Validation of the Children and Adolescents Physical Activity and Sedentary Questionnaire (CAPAS-Q) in Polish Children and Adolescents.
- 1Faculty of Health Sciences and Psychology, Institute of Physiotherapy, University of Rzeszów, Rzeszów, Poland.
- 2Laboratory of the Metabolic Adaptations to Exercise under Physiological and Pathological Conditions (AME2P), EA 3533, Clermont Auvergne University, CRNH Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
- 3National Observatory for Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviors (ONAPS), UFR Medicine, University Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Global public health faces challenges related to low physical activity (PA) and excessive sedentary behavior (SB) among youth. This study aimed to validate the Polish version of the Children and Adolescents Physical Activity and Sedentary Questionnaire (CAPAS-Q). MATERIAL AND METHODS The study involved 206 participants (114 girls, 92 boys) aged 8 to 17 years. Participants completed the CAPAS-Q twice (7-day interval) to assess test-retest reliability. Objective PA and SB data were collected concurrently using ActiGraph wGT3X-BT accelerometers. Psychometric evaluation included internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha), test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]), and criterion validity (Spearman's rank correlation [rs]). RESULTS Internal consistency was acceptable (Cronbach's alpha 0.674 for PA and 0.754 for SB). Test-retest reliability was good to excellent, with subscale ICCs of 0.7429 to 0.9375. For criterion validity, the SB dimension showed moderate correlations with accelerometer-derived total PA (rs=-0.41) and sedentary time (rs=0.41). PA subscale correlations were generally smaller, with the highest association found between sports/leisure PA and moderate to vigorous PA (rs=0.27). Psychometric properties varied by group, with lower PA validity in younger children and adolescent girls. CONCLUSIONS The Polish CAPAS-Q demonstrates good to excellent test-retest reliability, although its internal consistency varies across subgroups, being lower in younger children. While the tool shows moderate criterion validity for SBs, its validity for quantifying PA volume is weak. Nevertheless, the CAPAS-Q provides valuable contextual and qualitative data. It is recommended as a cost-effective instrument for contextual screening in epidemiological studies, but caution is advised when interpreting PA levels in younger children and adolescent girls.
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BibTeX
@article{baran2026validation,
title = {{Validation of the Children and Adolescents Physical Activity and Sedentary Questionnaire (CAPAS-Q) in Polish Children and Adolescents.}},
author = {Rafał Baran and Joanna Baran and Justyna Leszczak and Alicia Fillon and David Thivel and Justyna Wyszyńska},
journal = {Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.12659/msm.953567},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42876010},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Validation of the Children and Adolescents Physical Activity and Sedentary Questionnaire (CAPAS-Q) in Polish Children and Adolescents.
AU - Rafał Baran
AU - Joanna Baran
AU - Justyna Leszczak
AU - Alicia Fillon
AU - David Thivel
AU - Justyna Wyszyńska
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/15
JO - Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research
DO - 10.12659/msm.953567
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42876010
AB - BACKGROUND Global public health faces challenges related to low physical activity (PA) and excessive sedentary behavior (SB) among youth. This study aimed to validate the Polish version of the Children and Adolescents Physical Activity and Sedentary Questionnaire (CAPAS-Q). MATERIAL AND METHODS The study involved 206 participants (114 girls, 92 boys) aged 8 to 17 years. Participants completed the CAPAS-Q twice (7-day interval) to assess test-retest reliability. Objective PA and SB data were collected concurrently using ActiGraph wGT3X-BT accelerometers. Psychometric evaluation included internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha), test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]), and criterion validity (Spearman's rank correlation [rs]). RESULTS Internal consistency was acceptable (Cronbach's alpha 0.674 for PA and 0.754 for SB). Test-retest reliability was good to excellent, with subscale ICCs of 0.7429 to 0.9375. For criterion validity, the SB dimension showed moderate correlations with accelerometer-derived total PA (rs=-0.41) and sedentary time (rs=0.41). PA subscale correlations were generally smaller, with the highest association found between sports/leisure PA and moderate to vigorous PA (rs=0.27). Psychometric properties varied by group, with lower PA validity in younger children and adolescent girls. CONCLUSIONS The Polish CAPAS-Q demonstrates good to excellent test-retest reliability, although its internal consistency varies across subgroups, being lower in younger children. While the tool shows moderate criterion validity for SBs, its validity for quantifying PA volume is weak. Nevertheless, the CAPAS-Q provides valuable contextual and qualitative data. It is recommended as a cost-effective instrument for contextual screening in epidemiological studies, but caution is advised when interpreting PA levels in younger children and adolescent girls.
SN - 1234-1010
SN - 1643-3750
ER -