Introduction
Why were the PAQ-C and the PAQ-A Measures Created?
Limitations and Strengths of the PAQ Measures
A six-year longitudinal study of the relationship between physical activity and bone mineral accretion in growing children: the University of Saskatchewan Bone Mineral Accumulation Study. Measuring general levels of physical activity: preliminary evidence for the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children. Physical activity assessment options in the context of the Canadian assessment of physical activity, fitness and lifestyle.
Physical activity assessments in physical education: A practical review of instruments and their use in the curriculum.
Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C)
- What is the PAQ-C?
- Keys to Successful Administration
- Validation Reliability Studies Concerning the PAQ-C
- PAQ-C Measure
Evidence was provided to support the PAQ-C as a reliable and valid measure of general levels of physical activity in children during the school year. These results provided initial support that the PAQ-C is a valid measure of physical activity in children. Two studies by Kowalski, Crocker, and Faulkner (1997) supported the PAQ-C as a valid measure of general physical activity levels.
Two independent samples (N = 89 and N = 97) of children in grades 4 through 8 completed the PAQ-C along with other physical activity measures. In the first study, the convergent, construct and divergent validity of the PAQ-C was investigated. The PAQ-C's moderate correlation with perceptions of athletic competence (r = 0.48) provided support for the construct validity of the PAQ-C.
The divergent validity of the PAQ-C was not supported by any relationship between the Behavioral Behavior Scale and the PAQ-C. In another study, the convergent and construct validity of the PAQ-C was further examined.
Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A)
- What is the PAQ-A?
- Keys to Successful Administration
- Validation Reliability Studies Concerning the PAQ-A
- PAQ-A Measure
The abstract provides a brief summary of the study's findings (we recommend that the entire study be reviewed as a final reference). The PAQ-A (a modified version of the PAQ-C) was developed to measure the general level of physical activity in adolescents. Kowalski, Crocker, and Kowalski (1997) administered the PAQ-A along with other measures of physical activity to 85 middle school students during the school year.
To ensure no carryover effects, Caltrac and PAR were administered over a different 1-week period than the other measures. We are trying to find out your level of physical activity from the last 7 days (in the last week). Please answer all the questions as honestly and accurately as possible - this is very important.
During the past seven days, how often were you very active (playing hard, running, jumping, throwing) during physical education classes? In the past 7 days, on how many days immediately after school did you play sports, dance or play games where you were very active? On how many evenings in the past 7 days did you exercise, dance or play games where you were very active?
In the last weekend, how many times did you play sports, dance or play games where you were very active. I sometimes (1-2 times last week) did physical things in my spare time (e.g. played sports, ran, swam, cycled, did aerobics). Mark how often you did physical activity (such as playing sports, games, dancing or other physical activity) for each day last week.
Overview of Studies Using the Physical Activity Questionnaires
How has the PAQ-C and the PAQ-A Been Utilized in Research?
The PAQ-C has been successfully used in longitudinal research to measure children's general physical activity levels from childhood to adolescence. The physical activity levels of children and adolescents were assessed by the PAQ-C to determine whether or not physical activity has a relationship with bone mineral density. The PAQ-C and the Physical Self-Perception Profile (PSPP) were used to study the relationship between children's physical activity levels and physical self-perceptions.
The PAQ-A was used in this two-year study to measure the physical activity levels of adolescent females. The PAQ-C and the Children's Attraction to Physical Activity (CAPA) scale were administered simultaneously. The duration (hours/week) of loaded physical activity was estimated based on the PAQ-Cs after school and during school items.
The PAQ-C was used to assess children's level of participation in loaded physical activity. The mean general physical activity scores reported in this study are an average of six assessments by the PAQ-C over the two school years (fall, winter, and spring completion). The children completed a food frequency questionnaire to classify calcium intake and the PAQ-C to classify physical activity levels.
PAQ-C activity scores showed differences in the physical activity levels of Asian and Caucasian children. The PAQ-C was used to classify the physical activity levels of children in a school-based cholesterol screening program. Rosendo da Silva and Malina (2000) created a Portuguese version of the PAQ-C to assess the level of general physical activity in Brazilian children and adolescents.
In this longitudinal study (years, children's overall physical activity levels were assessed using the PAQ-C. Children's chronological age, height, body mass, biological age, and physical activity levels were measured. The PAQ-A (including PAQ-C break point) assessed the physical activity levels of high school students.
The PAQ-C's strengths and limitations were mentioned in this study's review of physical activity assessment. A parent's influence on their child's physical activity level was investigated with the help of the PAQ-C. The children completed the PAQ-C and the Children's Physical Activity Correlates (CPAC) instrument during their physical education class.
Reliability and validity of physical activity questionnaires for children: The study of children's leisure activities (CLASS).
Complete Reference List
