Validity and reliability of Turkish version of the physical activity enjoyment scale-8 items in adults

BackgroundThe 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).MethodsA 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.ResultsExploratory 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 (χ²/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).ConclusionsThe 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.