Sport Physiology and Management Investigations
Year:2018 | Volume:10 | Issue:2 |Papers Count:12

The aim of this study was to model the structural equation modeling of the relationship between job stress and job performance of physical trainers in Mashhad city. The population included all physical trainers at the schools of Mashhad city. According to Morgan Table, 291 subjects were randomly selected as the sample. Patterson's (1993) Job Performance Questionnaire and HSE (1998) Job Stress Questionnaire were used to collect data. In order to determine the face and content validity and to make sure about the applicability of the questionnaires, the sport management professors' recommendations were used. In a pilot study on 30 physical trainers, reliability for the Questionnaires of Job Performance and Job Stress was achieved as 0.84 and 0.79 respectively. The research was descriptive and correlation type, carried out as the field. The data were analyzed by descriptive indexes and Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Pearson correlation coefficient and regression analysis. The findings revealed a negative and significant relationship between job stress and job performance (r= -0.545, P≤0.001). There was a negative and significant relationship between these variables (lack of demand, lack of control, lack of support of managers and colleagues, lack of communications, ambiguity of role and organizational reforms) and job performance. The results showed that the variables including lack of demand, lack of control, lack of support of managers and organizational reforms could predict job performance. Also, the results of path analysis showed that job stress had a significant effect on the trainers’ job performance.

Increased anti-inflammatory cytokines and decreased inflammatory cytokines through exercise is one of the ways to reduce chronic inflammation. Current study aimed at investigating the effect of endurance training on inflammatory markers in male smokers. Two groups: experimental (mean age 25.30±2.95 years, n=10) and control (mean age 26.11±2.76 years, n=10) were selected randomly. Endurance training protocol including of 20 minutes of running with intensity of 55-65% of heart rate reserve was performed by the experimental group during six weeks. 48 hours after the last training session, measurements similar to those before training and blood samples were collected. The data were analyzed by dependent t test within a group and independent t test between the groups (α≤0.05). The results showed that six weeks of endurance training intervention significantly decreased CRP (P=0.012) and significantly increased IL-10 (P=0.01) in the experimental group. The results indicated the effect of exercise on inflammatory markers in male smokers. On the other hand, these findings show that smokers may reduce the side effects of smoking if they have endurance training. But this requires further research on the role of endurance training and its relationship to inflammation.

The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of two exercise patterns (simple and complex) on serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and cognitive function in adolescent girls. 9 subjects (mean ±SD, age: 17.3±0.9 years; BMI: 22.4±3.02 kg/m2) with a one-week interval performed complex (aerobic) and simple (cycling) exercises with moderate intensity (50-60% of VO2max). The exercises were performed in 3 ten-minute sets with 2-3 minutes of rest intervals for 30 minutes. Before and after the exercise, blood samples were collected to measure BDNF. Digits - symbols and Stroop colors-word cognitive tests were completed to assess the cognitive function. Data were analyzed with paired sample t test (P<0.05). The results showed no significant difference in level of BDNF between two types of exercise patterns (P=0.723). Also, analysis of Stroop color-word cognitive test showed that complex exercise pattern significantly improved cognitive function in comparison with simple exercise (P<0.05). It generally seems that exercise pattern (simple and complex) in adolescent girls (similar to those employed in this study) had not significant effect on BDNF response. However, complex exercise at least has more suitable significant effects on some aspects of cognitive function and can improve this function.

The aim of this study was to predict the individuals’ attitudes through their beliefs toward advertising using sport. The research method was descriptive correlation which was carried out as a field study. The statistical population consisted of those women who received advertising using sport via media. According to Cochran formula, 285 spectators were randomly selected and filled in the Questionnaire of Advertising through Sport by Pyun (2006). The results of the regression analysis revealed that all components of belief including product information, social role and image, pleasant, annoying, economical, materialism and falsity had the ability to predict the individuals’ attitudes toward advertising through sport (P≤0.05). The ‘economical’ component had the most effect and ‘materialism’ had the least effect on the individuals’ attitudes toward advertising through sport. According to these results, it is essential to pay attention to the quality and price of the products. On the other hand, those advertisements which are in line with the culture of society should be used so that they can be more effective and attract customers’ attention to the individuals’ attitudes toward advertising through sport.

