Initial Validation of a 33-Item Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Italian Athletes

Background:
The Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes (RESTQ-Sport-36) is a self-report measure intended to monitor the recovery-stress balance in
athletes. A validated Italian version of this instrument was not available so far.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to provide an initial validation in Italian language of the RESTQ-Sport-36.
Methods:
A sample of Italian athletes (N = 339; women = 148; men = 191) from various sports completed the RESTQ-Sport-36 and the Italian Mood Scale
(ITAMS). We examined the factorial validity and the internal consistency of the RESTQ-Sport-36 and its concurrent validity with the ITAMS.
Results:
A confirmatory factor analysis supported a 12-factor structure after the removal of 3 items. Reliability analysis showed a satisfactory internal
consistency of the 33-item Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes (RESTQ-Sport-33). Pearson correlation coefficients revealed that the
RESTQ-Sport-33 and ITAMS share some common variance but measure different constructs.
Conclusion:
Our results provided support to the factorial validity and reliability of the RESTQ-Sport-33. This instrument can be used to reliably monitor
recovery-stress balance of Italian athletes throughout the season.