Introduction Validation of instruments is essential when assessing physical activity (PA).
The aim of this study was to validate a Malay language version of the
International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-M) against Actical
accelerometer and to determine its reliability and validity.
Methods A total of 90 Malay adults aged 35-65 years old participating in The
Malaysian Cohort project were recruited for this study. The IPAQ-M is
comprised of 12 items, covering vigorous, moderate, walking, sitting and
sleeping activities, and was administered on two occasions (Day 1 and Day 9)
by interviewing the participants. Participants wore the Actical accelerometer
for seven consecutive days between the two interview sessions.
Results Validity tests showed that time spent in moderate-vigorous physical activity
(MVPA) (min wk-1
) from IPAQ-M was significantly correlated with MVPA
from accelerometer (?=0.32, p<0.01). Time spent in vigorous activity
(?=0.44) and total activity (?=0.36) from IPAQ-M were significantly
correlated (p<0.01) with that measured by accelerometer, but no correlation
was observed for sedentary behaviour. Reliability tests revealed significant
correlations between the two interview sessions for all intensities of PA
(?=0.55 to 0.71, p<0.01). Bland-Altman plots showed that time spent in
MVPA for IPAQ-M was significantly different from that measured by
accelerometer (mean difference: 98.02 min wk-1
; 95% limits of agreement: -
785.33 to 1317.83 min wk-1
; p<0.01). When classifying people into meeting
PA recommendation, the agreement between the two instruments was fair
(?=0.22).
Conclusions The IPAQ-M has acceptable validity for MVPA, vigorous and total physical
activity, and was reliable for assessing the physical activity of Malay adults.