Validation of the 21-item Physical Activity and Leisure Motivation Scale (PALMS) among Finnish late adolescents

OBJECTIVE: This multi-study investigation examined the validity of the Physical Activity and Leisure Motivation Scale (PALMS) among 16- to 18-year-old Finnish participants. Specifically, we examined factorial structure, reliability, measurement invariance, convergent and predictive validity in respect to reported physical activity. METHODS AND MEASURES: In Study 1, 285 participants completed the 40-item PALMS, and in Study 2, 638 adolescents completed a shorter measure derived from Study 1, along with the Behavioural Regulation in Sport Questionnaire (BRSQ). RESULTS: intention to be physically active. CONCLUSION: Taken together results suggest that the PALMS-21 is a valid and reliable measure of motives to engage in physical activity and sport. As such, the PALMS-21 could be used to provide personalized advice to individuals or to monitor the dynamics in participation motives over time, which could guide the development of effective interventions.