Measuring Competitiveness In Sports: Conceptual Framework and Scale Development

Objective Competitiveness is a crucial psychological factor influencing individual and team sports performance. However, comprehensive and valid measurement tools are lacking to assess competitiveness levels across different sports disciplines. This study aims to develop and validate the Sports Competitiveness Scale (SCS) to measure athletes' competitiveness levels. Methods The scale development process involved three stages: (1) item pool generation based on a literature review, (2) pilot testing with 69 athletes, and (3) final validation with 470 athletes. Psychometric analyses, including exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, were conducted to ensure the scale's validity and reliability. Results The final version of the scale includes 39 items, showing strong internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.93) and acceptable construct validity. The findings suggest that the SCS can be a reliable and valid instrument for evaluating competitiveness in sports environments. Conclusion This study contributes to sports psychology literature by providing a standardized tool to measure competitiveness and its impact on athletes’ performance. Future research should examine the scale’s applicability across cultural contexts and professional levels.