T
The Daily Insight

What is IPAQ questionnaire

Author

Victoria Simmons

Published Mar 19, 2026

Introduction: The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was developed to measure health-related physical activity (PA) in populations. The short version of the IPAQ has been tested extensively and is now used in many international studies.

What is Ipaq used for?

The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) is used as a standardised measure to estimate habitual practice of physical activities of populations from different countries and socio-cultural contexts [2,3].

How is IPAQ measured?

Differences in the self-report (IPAQ (long-form)) versus objective (accelerometer) measures were assessed using Wilcoxon-signed rank tests for: 1) minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week; 2) minutes of sedentary behaviour per week day; and 3) minutes of sedentary behaviour per weekend day.

What is IPAQ?

The IPAQ is a 27-item self-reported measure of physical activity for use with individual adult patients aged 15 to 69 years old. The IPAQ can be used clinically and in population research that compares physical activity levels between populations internationally.

Who made the IPAQ questionnaire?

Developed by an International Consensus Group in 1998, the test-retest reliability, and concurrent and criterion validity, of the IPAQ were examined across 12 countries, among people aged 16–69 years of age [10].

Is the International Physical Activity Questionnaire short form IPAQ-SF valid for assessing physical activity in chronic fatigue syndrome?

Conclusion: The observed associations between the IPAQ-sf data and the data obtained from the accelerometer (gold standard) and the diaries were too low to be in support of the use of the IPAQ-sf in patients with CFS. The IPAQ-sf does not seem an appropriate tool to assess physical activity in CFS patients.

Is the IPAQ reliable?

Results: Based on intraclass correlation coefficients, the reliability of the total IPAQ was 0.65 and 0.57 for men and women, respectively, aged 65 to 74 years and 0.50 and 0.56 for those aged 75 to 89 years.

How do you score GPAQ?

The GPAQ was scored by calculating the average time per day spent in each activity domain and intensity.

How is MET Min week calculated?

Walk 2 days a week at 5 METS for 30 minutes per session = 2 x 5 x 30 = 300 MET-minutes. Bike 1 day a week at 7 METS for 20 minutes = 1 x 7 x 20 = 140 MET-minutes. Elliptical machine 2 days a week at 6 METS for 40 minutes = 2 x 6 x 40 = 480 MET-minutes. Total MET-minutes for the week = 300 + 140 + 480 = 920 MET-minutes.

WHO report on physical activity?

Levels of physical activity globally Worldwide, around 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men do not do enough physical activity to stay healthy. Insufficient activity increased by 5% (from 31.6% to 36.8%) in high-income countries between 2001 and 2016.

Article first time published on

How do you calculate 1 MET?

One MET is approximately 3.5 milliliters of oxygen consumed per kilogram (kg) of body weight per minute. So, for example, if you weigh 160 pounds (72.5 kg), you consume about 254 milliliters of oxygen per minute while you’re at rest (72.5 kg x 3.5 mL).

What is included in the spectrum of physical activity?

Thus, physical activity includes not only exercise, such as walking, running, and bicycling, but also certain work-related activities (e.g., lifting), household activities (e.g., cleaning), and leisure activities (e.g., gardening).

What is the main solution Chau proposes to address physical inactivity?

A solution to the problem lies in a nationally coordinated action plan for physical activity, say Chau and her co-authors. While individual responsibility “is important”, Chau says we need to make activity easier for people on a daily basis.

Why do we need to practice different intensity levels of physical activity?

Intensity is probably the most important element of your workout. When you work out at a sufficient intensity, your body grows stronger and you’ll see changes in your weight, body fat percentage, endurance, and strength. Exercise intensity is usually described as low, moderate, or vigorous.

How do I use IPAQ?

To calculate MET minutes a week multiply the MET value given (remember walking = 3.3, moderate activity = 4, vigorous activity = 8) by the minutes the activity was carried out and again by the number of days that that activity was undertaken.

What is a good MET score?

