Questions To Include In A Physical Activity Questionnaire

Questions To Include In A Physical Activity Questionnaire

By Luo Baishun

Mar 26, 2022 · Updated Oct 21, 2024 · 12 min. read

So many people struggle with being active, especially as they age. It's essential to work closely with your patients or clients to assess their level of physical activity and try to make small lifestyle changes to help them become more active. This includes encouraging them to walk or bike to nearby destinations instead of driving or using public transportation.

In this guide, we'll explore key questions to include in your physical activity questionnaire. These questions will help you gather valuable information about current habits, motivations, and barriers to being more active.

Essential Questions for Your Physical Activity Questionnaire

1. How long has it been since you exercised?

This can be an important factor because if a person hasn't exercised recently, they may be less motivated to start or resume an exercise program.

Example question:
"When was the last time you engaged in any physical activity that involved getting your heart rate up and sweating, such as running, walking briskly, or cycling?"

Why it matters:
A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that individuals who regularly engage in physical activity are more likely to maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

2. Do you want to exercise but can't find the time?

One of the most significant issues people face when trying to exercise is that they say they can't find the time. This may be true, but you can usually find some time to squeeze in a quick workout if you want to.

Example question:
"Do you wish to exercise more often but feel that you don't have enough time in your schedule? If yes, what are the main time constraints you face?"

Fact:
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), insufficient physical activity is one of the leading risk factors for global mortality, highlighting the importance of addressing time barriers.

3. What kind of exercise do you do currently?

Understanding the types of physical activities a person enjoys can help in recommending similar activities they're more likely to stick with.

Example questions:

• "Do you currently exercise regularly? (Yes/No)"
• "What type of physical activity do you enjoy doing (walking, running, swimming, biking, etc.)?"
• "What form(s) of exercise have you tried before?"
• "How often do you typically exercise in a week?"

4. Is your current level of physical activity enough to achieve and maintain an appropriate fitness level?

This question helps assess whether individuals feel their activity level meets their fitness goals and can highlight areas needing improvement.

Example question:
"Do you believe your current physical activity level is sufficient to achieve and maintain your desired fitness level? Why or why not?"

Research insight:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week for adults to achieve substantial health benefits.

5. Do you find it hard to stick with your workout routine regularly?

Understanding the challenges in maintaining a routine can help in developing strategies to overcome them.

Example question:
"Do you struggle to maintain a regular workout schedule? If so, what are the main reasons? (e.g., lack of motivation, physical discomfort, scheduling conflicts)"

6. What was your high school activity level like?

This is a great way to gauge whether your subject was previously active, inactive, or somewhere in between. It can provide insights into long-term habits and changes over time.

Example question:
"During high school, how active were you? Were you involved in sports or regular physical activities? How does that compare to your current activity level?"

Fact:
Engagement in physical activities during adolescence is associated with higher activity levels in adulthood, according to a study in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

7. When did you start becoming less active?

Being aware of when a person became less active can help pinpoint where their lack of motivation is coming from.

Example question:
"Can you identify a specific time or event when you noticed a decrease in your physical activity levels? What was happening in your life around that time?"

8. What are some barriers you face in exercising now?

People differ in their attitudes towards exercise. Some are entirely unwilling to commit any time at all to physical activity, while others have no trouble doing it every day. Understanding these barriers is crucial for developing effective strategies.

Example question:
"What obstacles prevent you from exercising as much as you'd like? (e.g., time constraints, physical limitations, lack of motivation, financial constraints)"

9. Where does your motivation come from?

Motivation is one of those things that are either easy or hard to come by, depending on your personality and lifestyle. Understanding motivational sources can help in leveraging them to sustain physical activity.

Example question:
"What motivates you to exercise when you do? (e.g., health benefits, appearance goals, stress relief, social support)"

Research insight:
A study in the Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology found that intrinsic motivation, such as enjoyment and personal satisfaction, is more effective in maintaining long-term physical activity compared to extrinsic motivation.

10. Have any major life events influenced your physical activity levels?

Life events can significantly impact one's ability to stay active. Recognizing these influences is essential for personalized support.

Example question:
"Have you experienced any major life events recently (e.g., having a baby, starting a new job, moving) that have affected your physical activity levels? How so?"

11. How often do you exercise outside vs. inside the home?

The most effective physical activity is often done in natural environments, so it's important to understand where individuals prefer to exercise.

Example question:
"How often do you exercise outdoors compared to indoors? Do you have a preference, and if so, why?"

Fact:
Exercising outdoors has been linked to improved mood and increased vitamin D levels, enhancing overall well-being, as reported by Environmental Health Perspectives.

12. Does the time of day you exercise make a difference in how much time you spend doing it?

Different people have different energy levels at various times of the day. Understanding this can help in optimizing exercise routines.

Example question:
"Does the time of day you choose to exercise impact your ability to maintain your routine? If so, when do you feel most energized to work out?"

13. What specific goals do you have for your physical activity?

Setting clear goals can provide direction and motivation for increasing activity levels.

