Psychometric properties of the movement-specific reinvestment scale for Chinese children

Abstract

The propensity for movement-specific reinvestment (conscious attention to and control of body movements) is associated with disrupted movement in a variety of circumstances. Movement-specific reinvestment has been shown in adults but not in children, as a validated psychometric instrument for children does not exist. The aim of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of a movement-specific reinvestment scale adapted specifically for Chinese children (MSRS-CC). Five hundred and thirty-two Chinese pre-adolescents aged 7–12 yrs completed the MSRS-CC and a sub-sample completed the questionnaire again three weeks later. Another sub-sample also completed the Coordination and Health subscales of the Physical Self-Description Questionnaire (short form; PSDQ-S). All questionnaires were completed during normal school days. A random half of sub-sample two completed the MSRS-CC before the PSDQ-S and the other half completed the questionnaires in reverse order. Confirmatory factor analyses demonstrated sound internal validity for the Scale's two-factor model. Acceptable internal reliability and satisfactory test–retest reliability were evident. Convergent and discriminant validity with the Coordination and Health subscales of the PSDQ-S was also tested, but the former was unexpectedly low. Future research using objective measures of motor proficiency was recommended. The MSRS-CC is potentially a valuable tool for understanding movement control by children in research as well as in clinical and educational settings.