Journal of Physical Education

The aim of the research was to develop rehabilitative exercises accompanied by electrical stimulation based on the perception of pain for women aged 50–55 years, and to identify the effect of these rehabilitative exercises accompanied by electrical stimulation—based on pain perception—on treating certain cases of peripheral neuropathy in women within the same age group. Accordingly, the researcher hypothesized that there would be statistically significant differences between the pre- and post-test results of the experimental group's electromyography (EMG) measurements, as well as statistically significant differences between the pre- and post-test results of pain level measurements using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for the experimental group. The experimental research methodology was adopted using a one-group experimental design. The boundaries of the current research population were defined as women aged 50–55 years, with a total number of 9 patients who regularly attended the Al-Karkh Hospital / Physiotherapy Unit. All of them were deliberately selected using the comprehensive enumeration method, making up 100% of this population sample. The tests were determined, and rehabilitative exercises accompanied by electrical stimulation based on pain perception were designed. The experiment began with the pre-tests, followed by the implementation of these exercises. The duration of each rehabilitation session ranged from 28.5 to 32.36 minutes, with three sessions per week held on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Each session included four exercises and continued for eight consecutive weeks, resulting in 24 rehabilitation sessions. The experiment concluded with the post-tests. After processing the research results using the SPSS system, the conclusions and applications indicated that the rehabilitative exercises accompanied by electrical stimulation based on pain perception were suitable for women aged 50–55 years suffering from certain cases of peripheral neuropathy. These exercises had a positive effect on improving the EMG signals of the gastrocnemius muscles in both the right and left legs by increasing the peak level and reducing the spread area of the electrical signal. They also helped reduce pain levels as measured by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) in cases of peripheral neuropathy. It is essential to pay attention to the duration of the transitional rest period between electrical stimulation and the application of rehabilitative exercises based on pain perception when rehabilitating women aged 50–55 years with peripheral neuropathy. Furthermore, it is necessary to rely on the use of TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) current type when rehabilitating women in this age group to help reduce VAS-measured pain levels.

The aim of this study is to investigate the quality of life of foreign students studying at the Faculty of Sport Sciences and international students studying at different faculties at DPU. In this context, \"University Quality of Life Scale\" was applied to determine the quality of life of students. The research data were obtained from a total of 272 students studying at the Faculty of Sports Sciences, Faculty of Business Administration,Faculty of Education and Faculty of Engineering. One-way ANOVA test was used for data analysis. The quality of life of the students,faculty, gender,educational status, place of residence,leisure time, time of arrival in Turkey and finally welfare level were analyzed . The quality of life of the student differed significantly according to the faculty,gender,education level,place of residence,and leisure time. It was observed that there was no significant difference in the variables of arrival in Turkey and welfare level.

Basketball training no longer relies solely on coaches\' personal experience or traditional on-field repetition. Instead, it has undergone a qualitative shift thanks to the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, which have become effective tools in analyzing performance and guiding training with precision and objectivity. In light of rapid technological advancements, it is now possible to obtain accurate motion data that surpasses human observational capabilities, enabling the design of individualized training programs tailored to each player\'s needs. The research problem stems from field observations indicating a decline in the performance level of several young basketball players during matches in the Iraqi league. This decline is attributed to difficulties in maintaining a high level of physical and technical performance throughout the game, especially during extended periods of play or under conditions that require sustained high effort. This leads to a drop in passing accuracy and weaker performance in one-on-one situations.In response to these challenges, the researcher designed an innovative training program based on AI technologies, utilizing performance sensors (Accelerometer & Gyroscope) to assess and analyze each player\'s physical level and adapt training accordingly.The study adopted an experimental methodology using two groups: an experimental group that underwent the AI-based training program, and a control group that trained using traditional methods. The program lasted six weeks, with two training sessions per week. The results clearly demonstrated the superiority of the experimental group in developing speed endurance, as well as improving performance in essential basketball skills such as passing and shooting. These findings highlight the effectiveness of integrating artificial intelligence and motion analysis in enhancing the athletic performance of young basketball players

