احمد محمودی

Background: Superstitions and rituals have long been a part of sports culture, with many athletes believing that they can bring good luck or improve their performance. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between superstitions and sports success in Iraqi football league players. Materials and Methods: This study used a descriptive-correlational analysis method, with data collected in the field from a sample of 200 players randomly selected from the population of players in the Iraqi football premier league. Two standard questionnaires, Superstition in Sports and Sports Success Questionnaire, were used to collect data, both of which were designed based on the Likert five value range. Results: The study found that there is a significant relationship between superstitions and sports success, with the most important priority related to the component of "team ritual" (5.58) in superstitions and "commitment" (4.58) in sports success. The study also found that 37% of changes in sporting success are related to superstitious components. Conclusion: Based on the study's findings, it can be concluded that the use of superstitious rituals can have a positive effect on the sports success of athletes.

Background: Sports and physical activity are important for the healthy growth and development of children. However, various contextual and interfering factors can hinder the development of sports and physical activity in children.   Aim : The purpose to identify the contextual and interfering factors affecting the development of sports and physical activity in children. Material and Methods: The present study adopts a combinatory approach, where the first stage is qualitative and exploratory, and the second stage is descriptive-survey. In the qualitative stage, 16 experts in the field of children's sports were interviewed using purposive sampling, and the collected data were analyzed using MAXQDA 2020 software. In the quantitative stage, SPSS software version 26 was used for exploratory factor analysis and t-tests, while PLS 3 software was used for confirmatory factor analysis. Results: The results of this study suggest that there are five contextual factors-personal and family, infrastructure and equipment, supportive, economic and managerial as well as five interfering factors-human resources, organizational, media activities, control and evaluation, and legislation. Furthermore, the results of confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the research measurement model was validated. Conclusions: In conclusion, it can be acknowledged that by considering the identified factors in the development of sports and physical activity in childhood, it is possible to address some of the challenges in the field of children's sports.

Today, the sports industry is known through modern technology, especially in the field of manufacturing sports tools and equipment. The present study uses correlation and applied methodology, which was done in the field using Structural Equations Modeling (SEM). The statistical population included producers of sports products, of which 320 producers from Iran were considered through available sampling. Morris (2002) Standard Entrepreneurial Marketing Questionnaire, Moghimi Market Orientation (2011), Noh and Fitzsimmons Information Technology (1999), and Azizi (2011) Financial Performance Questionnaire were used to collect data. Finally, 292 questionnaires were received physically and electronically. The results showed that entrepreneurial marketing and market orientation had a direct and indirect effect (mediated by technology) on financial performance and they significantly affected the financial performance. Finally, the model had the goodness of fit. In general, manufacturers who adopted a combination of entrepreneurial marketing strategy and information technology had better and more rational financial performance by taking advantage of attractive entrepreneurial opportunities. According to the research results, it is suggested that manufacturers provide the consumers with superior value by paying attention to the market orientation and innovation, to enable the company to achieve a competitive advantage.

Today, using new technologies is considered a vital factor in the sports tourism area. Tourist destinations try to use these technologies to create a competitive advantage to be a leader in this area. The use of these technologies brings lots of advantages. This research aims to identify the consequences of using new technologies in sports tourism. The research method is mixed with a sequential exploratory approach. In the first phase, the main indicators and components are identified using the online focus group research method, then in order to confirm them, a quantitative survey method was used. The data collection tools are semi-structured interviews collected from two focus groups including academic and executive participants related to the fields of sports management, sports tourism, and information technology. According to the research findings, 67 primary codes, 27 open codes, 13 axial codes, and 4 selective categories were extracted. In the quantitative phase of the research, all the values ​​related to the components and indicators were confirmed.  From the results of the present research, we can point out the benefits such as "smart health, smart sports tourism, green technologies, sustainable development (healthy and sustainable environment, dynamic and healthy economy, etc.), smart and sustainable sports tourism destinations" that were found to be the main advantages of using new technologies in sports tourism.

Sports tourism is one of the types of tourism that has an increasing growth in the tourism industry. Its effects are evident in all dimensions and fields, and there is a need to explain the role of this type of tourism on promoting the culture and ethics of the host society. Therefore, the main goal of this research is to investigate the role of sports tourism on promoting the culture and ethics of the host society, which is done using a mixed method. In the first stage, semi-structured interviews were conducted using the qualitative method of the focus group of 15 experts who were selected by the purposive sampling method. In the second stage, 27 experts were identified using stratified sampling. Through the tool of the questionnaire, they expressed their opinions regarding the extracted components and indicators. According to the research findings, 32 key codes, 14 integrative codes and 4 overarching codes were obtained through coding by King and Harrocks method. In the quantitative stage, all the experts approved the extracted components and indicators. According to the results, sports tourism has a fundamental role in promoting the culture and ethics of the host society and this role is through components such as "developing and promoting positive and useful values in the host society; cultural and moral empowerment of tourists and the host society; promotion of participation and ethical cooperation; developing and promoting a culture of altruism and empathy" was approved. These cases can not only bring positive and extensive communication fields to the host society, but they are also able to be effective in creating social capital in the host society.