Abstract
Background and Aims: Inadequate physical activity (PA) among Arabic-speaking female adolescents is a major health concern, yet psychometrically sound instruments are lacking to assess their physical activity and perceptions related to the behavior. The aim of this cross-section study was to translate; culturally adapt; and evaluate face and content validity, internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A) and scales assessing psychosocial factors related PA for use with Arabic-speaking female adolescents.

Methods: A total of 31 Saudi female adolescents, 13-18 years of age, enrolled in 7th-12th grade in intermediate (54.7%) and high (45.1%) schools in Saudi Arabia participated in the study. They were asked to complete the surveys focusing on their demographic information, PA and perceived barriers to PA, self-efficacy, PA enjoyment, social support for PA and commitment to PA. The psychometric properties of the scales, including face validity (6 Saudi female adolescents), content validity (5 bilingual experts in the field), and internal consistency/test-retest reliability (25 Saudi female adolescents) were evaluated.

Results: The PAQ-A and PA perceptions scales had interrater reliability coefficients ranging from .75-1.00, which reflects acceptable content validity. Also, all scales had good test-retest reliability with the intraclass correlation coefficients ranging from .84 -.96. Internal consistency was acceptable with Cronbach’s α ranging from .84-.90.

Conclusions: The PAQ-A and PA perceptions scales were found to be reliable and valid tools to use with Arabic-speaking female adolescents.

Key words: Physical activity, Adolescents, Saudi Arabia