This study aimed to assess and compare pulmonary function parameters between trained padel players and physically inactive young adult males in Saudi Arabia. Forty-eight participants (23 padel players, 25 untrained controls), aged 20.8 ± 1.67 years, underwent spirometry testing using the MIR New Spirolab device following international standards and scholarly exercise physiology frameworks and guidelines. The assessments included static lung volumes, dynamic capacities, and maximal ventilatory performance. The trained padel players demonstrated significantly higher values in inspiratory reserve volume, expiratory reserve volume, inspiratory capacity, vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second, peak expiratory flow, and maximal voluntary ventilation compared to the control group (p < 0.001). The study revealed no differences between the groups regarding tidal volume measurements and forced expiratory volume to forced vital capacity ratios. The study results show that regular padel training leads to better pulmonary function, which suggests the sport can enhance respiratory fitness in active people.‬

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism and muscle strength, vertical jump, and 30Â m sprint performance in wrestlers. RR were better performers in each of the assessed items compared with RX and XX athletes. The findings were consistent with the hypothesis of ACTN3 dominance in strength, power, and sprint performance, at least for power-oriented athletes. For all participants, there was a positive relationship between both indices of muscle strength and vertical jump height and negative relationships between these indices and sprint time, suggesting that greater muscle strength was related to improved sprint performance. These results emphasize the genetic component in sports performance and the possibility of using genetic information for talent identification and support optimization. The authors note that future research should investigate the interaction between ACTN3 and other genetic factors associated with athletic ability, as well as ethical concerns regarding the use of genetic information in sports. Overall, this investigation adds to the understanding of how genetics may contribute to athletic performance and better training for power sports.

The aim of the research through study, analysis and clarifying the differences for the swimmers that the freestyle swimming style is preferred by most of the swimmers of the Iraqi national team, as the need for research and investigation has increased to solve the issues related to spinning performance and identify the values of some biomechanical variables of the spinning phase, swimming for 100 m freestyle swimming and the research issue lies due to the difficulty of directing swimmers during spinning performance in the water and the difficulty of communication between the coach and swimmers to give them accurate instructions during their spinning performance. The experimental method adopted the experimental design (pre-test, post-test for one group) to suit the nature of the research problem and the number of (6) swimmers representing 100% of the original population, which are the players of the Iraqi national team (16-18 years) and the experiment was conducted on the experimental group for (8) consecutive weeks at (3) times a week and after the completion of the application, the data were collected and the SPSS system processed the results to be the conclusions It is necessary to explain the importance of the biomechanical variables as indicated simply and to increase the culture and awareness of swimmers through the mediation and how the use of angles, distances, and appropriate force affects the economy of effort to create a developed sports generation to raise the level of sports for the better.

The study aimed to highlight the importance of corrective exercises and to address the development and status of athletic activities. It also emphasized the significant role of human movement in the successful execution of various sports performances. Furthermore, the study explored the field of biomechanics and its relationship to optimal performance through motion analysis. The significance of this research lies in designing corrective exercises for a selected sample group with the intention of improving their performance, overcoming technical faults, and achieving better athletic results. The front handspring skill on the floor exercise mat is considered one of the most difficult techniques for athletes, due to its requirements for technical precision and motor coordination. During a particular phase of the skill, the body reaches a handstand position, necessitating accurate synchronization between the force exerted by the hands against the ground and the moment the body’s center of gravity passes through the imaginary vertical axis.

