Understanding motivational climates in physical education classes: How students perceive learning and performance-oriented climates by teachers and peers

This study aimed to translate and validate the Learning and Performance Oriented in Physical Education Climate Questionnaire (LAPOPECQ) in a sample of Portuguese students. Additionally, this study examined if the measurement would be equivalent across samples and gender. For nomological validity, current study examined the relationships of motivational climates oriented by teachers and peers and behavioral regulations in the physical education context. Data from 536 Portuguese students (female = 256) aged 10 and 18 years (M = 13.33; SD =.47) were collected. Participants were involved in regular physical education classes two times per week, according to the Portuguese educational system. The four-correlated factor confirmatory and exploratory model provided acceptable fit to the data. In addition, multigroup analysis showed invariance among groups, namely between calibration and validation samples, and female and male students. Last, significant correlations were found between motivational climates and behavioral regulations as theoretically proposed, confirming nomological validity. The translated LAPOPECQ into Portuguese is a valid instrument assessing students’ perception of motivational climates oriented by teachers and peers.