Responsiveness of device-based and self-report measures of physical activity to detect behavior change in men taking part in the Football Fans in Training (FFIT) program

Citation

Donnachie C, Kelly P, Mutrie N, Hunt K & Gill J (2020) Responsiveness of device-based and self-report measures of physical activity to detect behavior change in men taking part in the Football Fans in Training (FFIT) program. Journal for the Measurement of Physical Behaviour, 3 (1), pp. 67-77. https://doi.org/10.1123/jmpb.2019-0018

Abstract
The capacity of physical activity (PA) measures to detect changes in PA within interventions is crucial. This is the first study to examine responsiveness of activPAL3™ and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ; Short Form) in detecting PA change during a 12 week group-based, men-only weight management programme - Football Fans in Training (FFIT). Participants wore an activPAL3™ and completed the IPAQ pre- and post-programme (n=30). Relationships between change scores were assessed by Spearman’s correlations. Mean or median changes in PA were measured using paired samples t-tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Responsiveness to change was assessed utilising Standardised Response Mean (SRM). Both device-based and self-report measures demonstrated significant changes pre-post intervention, although these changes were not significantly correlated. The SRM values for changes in activPAL3™ metrics were: 0.54 (MET-mins/day); 0.53 (step counts/day); and 0.44 (MVPA/day), indicating a small to medium responsiveness to change. SRM values for changes in IPAQ scores were: 0.59 (total PA mins/day); 0.54 (total MET-mins/day); 0.59 (walking MET-mins/day); 0.38 (vigorous MET-mins/day); and 0.38 (moderate MET-mins/day), revealing a small to medium responsiveness to change. These findings reveal that two commonly used device-based and self-report measures demonstrated responsiveness to changes in PA. While inclusion of both device-based and self-report measures is desirable within interventions it is not always feasible. The results from this study support that self-reported measures can detect PA change within behavioural interventions, although may have a tendency to overestimate changes, compared with device-based measures.

Keywords
physical activity measurement; accelerometer; questionnaire; sensitivity; intervention; adults

Journal
Journal for the Measurement of Physical Behaviour: Volume 3, Issue 1