JOURNAL OF SPORT SCIENCES

The significance of the research lies in providing scientific foundations that contribute to improving training and selection processes in basketball for enhancing team performance and ensuring better results. By predicting the offensive skills performance index based on dynamic abilities, coaches can more effectively direct training efforts towards developing the abilities that directly impact offensive performance, saving time and effort and increasing training efficiency. This approach helps in identifying the dynamic abilities that most influence offensive skills, making the player selection process more accurate and objective as to choose players with dynamic abilities predictive of excellent offensive performance, so that leads to increasing the team's effectiveness in matches. The importance of this study lies in offering a scientific and effective tool to improve player performance and selected accurately, thus this proves raising the team's level and increasing the chances of success in sports competitions. The study aimed to develop predictive equations for some composite offensive skills based on key dynamic abilities for selecting basketball players of the Diyala Education team. The researcher used the descriptive, survey, and correlational studies approach suitable for the nature of the problem to be solved. The study included high school students in Diyala province who underwent selection tests for the Diyala Education team, totaling (65) students distributed across different schools. The field research procedures included conducting preliminary and main experiments that involved testing dynamic abilities (agility test, flexibility test, coordination test, and balance test) and composite offensive skills in basketball (receiving + overhead passing, receiving + high dribbling + chest passing with both hands, receiving + high dribbling + jump shooting (two points), receiving + high dribbling + layup shooting). Based on the results obtained, the researcher concluded a predictive equation for the skill performance of some composite offensive skills based on dynamic abilities such as (agility, flexibility, coordination, and balance), which can be used to select basketball players. The results showed a strong relationship between dynamic abilities and the level of composite offensive performance in basketball players. The researcher recommends adopting the predictive equation for selecting basketball players, emphasizing on the development of training programs to improve the players’ abilities. The researcher calls for more research and studies in the field of sports performance analysis and using dynamic abilities as a criterion for player selection.

This research aimed to investigate the effect of anaerobic threshold training on the development of dynamic response speed and certain complex offensive skills in youth basketball players. To achieve this goal, the researchers adopted the experimental method using the design of two equivalent groups, as it is the most suitable approach for addressing the research problem. The research community consisted of players from the specialized basketball school in Diyala province, aged between 17 and 18 years, with a total of 18 players. They were divided randomly into two equal groups: an experimental group and a control group, with 6 players in each. The exploratory experiment was conducted on Saturday, 1st January, 2025, followed by the pre-test on Monday, 13th January, 2025. The main experiment started on Saturday, 18th January, 2025, and continued until 28th March, 2025, with three training units per week, totaling 36 training units. The anaerobic threshold training was implemented within the training units prepared for the experimental group. The post-test was conducted on Saturday, 30thMarch, 2025, at 9:00 AM. After data collection, the researchers conducted statistical analysis with a full discussion. The findings revealed that anaerobic threshold training significantly contributed to the improvement of the players’ dynamic response speed, as well as improving the skills of deception from stability and offensive blocking among youth basketball players. Based on these results, the researchers recommended the necessity of generalizing training programs that include muscle strength exercises as a preparatory stage before starting anaerobic threshold training to achieve the best results.

The application of electronic management in the college branches will enable teachers to have greater control over the management of the educational and administrative process, and will provide a greater opportunity to follow up the educational process. The research aims to identify the application of electronic management in the branches of the College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, University of Diyala, from its teachers’ perspectives. To achieve the objectives of the study, the researcher used the descriptive approach. The sample of the study consists of (100) teachers from the study community who were selected randomly. The researcher prepared a questionnaire consisting of (20) paragraphs. The statistical package (SPSS) was used to achieve the results due to the research procedures. The researcher concluded that the teachers are aware of the importance of relying on electronic management and its techniques in improving office work to avoid certain traditional cases and grant the necessity of performing works electronically.

