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Prevention focus: which questionnaire to use to assess physical activity?

Prevention focus: which questionnaire to use to assess physical activity?

Prevention focus: which questionnaire to use to assess physical activity?

Aug 21, 2026

4 minutes

physical activity

Table of contents

Table of contents

Physical activity and sedentary lifestyle

PAQ, GPAQ, Ricci & Gagnon, PAR-Q+

Adapt the questionnaire to the patient

General practitioner

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Every consultation is an opportunity to practice prevention, and physical activity is fully among the topics that can be discussed with the patient.

In France, 59% of women and 73% of men met physical activity recommendations in 2021. In parallel, sedentary behaviours remain frequent: in 2024, 28% of adults aged 18 to 79 reported spending more than 7 hours a day in a sitting position. (1) (2)

The consequences of physical inactivity are significant. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), people who are insufficiently active have a 20% to 30% higher risk of death compared to people who are sufficiently active. Regular physical activity contributes in particular to reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and falls, while also having benefits for mental health, functional capacities, and sleep. (3)

The challenge is also economic and societal. In France, the social cost of physical inactivity has been estimated at 140 billion euros per year, corresponding to more than 38,000 deaths and 62,000 pathologies each year. This estimate notably includes the social value associated with mortality, the loss of well-being linked to diseases, and healthcare expenses: it therefore does not correspond to 140 billion euros in expenses for Health Insurance. (4)

Yet, between the reason for the consultation, additional examinations, treatments, and the patient's questions, it is not always easy to precisely assess their level of physical activity.

Several standardized questionnaires make it possible to better characterize the patient's habits: physical activity, travel, professional activity, leisure, or even time spent sitting.

IPAQ, GPAQ, Ricci & Gagnon, PAR-Q+… which questionnaire to use and in which situation?

Why use a physical activity questionnaire?

Assessing physical activity is not just about asking: "Do you do sports?".

One patient might run for 45 minutes on Sundays but remain seated for a large part of the week. Another might never play sports as such, but walk daily, cycle to commute, climb stairs, or have a physically demanding job.

It is also necessary to distinguish between physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour.

Physical inactivity refers to not reaching a sufficient level of physical activity according to guidelines. Sedentary behaviour refers to waking periods spent sitting or lying down with low energy expenditure. Both constitute distinct risk factors and can accumulate. (2)

Standardised questionnaires provide a more structured assessment of the patient's habits than an informal evaluation.

In particular, they can help to:

estimate the overall level of physical activity;
identify significant sedentary behaviour;
distinguish between activity related to work, travel, and leisure;
identify patients who could benefit from personalised advice;
monitor changes over time.

Nevertheless, it must be kept in mind that these are mostly self-reported data. They therefore depend on the patient's memory, their perception of the intensity of their activities, and can be subject to reporting bias.

These questionnaires do not replace discussion with the patient, nor do they replace more objective methods such as accelerometry or certain connected devices when a precise measurement is required.

Why use a physical activity questionnaire?

Assessing physical activity is not just about asking: "Do you do sports?".

One patient might run for 45 minutes on Sundays but remain seated for a large part of the week. Another might never play sports as such, but walk daily, cycle to commute, climb stairs, or have a physically demanding job.

It is also necessary to distinguish between physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour.

Physical inactivity refers to not reaching a sufficient level of physical activity according to guidelines. Sedentary behaviour refers to waking periods spent sitting or lying down with low energy expenditure. Both constitute distinct risk factors and can accumulate. (2)

Standardised questionnaires provide a more structured assessment of the patient's habits than an informal evaluation.

In particular, they can help to:

estimate the overall level of physical activity;
identify significant sedentary behaviour;
distinguish between activity related to work, travel, and leisure;
identify patients who could benefit from personalised advice;
monitor changes over time.

Nevertheless, it must be kept in mind that these are mostly self-reported data. They therefore depend on the patient's memory, their perception of the intensity of their activities, and can be subject to reporting bias.

These questionnaires do not replace discussion with the patient, nor do they replace more objective methods such as accelerometry or certain connected devices when a precise measurement is required.

What do health authorities recommend?

The World Health Organization recommends that all adults engage in regular physical activity and limit the time spent in sedentary behaviours. (3)

The French National Authority for Health (HAS) also considers physical activity as a full-fledged intervention in the prevention and management of many pathologies. It supports professionals in the evaluation, advice and prescription of physical activity adapted to the patient's health status, abilities and preferences. (5)

In this context, questionnaires constitute a practical aid to better document lifestyle habits, identify certain points of attention and guide discussions with the patient.