The researcher touched on the importance and place of the game of football among sports, as functional strength exercises were prepared and their impact on some skill abilities in football. The research community included the teams of government institutions in Diyala Governorate, and the research sample was chosen intentionally, which was represented by the Diyala youth and adult football teams. There are 9 indoor players This research is one of the scientific attempts to raise the skill level of the teams of government institutions in the governorate through the use of functional strength training. The results showed that there is a clear development among the research sample in the post-test as a result of the use of these training

The research problem emerged from the researcher’s observation that many students encounter difficulties in learning certain curricular skills in gymnastics, particularly the kip-up skill on the horizontal bar, which is considered challenging due to the lack of understanding of the correct technique and the inability to visualize the appropriate movement pathway for performing the skill. This prompted the researcher to investigate the problem and attempt to provide a solution. The importance of the study lies in designing instructional units based on the problem-based learning approach and examining their effect on acquiring the kip-up skill on the horizontal bar, with the aim of assisting students in mastering this skill through a modern instructional strategy. The researcher employed the experimental method with two groups, experimental and control, as it was suitable for the nature and objectives of the study. The research population consisted of 247 third-year students in the College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences at the University of Diyala during the academic year 2023–2024, from which a sample of 16 students was selected for the experimental group and 16 for the control group. Pre-tests were conducted prior to the intervention. The results indicated that instructional units designed according to the problem-based learning approach are effective in teaching the kip-up skill on the horizontal bar to students at this level, and the researcher recommended adopting such instructional units due to their positive impact on skill acquisition.

The aim of this study was to identify the level of critical thinking skills among fourth-grade middle school students and to determine the performance level of the underhand volleyball pass, with the assumption that there is a positive relationship between critical thinking and skill performance. The study population included 281 students from Basra Preparatory School for Girls under the Second Baghdad Education Directorate for the 2024/2025 academic year, of whom 275 students were intentionally selected as the research sample (97.865% of the population). The experimental procedure involved applying a critical thinking scale and a technical performance test for the underhand pass on 25 students per day over 11 days, from February 9 to February 23, 2025, excluding Fridays and Saturdays. During this period, students had already been taught the underhand pass within the curriculum. Data were analyzed using SPSS, and results indicated that students possessed an acceptable level of critical thinking skills and an acceptable level of performance in the underhand pass. Moreover, higher levels of critical thinking were associated with improved skill performance, demonstrating a direct positive impact. The study recommends that physical education teachers incorporate critical thinking assessment and training into volleyball lessons to enhance both cognitive and practical skill development

The Alignment Posture Evaluation and Correction System (APECS) is a non-radiographic AI-based mobile application designed to assess body posture safely and accurately, unlike X-rays, which may be harmful and less precise. This study used APECS version 2.0 (DXM model) to detect lower limb deformities in hip, knee, and foot joints among 60 male applicants to the College of Physical Education and Sports Science. Full-limb images with anatomical markers were captured, and joint angles were automatically calculated by the software. Results indicated deformities in the hip (18.35%), knee (26.61%), and foot (41.28%). The program demonstrated high accuracy, with a 98.74% matching rate and 94.64% agreement, confirming its validity as a reliable, non-invasive tool for assessing lower limb postural deformities in prospective students.

This study focuses on evaluating the performance of coaches of the Iraqi Gymnastics Federation from the perspectives of both athletes and experts, emphasizing the critical role of gymnastics as a foundation for many other sports. The significance of the research lies in improving evaluation mechanisms for gymnastics coaches through the use of validated questionnaires and scientific models, thereby enhancing coaches’ effectiveness and consequently the athletes’ performance. The study employed a descriptive–survey method and included a statistical population of 340 participants, comprising athletes and experts from the Iraqi Gymnastics Federation. Data collection was conducted using the Performance Evaluation Questionnaire developed by Rouhani et al. (2012), which demonstrated high reliability with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.943. The findings revealed that the average performance evaluation of coaches from both athletes (M = 4.23) and experts (M = 4.24) was significantly higher than the theoretical mean (3), indicating satisfactory coaching performance. Among the evaluated dimensions, the “technical-educational factor” emerged as the most important, followed by team and individual management, team retention, experience, and behavioral-educational aspects. Furthermore, results indicated no significant differences between athletes’ and experts’ evaluations. In conclusion, the overall performance of Iraqi Gymnastics Federation coaches was found to be within the expected standards, with technical-educational factors playing the most critical role in performance evaluation. The study recommends prioritizing the enhancement of coaches’ technical and educational competencies, alongside strengthening behavioral and managerial skills, to ensure comprehensive improvement in both coaching practices and athletes’ achievements.

