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Baschung Pfister P1,2, Schülein S3, Gaßmann K-G3, Niedermann K1
1ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Institut of Physiotherapy, Winterthur, Switzerland, 2Unispital Zürich, Physiotherapy Occupational Therapy Research Center, Zürich, Switzerland, 3Geriatrics Centre Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
Background: Questionnaires are well established, feasible and inexpensive methods to evaluate physical activity (PA). However age-neutral questionnaires are known to underestimate the amount of PA in older individuals, therefore explicitly designed questionnaires for older adults are needed. The CHAMPS (Community Health Activities Model Program for Seniors Questionnaire) is a valid, reliable and responsive questionnaire assessing PA in older people. To date, there is no validated German version of the CHAMPS.
Purpose: Our aim was to translate the original CHAMPS version, to adapt it culturally and test the discriminatory validity as well as the absolute and relative reliability of the new German version within Switzerland and Germany.
Methods: Translation was performed in accordance to international guidelines. All participants were asked to fill in the German version of the CHAMPS. To test discriminant validity, elderly persons (at least 65 years old) from Germany and Switzerland were included if they gave written informed consent, were able to understand and follow verbal and written instructions and stand and walk independently. Therefrom, a random sample was given a second questionnaire to assess test-retest reliability. Participants with diagnosed dementia, acute or unstable chronic illness, progressive or terminal illness, high level of needs for nursing care and personal assistance (BESA 4) were excluded.
Anthropometric data (gender, age, BMI) and the amount of PA (caloric expenditure per week spent in at least moderate intensity activities and in all physical activities) were measured. Group differences related to sex and living situation of the amount of PA were analysed with the Mann-Whitney U Test. We hypothesized that women were less active than men and that persons living in a home for the elderly were less active than community dwellers. Reliability was determined by calculating intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC 2.1) and standard error of measurements (SEM).
Results: From the 358 participants (197 from Germany and 161 from Switzerland), 197 were community dwellers (60% female, mean age 74 years, mean BMI: 25) and 161 lived in a home for the elderly (76% female, mean age 85 years, mean BMI: 26). As hypothesized, there was a significant main effect of sex and dwelling situation on the amount of PA. Older adults living in homes for the elderly were less active than community dwellers (120 versus 1894 caloric expenditure per week for at least moderate intensity and 1036 versus 3325 caloric expenditure per week for total activity) and women were less active than men (444 versus 1584 caloric expenditure per week for at least moderate intensity and 1747 versus 2701 for total activity). The ICC of the amount of at least moderate intensity PA and of total PA was 0.82 (Confidence Interval: 0.76 - 0.87) and 0.83 (Confidence Interval: 0.76 - 0.88). The corresponding SEMs were 661 kcal and 883 kcal, respectively.
Conclusion(s): The German version shows good discriminant validity, excellent relative reliability and acceptable SEMs. Future studies to evaluate the CHAMPS responsiveness are still needed.
Implications: The German version of the CHAMPS can be recommended for use in clinical practice in German speaking countries.
Keywords: physical activity, older people, questionnaire
Funding acknowledgements: This study has received no funding.
Purpose: Our aim was to translate the original CHAMPS version, to adapt it culturally and test the discriminatory validity as well as the absolute and relative reliability of the new German version within Switzerland and Germany.
Methods: Translation was performed in accordance to international guidelines. All participants were asked to fill in the German version of the CHAMPS. To test discriminant validity, elderly persons (at least 65 years old) from Germany and Switzerland were included if they gave written informed consent, were able to understand and follow verbal and written instructions and stand and walk independently. Therefrom, a random sample was given a second questionnaire to assess test-retest reliability. Participants with diagnosed dementia, acute or unstable chronic illness, progressive or terminal illness, high level of needs for nursing care and personal assistance (BESA 4) were excluded.
Anthropometric data (gender, age, BMI) and the amount of PA (caloric expenditure per week spent in at least moderate intensity activities and in all physical activities) were measured. Group differences related to sex and living situation of the amount of PA were analysed with the Mann-Whitney U Test. We hypothesized that women were less active than men and that persons living in a home for the elderly were less active than community dwellers. Reliability was determined by calculating intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC 2.1) and standard error of measurements (SEM).
Results: From the 358 participants (197 from Germany and 161 from Switzerland), 197 were community dwellers (60% female, mean age 74 years, mean BMI: 25) and 161 lived in a home for the elderly (76% female, mean age 85 years, mean BMI: 26). As hypothesized, there was a significant main effect of sex and dwelling situation on the amount of PA. Older adults living in homes for the elderly were less active than community dwellers (120 versus 1894 caloric expenditure per week for at least moderate intensity and 1036 versus 3325 caloric expenditure per week for total activity) and women were less active than men (444 versus 1584 caloric expenditure per week for at least moderate intensity and 1747 versus 2701 for total activity). The ICC of the amount of at least moderate intensity PA and of total PA was 0.82 (Confidence Interval: 0.76 - 0.87) and 0.83 (Confidence Interval: 0.76 - 0.88). The corresponding SEMs were 661 kcal and 883 kcal, respectively.
Conclusion(s): The German version shows good discriminant validity, excellent relative reliability and acceptable SEMs. Future studies to evaluate the CHAMPS responsiveness are still needed.
Implications: The German version of the CHAMPS can be recommended for use in clinical practice in German speaking countries.
Keywords: physical activity, older people, questionnaire
Funding acknowledgements: This study has received no funding.
Topic: Older people; Outcome measurement; Health promotion & wellbeing/healthy ageing
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: ZHAW
Ethics committee: Kantonale Ethik-Kommission Zürich (KEK)
Ethics number: 2011-0434
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
