THE GODIN-SHEPHARD LEISURE-TIME PHYSICAL ACTIVITY QUESTIONNAIRE: VALIDITY EVIDENCE SUPPORTING ITS USE FOR CLASSIFYING HEALTHY ADULTS INTO ACTIVE AND INSUFFICIENTLY ACTIVE CATEGORIES 1 , 2.

Summary .— This study provided validity evidence for the Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire (GSLTPAQ) to classify respondents into active and insuffi ciently active categories. Members of a fi tness center [45 women and 55 men; mean ( SD ) age = 45.5 (10.6) yr.] completed the questionnaire. Using only moderate and strenuous scores, those with a leisure score index ≥ 24 were classifi ed as active ; those with a score ≤ 23 were classifi ed as insuffi ciently active . VO 2 max, percentage of body fat, and electronic records of fi tness center attendance were the validation variables. In a visit to the fi tness center, participants completed the GSLTPAQ and a certifi ed exercise specialist performed a physical fi tness evaluation. A multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) indicated the group of respondents classifi ed as active had higher VO 2 max and lower percentage of body fat than the group of respondents classifi ed as insuffi ciently active . An analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) indicated the group of respondents classifi ed as active had higher electronic records of fi tness center attendance than the group of respondents classifi ed as insuffi ciently active . Therefore, these pieces of validity evidence support the use of the questionnaire's classifi cation system among healthy adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]