The study aimed to identify agility and the explosiveness of the legs and their relationship to achievement in the long jump and triple jump activities for fourth-year students at the University of Diyala, specializing in physical education and sports sciences. The research problem lies in the fact that these studies addressed a specific aspect of the two activities, such as studying important physical attributes of physical fitness, one related to the dynamic aspect (agility) and the other related to the skill aspect (explosive power). The fact that what concerns us in these two activities is mainly the legs, as they are the most influential part without neglecting the importance of the other parts, such as the arms.
Agility is important in performing the both activities optimally, as it requires coordination between the working body parts and the nervous system, while taking into account the ability to change body position easily and quickly. As for the explosive power of the legs, it plays a major role in achieving both activities, as it is considered the greatest influence on the final achievement of the distance separated a. Therefore, the researchers focused on the relationship between these abilities, on the track and field, especially for the students. The researchers tend to understand the relationship between both abilities and the achievement of the two activities for the fourth-year student. This was due to the observation given to the two abilities during the students' performance of both activities. This was done in order to avoid weaknesses and contribute to increasing understanding of the components of performance technique so that it can be developed in these two activities. The researchers used the descriptive approach. Therefore, the descriptive approach is concerned with depicting the current situation and identifying the relationships that exist between phenomena and trends that are moving towards growth or development.
The objectives that the researchers set for the research and the procedures used will determine the nature of the selected sample. Therefore, the research community is selected to be the fourth-year students in the College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences at the University of Diyala. The main experiment was conducted for the specified tests. The researchers used statistical methods such as the Arithmetic mean and standard deviation. The researchers’ expectations come to show that there are positive and statistically significant relationships between the variables

The research aims to recognize the impact of Single-Leg and Pair-Leg Hop trainings on the sandy medium in developing some performance variables for 100 m runners in an effort by researchers to reduce the problem of the stability and low recording level of Anbar governorate runners in the 100m Race to contribute in finding a scientific solution by considering the causes of that weakness which may be due to following mainly the traditional patterns training methods. To apply the search procedures, the researchers selected the sample of the research in a deliberate manner from the 100m runners in Anbar governorate/Iraq registered with the Iraqi Federation of Track and Field Games. (5) runners during the sports season (2024/2025), as well as a survey on a sample of its strength (3) runners from outside the basic research sample, and the most important conclusions reached are that the hop training (Singl- Leg/ Pairs Legs hop) on the sandy medium has a positive effect on developing the muscle strengths. The evolution of muscle strengths of two legs show posative impact on the development of the achieved level, and it effects posativly on the length of the runner's step and its frequency rate which reflects its speed.

.The present research aims to design two tests to assess the shooting skills of female players in the premier clubs of Kurdistan in futsal, as well as to establish standard scores and levels for these skills. The importance of the research lies in providing an objective measurement tool for shooting skills, along with standard scores and levels that coaches and those who have interests in the game can utilize to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the players.
The research community consists of (70) female players from the premier clubs in Kurdistan in futsal. The sample was selected using comprehensive sampling. An exploratory trial was conducted with (5) players while the reliability sample consisted of (15) players who were not excluded from the final application. The researchers relied on scientific resources, previous studies, as well as personal and academic experience in constructing the tests
As far as the results, an exploratory experiment was conducted to ensure the suitability of the two tests for the sample's level and to verify the appropriateness of the distance and the tests and to understand the sample and the working team. After confirming the scientific foundations of both tests, they were applied to the sample and statistical analysis which was performed on the scores. The researchers concluded several findings; including the construction and standardization of two tests for shooting accuracy for the research sample in futsal and finding standard scores and levels for this sample.

