International Physical Activity Questionnaire
Also known as: IPAQ, IPAQ Short Form, IPAQ-SF, Physical Activity Assessment
The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) is a standardized self-report measure of physical activity developed by the International Society for Physical Activity and Health in 2003. Available in short (7 items) and long (31 items) forms, it assesses moderate-to-vigorous and light physical activity across work, transportation, household, and leisure domains. It has become the standard global physical activity assessment tool.
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When to use it
The IPAQ-SF is appropriate for population surveillance, large epidemiological surveys, and clinical studies where brief physical activity assessment is needed. The IPAQ-LF provides detailed domain-specific information when understanding which life domains contribute to activity is important. Accelerometer or pedometer objective measures can complement IPAQ for precise measurement.
Strengths & limitations
- Internationally standardized questionnaire enables comparison of physical activity across countries and populations
- Captures physical activity across multiple life domains (work, transportation, household, leisure)
- Short form (7 items) is practical for large surveys and clinical settings
- Validated in 100+ countries across diverse ages, cultures, and health conditions
- Can distinguish activity intensity (vigorous vs. moderate vs. light) and sitting time
- Self-reported activity is subject to recall bias and social desirability; overestimation is common
- Does not capture intensity or context nuances; cannot distinguish exercise quality or type
- Sitting time may be less reliably reported than activity; requires specific recall of sedentary patterns
- Short form provides limited domain-specific data; long form burden limits use in some populations
Frequently asked
Should I use IPAQ-SF or IPAQ-LF?
Use IPAQ-SF for brief assessment and population surveys when domain-specific detail is not essential. Use IPAQ-LF when understanding which life domains drive activity (occupational vs. leisure) is important for targeted interventions. SF is practical for large studies; LF provides richer information but requires longer administration.
What does an IPAQ 'high' activity category mean?
IPAQ 'high' activity (≥3000 MET-minutes/week) typically exceeds WHO physical activity recommendations. However, this is self-reported and prone to overestimation. Actual adherence to recommendations should account for measurement error; objective measures (accelerometer) provide validation.
How accurate is IPAQ sitting time reporting?
IPAQ sitting time estimates are less accurate than activity estimates due to difficulty recalling sedentary periods. Sitting time is often underestimated. More precise measurement requires objective methods (accelerometer) or diary-based approaches. IPAQ sitting time provides relative ranking but not absolute accuracy.
Can IPAQ be used in older adults and people with disabilities?
IPAQ has been validated in older adults but may overestimate activity. For people with disabilities, domain-specific activity may differ; interpretations of 'moderate' and 'vigorous' intensity should account for functional capacity. Condition-specific activity measures may be more appropriate in some populations.
Sources
- Craig, C. L., Marshall, A. L., Sjöström, M., et al. (2003). International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ): a global physical activity questionnaire. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 35(8), 1381–1395. link ↗
- Lee, I. M., Buchner, D. M., & World Health Organization. (2008). The estimated global burden of inactive lifestyle-related diseases. WHO Technical Report Series 916. link ↗
- Armstrong, T., & Bull, F. (2006). Development of the World Health Organization Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ). Journal of Public Health, 14(2), 66–77. DOI: 10.1007/s10389-006-0024-x ↗
How to cite this page
ScholarGate. (2026, June 3). International Physical Activity Questionnaire. ScholarGate. https://scholargate.app/en/health-measurement/ipaq
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