Evaluating Physical Activity Questionnaires for Postpartum Women

Background Maintaining adequate physical activity (PA) is essential for recovery and long-term health in postpartum women undergoing physical therapy and rehabilitation. However, selecting appropriate self-report tools for monitoring PA in this population remains challenging. To evaluate the suitability of three commonly used PA questionnaires by comparing their outcomes with objective activity data from a wearable tracker. Methods This quantitative cross-sectional observational study examined the relationship between self-reported and objectively measured physical activity. Twenty-three postpartum women (average 5 months postpartum) participating in rehabilitation were recruited. Three PA questionnaires were administered: the International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Form (IPAQ-SF), the Kaiser Physical Activity Survey (KPAS), and the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ). Objective PA data (daily step count and distance) were collected over two weeks using the AmazFit Band 5 Fitness Tracker. Results The IPAQ-SF showed strong correlations with both average daily step count ( r  = 0.781, p  < 0.001) and distance ( r  = 0.783, p  < 0.001). In contrast, the PPAQ ( r  = 0.708, p  < 0.001) and KPAS ( r  = 0.645, p  < 0.01) correlated significantly only with their respective sports activity subcomponents. Conclusions Among the assessed tools, the IPAQ-SF demonstrated the strongest alignment with objective activity metrics, making it a more suitable option for assessing total PA in postpartum women. However, the PPAQ and KPAS provided valuable insights into specific components of PA, particularly household chores and caregiving tasks, which are highly informative during the postpartum period.