Preliminary Latvian RESTQ-76 for Athletes: A Tool for Recovery–Stress Monitoring and Health Promotion

Abstract

This study aims to report the first Latvian version of the RESTQ-76, focusing on its internal validity, reliability, structural validity, and the relationships between the factors of the questionnaire. A total of 394 athletes (225 men and 169 women), aged 18–30 years (average age = 21, SD = 1.65), participated in the study. They were recruited from various sports clubs and universities. The RESTQ-76 was translated into Latvian through a forward-backward translation process to ensure accuracy of cultural relevance. To examine the questionnaire’s structure, principal component analysis (PCA) was performed. This analysis revealed a stable four-factor model comprising 18 scales, with acceptable fit indices (RMSEA = 0.089, CFI = 0.914, TLI = 0.896, NFI = 0.889), indicating good model fit. The psychometric validity of the Latvian version is supported by the original, indicating it is appropriate for use in sports settings throughout Latvia. As research on training load and recovery continues to expand, tools like the RESTQ-76 are becoming increasingly important. They help athletes and coaches monitor recovery and stress levels, which is essential for optimizing performance and preventing overtraining in competitive sports.