MEASURING ENJOYMENT OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN ADOLESCENT GIRLS

Abstract

Enjoyment has been associated with physical activity in youth, yet previous research has been limited by measurement problems. The present study further examined enjoyment of physical activity in youth by testing the factorial and construct validity of the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES). Adolescent girls (N = 1,797), who were randomly assigned to calibration (n = 899) and cross-validation (n = 898) samples, completed the PACES and measures of factors influencing enjoyment of physical education, physical activity, and sport involvement. The factorial validity of the PACES and the measure of factors influencing enjoyment of physical education was tested using EFA and CFA. The hypothesized relationships among the measures were tested using SEM. Unidimensional models fit the PACES and the measure of factors influencing enjoyment of physical education in the calibration and cross-validation samples. Hypothesized relationships between the PACES and the measures of factors influencing enjoyment of physical education, physical activity, and sport involvement were supported in the entire sample. The relationships were similar across black and white girls and independent of physical fitness. In summary, the factorial and construct validity of PACES was supported, and the PACES may be a viable option for measuring enjoyment in adolescent girls. Supported by NIH HL 57775