نوع مقاله : پژوهشی اصیل
Extended Abstract
Introduction
The demographic transition toward an aging society, coupled with the increasing population of elderly veterans, has necessitated a shift in public health and sports policies. In Iran, elderly veterans represent a unique socio-demographic group characterized by the intersection of age-related physiological decline and the long-term physical and psychological sequelae of war-related injuries. While the Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs has implemented various welfare programs, the lack of a standardized, indigenous instrument to monitor and evaluate "sports development" has created a critical gap in evidence-based policymaking. Current evaluative tools are predominantly designed for the general aging population or professional athletes, failing to account for the specific logistical, cultural, and physical requirements of veterans. This conceptual void often leads to a mismatch between the provided sports services and the actual needs of this population, resulting in low participation rates and suboptimal health outcomes. From a strategic perspective, sports development for this group is not merely a recreational endeavor but a vital rehabilitative intervention capable of reducing the burden of secondary comorbidities, mitigating social isolation, and enhancing the quality of life. Therefore, the primary objective of this research was to design, standardize, and validate a comprehensive multi-dimensional model for sports development among elderly veterans in Iran. The study sought to identify the key structural components of sports development and establish a normative framework that ensures both the reliability and validity of the measurement process.
Methods
This study employed a quantitative, descriptive-survey research design, utilizing a rigorous psychometric approach based on Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The target population encompassed all elderly veterans (aged 60 and above) registered with the Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs, totaling 247,252 individuals across Iran. To ensure the representativeness of the sample, a multi-stage cluster random sampling technique was implemented. The national territory was first divided into five distinct macro-regions, and one representative province was selected from each region to minimize geographical bias. The determination of the sample size was governed by the stringent requirements of factor analysis. Adhering to the recommended ratio of five participants per item (as advocated by Gorsuch, 1983, and Tinsley, 1987), a minimum sample of 230 participants was required for the 46-item instrument. To mitigate the risks associated with non-response bias and sample attrition, a 20% dropout rate adjustment was integrated. Consequently, 288 questionnaires were distributed. After a rigorous screening process to eliminate incomplete responses and outliers, a final sample of 269 valid questionnaires (a 93% response rate) was retained for analysis, providing sufficient statistical power for parameter estimation.
The primary instrument was a researcher-developed questionnaire consisting of 46 items distributed across 11 theoretical dimensions: Administrative/Planning, Economic, Electronic/Digital, Club-based Infrastructure, Advertising/Information, Social/Community, Festivals/Competitions, Sponsorships, Health/Psychological, Cultural, and Logistics. All items were measured on a 5-point Likert scale. Content validity was established through an expert panel of 12 specialists in sports science and gerontology, and for quantitative verification, Lawshe's method was employed, yielding a Content Validity Index (CVI) of 0.84 (minimum CVR = 0.70). Data analysis was conducted in three phases. First, descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, frequency) were calculated using SPSS v26. Second, internal consistency was assessed via Cronbach’s Alpha. Third, the structural validity of the instrument was tested using a two-step approach: Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) to identify the latent structure, and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) to validate the hypothesized model, both conducted in LISREL.
Results
Psychometric evaluation revealed high internal consistency, evidenced by a global Cronbach’s alpha of 0.921. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) reduced the initial 46 items to a stable 11-factor structure, which accounted for 65% of the total variance. This structure was subsequently validated through Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), confirming that the 11 identified components—Administrative, Economic, Electronic, Club, Advertising, Social, Festival, Sponsors, Health, Cultural, and Logistics—accurately represent the latent constructs of sports development.
The goodness-of-fit indices, computed via LISREL, demonstrated an acceptable statistically significant fit between the theoretical model and the empirical data (CFI = 0.95, RMSEA = 0.108). Furthermore, all 46 items exhibited significant factor loadings, ranging from 0.27 to 0.97, thereby confirming robust construct validity. The findings suggest that the model effectively captures the multifaceted nature of sports development by integrating socio-economic and psychological drivers, extending beyond the mere availability of facilities. Specifically, the standardized path coefficients indicate that "Club-related factors" and "Administrative/Planning" are the most influential components in determining sports development for elderly veterans.
Conclusion
The findings of this study culminate in the successful design and validation of a 46-item, 11-dimensional instrument that is both reliable and valid for measuring sports development among elderly veterans in Iran. This research fills a critical void in the field of sports gerontology by providing an indigenous, normed tool that accounts for the unique intersection of veteran status and advanced age.The practical implications of this model are significant. By utilizing this validated instrument, policymakers at the Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs can move away from intuitive management and transition toward evidence-based strategic planning. This tool enables administrators to identify specific deficits—whether in logistics, funding, or digital outreach—and optimize the allocation of resources to improve the physical and mental health of veterans. Ultimately, the implementation of this model facilitates the promotion of "Active Aging" and preserves the human dignity of those who served the nation, ensuring that their transition into seniority is supported by a scientifically grounded and comprehensive sports development framewor
Footnotes
Ethical approval
All procedures performed in this study were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional research committee and the 1964 Helsinki declaration. Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants involved in the study.
Funding
This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public sector or commercial organizations.
Authors’ contribution
Study concept and design: E. D. and H. P. Z.; Analysis and interpretation of data: E. D.; Drafting of the manuscript: E. D.; Critical revision of the manuscript: H. P. Z. and N. N.; Statistical analysis: E. D. and H. P. Z.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this manuscript.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to express their gratitude to the Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs of Iran for their cooperation in data collection and to the experts who participated in the content validity process of the research instrument.
AI use disclosure
During the preparation of this manuscript, the author(s) utilized generative AI tools (specifically ChatGPT/Gemini) to improve the language, phrasing, and grammatical accuracy of the text. After using these tools, the authors reviewed and edited the content as needed and take full responsibility for the final integrity and accuracy of the published work.
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