The Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) is a self-reported assessment tool developed specifically for individuals aged 65 and older. Unlike general physical activity questionnaires, the PASE focuses on common activities performed by older adults, such as walking, household chores, and gardening. The tool was created to provide a more accurate and relevant measure of activity levels for epidemiological studies and interventions targeting this population.
How the PASE Questionnaire Works
The PASE measures physical activity over a one-week period, which can be completed via telephone, mail, or in-person interview. It consists of 12 questions that cover three main areas of activity:
- Leisure-time activities: This includes structured exercise and recreational activities such as sports, walking, dancing, and muscle-strengthening exercises. Participants report the frequency (days per week) and duration (hours per day) for these activities.
- Household activities: The questionnaire asks participants whether they have performed activities like light and heavy housework, home repairs, and lawn or garden care in the past seven days.
- Work-related activities: This section covers paid or volunteer work and requires reporting the number of hours per week and the level of physical exertion involved.
Scoring and Interpretation
To calculate the total PASE score, each reported activity is multiplied by a specific, empirically-derived weight. Higher scores indicate a greater level of physical activity. The scoring process uses a weighted formula to reflect the different metabolic demands of each activity. For example, recreational sports would have a higher weight than light housework. The total score can range from 0 to over 400, depending on the number and type of activities performed.
Benefits and Limitations of the PASE Scale
The PASE offers several advantages for research and clinical practice but also has important limitations to consider.
Benefits of PASE
- Comprehensive Assessment: The PASE provides a holistic view of an older adult's activity level by including a wide range of common activities, not just formal exercise.
- Time-Efficient: The brief, 5-minute administration time makes it a practical tool for large-scale epidemiological studies where time and cost are factors.
- Valid and Reliable: The scale's validity and reliability have been established in various studies, showing positive correlations with physical performance measures like grip strength, balance, and leg strength.
- Cultural Adaptability: The PASE has been translated and validated for use in many different languages and cultures, increasing its global applicability.
Limitations of PASE
- Recall Bias: As a self-report questionnaire, the PASE is susceptible to recall bias, where individuals may overestimate or inaccurately remember their activity levels.
- Limited Intensity Assessment: While the PASE incorporates some intensity information, studies have shown it is not always reliable or valid for accurately assessing specific physical activity intensity levels.
- Population-Specific Validity Issues: Research has indicated that the PASE's validity can be inconsistent depending on the population, with poor to moderate validity shown in patients with conditions like total knee arthroplasty.
- Gender-Specific Overestimation: Some evidence suggests the PASE may overestimate certain household tasks more common to women, affecting gender-specific task weighting.
PASE vs. Other Physical Activity Measures for Seniors
| Feature | Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) | Community Healthy Activities Model Program for Seniors (CHAMPS) | Wearable Accelerometers (e.g., ActiGraph) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Measurement Method | Self-report questionnaire | Self-report questionnaire | Objective, device-based tracking |
| Recall Period | Past 7 days | Past 4 weeks | Continuous, over a defined period (e.g., 7 days) |
| Activities Assessed | Occupational, household, and leisure activities | A list of 40 structured physical activities | Body movement and energy expenditure |
| Scoring Output | Total PASE score (weighted sum) | Total time in activities ≥2 METs or energy expenditure | Activity counts, METs, and minutes per intensity level |
| Primary Use | Epidemiological studies and interventions | Measuring changes in activity for interventions | Objective validation and precise activity monitoring |
| Key Advantage | Quick, low-cost, and includes a variety of relevant activities | Better quantifier for relative physical activity in some studies | Highly accurate, avoids recall bias |
| Key Limitation | Subject to recall bias; inconsistent validity for intensity | May capture only certain activity types; longer recall period | Higher cost, less practical for large population studies |
Conclusion
For anyone asking, "What is the physical activity scale for elderly people?" the primary answer is the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE). It is a well-established and widely used self-report tool for measuring activity in older adults across several life domains. While valuable for epidemiological research due to its practicality and broad scope, its limitations, such as recall bias and inconsistent validity in specific patient groups, mean it should be used with an understanding of its strengths and weaknesses. For precision, especially in clinical settings, supplementing self-report with objective measures like accelerometers is often recommended. The PASE remains an excellent starting point for understanding and tracking physical activity patterns in the aging population.
