A scale for measuring member commitment and integration in fitness services

Abstract

This study assesses the reliability and validity of an instrument adapted from the domain of student attrition in higher-education research, for implementation in the field of fitness services management. The study was conducted at a commercial fitness facility based in Dubai, UAE, and comprised 184 subjects. A questionnaire was created by adapting a model with extensive research support in the field of student attrition studies; modifications were based on Delphi technique and subject interviews. Items were measured on a 5-point Likert scale, and the data set was subjected to exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Four factors emerged: goal commitment; institutional commitment; social integration; institutional integration. CFA fit indices indicated good model fit, and all factors had strong Cronbach alpha coefficients. The instrument displayed robust psychometric properties/factor-loading invariance, and can be used to measure commitment and integration constructs in commercial fitness-club settings.