Validity of the General Practice Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPPAQ) in adults 60–90 years

The present study aimed to assess the sensitivity, specificity and construct validity of the General Practice Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPPAQ) and two modified versions, GPPAQ-WALK and GPPAQ-WALK-Old in retired, community-dwelling older adults, 60–90 years.

Participants completed assessments from the Senior Fitness Test (lower limb strength, dynamic balance, aerobic endurance) and used a waist-worn accelerometer for a week, following which they responded to the GPPAQ. Active/non-active GPPAQ classification was compared against accelerometry regarding meeting/not meeting the guidelines of ≥ 150 min/week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Sensitivity and specificity were calculated. T tests compared BMI and fitness scores between active and non-active participants.

A total of 180 retired adults residing in Greece, mean age 72.82 ± 6.30, participated in the study, 114 of whom had valid accelerometer data corresponding to the GPPAQ recall week. The GPPAQ active classification showed 4.4% sensitivity and 97.4% specificity but did not differentiate active and non-active participants regarding BMI and physical fitness. The GPPAQ-WALK showed 27.8% sensitivity and 80.8% specificity, with active participants performing better in dynamic balance and lower limb strength than non-active. The GPPAQ-WALK-Old showed 69.4% sensitivity and 44.9% specificity. Active participants had lower BMI, better lower limb strength and dynamic balance than non-active.

With an interest in increasing awareness of the importance of PA and improving public health outcomes through PA promotion in insufficiently active older adults, we advocate that the GPPAQ-WALK can be a useful tool in healthcare and other community settings. Further modifications to fully assess adherence to PA guidelines for older adults are proposed.