Background: The purpose of our study was to examine the association between estimates of energy expenditure obtained by the Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity questionnarie (LTPA) and physical fitness indicators. METHODS.
Participants: An adaptation of the LTPA was assessed in a sample of Spanish population: male (n = 44) and female (n = 38).
Interventions: the LTPA 1 year recall questionnaire was administered twice with a 12-month interval and participants also responded monthly the Four Week Physical Activity History (FWH) questionnaire.
Measures: test-retest reliability of the LTPA and the relationships between changes in V.O2max, percent body fat and leisure time physical activity were examined.
Results: Corresponding components of the LTPA and the FHW were highly correlated and scores in heavy leisure time activities and household chores showed a relatively low variance ratio, indicating an acceptable reliability of the questionnaire. Heavy intensity physical activity and household chores were highly related to V.O2max and there was a weaker association to moderate or light activity.
Conclusions: Our results suggest that the Spanish version of the LTPA is a relatively valid and reliable measure of regular physical activity and a valid estimator of cardiorespiratory fitness in adults.