Validity of the occupational sitting and physical activity questionnaire (OSPAQ) for home-based office workers during the COVID-19 global pandemic: A secondary analysis

Aims It is well known that a decline in physical activity is associated with an increase of all-cause death including cardiovascular events and cancer. Few studies have examined the association between occupational sitting time and mortality. Therefore, we investigated this issue in a general population. Methods Physical activity and occupational sitting time were measured using the Baecke physical activity questionnaire in 1999. The questionnaire generated indices in three physical activity categories: work, sport and leisure-time. A total physical activity index was calculated by adding these three indices. The Baecke physical activity questionnaire was able to evaluate occupational sitting time. Hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using Cox's proportional hazard regression models. Results We enrolled a total of 1680 participants, who were followed up for 15.9 ± 3.8 years. The final follow-up rate was 93%. During the follow-up period, 397 subjects died. A significant inverse association ( p < 0.0001) was found between physical activity and mortality after adjustment for age and sex. Compared with lower levels of physical activity, the adjusted hazard ratio for mortality at higher levels of physical activity was 0.85 (95% CI: 0.78–0.92). Longer occupational sitting time was also significantly associated with higher mortality ( p < 0.01). The adjusted hazard ratio for mortality at longer occupational sitting time was 1.16 (95% CI: 1.05–1.27). These findings were observed in males, but not in females. Conclusions Our data demonstrated that higher levels of physical activity are associated with a reduced risk of cancer and cardiovascular death. Further, longer occupational sitting time is associated with increased mortality.

Download Full-text

The occupational sitting and physical activity questionnaire (OSPAQ): a validation study with accelerometer-assessed measures

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-020-09180-9 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Iris Maes ◽

Margo Ketels ◽

Delfien Van Dyck ◽

Els Clays

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Validation Study ◽

Physical Activity Questionnaire ◽

Occupational Sitting ◽

Activity Questionnaire

Download Full-text

Application of the Occupational Sitting and Physical Activity Questionnaire (OSPAQ) to office based workers

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/1471-2458-14-762 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Jonine Jancey ◽

Marian Tye ◽

Sarah McGann ◽

Krysten Blackford ◽

Andy H Lee

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Physical Activity Questionnaire ◽

Occupational Sitting ◽

Activity Questionnaire

Download Full-text

The Occupational Sitting and Physical Activity Questionnaire (OSPAQ): a validation study with objective accelerometer registrations

10.21203/rs.2.22850/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Iris Maes ◽

Margo Ketels ◽

Delfien Van Dyck ◽

Els Clays

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Criterion Validity ◽

Measurement Properties ◽

Physically Active ◽

Production Sector ◽

Physical Activity Questionnaire ◽

Occupational Sitting ◽

Clinical Measurements ◽

Workplace Setting ◽

Activity Questionnaire

Abstract Background: The Occupational Sitting and Physical Activity Questionnaire (OSPAQ) was developed as an easy-to-use instrument for self-reported assessment of percentage sitting, standing, walking and performing heavy labour in a workplace setting. This study aimed to evaluate the criterion validity of all dimensions of the OSPAQ compared to objective accelerometer measures of occupational physical activities in a mixed sample of sedentary and physically active professions. Methods: Data from the Flemish Employees’ Physical Activity (FEPA) study were used, including employees from the service and production sector. All participants filled in a questionnaire, underwent clinical measurements, and wore two accelerometers for at least 2 consecutive working days. Intra-class (ICC) and Spearman rho correlations (r) were analyzed to assess criterion validity. Results: The sample included 401 workers (16% sedentary profession) with a mean age of 39.2 (± 11) years. Criterion validity was good and moderate for assessing percentage of sitting (ICC=0.84; r=0.53), and standing (ICC=0.64; r=0.53), respectively. The criterion validity for walking was weak to moderate (ICC=0.50; r=0.49), and weak for performing heavy labour (ICC=0.28; r=0.35). Stronger validity scores were found in sedentary professions for occupational sitting and standing. In physically active professions, an underestimation of self-reported sitting and standing was found, and an overestimation of self-reported walking and heavy labour. No significant self-reported over- or underestimation was found for sitting and heavy labour in sedentary professions, but an underestimation of self-reported standing (p<0.001) and an overestimation of self-reported walking (p<0.001) was observed. Conclusions: The OSPAQ has acceptable measurement properties for assessing occupational sitting and standing. Objective measurements of occupational walking and heavy labour are recommended, since a poor criterion validity was found for both.

Download Full-text