Functional Research in Sport Psychology
Year:2025 | Volume:2 | Issue:2|Papers Count:8

Objective: This study used meta-analysis to synthesize and analyze the existing evidence on the relationship between psychological variables and exercise addiction in Iran.Method: The present study included 14 correlational studies published between 2011 and 2024 in Iran. To select studies, criteria such as using valid instruments, providing sufficient data to calculate the effect size, and conducting the study in a correlational manner were considered. The sources reviewed included articles published in domestic scientific journals and theses available in the databases of Normags, Magiran, Comprehensive Portal of Human Sciences, Alamnet, Civica, Jihad Daneshgahi, and Irandoc. After screening, the data were analyzed using CMA2 software.Findings: The combined effect size in the fixed effects model was 0.302 and in the random effects model was 0.273 (P<0.05). and the observed effect sizes ranged from -0.060 to 0.845. To examine publication bias, Orwin’s Fail-safe N, Begg and Mazumdar, and Egger’s tests were used. The results showed that adding 8491 studies with no effect would eliminate significant results. The strongest variables, such as dysfunctional attitudes (r = 0.845), emotional regulation problems (r = 0.740), and self-transcendence (r = 0.579), had significant positive effects. The weakest significant variables included bystander stress (r = 0.110) and perseverance (r = 0.171). Psychological needs, narcissism, depression, self-direction, and amotivation had no significant effects. The meta-regression plot showed that there was no significant relationship between the year of publication and Fisher’s effect size (Z); the slope of the line was approximately zero and without a clear direction. This indicates the relative stability of the effect over time and the reduced possibility of time bias, which strengthens the validity and generalizability of the results.Conclusion: Based on these findings, it can be concluded that a wide range of psychological variables are associated with exercise addiction. The findings also highlight the importance of psychological variables in exercise addiction and provide implications for future research.

Objective: The aim of the present research was to investigate the impact of positive psychology and visualization techniques on the mental health of injured athletes.Method: This study was applied in nature, and in terms of data collection, it was a survey and correlational research. The statistical population included 500 organized athletes from Zanjan County in 2024 across various sports disciplines, all of whom had at least two years of experience. A total of about 200 injured athletes were identified, and based on Cochran's formula, 131 individuals were selected as the sample using cluster random sampling and purposeful selection according to the inclusion criteria for the study. In this research, a researcher-made package based on the Oshea & Moran (2019) training program was used for mental imagery training. The positive psychology training by Susan Quilliam (2003) was also conducted over 12 sessions. The Psychological Needs in Sport Questionnaire by Vallerand et al. (2006) was administered as a pre-test and post-test.Results: The mental health scores of injured athletes across different groups showed significant differences (P=0.01). In the group receiving positive psychology training, the mean difference was 4.20, and the t-value was (3.402) at a significance level of 0.02, indicating a significant positive difference. In the visualization group, the mean difference was 3.99, with a t-value of (2.314) at a significance level of 0.03, demonstrating a positive and significant effect of visualization. In the combined group of positive psychology and visualization, the mean difference was 10.17, with a t-value of (5.724) at a significance level of 0.01, showing the highest increase in mental health scores among injured athletes. However, in the control group, no significant difference was observed with a significance level of 0.51 (P>0.05).Conclusions: Athletes face psychological issues due to the absence from competitions and decreased self-confidence after injuries. In this study, positive psychology techniques and visualization had positive effects on the mental health of these athletes and can be used as a practical approach in sports teams for injured players. The educational-psychological intervention, including training coping skills and stress management, helps athletes better cope with the psychological challenges arising from injuries and achieve better conditions.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of SMR neurofeedback training on balance and fear of falling in elderly men with Parkinson's disease. Method: The present study is of an applied type in terms of purpose and a semi-experimental survey type in terms of methodology. The statistical population was all elderly men with Parkinson's disease aged between 60 to 70 years. From the statistical population, 30 people (15 people for each group) were selected conveniently and randomly assigned to two control and experimental groups. After obtaining consent and an explanation about neurofeedback training and ensuring the absence of orthopedic diseases and psychological problems, they were matched and divided into two experimental groups, neurofeedback and control. Before training program, a pre-test (static and dynamic balance index and fear of falling) was performed. The excremental group was performed neurofeedback training for 8 weeks, 3 sessions per week. Before and after applying neurofeedback exercises, static balance (Berg Balance Scale) and dynamic balance (Timed Up and Go) were obtained from both groups, and the Fear of Falling Questionnaire was also completed in two stages. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov statistical test was used to determine the normality of the data distribution, and dependent and independent t-tests were used at a significance level of 0.05. Results: The results showed that there was a significant difference between static and dynamic balance in the experimental and control groups. Also, the dependent t-test results in the experimental group showed a significant improvement from pre-test to post-test. Therefore, it can be said that performing neurofeedback training has been able to significantly improve static balance, dynamic balance, and fear of falling in elderly people with Parkinson's disease.Conclusions: Therefore, it can be said that considering that neurofeedback training are of a mental nature, it can increase strength and ultimately balance by facilitating the activation of large and fast-twitch muscle units, increasing muscle coordination, and stimulating neuromuscular systems. Therefore, the training used can improve motor maintenance programs and better balance, which results in reducing the fear of falling in elderly groups.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to present a model of self-awareness in patients with MS based on visual-spatial development, sports mindfulness, and perceived physical fitness with the mediating role of mental balance.Method: The research design was a quantitative correlational type. The statistical population was all patients with MS in Boroujerd in 1402-1403, and 300 people were selected for the sample using the Krejci-Morgan table using the available sampling method. The questionnaires of visual-spatial development, sports mindfulness, perceived physical fitness, and mental balance were used. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS24 and AMOS software.Results: The findings showed that the standard path coefficients of visual-spatial development (β=0.67), perceived physical fitness (β=0.52), sports mindfulness (β=0.51), and mental balance (β=0.57) were significantly related to self-awareness (P<0.001). The findings also showed that 34% of the variance in mental balance and 42% of the variance in self-awareness were explained by the present model. In addition, the use of the bootstrap method showed that mental balance has a mediating role in the relationship between exogenous variables and self-awareness.Conclusions: Therefore, based on the results obtained, it is suggested that relevant authorities should pay more attention to the predictive role of visual-spatial development variables, sports mindfulness, and perceived physical fitness and the mediating role of mental balance in promoting self-awareness in patients with MS.

