Design and Validation of a Questionnaire to Assess the Leisure Time Physical Activity of Adult Women in Gipuzkoa

Olaia Eizagirre-Sagastibeltza; Uxue Fernandez-Lasa; Javier Yanci; Estibaliz Romaratezabala; Ruth Cayero; Iñaki Iturrioz; Oidui Usabiaga

doi:10.3390/ijerph19095736

Design and Validation of a Questionnaire to Assess the Leisure Time Physical Activity of Adult Women in Gipuzkoa

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 May 8;19(9):5736. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19095736.

Authors

Olaia Eizagirre-Sagastibeltza¹, Uxue Fernandez-Lasa², Javier Yanci², Estibaliz Romaratezabala², Ruth Cayero³, Iñaki Iturrioz⁴, Oidui Usabiaga²

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Education and Sport, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 01007 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
² Society, Sport and Physical Activity (GIKAFIT) Research Group, Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Education and Sport, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Lasarteko Bidea 71, 01007 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
³ Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Education and Sport, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 01007 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
⁴ Diputación Foral de Gipuzkoa, Gipuzkoa Provincial Council, 20004 Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain.

Abstract

Inactivity is higher among women than among men, and there are few specific questionnaires used to assess physical activity (PA) in women that are truly meaningful to them. This article tackles the design and validation process of an ad hoc multidimensional questionnaire to assess leisure time physical activity (LTPA) among adult women of Gipuzkoa. The questionnaire was completed by 3595 adult women (43.5 ± 12.1 years), 32% of which were inactive and 68% of which were active. Content validation, ecological validation, and internal consistency analysis results were satisfactory. The Gipuzkoa Women's Physical Activity Questionnaire (GWPAQ) consists of four dimensions and 21 items. Barriers to PA were found related to intrapersonal, environmental, and socio-cultural aspects. The importance of family and spousal support in increasing PA levels was also observed. It is concluded that the GWPAQ is valid for obtaining evidence that can be used by public institutions to optimise women-specific PA promotion policies.

Keywords: LTPA; assessment; questionnaire; validation; women.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Exercise
Female
Humans
Leisure Activities*
Male
Motor Activity*
Surveys and Questionnaires

Grants and funding

This research was funded by GIPUZKOA PROVINCIAL COUNCIL—DIPUTACIÓN FORAL DE GIPUZKOA in the frame of “Investigación aplicada para la promoción de la actividad física en la población de Guipuzcoa” (2020.0662).