PhD Research Student

Sarah ForbesSarah Forbes

Title of Research: A methodological examination of a dominant physical activity questionnaire and health promotion implications.

Qualifications: BCom (Otago), PGDipCom (Distinction) (Otago)

Start of PhD: April 2010

Supervisors: Dr Kirsten Robertson, Professor Rob Lawson & Dr Damien Mather

Email: sarah.forbes@otago.ac.nz

Short description of research topic:
The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) is a widely used tool for monitoring physical activity (PA) levels within and between countries. At present the IPAQ prioritises duration completed per week (150 total PA minutes) instead of frequency and duration active per week (e.g., 30 minutes of moderate intensity PA five days a week). My thesis examines the current IPAQ and revises it to be flexible for the examination of differing recommendations and then demonstrates how those previously misclassified as ‘active’ (under 150 total PA minutes instead of duration and frequency recommendations) can be targeted to become more frequently active.