Translation, validation and cultural adaptation of the "sports activities scale"

Objectives: to translate and adapt the "Sports Activities Scale" as well as to check its measurement, reproduction and validity properties. Method: the translation, cultural adaptation and validation were made by reviewing the work by Guillemin et al. For statistical analysis, we used descriptive analysis, t-test, inter-class correlation coefficient and Spearman correlation coefficient, with significance level equal to 5% (α = 0.05). Results: the translated questionnaire showed to be understandable and culturally equivalent for 95% of Brazilian patients after some modifications were made; an excellent reproducibility (α = 0.01, ρ < 0.001) when correlating intra- and inter-interviewers; a significant correlation with the SF-36 questionnaire on the following items: functional capacity, pain, general aspects and social aspects, a weak association with SF-36 questionnaire on vitality, emotional aspects and mental health; a significant correlation with Lysholm (α = 0.01, ρ > 0.001); and a moderate negative correlation with the visual analog scale for pain (α = 0.05, ρ = 0.0013). Conclusion: The Brazilian version of the "Sports Activities Scale" questionnaire is an easily-manageable, reproducible and valid parameter for a specific evaluation of knee's symptoms and restraints during sports activities, in Brazilian patients.