Mark T. Richardson

Comprehensive evaluation of the Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire.

The accuracy of the Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity (LTPA) Questionnaire (a 1-year survey of non-occupational activity used in MRFIT) was studied in 78 men and women, age 20-59 years, by comparing survey results to the following measures obtained over a years duration: six 48-hour physical activity records; fourteen 48-hour Caltrac accelerometer readings (Caltrac); 14 administrations of a 4-week version of the LTPA Questionnaire (FWH); 3 VO2peak determinations and percent body fat (% BF). The LTPA Questionnaire demonstrated: weak to moderate associations with % BF (r = -0.24) and with VO2peak (r = 0.47); a weak association with Caltrac readings expressed as MET.minutes.day-1 (r = 0.23); strong associations with corresponding activities reported on the FWH; and moderate associations with total and heavy activities reported in the physical activity record, but no associations with moderate and light activities. Furthermore, several types of LTPA were found to be either under-represented or not currently included in the Minnesota LTPA Questionnaire. It is concluded that although validation results were found to be quite good, several possible refinements were identified, which should improve the accuracy of the Minnesota LTPA Questionnaire in assessing habitual physical activity.

Accuracy of the college alumnus physical activity questionnaire

The validity and reproducibility of the Physical Activity Index from the College Alumnus Questionnaire (PAI-CAQ) were determined in 78 men and women (21-59 yr) with a broad range of physical activity habits. The PAI-CAQ was computed as the sum of energy expended in stair climbing, walking, and sports and recreational physical activity recalled from the past week. Data were validated against measures of cardiorespiratory fitness, body fatness, motion detection, and physical activity records. All physical activity was recorded by participants for six 48-hour periods. Each day of the week, including weekends, were represented at least twice in the physical activity records. Age-adjusted correlation coefficients between like activities on the College Alumnus Questionnaire and physical activity records ranged from 0.25 to 0.65 in men and 0.28 to 0.86 in women. Correlations between the PAI-CAQ and validation criteria that reflected total and heavy-intensity physical activities were higher (r = 0.34-0.69, p < 0.05) than for lighter-intensity physical activities and motion detection expressed in MET-min.d-1 and kcal.d-1 (r < 0.35, p > 0.05). Test-retest reproducibility was higher over 1 month (r = 0.72) than over 8 and 9 months (r = 0.34 and 0.43) (p < 0.05). Energy expended in walking and stair climbing was underestimated on the College Alumnus Questionnaire, resulting in lower PAI-CAQ scores, as compared to the physical activity records.

Evaluation of the Kaiser Physical Activity Survey in women

PURPOSE The Kaiser Physical Activity Survey (KPAS) was evaluated for test-retest reliability and comparison with direct and indirect measures of physical activity (PA) in 50 women (ages 20-60 yr) with a broad range of physical activity (PA) habits. METHODS The KPAS, an adaptation of the Baecke usual physical activity survey, was designed specifically to assess activity in women. It provides four summary activity indexes: housework/caregiving, active living habits, sports, and occupation. Summary indexes were compared against direct (Caltrac accelerometer and PA records) and indirect (cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2 peak) and percent body fat) criterion measures of PA. Participants kept detailed PA records for two, 7-d periods, separated by 1 month. Caltrac accelerometers were worn concurrently with the PA records. RESULTS Intraclass correlations for 1-month test-retest reliability were high for all KPAS indexes (r = 0.79 to 0.91, P < 0.01). Age-adjusted Spearman rho correlations between the KPAS sports/exercise and active living habits indexes were of moderate magnitude for VO2 peak (r = 0.34 to 0.76, P < 0.01) and percent body fat (r = -.30 to -0.59, P < 0.05). KPAS caregiving and occupation indexes were related to Caltrac kcal x d(-1) (r = 0.30 to 0.44, P < 0.05). Correlations between similar activities from the KPAS and PA records ranged from r = 0.03 to 0.64. Daily, habitual activities from the KPAS and PA records had the highest correlations (r > 0.28). Correlations among infrequent activities were lower (r < 0.05). CONCLUSION The KPAS demonstrated good reliability and was reasonably accurate in detecting regular housework/caregiving, occupation, sports/exercise, and active leisure activities among women with a broad range of physical activity habits.

