The validity and reliability of the Chinese version of the Physical Activity Neighborhood Environment Scale (PANES-CHN)

Reliable and valid measures to assess environmental features that can support walking and bicycling in neighborhoods are useful for developing future interventions for physical activity (PA). This study aimed to develop the Chinese version of the Physical Activity Neighborhood Environment Scale (PANES-CHN) and assess its test-retest reliability, factor structure, and construct validity. This study was conducted from August to November 2020, involving 1 307 adults in China. The adaptation and translation of PANES-CHN followed a forward and backward procedure. The PANES-CHN survey was administered to a subsample twice, one month apart. Test-retest reliability was assessed using Intraclass Correlation Coefficients ( ICC ) and Cohen's κ . Factor structure was examined through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Individual physical activity was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire long version (IPAQ-L) to evaluate the construct validity of PANES-CHN. Test-retest reliability was generally good ( ICC s ranged from 0.87 to 0.99), except for one item with an ICC of 0.42. Most metrics from the CFA showed satisfactory fit. Correlation tests with the IPAQ-L indicated the PANES-CHN total score was significantly correlated with leisure physical activity ( r = 0.12, p < 0.001) and virtually no associations with transport physical activity. The PANES-CHN demonstrated acceptable test-retest reliability and factor structure, as well as moderate construct validity for the total score. Associations may have been suppressed because the study was conducted during worldwide activity restrictions during the COVID—19 pandemic. The PANES-CHN is a promising instrument for assessing neighborhood environmental features associated with PA that is tailored to Chinese urban environments.