Reliability and Validity of Malay language version of International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-M) among The Malaysian Cohort participants

Introduction: Validation of instruments is essential when assessing physical activity (PA). The aim of this study was to validate a Malay language version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-M) against Actical accelerometer and to determine its reliability and validity. Methodology: A total of 90 Malay adults aged 35-65 years participating in The Malaysian Cohort project were recruited for this study. The IPAQ-M comprised 12 items, covering vigorous, moderate, walking, sitting and sleeping activities, was interview-administered on two occasions (Day 1 and Day 9). Participants wore the Actical accelerometer for seven consecutive days between the two interview sessions.Results: Validity tests showed that time spent in moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (min wk-1) from IPAQ-M was significantly correlated with MVPA from accelerometer (r=0.32, p<0.01). Time spent in vigorous activity (r=0.44) and total activity (r=0.36) from IPAQ-M were significantly correlated (p<0.01) with that measured by accelerometer, but no correlation was observed for sedentary behaviour. Reliability tests revealed significant correlations between the two interview sessions for all intensities of PA (r=0.55 to 0.71, p<0.01). Bland-Altman plots showed that time spent in MVPA for IPAQ-M was significantly different from that measured by accelerometer (mean difference: 98.02 min wk-1; 95% limits of agreement: -785.33 to 1317.83 min wk-1; p<0.01). When classifying people into meeting PA recommendation, the agreement between the two instruments was fair (κ=0.22).Conclusion: The IPAQ-M has acceptable validity for MVPA, vigorous and total physical activity, and was reliable for assessing the physical activity of Malay adults.Keywords: accelerometer, IPAQ, physical activity, reliability, validation