Validation of the Stanford 7-Day Recall to Assess Habitual Physical Activity

PURPOSE The ability of the Stanford 7-Day Recall (7-DR), a well known instrument for surveying work and leisure-time physical activity (PA) in epidemiologic studies, to assess levels of habitual PA in men and women was evaluated. METHODS The 7-DR was administered twice, one month apart. Its accuracy was studied in 77 men and women, aged 20-59 years, by its repeatability and comparison of both administrations of the 7-DR with: fourteen 48-hour physical activity records; fourteen 48-hour Caltrac accelerometer readings; peak oxygen uptake (VO(2) peak) determinations; and percent body fat. These criteria measures were obtained over a years duration. RESULTS One month repeatability correlation coefficients for 7-DR total activity were r = 0.60 and r = 0.36 for men and women, respectively. Comparison of corresponding indices of activity between the 7-DR and the PA record indicated: 1) a closer relationship in men for total (r = 0.58 for visit 10 7-DR and 0.66 for visit 11 7-DR, p < or = 0.01), and very hard (r = 0.44 and 0.60, p< or = 0.05) activity then in women (r = 0.32 and 0.33, p < or = 0.05, and r = 0.21, ns and 0.43, p< or = 0.01, respectively); and 2) in general, lower and less consistent associations for hard, moderate, and light activity. Total PA by the 7-DR was significantly associated with Caltrac readings in men only. 7-DR results were more consistently related to VO(2) peak in men than women, but were significantly related to percent body fat in women only. CONCLUSIONS The ability of the 7-DR to assess habitual PA was greater for more vigorous than for lower intensity PA.

Intra-Individual Variation and Estimates of Usual Physical Activity

Abstract PURPOSE: The magnitude of intra-individual variation, as determined by three methods of physical activity (PA) assessment, was estimated to determine the optimal number of repeated measures needed to reliably measure an individuals usual PA habits. METHODS: Data were obtained from 77 healthy adults enrolled in the Survey of Activity, Fitness, and Exercise (SAFE). PA was measured by: 1) Caltrac accelerometers worn 48-hours every 26 days for one year; 2) concurrent 48-hour PA records (PARs); and 3) a corresponding series of four-week PA histories (FWH). Repeated measures regression analyses were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: PA tended to be slightly higher in the summer months as compared with the winter months, but this seasonality explained little of the intra-individual variation. The intra-individual standard deviation (SD) estimated for the FWH (180 MET-min d−1 ) was 39% of the mean annual MET-min d−1 , as compared with the Caltrac (163 MET-min d−1 or 9%) and PAR (259 MET-min d−1 or 11% ). Given the intra-individual variation, three repeated observations of the FWH, six Caltrac, or nine PAR over the course of the year were needed to achieve 80% reliability in estimation of mean annual PA. CONCLUSIONS: Intra-individual variation in PA is substantial and must be accounted for in estimates of usual PA.

Accuracy of Recall of Occupational Physical Activity by Questionnaire

The validity of the Tecumseh Occupational Activity Questionnaire (TOQ) and a modified Seven Day Recall (SDR) was measured in 46 healthy women, ages 20-60 years (mean +/- SD, 39.4 +/- 11.8). Occupational data were compared with direct (7-day occupational activity records and Caltrac accelerometer) and indirect (maximal oxygen uptake and percent body fat) measures of physical activity status. Physical activity survey and occupational record data were log transformed to normalize skewed distributions. Intraclass correlations ranged from r = 0.26 to 0.73 (P < 0.05) between similar activities on the TOQ and activity records for light intensity sitting, light-to-moderate intensity standing, and walking. Correlations between similar activities from the SDR and activity records ranged from r = 0.32 to 0.35 (P < 0.05) for light and moderate intensity activities. Correlations for total occupational activity between the surveys and activity records were r = 0.46 (P < 0.001) for the TOQ and r = 0.45 (P < 0.01) for the SDR. A modest correlation (r = 0.34, P < 0.10) was observed between the Caltrac scores and TOQ moderate intensity standing. Only the TOQ light-to-moderate intensity standing was related to maximal oxygen uptake (r = 0.32, P < 0.05). None of the measures were related to percent body fat (P > 0.05). These results suggest that the TOQ and SDR both provide reasonably accurate measurements of light and moderate intensity occupational physical activity.

Ability of the Caltrac accelerometer to assess daily physical activity levels.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to determine the ability of the Caltrac accelerometer to assess habitual daily physical activity levels. METHODS The ability of the Caltrac accelerometer to assess 24-hour physical activity (PA) levels was studied in 28 men and 50 women, age 20 to 59 years, with varying levels of self-reported PA. Twelve days of Caltrac readings obtained over 1 years duration were compared to simultaneously recorded 48-hour PA records. Additionally, 28 days of Caltrac readings obtained over 1 years duration were compared to mean values of the following validation measures assessed repeatedly over a 1-year period: a 4-week version of the Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire (FWH); VO2peak; and percent body fat. RESULTS The Caltrac measurements of movement (in MET minutes per day-1) were significantly associated with the following: PA record indices of total (r = .51) and heavy (r = .34) and PA; FWH indices of total (r = .30), heavy R = .36) and moderate (r = .23) PA;, and VO2peak (r = .24). However, the Caltrac measurements of caloric PA record and FWH indices of PA, although there were directly associated with percent body fat (r = .50) and inversely associated with VO2peak (r = -.26). CONCLUSIONS Caltrac measurements of movement exhibited a moderate associated with several criterion measures related to habitual PA, whereas Caltrac measurements of total energy expenditure, were not reflective of varying levels of PA.