Any score below 7 should trigger concern. A score of 10 is good. Some occupations, such as firefighting, are best performed by those with a MET score of 12 or higher. If you are not happy with your MET score, your doctor can help you figure out how to improve your exercise habits.

What is a good METs?

A healthy 50-year-old man should have a capacity of at least 9.2 METs; a healthy 50-year-old woman should clock in at 8.2 METs or higher, according to a recent study on women’s fitness in the New England Journal of Medicine. For men age 20, 13.5 METs; age 30, 11.4 METs; age 40, 10.3 METs.

What will happen if you start doing a vigorous exercise?

  • Higher calorie burn. According to the American Council on Exercise, working out at a higher intensity requires more oxygen, which burns more calories. …
  • More weight loss. …
  • Improved heart health. …
  • Improved mood. …
  • Lower risk of mortality.

How do you prepare a questionnaire?

  1. Keep the wording simple. …
  2. Only use individual questions. …
  3. Allow respondents to choose “other” …
  4. Be specific. …
  5. Offer the option to skip personal questions. …
  6. Remember the target market. …
  7. Choose the right tool.

WHO has developed the Global physical activity Questionnaire GPAQ?

The Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) was developed in 2002 by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as part of the WHO STEPwise Approach to Chronic Disease Risk Factor Surveillance for PA observation [18].

Why is physical activity beneficial?

Physical activity or exercise can improve your health and reduce the risk of developing several diseases like type 2 diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease. Physical activity and exercise can have immediate and long-term health benefits. Most importantly, regular activity can improve your quality of life.

What type of physical activity is walking?

Walking is a type of cardiovascular physical activity, which increases your heart rate. This improves blood flow and can lower blood pressure. It helps to boost energy levels by releasing certain hormones like endorphins and delivering oxygen throughout the body.

How does lack of physical activity affect your health?

Not getting enough physical activity can lead to heart disease—even for people who have no other risk factors. It can also increase the likelihood of developing other heart disease risk factors, including obesity, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes.

What affect does physical activity have on the PA factor?

Increased energy intake, resting metabolic rate, fat free mass, gait speed, global motor function, overall health related quality of life (HRQOL), physical HRQOL, higher levels of social functioning and reduced apathy were positively associated with PA.

What is METs in TMT?

Exercise capacity is reported in terms of estimated metabolic equivalents of task (METs). The MET unit reflects the resting volume oxygen consumption per minute (VO2) for a 70-kg, 40-year-old man, with 1 MET equivalent to 3.5 mL/min/kg of body weight.

What is the MET value of walking?

Physical Activity IntensityMETwalking, 2.5 mph (4 km/h)2.9Moderate intensity activities3 to <6resistance training (weight) training, multiple exercises, 8-15 repetitions at varied resistance3.5calisthenics (e.g., push ups, sit ups, pull-ups, lunges), moderate effort3.8

How many calories is 1 MET?

Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET) – One MET equals 1 calorie per kilogram of body weight per hour. One MET is equivalent to the amount of energy a person would expend sitting quietly and doing nothing. MET values for a long list of activities can be found in the Compendium of Physical Activities.

Is walking good for autism?

Exercise could help your child communicate better, thus improving their quality of life. The following exercises might be great for your kid with autism: Walking. Biking.

How do autistic people exercise?

  1. Bear crawls. Bear crawls help develop body awareness, improve coordination and motor planning, and build strength in the trunk and upper body. …
  2. Medicine ball slams. …
  3. Star jumps. …
  4. Arm circles. …
  5. Mirror exercises.

What physical needs does a child with autism have?

Skill-related fitness. Many individuals with autism have lower fitness skills compared to other people. These skills include balance, body coordination, visual-motor control and other mobility skills.

How do you deal with lack of physical activity?

Invite friends and family members to exercise with you. Plan social activities involving exercise. Develop new friendships with physically active people. Join a gym or group, such as the YMCA or a hiking club.