Sport Psychology Studies

Sport Psychology Studies

Analysis of the Capacities of Sports Participation in Improving Children's Physical Intelligence: A Data-Based Approach

Document Type : Original research

Authors
Alireza Zare 1
Parvaneh Shamsipour Dehkordi 2
Meysam Beik 1
1 Department of Physical Education, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran
2 Associate Professor, Department of Motor Behavior, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran
10.22089/spsyj.2025.18134.2578
Abstract
Objective: The present study aimed to analyze the capacities of sports participation in improving children's physical intelligence based on a data-based approach.
Materials and Methods: This study was conducted using a qualitative case approach with the participation of primary school physical education teachers. Sampling was carried out using a purposive method and theoretical saturation technique, through which 18 key informants were selected and interviewed to identify the framework of indicators of sports participation capacities in improving children's physical intelligence. Data collection tools included semi-structured interviews (with focus groups) and document analysis. To ensure the validity and reliability of the research, the Lincoln and Guba evaluation method was used. The model of this research was designed based on the Strauss and Corbin paradigm.
Findings: In this study, four categories—individual and personality characteristics of the child, environmental and social characteristics, coaching characteristics, and cultural characteristics—were considered as causal conditions; economic factors, environmental factors, legal factors, educational factors, main contextual factors, sports education factors, and parental supervision were considered as intervening categories. Based on the set of concepts extracted from the analysis of interviews and final codes, the researcher named the subcategory of the strategy section "educational and training strategies for developing children's physical intelligence." The final section of the model of sports participation capacities in improving children's physical intelligence includes physical and motor outcomes, psychological outcomes, social outcomes, and educational and academic outcomes.
Conclusion: The findings showed that sports participation, through complex and multi-layered mechanisms, plays a fundamental role in improving children's physical intelligence. This process is influenced by causal conditions (individual, environmental, coaching, and cultural characteristics), intervening factors (economic, environmental, legal, educational, sports, and parental supervision), and educational and training strategies, leading to physical, psychological, social, and educational outcomes. Therefore, improving children's physical intelligence requires a systematic and integrated approach with the cooperation of families, educational institutions, sports clubs, and government support structures. Attention to physical intelligence from childhood can foster creative, healthy, social, and thoughtful generations.
Keywords
Physical intelligence
children
sports participation
Subjects
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Sport Psychology Studies
Volume 15, Issue 57
Summer 2026
Pages 32-49

  • Receive Date 03 June 2025
  • Revise Date 24 July 2025
  • Accept Date 26 July 2025