The importance of the study lies in highlighting the role of smartwatches as a modern tool for analyzing training load based on functional indicators, such as heart rate and calorie consumption. This allows coaches to monitor individual players’ responses during different training periods, helping to improve physical performance efficiency and reduce the risk of overload-induced fatigue. The study aimed to analyze calorie consumption at different heart rate levels between the special preparation and competition periods for youth football players, with the goal of determining the effect of physiological adaptation on energy efficiency. To achieve this objective, the researcher adopted the descriptive method due to its suitability for the nature of the study. A purposive simple sample of 20 youth players representing the youth team of Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya Club was selected, with weights ranging between 60–75 kg. A pilot experiment was conducted on a small sample of players to test the accuracy of smartwatches in measuring heart rate and calorie consumption by comparing them with standard measurement devices. The results showed good agreement in heart rate measurement and a slight deviation in calorie consumption, confirming their validity for use in the study after calibration.

The present study aimed to develop two measurement scales—one for leadership vigilance and another for the implementation of functional tasks—in the context of managing local volleyball championships. It further sought to assess the levels of these two variables from the perspective of administrators, and to examine the contribution and effect of leadership vigilance on task execution. The descriptive correlational method was employed in line with the nature of the research problem. The study population comprised 141 administrators of local volleyball championships during the 2024/2025 sports season, all of whom were deliberately included (100%) through comprehensive enumeration and divided into three subsamples according to the study requirements. After constructing the two scales, they were applied to the participants, and the results were analyzed using SPSS. The findings confirmed the validity of the scales for measuring leadership vigilance and functional task implementation. Results revealed that administrators demonstrated acceptable levels in both domains, and that higher leadership vigilance was significantly and positively correlated with improved task implementation. The study concluded that leadership vigilance plays an essential role in enhancing administrators’ effectiveness in managing volleyball championships. Accordingly, the researcher recommended focusing on specialized measurement and professional development programs to strengthen leadership vigilance, thereby improving task performance and contributing to the overall advancement of federation management.

The research aimed to prepare educational units according to the Appleton model for teaching the long jump skill to first-stage students and to identify its impact on learning. The researcher adopted the experimental method with two equal groups (experimental and control) using pre- and post-tests. The population consisted of 115 first-stage students in the Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, College of Basic Education, Al-Mustansiriya University, for the academic year 2023–2024, distributed across six divisions (A–F). By lottery, two divisions were selected: Division (B) as the experimental group and Division (E) as the control group, with 25 students each (total 50, representing 43.47% of the population). The experimental group learned the long jump according to the Appleton model, while the control group followed the traditional imperative method used in the curriculum. After applying the pre- and post-tests and conducting statistical analyses, results showed that the Appleton model had a significant effect on learning the long jump, as it enhanced motivation through excitement, competition, and engagement, making the learning process easier and more effective. The study recommends adopting the Appleton model in teaching long jump and other sports skills, given its role in achieving educational objectives and improving performance at different age and educational levels

Human behavior is one of the topics that has captured the attention of researchers throughout the ages, and motivation is one of the manifestations of this behavior, which indicates the extent of interest in a particular topic and their unwillingness to rush towards a particular topic. The topic of motivation is one of the important topics of interest to the teacher and coach in the field of sports. The aim of this research was identifying the level of motivation for junior students, and the differences in the dimensions of motivation for junior students in squash lessons. We used the descriptive survey method, and the research sample was chosen randomly. Only male of the junior students in the College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences at the University of Baghdad, where the research sample represents 15 % of the research community. We used the scale distributed in the form for measuring the motivation, and the results showed there are differences in the level of motivation among junior students in motivation scale, and there are not significant between the five dimensions for motivation scale. And recommend to Focus on the psychological aspects of squash students and develop their self-confidence to enable them to control their emotions. Finally, we must engage the junior students in training and refereeing courses, in cooperation with the Federation.

