درخت حوزه‌های تخصصی

This study explores the role of sports agents in men’s basketball on the small European island of Malta. The limited literature on sports agents considers them as athletes’ key advisors throughout their careers. The impact sports agents have had and continue to have on player careers and the basketball industry is investigated in this qualitative study. Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted with key stakeholders in the Malta basketball scene including professional male basketball players that have played on the island, sports agents who have represented players in Malta, league representatives such as club presidents, and coaches with experience in coaching men’s basketball in Malta. Results indicate the role of sports agents as being influential in facilitating contract signings of professional players. Sports agents are seen as beneficial in a professional basketball player’s career, but they may also be difficult to deal with, especially for clubs. In addition, the interviewees spoke about how sports agents have influenced the overall average skill level of the Maltese men’s 1st Division league, providing modes of improvement for Maltese basketball in general.

The hosting of Qatar for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the announcement of Saudi Arabia's preparation for the 2034 made the world wondered for the new Middle East in the coming years. On the one hand, political experiences such as war and extremism groups, and on the other hand, the main source of oil and gas supply in the Middle East is a proof of the need for countries in the region to use football as a lever in changing the international image. The purpose of the current research is to investigate the position of football and the development process of football in the Middle East region, focusing on the three countries of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE, and finally, the reason for Iran's conflicts with some of these countries in region. While the sport has a critical role on empowering the international prestige of Gulf states, football is the critical part to fill the power vacuum in region. Football has two minor (media, airlines and tourism) and micro (Geopolitics, geo economy, competition and political economy) impression on region.

Background: The present research was conducted regarding the prediction of socio-cultural and individual restrictions on the amount of regular physical activity in female people during the outbreak of covid-19.Aims: The present study was conducted with the aim of predicting socio-cultural and individual constraints to regular physical activity in youth during the outbreak of covid-19.Materials and Methods: This research is descriptive correlational research. 371 females with an average age of 24.27±0.17 years, participated via a random method. Questionnaire based on Basnef model constructs and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) were used to collect data. Data were analyzed using Chi-square, logistic regression, and linear regression tests.Results: The research findings indicate that there is a significant relationship between background variables and regular physical activity. Subjective norms, behavioral intention, and enabling factors (characteristics of sports facilities and equipment) were considered important predictors of regular physical activity among female people. Also, subjective norms and attitudes (participation motivation) affect the behavioral intention of doing physical activity in young people.Conclusion: Therefore, it is recommended that education officials in universities, anticipate the necessary infrastructure to provide sports halls, equipment, and suitable facilities in order to improve the level of physical activity in young people. Furthermore, families identify their sport activity interests and as much as possible support them financially and spiritually. Young people also should do weekly physical activities by forming friendly groups such as being members of student sports teams.

Background: Pahlavani wrestling is one of the ancient sports in Iran. However, very few studies have been conducted on various aspects of it.Aim: To investigate the body composition, lipid profile, quality of life, self-concept, and nutritional knowledge of Pahlavani wrestlers of Kermanshah city.Materials and Methods: Fifty-seven adult Pahlavani wrestlers participated in this study. They completed the quality of life, self-concept, and nutritional knowledge questionnaires on three consecutive days, and then, on two separate days, their body composition and lipid profile were also measured.Results: The quality of life, muscle mass percentage, and bone and mineral content were significantly higher than the normal values (P˂0.05). Also, the lipid profile was in a normal state. Conversely, the self-concept, nutritional knowledge, nutritional attitude, and nutritional practice were significantly lower than the normal values of these variables (P˂0.05). Finally, the BMI was significantly lower than the normal value (P˂0.05) and the fat percentage and visceral fat index were not significantly different (P˃0.05) from their normal values.Conclusion: The results indicated that Pahlavani wrestlers of Kermanshah are in favorable conditions in many physical and body composition health indicators, which somehow shows the possible positive effects of this sport on different aspects of health. However, Pahlavani wrestlers had a considerably lower self-concept and nutritional knowledge than the normal values.

Background: COVID-19 transmission in team sports is common, but it's uncertain if face masks impact handball players' performance. Aim: This study investigated the effects of wearing surgical face masks during handball exercise for four weeks on athletic performance. Materials and Methods: Thirty-four adolescent handball female players and 17 trained females as the control group were selected in this study. Players were divided into two groups: the mask group (n= 17; age: 12.63±0.67 years, BMI: 20.61±1.19 kg/m2) and the unmasked group (n= 17; age: 13.45± 1.03 years, BMI: 21.08±1.46 kg/m2), who underwent 4-week training with and without face masks, respectively. Performance tests were conducted before and after the training program, which include: countermovement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ), 10m, 20m, and 30m sprint, medicine ball throw, and Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (Yo-YoIRT1). Results: After four weeks, both mask and unmasked groups showed significant improvements in CMJ, SJ, 10m, 20m, and 30m sprint, medicine ball throw, and Yo-YoIRT1 (P≤ 0.05). Conclusion: This study concludes that adolescent handball players can safely use face masks during physical activity without experiencing negative effects on their athletic performance.