The Paffenbarger Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ) measures the amount of time spent engaging in sports and leisure physical activity during past week or past year. This measure allows physical activity energy expenditure to be calculated for each participant.
Measures Registry
Paffenbarger Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ)
Description
Purpose
The PPAQ assesses physical activity in order to estimate the risk of first heart attack.
Target Population
Source Article Population
Population listed is based on the sample measured in the source article.
Adult men (ages 35-74) form Harvard
Year of Publication
1978
Reference
Paffenbarger, R. S., Wing, A. L., & Hyde, R. T. (1978). Physical activity as an index of heart attack risk in college alumni. American Journal of Epidemiology, 108, 161-175. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a112608
Number of Items
8
Scale Types (Likert=Likert Type; MC=Multiple Choice; T/F=True/False; OR=Open Response)
Open Response
Subscales
N/A
Scoring
Participants were asked questions about the types of physical activity they experienced in a day. Depending on the activity or time, they were provided an estimated kilocalorie energy expenditure. There are many different activities measured, and the kilocalorie expenditure rankings can be found in the "Analysis" section.
Administration
Self-Administered
Readability/ Literacy Level
N/A
Reliability
Repeatability was assessed by comparing responses to the questionnaire via mail (first assessment) and telephone (second assessment). No significant differences were found between scores collected during the two timepoints.
Validity
Validity was assessed by looking at the sensitivity and specificity of responses for coronary heart disease and responses for hypertension, which were all found to be at acceptable levels.
Limitations
N/A
Availability
Publicly Available
Available, permission needed. Contact Lee, I-M., R. S. Paffenbarger, Jr., and C. C. Hsieh.
Cost
Free
Other Considerations
N/A