Italian version of the Perceived Physical Ability Scale

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Sports Science
• Pediatrics

Background:

• The Perceived Physical Ability (PPA) scale, originally developed by Ryckman et al. in 1982, measures an individual's self-assessment of physical capabilities.
• Adapting and validating psychological instruments for different cultural and age groups is crucial for accurate assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To translate and adapt the PPA scale for Italian children and adolescents.
• To evaluate the reliability and validity of the adapted PPA scale in a young population.
• To explore gender and sports experience differences in perceived physical ability.

Main Methods:

• The PPA scale was translated into Italian and administered to 2,546 subjects (1,269 females, 1,277 males) aged 10–20 years.
• Factor analysis was employed to examine the scale's structure.
• Reliability and discriminative capacity were assessed.

Main Results:

• The Italian version of the PPA scale demonstrated good reliability and discriminative capacity.
• Factor analysis identified two key factors: physical efficiency and movement difficulties.
• Males reported higher PPA scores than females.
• Subjects with sports experience scored higher on PPA than those without.
• Higher PPA scores correlated positively with self-perception, body confidence, and a positive attitude towards motor tasks.

Conclusions:

• The adapted PPA scale is a reliable tool for assessing perceived physical ability and motor performance in Italian youth.
• Gender and sports participation significantly influence perceptions of physical ability in adolescents.
• Perceived physical ability is closely linked to broader self-perceptions and confidence.