Evaluating physical activity questionnaires for postpartum women

BACKGROUND: Maintaining adequate physical activity (PA) is essential for recovery and long-term health in postpartum women undergoing physical therapy and rehabilitation. However, no self-report measure has been specifically developed for these women, and selecting appropriate existing tools available for postpartum PA monitoring remains challenging. This study aimed to evaluate the suitability of commonly used PA questionnaires by comparing their outcomes with objective activity data from a wearable tracker. METHODS: This quantitative cross-sectional observational study examined the relationship between self-reported and objectively measured physical activity. Twenty-three postpartum women (average 5 months postpartum) participating in rehabilitation were recruited. Three 7-day recall PA questionnaires were administered: the International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Form (IPAQ-SF), the Kaiser Physical Activity Survey (KPAS), and the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ). Objective PA data (daily step count and distance) were concurrently collected over a two-week period using the AmazFit Band 5 Fitness Tracker, with only the second week in the analysis. RESULTS: The IPAQ-SF showed moderate-to-strong correlations with both average daily step count (r = 0.781, p < 0.001) and distance (r = 0.783, p < 0.001). In contrast, the PPAQ (r = 0.708, p < 0.001) and KPAS (r = 0.645, p < 0.01) correlated significantly only with their respective sports activity subcomponents. CONCLUSIONS: Among the assessed tools, the IPAQ-SF demonstrated the strongest alignment with objective activity metrics, making it a more suitable option for assessing total PA in postpartum women. However, the PPAQ and KPAS provided valuable insights into specific components of PA, particularly household chores and caregiving tasks, which are highly informative during the postpartum period.