Adjective list for assessing Perceived Physical State (PEPS). Scale construction and psychometric results

This study reports on the construction and validation of a scale to assess a person's perceived physical state. A preliminary 48-item version was constructed from experts' evaluations of a body-oriented adjective pool and tested on a sample of 119 sport students. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a 4-factor data structure that was applied when constructing the final 20-item version of the scale (PEPS). The PEPS was validated on a sample of 645 healthy people and patients of varying age and sport experience. Results of confirmatory factor analyses revealed a poor fit to the assumed 4-factor structure. Nonetheless, subscale reliabilities and the sensitivity for variations in physical state ranged from satisfactory to good. Correlations with mood states were significant but mostly low. Use of the PEPS scale is recommended for monitoring changes in perceived physical state during the course of prevention or rehabilitation.