A comparison of the Yale Physical Activity Survey with other physical activity measures

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine associations of the Yal e Physical Activity Survey (YPAS) with the Stanford 7-d physical activity r ecall (PAR) and several physiologic measures, both cross-sectionally and lo ngitudinally. Methods: Participants were 59 individuals (45% African-Americ an, 79% women) between the ages of 60 and 80 yr who were enrolled in a clin ical trial. From the YPAS, total time in activity, estimated weekly energy expenditure, and indices of vigorous activity, leisurely walking, moving, s tanding., sitting, and an overall summary index were determined. From the P AR, daily energy expenditure, and hours spent in light, moderate, and hard/ very hard activities were estimated. Physiologic measurements included esti mated (V)over dot(2max), resting pulse rate, and body mass index (BMI). Res ults: Weekly energy expenditure, total time in activity, and the summary in dex correlated with daily energy expenditure at baseline (Spearman correlat ions = 0.37, 0.30, 0.33, respectively, Ps < 0.01) and rime in moderate acti vity (r = 0.37, 0.29, 0.39, Ps < 0.01). The vigorous index was also signifi cantly correlated with daily energy expenditure and time in light, moderate , and hard/very hard activity. The summary, moving, and standing indices co rrelated with (V)over dotO(2max) (Ps < 0.05) and BMI (Ps < 0.05). Change in physical activity determined from the PAR correlated with change in most Y PAS dimensions, although few correlations were statistically significant. C onclusions: The global activities and the vigorous activity index determine d from the YPAS correlated with corresponding measures of the PAR. The vali dity of the YPAS for light-intensity activities is less clear, although opt imal validation measures for light-intensity activity are yet to be defined . The ability of the YPAS to detect change in physical activity shows some promise, but data from this study are insufficient to be conclusive.