Development and Validation of the Physical Effort Scale (PES)
Physical Effort Scale (PES)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51224/SRXIV.338Keywords:
Exercise, Investigative Techniques, Motivation, Personality, Physical Exertion, Sports, Validation StudyAbstract
Objectives: Previous literature has primarily viewed physical effort as an aversive experience. However, recent research suggests that effort can also be valued positively. These differences in approach and avoidance tendencies toward physical effort may play a key role in the self- regulation of physical activity behaviors. The aim was to develop a scale that measures these tendencies and can contribute to a better understanding of physical effort and how it affects behavior.
Methods: The Physical Effort Scale (PES) was developed through expert evaluation and cognitive interviews. In sample 1 (n = 680), content validity and dimensional structure was examined through principal component analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. Item reduction was conducted using item response theory. Construct validity was then explored using regression. Sample 2 (n = 297) was used to validate dimensional structure, internal consistency, and construct validity, and to assess test-retest reliability.
Results: Out of 44 items evaluated for content validity by nine external experts, 18 were selected and refined based on cognitive interviews. Exploratory factor analysis and item response analysis of sample 1 allowed to reduce the scale to 8 items measuring the tendency to approach (n = 4) and avoid physical effort (n = 4). Confirmatory factor analyses validated the two dimensions structure in both samples. The two subscales showed high internal consistency (α > 0.897) and acceptable test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation > 0.66). Patterns of associations with other constructs showed expected relations.
Conclusions: The PES is a valid and reliable measure of individual differences in the valuation of physical effort. This scale can assess the propensity to engage in physically demanding tasks in non-clinical populations. The PES and its manual are available in the supplemental material.
Metrics
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Copyright (c) 2023 Boris Cheval, Silvio Maltagliati, Delphine S Courvoisier, Samuele Marcora, Matthieu Boisgontier (Author)
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