PLoS ONE (Jan 2025)

The measurement reliability and equivalence of print versus online versions of the Youth Activity Profile.

  • Yang Bai,
  • Philip M Dixon,
  • Pedro F Saint-Maurice,
  • Paul R Hibbing,
  • Gabriella M McLoughlin,
  • Michael Pereira da Silva,
  • Gregory J Welk

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0312254
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 20, no. 1
p. e0312254

Abstract

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PurposeThe Youth Activity Profile (YAP) is a 7-day self-report designed to quantify physical activity and sedentary behaviors among youth. This study evaluated the reliability of the online version of the YAP and equivalence with the paper-based version.MethodA total of 2,490 participants from 17 schools in Iowa and Texas completed the YAP. Each classroom was randomly assigned to complete either the print or online version twice. A variance components model was used to assess the test-retest reliability and equivalence testing was also applied.ResultsBoth paper and online versions had similar reliability for the PA estimates in school (ICCprint = 0.69-0.91; ICConline = 0.54-0.84), at home (ICCprint = 0.72-0.83; ICConline = 0.64-0.94), PA at weekend (ICCprint = 0.33-0.72; ICConline = 0.39-0.70), and SB (ICCprint = 0.69-0.90; ICConline = 0.66-0.80). The two versions were statistically equivalent for most YAP items except for recess.ConclusionThe online YAP appears to be a reliable assessment of physical activity and sedentary behavior in youth populations.