Validation of the Italian Translation and Cultural Adaptation of the Canadian Assessment of Physical Literacy-2 (CAPL-2) Questionnaire for Children

Background/Objectives: Physical literacy is a holistic concept promoting lifelong health by considering an individual’s lived experience within their cultural context. This necessitates context-specific conceptualizations and pedagogies, highlighting the need for valid assessment tools for physical and sport educators. The Canadian Assessment of Physical Literacy (CAPL-2) is a well-known validated tool. This study aimed to validate the Italian translation and cultural adaptation of the CAPL-2 questionnaire for children aged 8–12. Methods: The CAPL-2 questionnaire was translated using a forward–backward procedure by bilingual experts. Subsequently, 111 Italian children (57 females, mean BMI 17.9 kg/m2) completed the adapted CAPL-2 questionnaire twice over 10 days under supervision. The internal consistency of CAPL-2 was assessed with Cronbach’s alpha. ROC curve analysis and AUC evaluated the CAPL-2’s ability to predict adherence to WHO physical activity guidelines based on self-reported activity. Results: Results showed high internal consistency for the motivation and confidence domain (Cronbach’s α: 0.88–0.97) but lower consistency for the knowledge and understanding domain (Cronbach’s α: 0.20–0.34). Despite this, the CAPL-2 questionnaire demonstrated high predictive performance in identifying children active for at least 5 days (AUC: 0.95) or 6 days (AUC: 0.89). Conclusions: The Italian version of CAPL-2 is a reliable tool for assessing physical literacy in Italian children aged 8 to 12, addressing key aspects such as motivation, confidence, physical skills, understanding of physical activity, and daily habits. It offers a valuable and culturally adapted instrument for trainers, teachers and educators in physical activity and sport contexts.