Objective: This study examines the differential effects of confirmatory and corrective feedback on dart-throwing performance through kinematic and psychological analysis. Method: Sixty novice participants were randomly assigned to receive either confirmatory feedback (reinforcing correct movements), corrective feedback (identifying errors), or no feedback during a structured training protocol. Using 3D motion capture technology, we analyzed joint coordination patterns, release velocities, and movement variability alongside accuracy scores and self-reported confidence measures.Results: Results revealed distinct advantages for each feedback type: corrective feedback significantly improved movement mechanics, particularly in shoulder-elbow coordination (p < 0.001), while confirmatory feedback enhanced both accuracy retention (22% higher than corrective) and psychological factors like self-efficacy. Kinematic analysis showed corrective feedback reduced joint variability by 35% during acquisition, whereas confirmatory feedback produced more consistent release velocities in retention tests (SD = 46.8 m/s vs. 104.6 m/s for corrective). The psychological measures demonstrated that confirmatory feedback maintained higher motivation levels throughout training.Conclusions: These findings suggest that while corrective feedback optimizes biomechanical efficiency, confirmatory feedback better supports performance stability and psychological engagement. The study challenges the assumption of a universal optimal feedback approach, instead proposing context-dependent application: corrective feedback for technical refinement and confirmatory feedback for competitive performance situations. These results have important implications for designing targeted training programs in both athletic and rehabilitation settings, emphasizing the need to consider both physical and psychological dimensions when delivering performance feedback.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy in enhancing the mental health and performance of an elite basketball player.Method: Using a single-subject experimental design, eight individual REBT sessions were conducted over eight weeks. Key variables included irrational performance beliefs, mental health, and sports performance (free throw success rate), measured across baseline, intervention, and a three-month follow-up. Visual and statistical analyses revealed a significant reduction in irrational beliefs and psychological symptoms (particularly somatic complaints), as well as a marked improvement in free throw performance.Results: Social validation analysis also indicated high satisfaction and perceived effectiveness from both the participant and coach.Conclusions: These findings suggest that structured REBT interventions can positively impact psychological well-being and functional performance in elite athletes, supporting the integration of applied psychological strategies in high-performance sports settings.

Objective: The Newsha developmental scale is among the few Iranian development assessment tools evaluating seven developmental skills—including motor skills—in children from birth to 72 months. Limited studies have examined its psychometric properties, particularly for the motor subscale. This study aimed to investigate the concurrent and construct validity of Newsha motor development subscale in preschool children.Method: Eighty preschool children (mean age= 4.1±0.7 years) were randomly selected from three kindergartens in Bajestan, Iran. Concurrent validity was assessed by correlating the Newsha motor subscale scores with the total, gross, and fine motor skills scores of the Ages and Stages Questionnaire-3 (ASQ-3). Construct validity was examined via the correlation between age and Newsha motor development scores. Due to non-normal data distribution, Spearman’s correlation coefficient was used.Results: Results indicated weak positive correlations between the Newsha motor skill and ASQ-3 total scores (rs=0.11) and gross motor skills (rs=0.23), an unacceptable correlation with fine motor skills (rs=−0.04), and a moderate positive correlation with age (rs=0.67).Conclusions: Findings suggest that the Newsha motor development subscale demonstrates weak concurrent validity and moderate construct validity for assessing motor skills in preschoolers, raising concerns about its suitability for motor development screening.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between spiritual intelligence and the components of public relations skills of the heads of sports boards in Qom province.Method: This study is applied research in terms of purpose, descriptive research in terms of strategy, and correlational research. The statistical population of the study included the heads of sports boards in Qom province, who numbered 49 people. Due to the limited number of the population, total sampling was used and 49 board chairmen were selected as the sample. The measurement tools in this study include King's Spiritual Intelligence Questionnaire (2008) and Hashemi-Mad's the communication and leadership abilities of sports managers Questionnaire (2020). The validity of the two questionnaires was confirmed by experts and their reliability was obtained through Cronbach's alpha test at 0.945 for the Spiritual Intelligence Questionnaire and 0.928 for the Public Relations Questionnaire, which indicates the high reliability of both questionnaires. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. In the descriptive statistics section, frequency and frequency percentage were used, and in the inferential statistics section, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Cronbach's alpha test and the Pearson correlation test at the 0.05 level was used. Data analysis was performed using SPSS.23 software.Results: The results of the study showed that there is a positive and significant relationship between the spiritual intelligence variable and the public relations skills of the heads of sports boards in Qom province (p<0.01). Also, the spiritual intelligence variable has a direct and significant relationship with the components of media relations, cultural relations, social relations, financial affairs, organizational relations, research affairs, and consulting affairs (p<0.01).Conclusions: Spiritual intelligence is known as an effective factor in strengthening the public relations skills of sports committee heads, and its development can help improve communication and management performance.