A Sociological Analysis of the Barriers to the Development of Athletic Talents in Tehran
Subject Areas : Research Journal of Sociological of Sport
1 - Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Keywords: Athletic Talent, Barriers to Talent Development, Supportive and Logistical Barriers, Managerial Barriers, Human Barriers,
Abstract :
Introduction:Given the significance of achieving athletic success in major global and international arenas, understanding the factors influencing the development of athletic talent is of paramount importance. Accordingly, this study was conducted with the aim of providing a sociological analysis of the barriers to the development of athletic talents in Tehran. To operationalize the variables, the research drew upon theoretical frameworks including Collins’ theory of sports development, as well as the perspectives of Soteriades and Burgess. Methods:This study employed an exploratory mixed-methods approach (qualitative-quantitative). In the qualitative phase, focused interviews were conducted, while in the quantitative phase, a survey method was used. The statistical population for the quantitative phase included all sports officials and experts in Tehran (N=450), from which 207 participants were selected using Cochran’s formula. In the qualitative phase, focused interviews with experts continued until theoretical saturation was reached. Data were collected using a researcher-developed questionnaire and interview form. Face validity was confirmed by expert judgment, and reliability was verified using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient (α = 0.79). Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied for data analysis using SPSS version 23. Results:The findings revealed that supportive and logistical barriers had the strongest positive and direct correlation with the lack of athletic talent development (r = 0.511), accounting for 26.5% of the variance. Human resource barriers ranked second (r = 0.453), contributing 20.9% to the variance, and infrastructural barriers ranked third (r = 0.402), explaining 16.5% of the variance. These results indicate that as these barriers increase, the underdevelopment of athletic talent also rises. Conclusion:The study emphasizes that overcoming barriers, particularly supportive and logistical challenges, is crucial for the development of athletic talents in Tehran. Addressing human resource and infrastructural obstacles can also play a significant role in improving the overall athletic talent development process.
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