Abstract
The growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in physical education (PE) has led to an urgent need to develop robust methodologies that can be used to choose the most suitable algorithms in uncertain and vague environments. This paper introduces a new hybrid decision-making (DM) model that incorporates the weighted aggregated sum product assessment (WASPAS) technique into the q-rung linear Diophantine fuzzy set (q-RLDFS) framework. The primary objective is to address the gap in the lack of structured and uncertainty-resistant methods for assessing AI models based on multiple, frequently conflicting criteria in the domain of PE. The proposed model presents a two-layer framework, where the WASPAS method enables a flexible scoring system by combining both the weighted sum model (WSM) and the weighted product model (WPM). On the other hand, the q-RLDFS framework facilitates high-order fuzzy modelling and accounts for hesitation in expert ratings, thereby making the decision results more interpretable and robust. To determine the effectiveness of the model, five AI algorithms named convolutional neural network-based motion analysis (CNN-MA), reinforcement learning based training optimizer (RL-TO), expert system for exercise prescription (ES-EP), hybrid AI tutor with natural language processing (HAI-NLP), and wearable sensor data mining algorithm (WSDMA) are evaluated against eight key criteria relevant to PE. Results revealed that CNN-MA is the most effective solution to implement, followed by RL-TO. The sensitivity and comparative analysis are thoroughly conducted to determine the validity of the model in terms of its robustness and reliability. The research offers distinct practical implications and actionable recommendations to educators, administrators, and policymakers, informing the strategic implementation of AI technologies within the PE domain. In general, the research makes a significant contribution to the adoption of AI in PE, as it provides a scalable, transparent, and practically applicable decision-support model.