The IPAQ - International Physical Activity Questionnaire

The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) is one of the most widely used international physical activity assessment questionnaires. A systematic review even describes it as the most widely used physical activity questionnaire at the time of its publication. (6)

Developed in the late 1990s to enable international comparisons, it was the subject of a reliability and validity study in 12 countries. (7)

The IPAQ exists in two main formats: a short version and a long version.

The short version focuses mainly, over the last seven days, on:

vigorous physical activity;
moderate physical activity;
walking;
sitting time.

The long version allows a more precise exploration of the different domains in which this activity is carried out, including work, transport, domestic chores and leisure time. (7)

The IPAQ can be self-administered or administered during an interview, depending on the version and protocol used.

Why use it?

The IPAQ is particularly interesting when one wishes to have a standardised and widely documented tool to estimate the level of physical activity of a patient or a population.

Its strengths

Widely used in research and health surveys.
Available in short and long versions.
Allows several activity intensities to be taken into account.
Has a calculation protocol that specifically allows activity to be expressed in MET-minutes per week.

Its limitations

Like many self-report questionnaires, the IPAQ can lead to an overestimation or underestimation of actual activity.

It is particularly suitable for population monitoring and physical activity level categorisation, but should be used with greater caution when measuring precise individual progress over time. (6) (7)

The GPAQ - Global Physical Activity Questionnaire

The Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) was developed by the World Health Organization for physical activity surveillance in populations. It is notably integrated into the international WHO STEPS surveillance system for non-communicable disease risk factors. (8)

It consists of 16 questions and assesses physical activity in three main domains:

physical activity at work;
active travel;
recreational activities;

along with an assessment of sitting time.

Why use it?

The GPAQ is particularly useful when one wants to understand the context in which the patient is active.

Two people with a similar overall activity level can indeed have very different profiles: occupational physical activity for one, cycling for transport for the other, or sports participation during leisure time.

Its strengths

Developed by the WHO.
Used in many countries.
Clearly distinguishes between work, travel and leisure.
Includes a measure of sedentary behaviour.

Its limitations

Contrary to what its use as a questionnaire might suggest, the official GPAQ was developed to be administered face-to-face by a trained interviewer. The WHO specifically recommends the use of visual examples to help the respondent distinguish between different physical activity intensities. (8)

In its original format, it is therefore not a self-administered questionnaire in the same way as certain versions of the IPAQ, Ricci & Gagnon, or the PAR-Q+.

Like any self-report tool, it also remains subject to recall and estimation biases.

The Ricci & Gagnon Questionnaire

The Ricci & Gagnon questionnaire is a self-assessment questionnaire frequently used in France to quickly obtain an indication of an individual's physical activity profile. (9)

In its modified version, notably distributed by ONAPS, it explores three dimensions:

sedentary behaviours;
leisure-time physical activities, including sport;
daily physical activities.

The score obtained classifies the respondent into three categories:

less than 18 points: inactive;
between 18 and 35 points: active;
more than 35 points: very active. (9)

Why use it?

Its main value lies in its simplicity. It can be used as a screening tool to open up discussions about physical activity and daily habits.

Its strengths

Short and easy to understand.
Self-administrable.
Takes into account leisure, daily activities and sedentary lifestyle.
Provides an easily interpretable result.

Its limitations

Caution must be exercised regarding the scope of the score.

The scientific validation of the Ricci & Gagnon questionnaire remains less documented than that of international tools like the IPAQ. A study published in 2023 found a correlation between its score and that of the IPAQ, but relatively weak agreement between the classifications of the two questionnaires. The results were more favourable in people under 40. (10)

It is therefore preferable to consider it as a simple tool for screening and awareness-raising, rather than as a precise and objective measure of physical activity.

The PAR-Q+

The PAR-Q+ — Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire for Everyone serves a different purpose.

It does not seek to measure the amount of physical activity practiced.

It is a self-screening questionnaire prior to increasing or resuming physical activity. It helps determine whether an individual can increase their physical activity level without further evaluation or if it is preferable to seek advice from a doctor or qualified exercise professional. (11)

Why use it?

It can be useful when someone is planning to become more active or resume physical activity in a structured way.

The PAR-Q+ is designed for a broad population. The first questions help identify situations that may require further exploration.

Its strengths

Self-administrable.
Focused on safety before physical activity.
Path adapted to the patient's answers.
Can guide towards a complementary evaluation when necessary.

Its limitations

The PAR-Q+ does not measure the level of physical activity or sedentary behaviour.

