Table 1 Description of the included measuring instruments, the calculations of the weekly aerobic physical activity, and the comparison with the recommended benchmark

1

German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults

DEGS

2

Typical week in the last 3 months

1: number of days with PA;

2: average duration of PA

1: number or on no day;

2: less than 10 min, 10 to less than 30 min, 30 to less than 60 min, more than 60 min

Physically active in a way that one sweats or gets out of breath

Not named

Not specified

Number of days is multiplied by the mean of the response category (the top category is estimated at 60 min) and compared to the benchmark

2

European Health Interview Survey - Physical Activity Questionnaire

EHIS

8

Typical week

(Conservatively, only items 4–7 are used for MVPA calculation if walking is not included)

1: description of main work;

2: number of days with walking (to get to and from places);

3: average duration of walking;

4: number of days with cycling (to get to and from places);

5: average duration of cycling;

6: number of days with leisure-time/recreational PA (e.g. brisk walking, ball games, jogging, cycling, swimming)

7: total time of leisure-time/recreational PA

8: number of days with muscle-strengthening activities and exercises

4: number (1–7) or on no day;

5: 10–29 min, 30–59 min, 1 h to less than 2 h, 2 h to less than 3 h, 3 h or more

6: number (1–7) or on no day;

7: total time in h and min

Physically active in a way that causes at least a small increase in breathing or heart rate (for leisure-time/recreation)

Only for cycling (at least 10 min)

Leisure-time/recreation, transportation

The number of days (cycling) is multiplied by the mean of the response category and added to total weekly leisure-time PA before the sum is then compared to the benchmark

3

Eurobarometer

EURO

6

Last 7 days

1: vigorous PA (e.g. lifting heavy things, digging, aerobics, fast cycling);

3: moderate PA (e.g. carrying light loads, cycling at normal pace, doubles tennis);

5: walking;

2, 4, and 6: Average duration of PA

1, 3, and 5: number of days (0–7);

2, 4, and 6: 30 min or less, 31 to 60 min, 61 to 90 min, 91 to 120 min, more than 120 min, never do [type of activity]

Description is indirect via the examples in the questions

Only for walking (at least 10 min)

Leisure-time/recreation, transportation, occupational/household (via examples)

Number of days for each activity is multiplied by the mean of the response category (the top category is estimated at 120 min) and that for vigorous activity is doubled before all is summed up and then compared to the benchmark

4

Single-item measure

SIM

1

Past week

1: number of days with at least 30 min PA (include: sport, exercise, brisk walking or cycling for recreation or transport, exclude: household- or job-related)

1: number of days (0–7)

Physically active in a way that increases the breathing rate

Not named

Leisure-time/recreation, transportation

Value of ≥5 days means that the benchmark has been achieved