Study on the reliability and validity of Moroccan version of International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)

Assessment of physical activity is imperative for understanding its impact on health and general well-being. Its measurement necessitates the use of valid instruments.

The aim of this study is to adapt the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and to verify its metrological properties in the Moroccan population.

This is a cross-sectional study that included Healthy adult aged between 18 and 60 years. Participants were asked to wear an accelerometer and to complete the Moroccan Arabic version of the IPAQ. The Spearman correlation was used to assess the correlation between the IPAQ and the accelerometer. The Bland–Altman method was performed to assess the degree of agreement between the questionnaire and the accelerometer.

A total of 120 participants were included. The correlation coefficient between the IPAQ and the accelerometer ranged from –0.086 for sedentarity to 0.32 for vigorous activity. Time spent in vigorous physical activity and vigorous-to-moderate activity (MVPA) on the IPAQ were significantly correlated with time spent in vigorous activity and MVPA on the accelerometer (p = 0.001 and p = 0.02), respectively. Bland–Altman comparisons on MVPA and sedentarity data indicated that limits of agreement were wide with a trend of overestimation of physical activity and under estimation of minutes of sitting.

The Moroccan Arabic version of the IPAQ showed acceptable validity and reliability for assessing physical activity in Moroccan adults.