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between physical activity levels and mental health outcomes among adults aged 18-65 years in an urban setting. Specifically, it sought to determine whether higher levels of physical activity are associated with lower psychological distress, as measured by the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Participants were recruited from community centers, gyms, and online platforms, resulting in an initial sample of 500 individuals. After applying inclusion (physically capable adults) and exclusion criteria (individuals with diagnosed mental health disorders), 450 participants completed the study. The final sample comprised 220 females (48.9%) and 230 males (51.1%), with a mean age of 34.5 years (SD = 12.3). Physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), while mental health was evaluated with the GHQ-12. Demographic and lifestyle variables, including age, gender, smoking status, and sleep quality, were collected via a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0, employing descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis to explore the relationships among variables.
The mean total physical activity score was 1,200 MET-min/week (SD = 800), with leisure-time activities contributing the most (mean = 750 MET-min/week, SD = 600). The mean GHQ-12 score was 3.5 (SD = 2.5), indicating low psychological distress, though 25% of participants scored above the cutoff of 4. A significant negative correlation was observed between total physical activity and GHQ-12 scores (r = -0.45, p < 0.001), suggesting that higher physical activity levels are associated with lower psychological distress. Multiple regression analysis revealed that total physical activity (β = -0.32, p < 0.001) and sleep quality (β = -0.25, p < 0.01) were significant predictors of mental health, explaining 18% of the variance in GHQ-12 scores (R² = 0.18). Moderating effects of demographic and lifestyle variables were not significant. The calculated effect size for the relationship between physical activity and mental health was medium (Cohen’s d = 0.50).

The aim of this study is to propose a conceptual framework for digital development in the faculties of physical education and sports sciences in Kurdistan Region. The research population consisted of experts in the field who had expertise in the study area within the universities of the Kurdistan Region. For the qualitative part of the study, a sample of the population was selected using the snowball sampling technique, focusing on individuals with relevant knowledge and experience. A total of 17 participants were chosen, based on the point at which theoretical saturation was reached. The research method involved semi-structured interviews conducted both face-to-face and online. The validity of the findings was ensured through the validation process of the selected sample, with a reviewer agreement rate exceeding 71% in framing the indicators and confirming their consistency in the study. The results revealed a conceptual map consisting of 67 concepts, 22 sub-themes, and 7 main themes. These 7 main themes, or factors, were identified as follows: the capacity of the innovation ecosystem and educational technology, the challenges of digital transformation and development, the effectiveness of e-governance in physical education faculties, leadership mechanisms supporting digital development, the availability of digital infrastructure in physical education faculties, the involvement of the physical education community, and the digitalization of educational processes in the physical education and sports sciences faculties of the Kurdistan Region.In concludion, the digital development in these faculties is a complex, multi-dimensional, and multi-level process. Its success is influenced by various contextual (e.g., requirements, challenges), systemic (e.g., structure, management), axial (e.g., infrastructure, mechanisms, participation), and consequential (e.g., outcomes) factors. Therefore, it is recommended that the management of physical education faculties in the Kurdistan Region adopt the framework proposed in this study to guide their planning and implementation of digital development in the system.

Scientific research and studies contribute to the development of sports, especially team sports, at the national and international levels. Handball is one of the most popular sports in the world due to its excitement and strong competition between teams. The importance of the research lies in identifying the players' readiness and identifying the strong and weak points of their skills through conducting scadual tests on the most important basic skills of the handball players of Diyala Education Team. Regarding the research problem, the researcher adopted a recommendation that suggested in a published study (Qahtan: 2025:12), which suggested conducting tests on other variables, including the skill factor. Hence, the research problem arose, which prompted the researcher to adopt it and identify the strong and weak points of the selected players’ skills. The researcher used a descriptive approach using a survey method. The research sample consisted of some handball players of Diyala Education Team aged 16-18 years. Attacking skills were selected and tested, and the main experiment was conducted on a sample of the research community. The researcher obtained the test data and processed it statistically. One of the most important conclusions of the study shows that the tests identified a kind of weaknesses in the training status of the players, especially the dribbling skill. One of the most important recommendations is to conduct similar studies on points not investigated in this study, including the dynamic side.

