Convergent Validity and Test–Retest Reliability of the Oxford Physical Activity Questionnaire for Secondary School Students

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the convergent validity and test–retest reliability of the Oxford Physical Activity Questionnaire (OPAQ), a self-administered questionnaire designed to assess the activity patterns of adolescents. The test–retest reliability of the OPAQ was assessed by administering the questionnaire on two occasions separated by 1 week ( N = 87, mean age = 13.1 ± .9). Intraclass correlation (ICC) was used to examine the test–retest reliability of the OPAQ. The convergent validity of the OPAQ was evaluated using Caltrac accelerometers worn consecutively for 4 days ( N = 51, mean age = 12.6 ± .5). Spearman's rank-order correlation was used to examine the convergent validity of the questionnaire. ICCs ranged from .76 to .91 and reliability was higher for males ( r = .89) than females ( r = .78). Correlations between self-reported physical activity and Caltrac accelerometer counts were related to vigorous physical activity ( r = .33, p = .01) and moderate to vigorous activity ( r = .32, p = .02). The OPAQ has excellent test–retest reliability and acceptable validity in comparison to other measures of youth physical activity.