Development and psychometric validation of a knowledge–attitudes–practices questionnaire for virtual reality training in tennis: a cross-sectional study among Chinese university students with tennis training experience

At present, there is no validated instrument to assess athletes’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) concerning virtual reality (VR) in sports training. This study developed and psychometrically validated a VR Tennis KAP questionnaire for Chinese university students with tennis training experience. A cross-sectional survey involving 480 collegiate tennis players was executed. The 30-item scale, developed through expert consultation and pilot testing, was subjected to reliability and validity evaluation utilising exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses (EFA/CFA). EFA revealed a three-factor structure accounting for 47.4% of variance. CFA verified exceptional model fit (χ²/df = 1.08; $CFI = 0.994$; $RMSEA = 0.013$). Internal consistency was excellent across all subscales (total α = 0.918). Participants with prior VR experience demonstrated significantly higher scores ($d = 0.72, p < .001$) than those without prior VR experience. The questionnaire demonstrates strong psychometric properties, serving as a valid tool for assessing perceptions of VR technology in sports research and interventions.