Omentin is an adipokine that is primarily secreted from visceral adipose tissue and its metabolic function is enhancement of insulin with stimulated glucose transport. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of moderate intensity interval training on omentin levels and insulin resistance index in obese girls. 18 female obese students (12-14 years old, BMI≥30) were voluntarily selected and randomly divided into experimental (n=9) and control (n=9) group. The training group performed 8 weeks of interval training for 8 weeks, 3 sessions each week, 20 minutes every session with 70-75% of target heart rate. Blood samples were collected 24 hours before the first training session and 48 hours after the last training session and after 12 hours of fasting. Data were analyzed by covariance analysis and significant level (P<0.05). The results showed a significant increase in the omentin in the experimental group compared with the control group and a significant increase in the maximum oxygen consumption and a significant reduction in weight and body mass index (P<0.05). Hence, moderate intensity interval training can be used as a non-pharmacological method that reduces weight and increases the maximum oxygen consumption in adolescent girls.

The aim of this study was to design the model of effect of customer relationship management (CRM) on customer satisfaction from service quality based on Servqual model in bodybuilding and aerobic clubs in Birjand city. The study method was descriptive - survey. 214 customers of bodybuilding and aerobic clubs in Birjand city completed two questionnaires: 1. Customer Relationship Management Questionnaire and 2. Servqual Questionnaire which respectively assessed customer relationship management and customer satisfaction in bodybuilding and aerobic clubs. For data analysis, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, descriptive statistics and structural equation were used. All data were analyzed using SPSS and LISREL software at a significance level (P≤0.05). The findings showed that physical condition (t=2.14, b =0.18), responsiveness (t=4.43, b =0.36), confidence (t=1.04, b =0.28), guarantee (t=3.07, b =0.28) and empathy (t=2.13, b =0.19) had significant effects on customer satisfaction. Regarding these results, it is suggested that club managers should profit from customer satisfaction to develop their competitive position and to gain a competitive advantage and use all satisfaction components equally.

The aim of the present study was to compare the viewpoints of physical education teachers and students on social support behavior and its characteristics and effectiveness of physical education classes and their relationship in schools of Maragheh city. The study population consisted of all physical education teachers and all high school students in Maragheh city and the statistical sample consisted of 383 male students and 39 physical education teachers of high schools in Maragheh city who were selected by simple random sampling method. Data were collected by the Pelletier Interpersonal Behavior (2001) Questionnaire and Stephen and Teacher Effectiveness Questionnaire by Choo and Christine Bowley (2007). The data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics. The results showed that: 1- there was a significant difference between the viewpoints of physical education teachers and students on social support behavior and its characteristics and the effectiveness of physical education classes in high schools of Maragheh city (P≤0.05). 2- There was a significant and positive correlation between social support of physical education teachers and its characteristics effectiveness of physical education classes from the viewpoints of both teachers and students. It is recommended that physical education teachers should spread social support behavior and its characteristics.

The aim of the present study was to estimate relative contribution of managerial factors on tax fraud in professional coaches and athletes of sport clubs in Isfahan province. Considering that the statistical population consisted of professionals and managers including professional coaches and athletes, CEOs and vice presidents of professional sport clubs and sport management and finance professors and since it was difficult to reach them, the sample was selected by convenience and census sampling methods (n=119). A researcher-made questionnaire was used to collect data. The face and content validity was approved by experts and its construct validity was approved by confirmatory factor analysis. Cronbach’s alpha of 0.91 showed the desired reliability. For data analysis, stepwise multiple regression test, one-sample t test and Friedman test were used. Results showed that both studied variables (managerial factors in sport and managerial factors in taxation affairs organization) could significantly predict professional coaches and athletes’ tax fraud and managerial factors in sport were stronger predictors than managerial factors in taxation affairs organization. Among managerial factors in sport, lack of timely payment of the athletes and coaches’ contract amount and among managerial factors in taxation affairs organization, lack of justice in tax payment were introduced as the most important factors of tax fraud. In general, according to these findings, it can be concluded that some of the managerial factors in professional sport and taxation affairs organization can be revised which will improve the condition of tax in sport and develop sport facilities in Iran.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of moderate physical activity on muscular strength, muscular endurance and neurotrophic factors in old rats with movement disorders. In this experimental study, 24 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: healthy control without exercise, Parkinson without exercise and Parkinson with moderate physical activity. The exercise group performed 4 weeks of moderate physical activity (5 days per week). Muscular strength and muscular endurance were examined by Hanging test and CDNF and BDNF levels were assessed by ELISA method. The difference in the mean of groups was investigated using one-way ANOVA at P<0.05. There was a significant difference among the three groups in muscular strength and muscular endurance. In post hoc tests, it was clear that the rats in the exercise (P=0.001) and healthy control (P=0.001) groups maintained their muscular endurance longer than the movement disorder without exercise group. It was also found that BDNF (P=0.001) and CDNF levels of the exercise group were significantly higher than the untreated group (P=0.001). Based on these results, moderate physical activity can increase neurotrophic factors in the brain and increase and improve muscular strength and muscular endurance in rats with movement disorder. Therefore, it is likely that these exercises can improve movement disorders in the elderly.

