Evaluation of the Kaiser Physical Activity Survey in women

Purpose: The Kaiser Physical Activity Survey (KPAS) was evaluated for test-retest reliability and comparison with direct and indirect measures of physical activity (PA) in 50 women (ages 20-60 yr) with a broad range of physical activity (PA) habits. Methods: The KPAS, an adaptation of the Baecke usual physical activity survey, was designed specifically to assess activity in women. It provides four summary activity indexes: housework/caregiving, active living habits, sports, and occupation. Summary indexes were compared against direct (Caltrac accelerometer and PA records) and indirect (cardiorespiratory fitness (VO₂ peak) and percent body fat) criterion measures of PA. Participants kept detailed PA records for two, 7-d periods, separated by 1 month. Caltrac accelerometers were worn concurrently with the PA records. Results: Intraclass correlations for 1-month test-retest reliability were high for all KPAS indexes (r = 0.79 to 0.91, P < 0.01). Age- adjusted Spearman rho correlations between the KPAS sports/exercise and active living habits indexes were of moderate magnitude for VO₂ peak (r = 0.34 to 0.76, P < 0.01) and percent body fat (r = -.30 to -0.59, P < 0.05). KPAS caregiving and occupation indexes were related to Caltrac kcal · d^-1 (r = 0.30 to 0.44, P < 0.05). Correlations between similar activities from the KPAS and PA records ranged from r = 0.03 to 0.64. Daily, habitual activities from the KPAS and PA records had the highest correlations (r > 0.28). Correlations among infrequent activities were lower (r < 0.05). Conclusion: The KPAS demonstrated good reliability and was reasonably accurate in detecting regular housework/caregiving, occupation, sports/exercise, and active leisure activities among women with a broad range of physical activity habits.