The aim of the research is to prepare exercises using hypoxia masks to improve some physiological variables, physical and skill capabilities of handball players and to identify the effect of using hypoxia masks in developing some physiological variables, physical and skill capabilities of handball players. The researchers used an experimental approach to suit the nature of the study problem and the community was identified. The research was conducted on the players of the Soran Club handball team for applicants. The sample was chosen randomly and consisted of (16) players, representing (80%) of the research community. They were randomly divided into two equal groups, each group consisting of (8) players. The selection of the research sample was closely related to the study aim by the researcher. The two research groups were homogeneous in (age, height, mass, and training age), and there was equality in (some physiological, physical, and skill variables).The researchers relied on sources, personal interviews, questionnaires, tests and measures as necessary tools for collecting information in order to reach the research objectives. The curriculum consisted of (24) training units for the experimental group over a period of (8) weeks, at a rate of (3) training units per week, and the duration of each training unit ranged between (35-45) minutes. The training curriculum was implemented by the experimental group from (9/22/2024) until (11/21/2024) at a rate of three training sessions per week. Then, the data was unloaded and processed statistically. Therefore, the study conducted by the researchers, it was possible to reach the following conclusions: The emergence of a significant development in all the physical variables under investigation as a result of training using hypoxia masks, the results showed a positive development in experimental group as shown by the results of the post-tests of the research participants, and also, the emergence of a significant development in all the skill variables under investigation as a result of training using hypoxia masks are developing physical, skill, and physiological variables in handball, and selecting training methods and loads appropriate to the training age and preparation stages of players, to achieve the desired development

This research aims to propose a model for the development of sports diplomacy in Iraq. The research method employed was qualitative, utilizing the grounded theory and the Glaser method. The study's statistical population consisted of experts in sports diplomacy in Iraq, including professionals in public diplomacountrycy and sports, high-ranking sport officials, professors of sports management, professors of international relations and political science, sports managers, and elite athletes. The sampling method used was purposeful sampling. A total of 67 concepts were categorized into four main categories: political-legal, economic, cultural-social, and communication. The political-legal category included subcategories of domestic policy with ten concepts and foreign policy with eight concepts. The economic category included subcategories of sports economy with six concepts and national economy with seven concepts. Based on the research results, it is recommended that special attention be given to the political-legal, economic, cultural-social, and communication dimensions for the development of sports diplomacy. Therefore, it is suggested that political and sports authorities work towards creating equal opportunities for men and women in sports to enhance sports diplomacy

Research Significance: The significance of this research stems from the need to identify the level of crisis management strategies among faculty members and administrative staff at the University of Tikrit. These strategies play a crucial role in enhancing the ability to confront challenges and achieve administrative creativity within academic institutions.
Research Objectives: This study aims to assess the level of crisis management strategies among faculty members and staff at the College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences at the University of Tikrit. Additionally, it seeks to determine the relationship between these strategies and administrative creativity, contributing to the development of effective administrative solutions that enhance academic and administrative performance.
Research Methodology: The researcher adopted a descriptive-analytical approach due to its suitability for the study. Quantitative measurement tools were used to assess the levels of crisis management strategies and administrative creativity among the study sample.
Research Sample: The study sample consisted of 40 faculty members from various specializations and academic ranks (Assistant Lecturer, Lecturer, Assistant Professor, and Professor) of both genders (male and female), in addition to 50 administrative staff members working in different departments of the College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences and its administrative headquarters. A purposive comprehensive sampling method was employed due to its accuracy in providing more objective results.
Findings and Recommendations: The results indicated that the study sample exhibited a high level of crisis management strategies, reflecting their ability to handle crises effectively within the academic work environment. Accordingly, the researcher recommends enhancing these strategies through training programs aimed at developing effective crisis management skills, as well as promoting administrative creativity practices to improve institutional performance at the university.