The aim of the research is to identify the effect of using static and dynamic balance exercises in developing some technical gymnastics skills for female students of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Sciences. The research community consisted of second-year female students, while the research sample was chosen intentionally, and they are Section (B), numbering 20, female students, who were distributed into two groups (experimental - control), with 10 female students for each group. The researcher used the experimental method with a design of the experimental and control groups with pre- and post-tests, after applying the exercise components in the main experiment with 20 training units that lasted for 10 weeks. The results showed that there were significant differences in favor of the training group that used static and dynamic balance exercises.

This study aims to identify the professional challenges faced by physical education teachers in completing their teaching assignments (sports education lessons) due to the inclusion of other academic subjects in schools affiliated with the General Directorate of Education in Nineveh. The researchers adopted a descriptive methodology, covering a research sample of 317 male and female physical education teachers in Nineveh’s schools. Appropriate scientific procedures and statistical methods were employed. The findings indicate that physical education teachers are highly aware of the significance of the professional challenges they face, showing closely related arithmetic averages. The professional challenges identified by the researchers are equally significant for male and female teachers

The research aimed to streamline the process for sports clubs in identifying and contracting professional players, focusing on the key quantitative determinants in the players’ transfer market to assess their technical and commercial value. Additionally, it sought to achieve financial returns for the National Federation through the management of market access and the imposition of participation fees. The researchers employed a descriptive-analytical approach with correlational analysis to examine real-world data and identify relationships among variables, addressing the research objectives and questions. The study population comprised employees of the Iraqi Football Association involved in managing the Iraqi Stars League for the 2024-2025 season. The initial measure of quantitative determinants included 61 items, which was refined to 42 after establishing its scientific foundations. Key findings highlighted the Iraqi Football Federation’s interest in establishing a professional players’ transfer market in Iraq and its intention to assist clubs in reducing the time and effort required for contracting players. Based on these results, the researchers recommended creating a “virtual sports market” for player transfers in Iraq, incorporating quantitative determinants overseen by the Technical, Competitions, and Legal Committees. Furthermore, the management of this market should be conducted by the LALIQA Association under the direct supervision of the Executive Office of the Iraqi Football Federation, ensuring effective organization, transparency, and enhanced operational efficiency.

The arm plays a crucial role in the freestyle swimming stroke, especially during the propulsion phase, contributing significantly to efficient movement and limb coordination. However, many learners, particularly female students at the College of Physical Education and Sport Science at Baghdad University, face difficulties mastering this skill. Traditional training methods lack immediate feedback on arm force balance and quality, limiting opportunities for simultaneous motor learning and technical improvement. To address this, a new swimming aid was developed to quantitatively measure palm pressure during swimming movements. The device includes sensors on both hands, a data processing unit, and a real-time force coordination display that provides instant biomechanical feedback. A three-month pilot study was conducted where an experimental group trained with the device, while a control group followed conventional exercises. The study aimed to evaluate the device’s effectiveness in enhancing motor coordination and propulsion force balance. Results showed a statistically significant improvement, with the experimental group's average freestyle distance increasing from 14.125 to 20.687 meters, whereas the control group showed minimal change. The t-test confirmed the significance of these differences at p < 0.05. These findings highlight the added value of biomechanical feedback in physical education for improving motor skill performance and learning. The study provides strong evidence that this assistive device can effectively enhance swimming training techniques.

The research aimed to evaluate the physical condition of the Al-Talaba Club players in (16) matches in the Iraqi Premier League for football using the (PLAYERTEKTEAM) device, which works with global positioning technology, and to find out if there is an increase or decrease in the physical condition, or the physical performance of the players in the matches. High level, medium level, or lower, at the beginning of the second stage, and at the end of the league, The researcher concluded that there are significant differences in the variables of distance, speed distance, power plays, number of accelerations, deceleration and player load in high-level matches compared to low- or medium-level matches and in favor of high-level matches. There is a decrease in The physical performance of the variables that were measured as a result of the effect of the hot weather in Iraq on the players, especially in the matches of the seventh month, and the occurrence of a decrease in physical performance in the last match of the league for the variables of the number of acceleration and maximum deceleration, and that the tactical aspect of the team affects the results of the physical variables that were measured.