Example question:
"What are your primary goals for exercising? (e.g., weight loss, building muscle, improving cardiovascular health, enhancing flexibility)"

Research insight:
Goal setting is a powerful tool in behavior change, with the American Psychological Association highlighting its role in improving adherence to physical activity routines.

14. How do you track your physical activity?

Tracking methods can influence consistency and awareness of activity levels.

Example question:
"How do you currently track your physical activity? (e.g., fitness apps, journals, wearable devices, not at all)"

15. What support systems do you have to help you stay active?

Support systems can play a crucial role in maintaining motivation and accountability.

Example question:
"Do you have any support systems in place to help you stay active? (e.g., workout buddies, family support, personal trainers)"

16. How does your diet complement your physical activity?

Nutrition and physical activity often go hand-in-hand in achieving fitness goals.

Example question:
"How would you describe your current diet in relation to your physical activity? Do you make specific dietary choices to support your exercise routine?"

17. Have you faced any injuries or health issues that impact your ability to exercise?

Health-related factors can significantly influence physical activity levels and require tailored approaches.

Example question:
"Have you experienced any injuries or health conditions that limit your ability to exercise? If yes, please specify."

18. What types of physical activities would you like to try in the future?

Exploring new activities can reignite interest and diversify exercise routines.

Example question:
"Are there any new types of physical activities or exercises you’re interested in trying? If so, what are they?"

19. How do you feel after exercising?

Understanding the emotional and physical responses to exercise can provide insights into motivation and adherence.

Example question:
"How do you typically feel after completing a workout session? (e.g., energized, accomplished, fatigued, stressed)"

20. How does your academic or work performance relate to your physical activity?

Understanding the relationship between physical activity and academic or work performance can help in creating balanced routines.

Example question:
"Do you feel that your physical activity levels affect your academic or work performance? If so, how?"

Additional Questions to Consider

• What specific goals do you have for your physical activity?
• How do you track your physical activity?
• What support systems do you have to help you stay active?
• How does your diet complement your physical activity?
• Have you faced any injuries or health issues that impact your ability to exercise?
• What types of physical activities would you like to try in the future?
• How do you feel after exercising?
• How does your academic or work performance relate to your physical activity?

Implementing Your Physical Activity Questionnaire

When creating your questionnaire, consider the following tips:

1. Choose the Right Format:
   Decide whether it will be self-administered or conducted through an interview.
2. Ensure Clarity:
   Use clear and concise language to avoid confusion and ensure accurate responses.
3. Analyze Responses:
   Develop a system for analyzing the responses to identify patterns and areas for intervention.
4. Follow-Up:
   Use the insights gained from the questionnaire to create action plans and follow up with individuals to track their progress.

Adapting for Diverse Populations

Ensure that your questionnaire is inclusive and adaptable for different populations, such as students, older adults, or individuals with disabilities. Customize questions to be culturally sensitive and relevant to the specific group you are targeting.

Heyform offers an open-source and free online form builder tool that can help you design and modify your physical activity questionnaires with ease. Its interactive features allow you to create customizable online surveys tailored to your specific needs, while also providing detailed analysis of your survey data. Explore Heyform to streamline your survey process and gain valuable insights from your respondents.

Additional Context and Tips

Assessing Physical Activity Levels:
A physical activity questionnaire is a valuable tool for understanding an individual’s current habits, motivations, and barriers. By asking comprehensive questions, you can gather detailed information that informs personalized recommendations and interventions.

Making Small Lifestyle Changes:
Encouraging small, manageable changes can lead to significant improvements in physical activity levels. For instance, suggesting walking or biking to nearby destinations instead of driving can easily incorporate more movement into daily routines without requiring major lifestyle overhauls.

Tailoring Interventions:
Based on the questionnaire responses, tailor your interventions to address specific barriers and leverage motivational factors. For example, if time is a significant barrier, recommend short, high-intensity workouts that fit into a busy schedule.

Using Free Resources:
To facilitate the implementation of these questions, consider utilizing free physical activity questionnaire templates available online. These templates can be customized to fit your specific needs and streamline the data collection process.

Include Interactive Elements:
If possible, include an interactive online template that allows practitioners to input and modify questions based on their specific needs. Encourage readers to provide feedback or share their experiences using the questionnaire, fostering a community of practice and continuous improvement.

Conclusion

Creating an effective physical activity questionnaire involves asking the right questions to uncover current habits, motivations, and barriers. By incorporating these questions and providing context for each, you can gather comprehensive data that informs personalized strategies to help individuals become more active. Remember to adapt the questionnaire to suit different populations and continuously refine it based on feedback and evolving best practices.

Enhance Your Survey Experience with Heyform

For those looking to create detailed and insightful physical activity questionnaires, Heyform offers an interactive platform to design online surveys effortlessly. With Heyform, you can not only create customized questionnaires tailored to your specific needs but also perform in-depth analyses on the collected data. Explore Heyform's user-friendly tools to streamline your survey process and gain valuable insights from your respondents.

Have you used physical activity questionnaires in your practice? Share your experiences or suggest additional questions in the comments below!

If you are a medical practitioner needing a free physical activity questionnaire template, you are in luck.

We’ve got you covered. Need something new? you could create a new form using our free online form builder.