Determining Dimensionality of Exercise Readiness Using Exploratory Factor Analysis.

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Sports Science
• Psychometrics

Background:

• Flexible non-linear periodization (FNLP) training models necessitate accurate assessment of "exercise readiness."
• The factor structure underlying exercise readiness has not been empirically established.
• Developing a brief, reliable measure of exercise readiness is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the construct dimensionality of exercise readiness.
• To lay the groundwork for a brief exercise readiness measurement tool.
• To empirically validate the components of exercise readiness within the FNLP framework.

Main Methods:

• Exploratory factor analysis (principal axis factoring with promax rotation) was employed.
• Data were collected from 684 undergraduate students via anonymous online surveys.
• Parallel analysis identified four statistically significant factors from an initial pool of 41 items.

Main Results:

• Four distinct dimensions of exercise readiness emerged, explaining 61.5% of the variance.
• Factor 1: Vitality (e.g., lively, revived).
• Factor 2: Physical Fatigue (e.g., tired, drained).
• Factor 3: Discomfort (e.g., pain, sick).
• Factor 4: Health (e.g., healthy, fit).

Conclusions:

• Exercise readiness is a multidimensional construct encompassing vitality, physical fatigue, discomfort, and health.
• These findings support current readiness assessment practices within the FNLP model.
• The identified dimensions provide a theoretical basis for a brief exercise readiness survey.