Reliability and Validity of a Questionnaire for Assessing Self-Perceived Health-Related Fitness in Spanish Children

Adaptation of the International Fitness Scale and Self-Perceived Health-Related Physical Fitness Questionnaire into Turkish

This study aims to investigate the Turkish validity and reliability of the International Fitness Scale (IFIS) and the Self-Perceived Health-Related Physical Fitness Questionnaire for Children (SPHQ-C) aged 10-17. The measurement tools were translated into Turkish by two independent researchers and back-translated. Then, the content validity was established with a group of 13 individuals (Sample 1) who presented to the sports medicine clinic. The pilot application phase was initiated. A sample of 372 individuals (Sample 2) studying in the provincial center was selected for piloting the measurement tools with the ALPHA-FIT Test Battery. The test-retest application of the measurement tools with a 15-day interval was carried out with 207 individuals (Sample 3) not included in Sample 2. The authors calculated that the content validity ratio values for the items in the IFIS ranged from 0.85 to 1.00, with a content validity index of 0.94 for the scale. In the SPHQ-C, these values were found to be between 0.92 and 1.00, with a content validity index of 0.99. According to the Z-score difference analysis for both measurement tools, the construct validity of all items was achieved (p < 0.05). In the Bland-Altman plot test conducted for the IFIS-TR, the mean difference was calculated as 0.11, the standard deviation of the differences was 1.57, and the p-value was determined as 0.31. For the SPHQ-C-TR, the mean difference was -0.15, the standard deviation of the differences was 1.95, and the p-value was determined as 0.26. The Kappa coefficients for the items of the IFIS-TR ranged from 0.45 to 0.52, while for the SPHQ-C-TR, the Kappa coefficients ranged from 0.47 to 0.75. Confirmatory factor analysis conducted on Sample 2 confirmed model fit indices with covariance among some items of the measurement tools (IFIS-TR: e1-e3; SPHQ-C-TR: e1-e2, e1-e3, e2-e3, e3-e4, e6-e7, e8-e9). The IFIS and SPHQ-C measurement tools have been adapted into Turkish, and their validity and reliability have been established.

[Influence of exercise in the body image of preadolescents and adolescents: importance of the index of corporal mass as a factor of confusion]

INTRODUCTION

adolescents are the group most vulnerable to distortions in the perception of their image. This often leads to body dissatisfaction that can negatively affect their self-esteem. The practice of physical activity (PA) could help solve this problem.

OBJECTIVES

to analyze the influence that the amount of PA performed has on the self-perception of body image in the pre and adolescent population while taking into account confounding factors that could affect this relationship.

METHODS

a cross-sectional study of 822 participants aged 9 to 16 years was conducted. The prevalence of PA, their body mass index (BMI), and their objective and perceived physical condition (PC) were determined. The Stunkard pictogram was used to determine the degree of body dissatisfaction.

RESULTS

a generalized satisfaction with own body image was found regardless of age and sex. Low-magnitude significant associations were found between perceived body image and the amount of PA, perceived PC, and objective PC. PA did not influence body satisfaction when adjusted for BMI, which was the variable that presented the highest correlations with self-perception (r = 0.713) and self-satisfaction (r = 0.576).

CONCLUSIONS

a generalized satisfaction with one's own body image was identified in the pre and adolescent population under study. The amount of PA was not shown to be a variable with great influence on self-perception and body satisfaction, contrary to BMI.

Associations between Self-Perceived and Desired Health-Related Physical Fitness in Spanish Children

Health-related physical fitness (HRPF) has emerged as an important marker of health among children. It is usually defined as a multidimensional construct consisting of cardiorespiratory endurance; muscular strength and endurance; and flexibility. Currently, health policies are aimed at getting children to increase their HRPF levels. Understanding the relationship between the perceived and the desired levels of fitness can be important to avoid the abandoning of physical activity practice. We analyzed the associations between the self-perceived and the desired health-related physical fitness. A modified version of the self-perceived HRPF questionnaire was completed by 330 children (148 girls, mean age: 10.78 ± 0.67 years, and 182 boys, mean age: 10.82 ± 0.61 years). Fitness was measured through tests selected from the Eurofit battery. The questions regarding desired HRPF showed moderate internal consistency (Cronbach’s α: 0.671) and good test–retest reliability (ICC: 0.761). In general, children shared a desire to improve their self-perceived HRPF. Those who perceived themselves as already being fit were the ones who showed the strongest desire for achieving higher HRPF levels.

Do Intellectually Gifted Children Show Similar Physical Habits, Physical Fitness Levels and Self-Perceived Body Image Than Typically Developed Children?

Scientific evidence regarding whether intellectually gifted children show similar physical activity habits and physical fitness levels in comparison to typically developed children, is inconclusive. This is in part due to the scant research that has directly compared both groups of people. In this study, physical activity prevalence, self-perceived and objectively assessed physical fitness levels, and body image were assessed in a sample of 74 intellectually gifted children (mean age 11.6 ± 1.2 years). Seventy-four non-gifted children matched by age and sex were selected as a comparison cohort. Results indicated that both groups showed similar self-perceived and objectively assessed fitness levels. Physical activity habits were also similar, although significant differences were observed indicating that intellectually gifted girls were less active in comparison with non-gifted girls. Both cohorts perceived their body image accurately, although intellectually gifted children were much more satisfied with their physical appearance.