Correlations between the Japanese version of the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire and accelerometer-measured physical activity and sedentary time in adult women and men.

backgroundPhysical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour have important health implications. Self-reported measures of PA and sitting time (ST) such as questionnaires are most commonly used in public health studies and surveillance, but their accuracy might be affected by cultural differences between countries. The aim of the present study was to examine the correlation between the self-administered Global PA Questionnaire - Japanese version (GPAQ-J) and accelerometer in Japanese adults.

methodsA cross-sectional comparative study was conducted to examine the last 7 days PA by GPAQ-J, comparing with accelerometer data. A convenience sample of 181 women and 85 men were included.

resultsSignificant positive correlations using Spearman's rank correlation were observed between total moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) by GPAQ-J and both of accelerometer-measured total MVPA and 10-minute bouts of MVPA in both women and men, with a higher correlation in men (total MVPA: ρ = 0.375, 10-minute bouts of MVPA: ρ = 0.419). GPAQ-J transportation MVPA was significantly correlated with all types of variables for accelerometer-measured MVPA for men, particularly with ambulatory MVPA (ρ = 0.615). On the other hand, for women, a significant positive correlation was observed between GPAQ-J recreation MVPA and accelerometer-measured 10-minute bouts of MVPA. Average MVPA with GPAQ-J was between the accelerometer-measured total MVPA and the 10 min bouts of MVPA in both genders. A significant positive correlation was only observed between ST by accelerometer and the GPAQ-J question in men (ρ = 0.332), not women (ρ = 0.004).

conclusionsThe GPAQ-J has weak or moderate validity for evaluating both total and 10-minute bouts of MVPA in Japanese women and men. ST by the GPAQ-J has moderate validity only in men.