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. Methods A total of 90 Malay adults aged 35-65 years old participating in The Malaysian Cohort project were recruited for this study. The IPAQ-M is comprised of 12 items, covering vigorous, moderate, walking, sitting and sleeping activities, and was administered on two occasions (Day 1 and Day 9) by interviewing the participants. 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 (ρ=0.32, p 0.01). Time spent in vigorous activity (ρ=0.44) and total activity (ρ=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 (ρ=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). Conclusions The IPAQ-M has acceptable validity for MVPA, vigorous and total physical activity, and was reliable for assessing the physical activity of Malay adults