International physical activity questionnaire for adolescents (IPAQ A). Reliability of an Italian version

BACKGROUND: Recently a new version of International Physical Activity Questionnaire was performed for adolescent (IPAQ-A), but there is no Italian version yet. The aim of the study is to examine the test-retest reliability of an Italian version of short IPAQ-A. METHODS: A sample of 10- to 18-year-old children and adolescents was considered. The IPAQ questionnaires were administered twice, the second time two days after the first administration. Test-retest reliability and internal reliability of the questionnaire were determined using ICC and Cronbach's α, respectively. RESULTS: Two hundred and seventy-seven questionnaires were collected. The response rate was 97% but 57% of the sample completed all the items in the questionnaire. Forty-three percent of the students have not completed all the items and its age distribution shown that 93.5% was in 10-13 years old. Overall internal reliability (Cronbach's α=0.84) and test-retest reliability for 16 out of 23 items (ICC>0.70) were high. CONCLUSIONS: The study presents missing and unreasonably values. However, the study underlines pros and cons of the IPAQ-A: High reliability and feasibility to measure the physical activity especially in adolescent aged 14-18 years; the IPAQ-A needs of attention and it hasn't to leave it to the self-compilation but give support especially in the youngers.