Validity and Reliability of Turkish Version of the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale-8 Items in Adults

Abstract

Background: The enjoyment of physical activity significantly influences participation in sports and various forms of physical activity. This study aims to conduct a cross-cultural adaptation and assess the reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale-8 Items (PACES-8). Methods: A total of 120 participants were included in the study. A standardized translation process was followed. Criterion-related validity was assessed using the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire-2 (BREQ-2) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ). All participants were evaluated in two sessions following a 15-min walk. Sociodemographic data, PACES-8, BREQ-2, and IPAQ questionnaires were administered during the initial measurement, while the second measurement focused solely on assessing physical activity enjoyment. Results: Exploratory factor analysis revealed factor loadings ranging from 0.78 to 0.94, indicating a strong single-factor structure. The model demonstrated a good fit to the data (Chi-Square Goodness of Fit Test (chi(2)/df) = 3.26, p < 0.001; Comparative Fit Index = 0.96; Tucker-Lewis Index = 0.93). The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.95, reflecting excellent internal consistency. PACES-8 showed a low correlation with the external regulation score of BREQ-2 (r = -0.24, p = 0.03) and the physical activity score (IPAQ score) of participants (r = 0.24, p = 0.007). Conclusions: The findings suggest that the Turkish version of PACES-8 is a unidimensional, reliable, and valid instrument for measuring enjoyment of physical activity. Further research is needed to assess its validity across different populations.