Background:
There is consensus in the value of assessing and counseling hypertensive patients in reference to their physical activities (PA). The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) is a commonly used instrument to asses the energy expenditure (EE) through different domains of daily activity.
Objectives:
The main purpose of this study was to assess the relation of self-reported PA through the IPAQ and the aerobic capacity using oxygen consumption (VO
2
) measured directly in hypertensive sedentary women.
Methods:
Cross-sectional study in a simple random sub-sample of 64 hypertensive women between 35 and 55 years old, without physical limitation or coronary event. PA was evaluated using the Spanish version of the IPAQ to assess the energy expenditure (EE) and PA intensity (moderate or vigorous) in different domains (work, transport, domestic, leisure). VO
2
peak was measured directly, breath to breath (Fitmate Pro®), at a submaximal (85% [85 of 100] maximal heart rate) exercise test with 25 watt/3 min load increments in a bicycle ergometer.
Results:
Mean age was 48.4±5.2 years. Measured peak VO
2
was 16.5±2.6 mL/Kg/min with a predicted VO
2
max of 23±3.7 mL/Kg/min, both corresponding to a sedentary level. The greater proportion of EE was observed in work and domestic domains in contrast to leisure activities that had the lowest. Over 50% (1 of 2) of the PA was done at moderate intensity. Peak VO
2
showed a direct correlation with total EE, work and domestic, and finally, with the cost in PA done at moderate intensity.
Table.
Relationship between self-reported PA (IPAQ) and direct measurements of VO
2
Domain or PA type IPAQ
EE (MET-min/week)
*
EE(%)
†
Pearson's Correlation coefficient
VO
2
peak (ml/Kg/min)
p-value
IPAQ total
3,613 (1,976 - 5,589)
−
0.539
0.001
Work
358 (0 - 2,230)
25.4
0.577
0.001
Transport
396 (89 - 795)
15.5
−0.103
0.542
Domestic
1,465 (893 - 2,520)
47.1
0.385
0.018
Leisure
153 (0 - 664)
13.1
−0.011
0.950
Moderate
1,672 (978 - 3,275)
57.4
0.560
0.001
Vigorous
0 (0 - 1,216)
12.8
0.249
0.136
*
Data expressed as median (percentiles 25 and 75)
†
Percentage of mean EE of the domain or PA type according to total EE.
Conclusion:
In sedentary hypertensive women self reported PA
using IPAQ is predominantly related to domestic and work activities at moderate intensity. Work, and domestic EE or moderate intensity global PA correlated well with the peak VO
2
directly measured during a sub maximal exercise
test. Thus, IPAQ appears as an adequate instrument to assess the EE of hypertensive patients and its impact on their aerobic capacity.
Determining the level of physical activity estimated by the Canada Fitness Survey questionnaire using criteria of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire