Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
PhD Student in Sports Management, Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Na.C., Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran
2
Associate Professor of Sports Management, Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Na.C., Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran
3
Assistant Professor of Sports Management, Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Na.C., Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran
4
Assistant Professor of Motor Behavior, Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Na.C., Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran
10.22054/qrsm.2025.85694.196
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the lived experiences of educational sports stakeholders in shaping environmentally responsible behaviors and addressing this research gap. A qualitative research approach with an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) method was employed. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 25 stakeholders in educational sports, including teachers, coaches and students, parents, and sports administrators. The findings indicated that educational sports play a crucial role in fostering environmental responsibility by raising environmental awareness, changing attitudes, and shaping sustainable behaviors. To ensure the credibility of the findings, methods such as data triangulation, peer debriefing, and participant feedback were utilized. The research findings were categorized into four main axes: awareness of the environmental role of educational sports, the impact of educational sports on environmental behavior, and strategies for improving environmental educational sports. The research results showed that educational or training sports have great potential for teaching environmental skills and changing sustainable behaviors, but achieving this goal requires policy support, reforming executive structures, and broader training of teachers and trainers. By providing empirical evidence, this research emphasizes the importance of integrating environmental education into sports programs and offers practical suggestions for developing this area. The findings can form the basis of educational planning in schools and universities and help policymakers, trainers, and educational administrators design more efficient programs.
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