Work

Cross cultural adaptation and psychometric properties of the Persian version of the fear of return to sport scale: a cross-sectional validation study

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are increasingly used in rehabilitation research to assess psychological factors related to recovery and return to sport. The Fear of Return to Sport Scale (FRESS) is a recently developed and psychometrically validated instrument for measuring fear of returning to sport. This study aimed to translate and cross-culturally adapt the FRESS to Persian (FRESS-Persian) and evaluate its reliability and validity among injured athletes. The FRESS was translated and cross-culturally adapted into Persian, following international guidelines. A total of 123 injured athletes completed the questionnaire. Reliability and validity were evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), standard error of measurement, minimal detectable change, and exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Convergent and divergent validity were assessed by examining correlations with pain intensity, the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK), and the Injury-Psychological Readiness to Return to Sport Scale (I-PRRS). The FRESS-Persian demonstrated good internal consistency (α = 0.895) and good test–retest reliability (ICC = 0.774, 95% CI: 0.662–0.852). Exploratory factor analysis supported a one-factor structure explaining 57.75% of the variance. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the proposed model, although the RMSEA exceeded the recommended threshold. Factor loadings ranged from 0.692 to 0.851. The FRESS-Persian showed significant positive correlations with pain intensity ( r = 0.347) and TSK scores ( r = 0.283), and a significant negative correlation with I-PRRS scores ( r =-0.527). No floor or ceiling effects were observed. The findings support the reliability and validity of the FRESS-Persian for assessing fear of return to sport in this sample of Persian-speaking athletes following injury.

Source: BMC Sports Science Medicine and Rehabilitation

DOI: 10.1186/s13102-026-02065-1

Authors: Bahram Sheikhi, Hadi Akbari, André Pontes-Silva, Almir Vieira Dibai-Filho

Institutions: Zabol University, Universidade Federal do Maranhão

Language: English

Topic: Musculoskeletal pain and rehabilitation

Subfield: Pharmacology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,890