Background:

Questionnaires for estimating physical activity are measurement tools widely used by health professionals. Therefore, it is important to know their characteristics and quality. This systematic review aimed at identifying and analyzing de psychometric properties of the existing physical activity questionnaires validated in Spanish people older than 60 years of age, as well as to inform about the methodological quality of the studies performed concerning their validity and/or reliability.

Methods:

A systematic review of the available scientific literature regarding studies focused on the validity and/or reliability of questionnaires used for estimating the prevalence of physical activity among Spanish populations over 60 years old. The Qualitative Attributes and Measurement Properties of Physical Activity Questionnaires checklist (QAPAQ), was used to evaluate the sample characteristics, the psychometric properties, the validity, the test-retest reliability and the methodological quality of each study identified.

Results:

A total of 8 questionnaires were found and analyzed, highlighting in means of validity the short Spanish version (VREM) of the Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire (construct validity 95.5% with Kappa = 0.93) as well as in reliability (ICC=0.96), along with the Modified Baecke (ICC = 0,92-0,96). Four questionnaires met more than 80% of the criteria proposed by the QAPAQ. The YPAS was the questionnaire which reached the higher score.

Conclusions:

When estimating the amount of physical activity performed by Spanish people older than 60 years of age by means of questionnaires, it is advisable to use (in this order) the YPAS, VREM and Modified Baecke.

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