Association of device-based and self-reported measures of physical activity in community-dwelling older people after stroke: an exploratory study

The association between device-based (activPAL) and self-reported [Incidental Exercise and Planned Exercise Questionnaire (IPEQ)] measures of physical activity has not been investigated. This study aimed to determine the association between activPAL and IPEQ measures of physical activity in a sample of community-dwelling older people after stroke. Data from an exploratory analysis embedded within a randomized trial was used. Spearman correlation was used to assess the relationship between activPAL (upright time and step count) and IPEQ (self-reported total exercise time) measures at three timepoints [months 0 (n = 46), 6 (n = 39) and 12 (n = 36)] Strong Spearman correlation between upright time and self-reported total exercise time (r = 0.51-0.72) and step count and self-reported total exercise time was found at all timepoints (r = 0.54-0.62). Though further research could confirm these results in a larger sample, there is potential for the IPEQ to be used as a simple estimate of physical activity in a clinical setting.