Reliability of the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE).

Purpose: This article examines the reliability of the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) in a representative sample of Norwegian women and men. PASE is a brief and easily scored instrument to assess physical activity in epidemiological studies of persons age 65 years and older. Methods: A random sample (N = 343) of Norwegian women and men aged 67 years and over completed PASE. In addition, demographic information and health status was provided. Results: The mean PASE scores were higher in men than in women (men were more active than women), and higher in those aged 67-75 years compared with those aged 76 years and older. Internal consistency of PASE as measured by Cronbach's coefficient alpha was 0.73. Three hundred and twenty-seven subjects also completed follow-up questionnaires 3 days and 3 weeks later. The test-retest coefficient (Pearson's) reliability was 0.997 for the 3-day interval and 0.933 for the 3-week interval. Conclusion: The results show that PASE is an easily scored, reliable instrument for use in epidemiological studies to assess physical activity among Norwegian elderly men and women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]