Validity and reliability of scales on intrapersonal, interpersonal and environmental factors associated with physical activity in Brazilian secondary students

Abstract

-This study aimed to examine the validity and reliability of scales of intrapersonal, interpersonal, and environmental factors associated with physical activity (PA) in secondary students. Two cross-sectional studies were conducted with students in 7th to 9th grades form secondary schools in order to test the validity, internal consistency (n = 1,178, 51.4% were boys), and test-retest reproducibility (n = 194, 56.2% were boys) of the instrument. Factors associated with PA (attitude, self-efficacy, social support of friends, parents and the school's teachers, as well as the perceived neighborhood environment and perceived school environment) were measured. The confirmatory factor analysis and Spearman correlation between the scales and the weekly time spent in moderateto-vigorous PA (measured by questionnaire) were applied to test the construct validity. For reliability, the Cronbach's α (internal consistency), composite reliability (CR) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC for test-retest reproducibility) were applied. The confirmatory factorial analysis showed five one-dimensional and two two-dimensional (self-efficacy and perceived environment) scales, with factor loadings ranging from 0.46 to 0.85. Significant and positive correlations between almost all scale scores and moderateto-vigorous PA (p<0.05) were found. The Cronbach's α and CR were greater than 0.70 in almost all scales (except perceived school environment, α and CR of 0.61) and the ICC ranged from 0.62 (parental social support) to 0.70 (self-efficacy). In conclusion, the scales showed acceptable validity and reliability and can be used for measuring of PA correlates in elementary students. Key words: Motor activity; Reproducibility of results, Psychometrics; Psychosocial aspects; Validity tests. Resumo -Este estudo analisou a validade e a fidedignidade de escalas de fatores intrapessoais, interpessoais e ambientais associados à atividade física (AF) em escolares do ensino fundamental. Estudos transversais incluíram escolares dos 7º ao 9º anos para análises de validade

Measuring Socioeconomic Status and Environmental Factors in the SAYCARE Study in South America: Reliability of the Methods

“…The structure of the perceived neighborhood environment scale consisted of two factors, which was different than the original instrument. Our environmental questionnaire scale showed acceptable reliability, and it was in line with results previously reported by Barbosa‐Filho . This reinforces the importance of evaluating other environmental contexts in different populations (as in the case of SAYCARE study), which may be related to health indicators among young people, such as the household environment .…”

“For whom was it effective?” Moderators of the effect of a school-based intervention on potential physical activity determinants among Brazilian students

“…However, we used the adjustment for confounding variables aiming to overcome such limitations. Another limitation was that some scales had substantial reliability (intraclass correlation coefficients ranging from 0.60 to 0.70), (Barbosa Filho et al, 2016b) which can impact the real effect size of this intervention. Low psychometric properties have been common in scales of PA determinants among adolescents (Brown et al, 2009).…”

Pattern of Sedentary Behavior in Different Periods of School Time of Brazilian Adolescents

“…In relation to the psychosocial variables analyzed, it is important to highlight that they are related to physical activity and not SB, which has to be taken into account when trying to understand their relationship with SB . Peer support was associated with less SB in class time, which may play a role for those adolescents who need the encouragement of having a friend inviting, watching, or even engaging in conversation about sports, games, and other activities to stand up and play when having opportunities to do so.…”

“…Adolescents also performed a 20 m shuttle run test, and maximum aerobic capacity was estimated using the equation of Léger et al The triceps and subscapular skinfolds were measured by researchers trained by the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK), and body fat was estimated using the equation of Slaughter et al Adolescents also answered a structured questionnaire through which sex (boys and girls), age (completed years), and economic status (score of belongings and parental schooling, ranging from 0 to 46 points, where 46 is the highest socialeconomic status, calculated based on family ownership of televisions, radios, bathrooms, automobiles, domestic servants, washing machines, DVD players, refrigerators, and freezers) were retrieved. Psychosocial variables were reported on this questionnaire using previously validated scales . For this study, psychosocial variables obtained that were related to physical activity were attitude (5‐20 points), self‐efficacy (8‐32 points), school environment perception (3‐12 points), support from peers (5‐20 points), and support from parents (6‐24 points).…”