Validity of the Hausa IPAQ-SF for Walking and High-Intensity Activity: A Dual-Criterion Validation against accelerometry and VO2max
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: Background Evaluating physical activity (PA) patterns in Sub-Saharan Africa requires linguistically adapted and psychometrically robust self-report instruments. This study evaluated the cross-cultural adaptation, criterion-related validity, and psychometric agreement of the Hausa version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF) against objective triaxial accelerometry and cardiorespiratory fitness (VO 2max ) among university students in Nigeria. Methods A cross-sectional validation study was conducted among N = 106 university students (56 men, 50 women; age 23.80 ± 2.14 years). Participants completed the self-administered Hausa IPAQ-SF, wore an ActiGraph triaxial accelerometer for 7 consecutive days (≥ 10 h/day wear time over ≥ 4 days required), and underwent submaximal treadmill testing using the Modified Balke protocol to estimate VO 2max . Criterion validity was evaluated via non-parametric Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients (ρ). Absolute psychometric agreement and systematic bias were quantified using Bland-Altman analysis with 95% Limits of Agreement (LoA) and proportional bias regression models. Results The Hausa IPAQ-SF walking subscale demonstrated a statistically significant, moderate positive correlation with accelerometer-tracked walking volume (ρ = 0.38, p < 0.001). Vigorous physical activity (VPA) exhibited a weak positive correlation with accelerometer-derived VPA (ρ = 0.24, p = 0.013), but showed a significant inverse correlation with estimated VO 2max (r = -0.30, p = 0.002). No significant correlations were observed for moderate physical activity (MPA; ρ = 0.10, p = 0.308) or sedentary time (ρ = 0.11, p = 0.262). Bland-Altman analysis revealed a systematic positive proportional bias (y = 0.284x − 176.3, t = 4.12, p < 0.001), with the Hausa IPAQ-SF overestimating total PA by a mean of + 142.5 MET-min/week (95% LoA: -399.2 to + 684.2 MET-min/week). Overall, 94.3% of individual data points fell within the 95% agreement boundaries. Conclusion The Hausa IPAQ-SF exhibits acceptable criterion validity for capturing ambulatory walking behaviors and high-intensity movement patterns in Hausa-literate young adults. However, the instrument demonstrates proportional overestimation bias and fails to yield valid estimates for moderate physical activity or sedentary duration. Researchers should pair the Hausa IPAQ-SF with objective motion sensors when evaluating low-to-moderate physical activity and sedentary patterns in clinical or epidemiological surveillance. Clinical trial number: not applicable
Source: Research Square
Authors: Suleiman Mohammed, Ganiyu O. Sokubin, Adewale Luqman Oyeyemi, Bashir Bello, Farida G. Sumaila, Bashir Kaka, Ismail Idris, Haris Muhammad, Habib Saad, Mubasshir Rabiu, Buhari Hassan, Zainab Umar Dahiru, Mukadas O. Akindele, Aliyu Musa, Cornelius Mahdi Ishaku, Kamaldeen Ayofe Ibrahim, Mannir Kassim
Language: English
Topic: Physical Activity and Health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7225646859