Validating the Physical Activity and Leisure Motivation Scale (PALMS)

Area of Science:

• Sport and Exercise Psychology
• Health Psychology

Background:

• Adult physical activity (PA) levels have declined globally.
• Existing motivation measures for PA are often not comprehensive.
• The Physical Activity and Leisure Motivation Scale (PALMS) was developed to address this gap.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate the Physical Activity and Leisure Motivation Scale (PALMS) in the Malaysian cultural context.
• To assess the PALMS's ability to capture similar motivational information as the Recreational Exercise Motivation Measure (REMM).

Main Methods:

• 502 Malaysian adults (aged 18-67) from diverse physical activity backgrounds participated.
• Participants completed the 40-item PALMS, measuring eight motivational sub-scales.
• The study also assessed the PALMS against the validated Recreational Exercise Motivation Measure (REMM).

Main Results:

• The 8-factor model of the PALMS showed a good fit with the data.
• The overall PALMS measure demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.79).
• High correlations (0.79-0.95) were found between PALMS and REMM sub-scales, indicating criterion validity.
• Test-retest reliability over 4 weeks was strong (0.78-0.94).

Conclusions:

• The PALMS is a psychometrically sound instrument for assessing physical activity motivations in Malaysia.
• The scale demonstrates acceptable factor structure, internal consistency, reliability, and validity.
• The PALMS is applicable across a wide range of physical activity contexts.