Exploratory factor analysis revealing complex structure

The study introduces varimin, a novel factorial rotation which, unlike Thurstone's principle of simple structure, attempts to model complexity. Varimin-rotated factors are conceived as components of functional structure. Simple structure- (e.g., varimax-) rotated factors are conceived as representing indeterminate clusters of those components. An exploratory factor analysis was performed on decathlon scores from Olympic Games 1948-1988 of 233 decathletes. I expected that an interpretation of factors of transparent physical variables, modeled by complex structure, should outdo an interpretation of factors modeled by simple structure. Results of factor transformations by varimin and varimax were compared. Varimin factors of the 10 decathlon events pointed to components contributing jointly, with varying degrees, to the decathletes' performances revealing the following components. F(1): general athletic energy, F(2): pacing of energy expenditure (speed vs. endurance), and F(3): location of prime energy expenditure (upper vs. lower body parts). Varimax factors clustered the sports events without consistency, functional features of physical activities were not revealed. An analysis of complex structure is deemed appropriate to revive, on a broader scale, exploratory factorial research which, due to questionable output in the past, has long since lost its earlier challenge. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.