# Development and initial validation of the Engagement in Athletic Training Scale

## TL;DR

This paper introduces and validates a new scale to measure athletes' engagement in training.

## Contribution

The paper presents the development and validation of the Engagement in Athletic Training Scale (EATS).

## Key findings

- The EATS consists of 19 items and shows strong internal consistency.
- The scale's factor structure and validity were confirmed through multiple studies.
- Measurement invariance across samples and genders was supported.

## Abstract

The current study presents the development process and initial validation of the Engagement in Athletic Training Scale (EATS), which was designed to evaluate athletes’ engagement in athletic training. In study 1, item generation and initial content validity of the EATS were achieved. In study 2, the factor structure of the EATS was examined using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM). Internal consistency reliabilities of the subscales were examined (N = 460). In study 3, factor structure, discriminant validity, internal consistency reliability, and nomological validity of the EATS were further examined in an independent sample (N = 513). Meanwhile, measurement invariance of the EATS across samples (study 2 and study 3) and genders was evaluated. Overall, results from the 3 rigorous studies provided initial psychometric evidence for the 19-item EATS and suggested that the EATS could be used as a valid and reliable measure to evaluate athletes’ engagement in athletic training.