Nor does it issue a "medical clearance" to practice physical activity: it is a screening tool to identify individuals for whom further professional advice may be relevant. (11)

If the objective is also to measure the patient's activity habits, another questionnaire must be used in addition.

What do health authorities recommend?

The World Health Organization recommends that all adults engage in regular physical activity and limit the time spent in sedentary behaviours. (3)

The French National Authority for Health (HAS) also considers physical activity as a full-fledged intervention in the prevention and management of many pathologies. It supports professionals in the evaluation, advice and prescription of physical activity adapted to the patient's health status, abilities and preferences. (5)

In this context, questionnaires constitute a practical aid to better document lifestyle habits, identify certain points of attention and guide discussions with the patient.

The IPAQ - International Physical Activity Questionnaire

The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) is one of the most widely used international physical activity assessment questionnaires. A systematic review even describes it as the most widely used physical activity questionnaire at the time of its publication. (6)

Developed in the late 1990s to enable international comparisons, it was the subject of a reliability and validity study in 12 countries. (7)

The IPAQ exists in two main formats: a short version and a long version.

The short version focuses mainly, over the last seven days, on:

vigorous physical activity;
moderate physical activity;
walking;
sitting time.

The long version allows a more precise exploration of the different domains in which this activity is carried out, including work, transport, domestic chores and leisure time. (7)

The IPAQ can be self-administered or administered during an interview, depending on the version and protocol used.

Why use it?

The IPAQ is particularly interesting when one wishes to have a standardised and widely documented tool to estimate the level of physical activity of a patient or a population.

Its strengths

Widely used in research and health surveys.
Available in short and long versions.
Allows several activity intensities to be taken into account.
Has a calculation protocol that specifically allows activity to be expressed in MET-minutes per week.

Its limitations

Like many self-report questionnaires, the IPAQ can lead to an overestimation or underestimation of actual activity.

It is particularly suitable for population monitoring and physical activity level categorisation, but should be used with greater caution when measuring precise individual progress over time. (6) (7)

The GPAQ - Global Physical Activity Questionnaire

The Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) was developed by the World Health Organization for physical activity surveillance in populations. It is notably integrated into the international WHO STEPS surveillance system for non-communicable disease risk factors. (8)

It consists of 16 questions and assesses physical activity in three main domains:

physical activity at work;
active travel;
recreational activities;

along with an assessment of sitting time.

Why use it?

The GPAQ is particularly useful when one wants to understand the context in which the patient is active.

Two people with a similar overall activity level can indeed have very different profiles: occupational physical activity for one, cycling for transport for the other, or sports participation during leisure time.

Its strengths

Developed by the WHO.
Used in many countries.
Clearly distinguishes between work, travel and leisure.
Includes a measure of sedentary behaviour.

Its limitations

Contrary to what its use as a questionnaire might suggest, the official GPAQ was developed to be administered face-to-face by a trained interviewer. The WHO specifically recommends the use of visual examples to help the respondent distinguish between different physical activity intensities. (8)

In its original format, it is therefore not a self-administered questionnaire in the same way as certain versions of the IPAQ, Ricci & Gagnon, or the PAR-Q+.

Like any self-report tool, it also remains subject to recall and estimation biases.

The Ricci & Gagnon Questionnaire

The Ricci & Gagnon questionnaire is a self-assessment questionnaire frequently used in France to quickly obtain an indication of an individual's physical activity profile. (9)

In its modified version, notably distributed by ONAPS, it explores three dimensions:

sedentary behaviours;
leisure-time physical activities, including sport;
daily physical activities.

The score obtained classifies the respondent into three categories:

less than 18 points: inactive;
between 18 and 35 points: active;
more than 35 points: very active. (9)

Why use it?

Its main value lies in its simplicity. It can be used as a screening tool to open up discussions about physical activity and daily habits.

Its strengths

Short and easy to understand.
Self-administrable.
Takes into account leisure, daily activities and sedentary lifestyle.
Provides an easily interpretable result.

Its limitations

Caution must be exercised regarding the scope of the score.

The scientific validation of the Ricci & Gagnon questionnaire remains less documented than that of international tools like the IPAQ. A study published in 2023 found a correlation between its score and that of the IPAQ, but relatively weak agreement between the classifications of the two questionnaires. The results were more favourable in people under 40. (10)

It is therefore preferable to consider it as a simple tool for screening and awareness-raising, rather than as a precise and objective measure of physical activity.

The PAR-Q+

The PAR-Q+ — Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire for Everyone serves a different purpose.