Countries around the world have directed all their resources, expertise, and sciences towards achieving advanced levels in various sports. The aim of sports training is to prepare players well and the research aims to develop flexibility exercises using the Ki-Hara method for handball players. The research aims to identify the impact of Ki-Hara flexibility training on specific physical abilities of the Al-Karkh Second Education Directorate handball team players. Identifying the impact of Ki-Hara flexibility training on the performance of basic handball skills. The researcher used the experimental method with pre-test and post-test for a single group, and the research sample included 14 players aged 14-17 years. Physical and skill tests were used to collect the research data. Among the most important findings: the exercises prepared by the researcher have a positive impact on developing the specific physical abilities of the players of the Al-Karkh Second Education Directorate handball team, and the exercises prepared by the researcher have a positive impact on developing the basic handball skills. The researcher recommends the necessity of using the training prepared by the researcher in developing basic handball skills.

To perform any physical effort, any body needs a lot of energy sources, including carbohydrates, fats, or chemical sources that vary in rates depending on the nature of the activity performed. Therefore, hormones play an important role in regulating the body’s functions during physical effort. The hormone triiodothyronine is one of the hormones that work to increase the level of activities of the necessary body systems The problem of the research lies in identifying more information about the effect of anaerobic effort on the hormone triiodothyronine in some basketball players in order to benefit from it and take it into consideration during the training planning process. The research aims to identify the effect of anaerobic effort on the hormone triiodothyronine in some advanced basketball players. The researchers used the descriptive approach to suit the nature of the problem, and the research sample was the advanced basketball players of the Popular Mobilization Club. The researchers concluded that the hormone triiodothyronine (T3) is decisive in its effect during rest or after effort, which indicates the important effect of exercise, as well as the effect of anaerobic effort on the secretion of Triiodothyronine hormone: Researchers recommended adopting triiodothyronine measurement as an indicator for selecting players as it is a clear indication of sports training adaptations.

This study aimed to identify the effect of nutritional supplements and rehabilitative exercises on the functional recovery of advanced bodybuilding players with anterior deltoid injuries. The experimental method was applied to two groups of eight injured athletes from the Baghdad/Al-Rusafa Gym. The first group performed rehabilitative exercises, while the second group combined them with nutritional supplements. Functional competence was assessed through measurements of muscle strength and range of motion using a dynamometer. The results showed significant improvement in both groups, with the combined program producing greater recovery. The study concluded that integrating nutritional supplements with rehabilitation exercises effectively restores the anterior deltoid muscle’s function and accelerates the return of injured bodybuilders to normal performance.

Lumbar disc injuries are among the most common issues affecting young wrestlers, often leading to functional disorders of the spine, notably lateral deviation, which negatively impacts motor performance and physical balance. This study aims to design a rehabilitation program based on specialized therapeutic exercises intended to correct lateral deviation, enhance spinal efficiency, and reduce associated pain. The research was conducted on a sample of young wrestlers suffering from lumbar disc herniation accompanied by lateral deviation, who underwent a structured rehabilitation program over a specific period that included core strengthening exercises, balance improvement drills, and stretching and relaxation activities. The effectiveness of the program was evaluated through pre- and post-intervention measurements, assessing deviation angle, pain intensity, and physical performance level. The results revealed a marked improvement in the correction of lateral deviation, a reduction in pain levels, and an enhancement in physical performance, confirming the efficiency of the rehabilitation program in promoting spinal function and mitigating the effects of lumbar disc injuries. The study recommends adopting such programs within therapeutic plans for injured wrestlers to ensure their safe and rapid return to competitive sports.