Measurement of Tendency to Avoid Physical Activity and Sport in University Students: An Adaptation Study

Abstract

The importance of physical activity and sport for individuals' health and general well-being is well known; however, participation levels remain low worldwide. Although many structural factors have been examined in the literature to understand the reason for this, research examining relationships between psychosocial factors, such as appearance concerns and weight stigma experiences, and physical activity, and sport participation is comparatively scarce. This is in part due to the limited number of measures available to assess the role of psychosocial factors in sport and physical activity avoidance. However, the recent development of a measure to assess potential psychosocial tendencies toward avoiding sport and physical activity offers promise but has not yet been translated and validated in Turkish culture. This study aimed to translate and validate the "Tendency to Avoid Physical Activity and Sport Scale (TAPAS)" for use in Turkish culture and language. Two samples were used to test the scale’s psychometric properties. Fifty Turkish university students were used in a pilot testing phase, and 266 were surveyed to establish construct validity and reliability. Fit indices, factor loadings, Average Variance Extracted (AVE), and Construct Reliability (CR) values were examined for the Turkish version of TAPAS, composed of 9 items. Cronbach's Alpha (ɑ) coefficient was calculated for reliability. The results showed that the Turkish version of the TAPAS had good validity and reliability, along with associated psychometric properties. As a result, it was determined that the measurement tool meets the psychometric requirements for assessing physical activity avoidance with a single-factor, 9-item structure.

Keywords

• Avoidance
• Physical activity and sport
• Weight stigma

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