Comparison between objectively measured and self-reported physical activity level in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy

O. Crisafulli,¹ M. Fortunati,^1,2 M. Rubino,¹ V. Quintiero,¹ G. D’Antona^1,3 | ¹Centro di Ricerca Interdipartimentale Attività Motorie e Sportive - Sport Medicine Centre Voghera, University of Pavia, Voghera; ²Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Tor Vergata, Rome; ³Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, Italy

As a factor influencing physical efficiency and health, physical activity level (PAL) quantification can aid clinical evaluation in facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD). Self-reported PAL questionnaires are commonly used, but their accuracy in these patients is unexplored. Ten adults with FSHD were monitored for 7 days using an accelerometer (Fibion Inc., Finland)¹ and completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)² for the same period. Weekly minutes for sitting, walking, moderate (MOD) PA, vigorous (VIG) PA, and total PA (walking + MOD + VIG) were compared and correlated between Fibion and IPAQ for the same domains. Sitting time did not differ (p>0.05). IPAQ underestimated walking and total PA (p<0.001; p=0.01, respectively), while overestimated MOD PA (p=0.047). VIG PA was zero in both datasets. Correlations were non-significant (p>0.05). Except for sitting and VIG, self-reported PAL diverges from accelerometer data, supporting objective monitoring in FSHD.