Measuring Physical Activity in Older Adults

The purpose of this study was to use data from three Behavior Change Consortium intervention studies to consider the practicality of use of two surveys of physical activity (PA) relevant for older adults, provide support for the validity of these surveys, and provide guidance to researchers for decisions on use of one survey as opposed to the other. The samples included 218 participants in the Community Health Advice by Telephone Study, 150 participants in the Study of Exercise and Nutrition in Older Rhode Islanders, and 150 participants from the Testing the Effectiveness of the Exercise Plus Program. PA surveys included the Yale PA Survey and the Community Health Activities Model Program for Seniors PA Questionnaire. Older adults were able to complete either survey, although for frailer participants, an interview format is recommended. The Community Health Activities Model Program for Seniors PA Questionnaire was more likely to elicit information about moderate-intensity physical activities and was more likely to be related to vitality. Conversely, the Yale PA Survey may more comprehensively describe overall PA and provide information about moderate-intensity physical activity.