The aim of the research is to identify the degree of information processing and some handball handling skills for Second -stage students at the College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences/University of Diyala, and to prepare exercises in a training style for processing information and learning the handball handling skill for Second -stage students at the College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences/University of Diyala. The researcher used the method. The two groups were experimentally designed (an experimental group and a control group) due to its suitability to the problem and nature of the research. The research population consisted of students from the Second stage of the College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, University of Diyala, for the academic year 2022/2023. They were chosen intentionally, and they numbered (265) students, divided into six groups, and the group was chosen ( A) and (C) were drawn by lottery, and Division (A) was chosen to represent the experimental group, numbering (25) students, and Division (C) represented the control group, numbering (25) students, which followed the established curriculum. The final group of members of the research sample reached (50) students. The research sample represented (18.86%) of the parent community. The researcher concluded that the curriculum prepared by the training method contributed effectively and positively to information processing and learning the handball skill of the Second-stage students of the College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences / University of Diyala, and that The diversity in the use of skill exercises has an effective and positive impact on information processing and learning the handball skill of handball among the members of the research sample, and the careful selection of exercises, their arrangement and repetition within the educational unit and according to the training method, as it contributed to organizing the skill experiences of the learners in a specific way according to the principles of information processing and attracting the attention of the learner Which made it easier to learn and teach the handball handling skill.

The research aims to identify the biomechanical variables of the skill of the straight front aerial cycle on the floor exercise apparatus in artistic gymnastics for juniors (rise and descent time, vertical distance of the center of gravity of the body, horizontal distance of the instep, relative force of the push), and the researcher used the descriptive approach using biomechanical analysis due to its suitability to the nature of the research, and the sample was chosen intentionally from the players of the Iraqi national team for juniors in artistic gymnastics, where only (1) player was chosen, who is one of the distinguished players of the team in artistic gymnastics in general and in the skill of the straight front aerial cycle on the floor exercise apparatus in particular, where the player performed (5) attempts, the best of which was chosen according to the decision of the judges as free of technical errors, and one of the most important results was that the total time for the skill took (1.82) seconds, with (0.78) seconds for the ascent phase, (0.96) seconds for the flight, rotation and landing phase, and (0.08) for stability, the ascent time is less than the landing, which necessitates the need to direct attention Towards the speed of rotation performance during ascent so that the player can achieve balanced moderation and descent, the high exit in the double ascent helps the player reach a height that enables him to perform the rotation, and one of the most important recommendations was the possibility of the player jumping a horizontal distance of movement that represents at least approximately the player’s height, using the correlation relationships of the results of the angular and linear biomechanical indicators in preparing training programs for juniors, and setting specific training for each moment of the technical performance of the skill based on the biomechanical indicators that were reached.

The aim of this study was to identify the relationship between agility, flexibility, and the skill of dribbling with rotation in basketball among players of the North Oil Club, basketball team. The researchers used the descriptive method in the style of associative relationships due to its suitability to the nature of the study and to achieve its goals. As for the research community, it was chosen intentionally and consisted of players from the North Oil Club, the basketball team. The sample consisted of advanced players, numbering (10) players, representing (83.33%) of the research community after excluding two players for the exploratory experiment. The results showed a statistically significant correlation between flexibility and agility and the skill of dribbling with rotation in basketball. The results also showed that the quality of agility contributes to the performance of the skill of dribbling with rotation in basketball, in addition to the contribution of flexibility to the performance of the skill of dribbling with rotation in basketball. Based on all of the above, the researchers recommended the need to link skill and motor performance when developing training programs and put them in a way appropriate for the competition. Additionally, there is a need to focus on some physical fitness elements such as flexibility and agility after establishing their significant relationship, and to conduct similar research on other physical abilities and their relationship with basketball skills. This will serve the game, especially since it is the second most popular game in the world.

This study aimed to investigate the communication skills and self-confidence levels of futsal players in the Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences at the University of Babylon, as well as to explore the relationship between these two variables. The researcher employed a descriptive method using survey and correlational approaches. The study population consisted of all futsal players representing the department (n=22), who were selected using a purposive sampling technique.
The statistical analysis and results revealed that the futsal coach at the University of Babylon had the best communication skills with the players. Moreover, a significant correlation was found between the coach's communication skills and the players' self-confidence. Based on these findings, the researcher recommends that Iraqi national team coaches utilize effective communication strategies to enhance players' self-confidence. Additionally, the study suggests involving sports psychologists to address players' psychological states and self-confidence levels. Further research is recommended to investigate similar aspects among players in various individual and team sports at the national level.