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There are four instruments that collect physical activity data by self reports.

NIH-AARP Study PAQ

The NIH-AARP Study Physical Activity Questionnaire (PAQ) asked participants to recall the time spent engaging in household, leisure time, transportation, and sedentary activities over the past 12 months.

You may view data dictionaries and formats for the PAQ-AARP files. Datasets can be obtained by submitting a request.

For more information, you may visit the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study page on the NCI website.

Summary
  • Self-reported activity data
  • Reports the typical frequency and time spent on specific activities in the previous year
  • 2 administrations in the 3rd and 9th months
  • 925 participants with results
    • 709 completed both administrations
    • 148 completed only the 1st
    • 68 completed only the 2nd
Available Data
  • Weekly and daily hours for each activity
  • Metabolic Equivalents (METS) for each activity calculated from the weekly hours for each activity (daily activities were calculated to weekly by x7)
  • Overall summary of METs and subtotals of types of activities
    • Sum energy cost of all active behavior questions (MET-hrs/week): All of question 1’s activities METs
    • Sum energy cost of household activities (MET-hrs/week): Light house chores + Moderate to vigorous household chores + Home repairs + Caring for children + Caring for adult
    • Sum energy cost of lawn/garden activities (MET-hrs/week): Moderate outdoor chores + Vigorous outdoor chores
    • Sum energy cost of leisure activities (MET-hrs/week): Walking for exercise + Jogging or running + Swimming + Playing tennis, squash, or racquetball + Playing golf + Bicycling + Other aerobic exercise + Weight training
    • Sum energy cost of light activities (MET-hrs/week): Light house chores + Walking for other daily activities
    • Sum energy cost of moderate activities (MET-hrs/week): Moderate to vigorous household chores + Moderate outdoor chores + Home repairs + Caring for children + Caring for another adult + Walking for exercise + Playing golf + Weight lifting
    • Sum energy cost of vigorous activities (MET-hrs/week): Vigorous outdoor chores + Jogging or running + Swimming+ Playing tennis, squash or racquetball + Bicycling + Other aerobic exercise
    • Sum energy cost of all active and sedentary activities (MET-hrs/week): All of question 1’s METs + 7 * all of question 2’s METs