Work

Environmental sustainability in sports clubs: development and preliminary validation of the GreenTennis-SUSCLUB questionnaire

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Introduction As environmental sustainability becomes an increasingly important challenge for sport organizations, understanding the psychological determinants of pro-environmental behavior among sport professionals is essential. However, instruments specifically designed for sport settings remain scarce. This study developed and preliminarily evaluated the GreenTennis-SUSCLUB questionnaire to assess sustainability-related psychological and behavioral dimensions in tennis clubs. Methods The instrument comprises 34 items in total: 6 sociodemographic items, 25 Likert-scale items covering five theoretical dimensions (Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, Barriers/Needs, and Self-efficacy/Commitment), and three open-ended questions. Content validity was established by an expert panel ( n = 10), and the field version was completed by 99 tennis professionals from 28 European countries. Psychometric analyses included exploratory factor analysis, internal consistency (Cronbach's α and McDonald's ω ), and thematic analysis of qualitative responses. Results The questionnaire demonstrated excellent content validity (S-CVI/Ave = .931) and satisfactory internal consistency across most dimensions ( α = .831–.871), except for Barriers/Needs ( α = .533). Factor analysis supported a four-factor structure, merging attitudes and self-efficacy/commitment. Findings revealed an attitude-behavior gap, with strong pro-environmental attitudes ( M = 4.01) but lower implementation of sustainable practices ( M = 3.47), mainly due to organizational, financial, and educational barriers. Discussion The GreenTennis-SUSCLUB provides a valid and reliable instrument for assessing sustainability-related psychological and behavioral factors, supporting future research and interventions to promote environmental sustainability in sport organizations.

Source: Frontiers in Sports and Active Living

DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2026.1987947