Development and validation of the physical fitness test anxiety scale for college students

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to develop and validate a Physical Fitness Test Anxiety Scale (FTAS) for Chinese college students and assess its scientificity and applicability through reliability and validity testing. Methods: The initial scale was constructed through literature analysis and semi-structured interviews, followed by item analysis and factor analysis to optimize the scale structure. Multiple statistical methods were used to test the scale’s reliability and validity. Results: The final scale consists of 12 items, covering two dimensions: cognitive anxiety and somatic anxiety. The model fit was good (χ2/df = 2.29, RMSEA = 0.051, IFI, CFI, TLI, GFI, AGFI >0.90). The internal consistency coefficients for the total scale and the two dimensions ranged from 0.903 to 0.928, with split-half reliability between 0.804 and 0.899. The average variance extracted (AVE) ranged from 0.575 to 0.667, and the composite reliability (CR) ranged from 0.904 to 0.950. Conclusion: The Physical Fitness Test Anxiety Scale for college students has good reliability and validity and is suitable for assessing the physical fitness test anxiety levels of college students.