It does not seek to measure the amount of physical activity practiced.

It is a self-screening questionnaire prior to increasing or resuming physical activity. It helps determine whether an individual can increase their physical activity level without further evaluation or if it is preferable to seek advice from a doctor or qualified exercise professional. (11)

Why use it?

It can be useful when someone is planning to become more active or resume physical activity in a structured way.

The PAR-Q+ is designed for a broad population. The first questions help identify situations that may require further exploration.

Its strengths

Self-administrable.
Focused on safety before physical activity.
Path adapted to the patient's answers.
Can guide towards a complementary evaluation when necessary.

Its limitations

The PAR-Q+ does not measure the level of physical activity or sedentary behaviour.

Nor does it issue a "medical clearance" to practice physical activity: it is a screening tool to identify individuals for whom further professional advice may be relevant. (11)

If the objective is also to measure the patient's activity habits, another questionnaire must be used in addition.

Other tools can also be useful

IPAQ, GPAQ, Ricci & Gagnon and PAR-Q+ do not cover all clinical situations.

Depending on the objective, other tools can be interesting:

specific sedentary behavior questionnaires, to detail the time spent sitting in different contexts;
activity logs, to document activities over several days;
pedometers, smartphones or connected objects, to obtain more objective data on certain behaviors such as the step count;
accelerometers, notably used in research to measure movements more precisely;
functional scales, particularly interesting for elderly, frail people or those with certain chronic diseases.

The choice therefore depends above all on the question the professional wishes to answer.

Which questionnaire to choose?

There is no questionnaire universally suited to all situations.

Questionnaire	Main objective	Self-administered?	Particularly relevant use
IPAQ	Estimate physical activity level	Yes, depending on the version	Standardized evaluation, research, monitoring
GPAQ	Analyze activity according to work, travel and leisure	No (in its original WHO format)	Public health, analysis of different domains of activity
Ricci & Gagnon	Quickly obtain an activity profile	Yes	Identification and awareness raising
PAR-Q+	Identify the possible need for advice before increasing activity	Yes	Resumption or increase of physical activity

These questionnaires can be complementary, but they do not answer the same question.

A professional could, for example, seek to know a patient's level of activity with the IPAQ or Ricci & Gagnon, then use a screening tool like the PAR-Q+ if this patient plans to significantly increase their activity.

Other tools can also be useful

IPAQ, GPAQ, Ricci & Gagnon and PAR-Q+ do not cover all clinical situations.

Depending on the objective, other tools can be interesting:

specific sedentary behavior questionnaires, to detail the time spent sitting in different contexts;
activity logs, to document activities over several days;
pedometers, smartphones or connected objects, to obtain more objective data on certain behaviors such as the step count;
accelerometers, notably used in research to measure movements more precisely;
functional scales, particularly interesting for elderly, frail people or those with certain chronic diseases.

The choice therefore depends above all on the question the professional wishes to answer.

Which questionnaire to choose?

There is no questionnaire universally suited to all situations.

Questionnaire	Main objective	Self-administered?	Particularly relevant use
IPAQ	Estimate physical activity level	Yes, depending on the version	Standardized evaluation, research, monitoring
GPAQ	Analyze activity according to work, travel and leisure	No (in its original WHO format)	Public health, analysis of different domains of activity
Ricci & Gagnon	Quickly obtain an activity profile	Yes	Identification and awareness raising
PAR-Q+	Identify the possible need for advice before increasing activity	Yes	Resumption or increase of physical activity

These questionnaires can be complementary, but they do not answer the same question.

A professional could, for example, seek to know a patient's level of activity with the IPAQ or Ricci & Gagnon, then use a screening tool like the PAR-Q+ if this patient plans to significantly increase their activity.

Better preparing the discussion around physical activity

Physical activity is a very concrete subject, but not always easy to explore during a consultation.

Patients may not consider daily walking, commuting by bicycle or certain professional activities as "physical activity". Conversely, the occasional practice of a sport can give the impression of a high activity level, even though a large part of the week is spent in a sitting position.

Having certain questionnaires completed prior to the consultation, when they are suitable for this mode of administration, allows this information to be gathered before the appointment.

The professional can then have structured elements on the patient's habits from the very beginning of the consultation and focus the discussion more on their interpretation and on advice adapted to their situation.

At Aldebaran, smart pre-consultation questionnaires can integrate medical questionnaires and scores adapted to the patient's profile and their responses. The information collected is structured and the scores can be calculated to help the healthcare professional identify certain points of attention more quickly.

