Cardiovascular fitness is associated with bias between self-reported and objectively measured physical activity

• Published in: European journal of sport science Vol. 16; no. 1; pp. 149 - 157
• Main Authors: Tomaz, S. A., Lambert, E. V., Karpul, D., Kolbe-Alexander, T. L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Routledge 02.01.2016
• Subjects: Accelerometer; Accelerometry; ActiGraph GT3X; Actigraphy; Adult; Exercise - physiology; Female; GPAQ; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; physical activity; Physical Fitness - physiology; Self Report; Surveys and Questionnaires; Accelerometer; GPAQ; ActiGraph GT3X; physical activity
• ISSN: 1746-1391; 1536-7290
• DOI: 10.1080/17461391.2014.987323

The aim of this research study was to determine whether the level of agreement between self-reported and objective measures of physical activity (PA) is influenced by cardiovascular fitness. Participants (n = 113) completed the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ), a health risk assessment and a sub-maximal 12-minute step test. Age-predicted was used to classify participants as lower fit and higher fit (HF). ActiGraph (GT3X) accelerometers were worn for 7 consecutive days. Matthews cut points were used to calculate minutes of moderate and vigorous PA (MVPA) per week. Bland-Altman plots were used to measure limits of agreement between GPAQ and ActiGraph MVPA. The participants' mean age was 37.9 ± 12.7 years and more than 60% were categorised as HF (n = 71). Moderate PA was over-reported in 39% of all participants. Most of the over-reporters for moderate PA were in the HF group (64.1%). Vigorous PA was over-reported by 72.6% of all participants. The discrepancy between self-reported and objective measures of vigorous PA increased with increasing self-reported time spent in vigorous PA. Fitter individuals appear to over-report PA more than lesser fit participants, suggesting that fitness could influence the level of agreement between self-reported and objective measures of PA.