Validation of the Culturalization Model of Participation in Public Sports within the Iranian Cultural Context

Abstract

Objective: The present study was conducted to validate the conceptual model of “cultivating a culture of participation in public sports,” which was previously extracted through a qualitative phase. This study examines the relationships between causal conditions, contextual conditions, intervening conditions, action/interaction strategies, and consequences associated with the core phenomenon of “developing health-oriented public sports in Iranian society.”

Methodology: This research is applied in terms of purpose and descriptive-survey in terms of methodology. The statistical population consisted of university faculty members in sports sciences, physical education experts from the Ministry of Sport and Youth and the Ministry of Education, and sports coaches. Stratified random sampling was employed, and 140 valid questionnaires were included in the final analysis. The research instrument was a researcher-made questionnaire consisting of 51 items on a 5-point Likert scale, designed based on qualitative categories. Content validity was confirmed using the Content Validity Index (CVI = 0.81). Data analysis was performed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with the Partial Least Squares (PLS-SEM) approach in SmartPLS 4.1.0.9 software.

Findings: The results indicated that all variables possessed adequate reliability (Cronbach’s alpha > 0.70 and Composite Reliability > 0.70) and convergent validity (AVE > 0.50). Discriminant validity was confirmed based on the Fornell-Larcker criterion. Model fit indices (SRMR = 0.042; d_ULS = 0.125) demonstrated an excellent model fit. Path coefficients revealed that causal conditions have a significant impact on the core phenomenon (β=0.332, t=7.642); the core phenomenon significantly influences strategies (β=0.496, t=92.087); contextual conditions (β=0.463, t=17.136) and intervening conditions (β=0.504, t=13.703) significantly affect strategies; and strategies significantly influence outcomes (β=0.646, t=53.837) (P<0.05).

Conclusion: The model for cultivating a culture of participation in public sports demonstrates an appropriate fit, and all hypothesized relationships were confirmed. The findings suggest that cultivating a culture of participation in public sports is shaped through a complex interaction of awareness-raising, cultural, social, economic, managerial, technological, and individual factors. Through strategies such as coherent governance and diverse participatory programs, this culture leads to outcomes such as reduced healthcare costs, increased productivity, strengthened social capital, and improved quality of life. This model can serve as a scientific and operational framework for policymaking and planning in the development of public sports in Iran.