“Intangible assets” is the missing key of valuing when transferring Iran football professional league clubs to the private sector. As these assets are not completely identified, the aim of this study was to design a desirable instrument to identify intangible assets in Iran football professional league clubs. After the literature review, an initial list of 35 factors in 4 main scales was developed. A group of experts evaluated and revised this questionnaire so that its content and face validity could be examined. Finally, 7 factors were omitted and a questionnaire with 28 items was designed and distributed among 274 subjects who were selected by convenience sampling method. This study was application in terms of aims and the data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics. The reliability of the questionnaire was obtained as 0.81 by Cronbach’s alpha coefficient which showed the proper internal consistency of the questionnaire. The split-half method, correlation between two parts and the split-half coefficients of Guttman and Spearman-Brown confirmed the proper reliability of the questionnaire. Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients were used to determine the validity and internal consistency of the questionnaire and most items showed a good correlation with the total score. Finally, construct validity of the questionnaire by confirmatory factor analysis and GFI, PGFI and AGFI confirmed appropriate fit of the model. Therefore, researchers can employ this questionnaire as a reliable and valid instrument so that they can evaluate intangible assets of a football club more accurately and comprehensively along with other tests.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between moral intelligence and its components and wrestlers' success in international Takhti Cup competitions. The statistical population included all 257 Iranian and foreign wrestlers participating in international Takhti Cup competitions. Based on Morgan table, 155 subjects were randomly selected as the sample. Moral Intelligence Standard Questionnaire of Kiel and Lennick (2005) and Sporting Success Questionnaire of Roberts et al. (1998) were used in this study and their reliabilities were reported as 0.91 and 0.89 respectively. To analyze the data, descriptive and inferential statistics (Pearson correlation coefficient, one-way ANOVA and multiple regression) were used. The results showed a significant and positive relationship between moral intelligence and its components and wrestlers' sportingsuccess. Also, the results of multiple regression showed that moral intelligence could predict and explain 0.532 of the changes in wrestlers’ sporting success. Because the moral intelligence is a key factor in sporting success, it is essential to consider their moral intelligence for more success and pave the way for their better performancethrough their continuous training.

The current study aimed at examining the standardization of a questionnaire named ‘Ski Resort Visitors’ Motivation’ (Wei, 2009) in Tehran province. The population consisted of all the ski resort visitors in Tehran province (Dizin, Abali, Shemshak, and Tochal). Using Morgan table, 370 out of more than 10000 visitors were selected as the sample of the study. The data were collected Wei’s (2008) 22-item questionnaire comprising of six components: experience, physical fitness, relaxation, self-achievement, professional skills and interpersonal relationships. The questionnaire was scored based on the 5-point Likert scale. Face and content validities of the questionnaire were verified by sport management professors in sport tourism discipline as well as several psychometric scholars; the reliability was obtained by Cronbach’s alpha (a=0.84). Exploratory factor analysis was used to examine factor structure and conformity factor analysis was employed to determine the construct validity using SPSS and LISREL. The results revealed that the questionnaire had an acceptable internal consistency and Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were 0.65 to 0.86 for its components. Moreover, the structure of the questionnaire showed an acceptable fit with data, and all measures of good fit verified the model. The factor analysis results were almost similar to the results of the studies conducted in the original culture and the reliability and validity coefficients were close to those of the other studies. Thus, as this questionnaire is suitable, it can be used to identify and know ski resort visitors’ motivations.