Correlation between the Yale Physical Activity Survey (YPAS) and a submaximal performance-based test: a study in a population of elderly Spanish women

Abstract

The aim of this study is to research the degree of correlation between the Spanish version of the questionnaire YPAS and the 6-minute walking test (6MWT) in women over 60. In addition, the authors analyzed the relationship between the variables age and body mass index (BMI) and the walked distance. The study was carried out with 44 elderly women (68.1 ± 5.4 years) who filled in the questionnaire and immediately afterwards performed the 6MWT. Total time and energy expenditure (EE) values obtained in the questionnaire are significantly correlated with the 6MWT (p=0.02; p=0.01, respectively), while BMI and age showed an inverse association (r=-0.433; r=-0.318, respectively) with the walked distance. The Spanish version of YPAS is beginning to be considered as a valid and useful tool for habitual physical activity (PA) measurement and can be used among elderly Spanish speaking women.