The objective is not only to assign a physical activity score, but to allow the professional to open a more targeted discussion on realistic, progressive changes adapted to the patient's situation.

Better preparing the discussion around physical activity

Physical activity is a very concrete subject, but not always easy to explore during a consultation.

Patients may not consider daily walking, commuting by bicycle or certain professional activities as "physical activity". Conversely, the occasional practice of a sport can give the impression of a high activity level, even though a large part of the week is spent in a sitting position.

Having certain questionnaires completed prior to the consultation, when they are suitable for this mode of administration, allows this information to be gathered before the appointment.

The professional can then have structured elements on the patient's habits from the very beginning of the consultation and focus the discussion more on their interpretation and on advice adapted to their situation.

At Aldebaran, smart pre-consultation questionnaires can integrate medical questionnaires and scores adapted to the patient's profile and their responses. The information collected is structured and the scores can be calculated to help the healthcare professional identify certain points of attention more quickly.

The objective is not only to assign a physical activity score, but to allow the professional to open a more targeted discussion on realistic, progressive changes adapted to the patient's situation.

Conclusion

Physical activity assessment can provide useful information for prevention, provided the right tool is chosen for the intended objective.

The IPAQ allows for a standardised and widely documented assessment of physical activity levels. The GPAQ distinguishes more precisely between the different domains in which it is practiced. Ricci & Gagnon is a simple screening and awareness tool, particularly well-known in France. Finally, the PAR-Q+ addresses a different question: determining whether a further assessment is recommended before increasing physical activity levels.

These tools remain primarily self-reported and must therefore be interpreted in context.

When used appropriately, especially when they can be offered prior to the consultation, they nevertheless enable the collection of more structured information and make it easier to integrate physical activity into the discussion between the patient and the healthcare professional.

(1) Santé publique France. "National and regional prevalences of physical activity and sedentary behavior among adults in France: results of the 2021 Santé publique France Barometer." Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin, published on June 11, 2024.

(2) Santé publique France. "Sedentary behavior: prevalence and awareness of recommendations. Santé publique France Barometer: results of the 2024 edition." Published in December 2025.

(3) World Health Organization. "Physical activity", fact sheet, June 26, 2024.

(4) France Stratégie. "The socioeconomic evaluation of the health effects of public investment projects", March 2022.

(5) Haute Autorité de Santé. "Medical consultation and prescription of physical activity for health purposes in adults", July 2022.

(6) Lee P.H., Macfarlane D.J., Lam T.H., Stewart S.M. "Validity of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF): a systematic review." International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 2011.

(7) Craig C.L. et al. "International physical activity questionnaire: 12-country reliability and validity." Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 2003;35(8):1381-1395.

(8) World Health Organization. Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) and GPAQ Analysis Guide. The questionnaire consists of 16 questions and explores work, travel, leisure and sedentary behavior.

Official GPAQ Questionnaire: Download the GPAQ on the WHO website

(9) National Observatory for Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior (ONAPS). Ricci & Gagnon Test – self-assessment test, modified version. It distinguishes between "inactive", "active" and "very active" profiles.

Ricci & Gagnon Questionnaire: View the questionnaire published by ONAPS

(10) Reychler G. et al. "The construct validity of the Ricci and Gagnon questionnaire to assess the physical activity level: a prospective study." European Rehabilitation Journal, 2023.

(11) PAR-Q+ Collaboration / ePARmed-X+. Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire for Everyone (PAR-Q+), 2025 edition.

Official PAR-Q+ Questionnaire: View the 2025 PAR-Q+

FAQ

Which questionnaire should be used to quickly assess physical activity?

What is the difference between the IPAQ and the GPAQ?

Is the IPAQ a self-administered questionnaire?

Is the GPAQ a self-administered questionnaire?

Why should we also assess sedentary behavior?

Can we use multiple questionnaires for the same patient?

Why offer these questionnaires before the consultation?

FAQ

Which questionnaire should be used to quickly assess physical activity?

What is the difference between the IPAQ and the GPAQ?

Is the IPAQ a self-administered questionnaire?

Is the GPAQ a self-administered questionnaire?

Why should we also assess sedentary behavior?

Can we use multiple questionnaires for the same patient?

Why offer these questionnaires before the consultation?

FAQ

Which questionnaire should be used to quickly assess physical activity?

What is the difference between the IPAQ and the GPAQ?

Is the IPAQ a self-administered questionnaire?

Is the GPAQ a self-administered questionnaire?

Why should we also assess sedentary behavior?

Can we use multiple questionnaires for the same patient?

Why offer these questionnaires before the consultation?

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