self-reported physical activity scale, SRPAS) was recently developed to document the level of physical activity (MET-hrs) undertaken by adults during an average weekday. The current study examined the relationship between the SRPAS and pedometer determinations of 24-hour physical activity in healthy, active adults. Additionally, the 24-hour physical activity characteristics of adults involved in different health-orientated degree programmes (physical education vs sport and exercise science) were examined. Sixty-three healthy university students undertaking health-orientated degrees (age 20.5, range 18-35 yrs) wore a pedometer (Yamax Digi-Walker SW-700) during an average weekday followed by completion of the SRPAS. Relationships between SRPAS and pedometer (steps taken, distance travelled and energy expenditure) measures were examined by Spearman's rank-order correlations. Significant (p<0.05) differences between students of different degree programmes were examined by an independent t-test or Mann-Whitney U test, where appropriate. Apart from age, where students undertaking a physical education degree were older, there were no significant differences between student groups for SRPAS and pedometer measures. Participants reported 45.3 MET-hrs of activity, completed 11692 steps and travelled 7.96 km to expend 504 kcal (14.9% of SRPAS based total daily expenditure). SRPAS total 24-hr activity (ρ=0.30-0.38, p≤0.02) and total activity (SRPAS minus sleep/rest) (ρ=0.31-0.39, p≤0.013) were significantly associated with pedometer measures of physical activity. The current study demonstrated that physical activity levels of university students undertaking health-orientated degree programmes are in line with the popular recommended dose of daily physical activity (10000 steps/day), and significant relationships exist between questionnaire and pedometer determinations of 24-hour activity.