A Practical Approach to Monitoring Recovery: Development of a Perceived Recovery Status Scale

Laurent, CM, Green, JM, Bishop, PA, Sjökvist, J, Schumacker, RE, Richardson, MT, and Curtner-Smith, M. A practical approach to monitoring recovery: development of a perceived recovery status scale. J Strength Cond Res 25(3): 620-628, 2011-The aim of this study was to develop and test the practical utility of a perceived recovery status (PRS) scale. Sixteen volunteers (8 men, 8 women) performed 4 bouts of high-intensity intermittent sprint exercise. After completion of the baseline trial, in a repeated-measures design, subjects were given variable counterbalanced recovery periods of 24, 48, and 72 hours whereupon they repeated an identical intermittent exercise protocol. After a warm-up period, but before beginning each subsequent bout of intermittent sprinting, each individual provided their perceived level of recovery with a newly developed PRS scale. Similar to perceived exertion during exercise, PRS was based on subjective feelings. The utility of the PRS scale was assessed by measuring the level of agreement of an individuals perceived recovery relative to their performance during the exercise bout. Perceived recovery status and change (both positive and negative) in sprint performance during multiple bouts of repeated sprint exercise were moderately negative correlated (r = −0.63). Additionally, subjects were able to accurately assess level of recovery using the PRS scale indicated by correspondence with negative and positive changes in total sprint time relative to their previous session. The ability to detect changes in performance using a noninvasive psychobiological tool to identify differences in performance was independent of other psychological and physiological markers measured during testing, because there were no differences (p > 0.05) among ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), heart rate, blood lactate concentration, or session RPE values among any of the performance trials. Although further study is needed, current results indicate a subjective approach may be an effective means for assessing recovery from day to day, at least under similar conditions.

The Influence of Body Size and Composition on FITNESSGRAM(r) Test Performance and the Adjustment of FITNESSGRAM(r) Test Scores for Skinfold Thickness in Youth

This study was designed to (a) determine the influence of body composition on the performance of FITNESSGRAM(r) test items and (b) evaluate the impact of adjusting FITNESSGRAM(r) scores for the effect of body composition on percentile ranks and the achievement of criterion-referenced standards (CRS). Male and female children (N = 200; ages 10-12 years) were administered a battery of FITNESSGRAM(r) tests. Body composition measurements had significant moderate negative correlations with PACER, curl-up, and push-up scores (r = -.30 to -.49). After the performance scores were adjusted for sum of skinfolds (SSF) by regression analysis for each of these tests, CRS classifications were altered in 4.5-22.7% of the participants. Adjusting the performance scores for SSF also resulted in differences of greater than 10 percentile ranks in 41-45% of the participants. The relationship between SSF and PACER, curlup, and push-up scores appears to be sufficient to justify the use of adjusted scores for evaluating cardiorespiratory endurance and upper-body muscular strength and endurance independent of SSF. The use of adjusted scores may permit a more unbiased assessment of health-related fitness independent of body size and composition.

Body Image, Anthropometric Measures, and Eating-Disorder Prevalence in Auxiliary Unit Members

CONTEXT Medical professionals have recognized eating disorders and related problems in competitive athletes. Auxiliary members (color guard, dance, majorettes) experience the same appearance-related pressures observed in sports commonly associated with eating disorders. OBJECTIVE To estimate eating-disorder prevalence based on associated eating-disorder characteristics and behaviors in female auxiliary members and to compare perceived and ideal body images and anthropometric measurements between at-risk and not-at-risk participants for eating-disorder characteristics and behaviors. DESIGN Cross-sectional design. SETTING Three universities in the southeastern United States. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS Participants (n = 101, mean age = 19.2 +/- 1.2 years) represented 3 auxiliary units, including color guard (n = 35), dance line (n = 47), and majorettes (n = 19). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Participants self-reported menstrual history, height, and weight. Anthropometric measurements included height, weight, body fat percentage, and waist and hip circumferences. We screened for eating-disorder risk behavior with the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT)-26 and for body dissatisfaction with the Figural Stimuli Survey. RESULTS Based on the EAT-26, we estimated eating-disorder prevalence among members to measure 29.7% (95% confidence interval = 20.8%, 38.6%). The EAT-26 results revealed that 21% of participants used purgatives and 14% vomited to control weight or shape. The at-risk group had higher scores on the EAT-26 total (P <or= .01) and on the dieting (P <or= .01), oral control (P = .02), and bulimia (P = .01) subscales. Hip circumference (P = .01), self-reported weight (P = .03), measured weight (P = .04), difference between measured and preferred weights (P = .02), and calculated target weight (P = .02) were different between the at-risk and not-at-risk groups. CONCLUSIONS Collegiate auxiliary unit members may have an unacceptable prevalence of eating disorders. Our results validate concerns that auxiliary members may exhibit an unacceptable eating-disorder risk, highlighting the need to examine and address unhealthy weight-management behaviors independent of eating-disorder status.