The Concise Physical Activity Questionnaire (CPAQ): Its Development, Validation, and Application to Firefighter Occupational Health

Physical activity is related to many important benefits in occupational health, but existing measures tend to be too long and involved for organizational application. The aim of this research was to create and construct validate the Concise Physical Activity Questionnaire (CPAQ), a very brief measure of physical activity for use in cross-sectional research. Four items were generated based on past research, Center for Disease Control guidelines, and input from health professionals. Across 2 studies, this scale was examined in both a laboratory and applied setting. In Study 1, 238 students completed the CPAQ, plus physiological and self-report measures relating to health. Results supported construct validity: the CPAQ related negatively to resting heart rate, health problems, BMI, and stress, and positively to gym attendance. In Study 2, 305 firefighters completed survey questionnaires. CPAQ scores related negatively to self-report burnout, and health problems and objective absenteeism measures, providing initial evidence of the CPAQ's usefulness in occupational health research. Suggestions for future research to apply and understand the CPAQ in the workplace are discussed.