Modern Sport

This study is aiming to identify the impact of recreational games on reducing the psychosocial conflict of residents in state-run shelters for the homeless, in the shadow of the psychological and social pressures faced by this group due to the loss of family stability and emotional deprivation. The research used the experimental method on a sample containing (17) residents who lives in Dar Al-Zuhour in Baghdad Governorate, and the study relied on the psychosocial conflict scale to rate the level of conflict before and after the application of the recreational program. The results showed a significant decrease in the levels of the psychological conflict in the individual, conflict among female peers, and conflict between residents and the management of the home, reflecting the effectiveness of the recreational games in improving the psychological and social balance of the residents. The results also showed a significant decrease of overall level of psychosocial conflict after the program, confirming the comprehensive impact of the recreational activities in enhancing the psychological and social balance among the residents. These results shows that the recreational games contribute to the release of negative emotions.

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the Panorama instructional strategy in learning fundamental floor exercise skills in artistic gymnastics among beginner female students. An experimental design with pre- and post-tests for two equivalent groups (experimental and control) was adopted. The sample consisted of 30 first-year female students from the College of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Baghdad, who were randomly assigned to an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group was taught using the Panorama instructional strategy, while the control group received traditional instruction based on explanation and demonstration. The educational program included basic floor exercise skills such as the forward roll, backward roll, and handstand. Students' performance was evaluated using standardized assessment criteria. The results revealed significant improvements in skill performance for both groups, with the experimental group demonstrating greater progress and statistically significant superiority in the post-test. These findings indicate the effectiveness of the Panorama instructional strategy in enhancing motor learning and technical performance in artistic gymnastics. The study concludes that structured and interactive instructional approaches can effectively support skill acquisition among novice learners and contribute to the development of teaching practices in physical education, and this achieves one of the sustainable development goals of the United Nations in Iraq which is (Quality Education).

The present study seeks to determine the role of etiology in rehabilitating injured players and the efficiency of return-to-play. The researcher hypothesizes that there are statistically significant differences in the functional efficiency of the ankle joint between injured and non-injured players. Additionally, it is hypothesized that there is a statistically significant relationship between the functional etiology of ankle joint injury and return to play efficiency among tennis players. The research population and sample include tennis players who are registered in the Middle Euphrates sports clubs and who have suffered an injury in the ankle joint, whether during the current sports season or previous seasons. The number of injured players was found to be 70. The researcher randomly selected 30 players to participate in functional tests, 30 players to participate in answering a questionnaire containing questions regarding etiology and their level of interest in this vital issue, and 10 players to participate in a pilot study. The research variables and tests were identified and determined based on scientific research. Pre-tests were conducted on the research groups regarding functional variables, followed by preparing a form regarding etiology. The researcher conducted the main experiment on the research groups for a period not exceeding 8 weeks regarding exercises and an equal period regarding sessions for each group. The post-tests were conducted on the research sample, and the results were analyzed and discussed to reach conclusions and recommendations. The researcher concludes that etiology significantly contributes to enhancing the players' knowledge about injury etiology mechanisms.

This study aimed to design teaching units based on the EDGA model and examine their effect on visual memory and selected basketball skills (high dribbling, low dribbling, chest pass, rebound, and ladder shooting) among first-level female students at the College of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Baghdad. An experimental design with two equivalent groups and pre- and post-tests was used. The research population consisted of 26 first-year female students (2025–2026). Twenty-four students (92.31%) were selected as the research sample after excluding two students. The participants were randomly assigned into an experimental group (n = 12), which studied using EDGA-based teaching units, and a control group (n = 12), which followed the traditional method Visual memory and skill performance were assessed through pre- and post-tests, and data were analyzed using SPSS. The results showed significant improvements in both groups; however, the experimental group achieved greater progress in visual memory and basketball skills. Post-test results indicated clear development in high dribbling (2.66–7.13), low dribbling (2.53–7.43), and visual memory (50.88–67.5 The study concludes that teaching units structured according to the EDGA model positively enhance visual memory and facilitate the learning of basketball skills among female students. The study recommends adopting structured instructional models in physical education to improve cognitive and motor learning outcomes, and this achieves one of the sustainable development goals of the United Nations in Iraq which is (Quality Education).

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a combined guidance and physical exercise program on psychological stress levels among Star League football players during competitive matches. The study is significant due to the need for validated strategies that help players regulate emotions, follow a structured mental plan, and optimize performance under competitive pressure. It aimed to determine whether the proposed program would significantly reduce psychological stress, thereby contributing to the psychological dimension of sports performance research. An experimental design with one group and two measurements (pre- and post-test) was employed. The sample consisted of 15 players from Al-Student Club competing in the Star League. The intervention lasted two months, with two sessions per week. The program integrated counseling and psycho-physical techniques, including progressive muscle relaxation, diaphragmatic breathing, positive visualization, and structured physical exercises designed to support psychological stability. The findings demonstrated the effectiveness of the program in reducing psychological stress. The mean stress score decreased from 119.07 in the pre-test to 81.29 in the post-test, with a mean difference of 37.78 points. The calculated t-value (t = 6.845) at a significance level of 0.000 was lower than 0.05, indicating statistically significant differences in favor of the post-test. These results suggest that integrating guidance sessions with specific physical exercises effectively reduces psychological stress and enhances concentration during competition. The study recommends incorporating structured psychological-physical programs into regular training regimens to improve mental preparation and psychological performance among football players, and this achieves one of the sustainable development goals of the United Nations in Iraq which is (Quality Education).

This study aims to investigate the effect of using a ground contact angle sensor on improving start mechanics among youth short-distance sprinters. The researcher employed an experimental approach using a control and experimental group design. The training program was applied to a sample of (n = 12) sprinters over an intervention period of (6) weeks. The experimental group followed a training program supported by ground contact angle detection technology, while the control group continued with conventional training. The study relied on objective biomechanical measurements, including a ground contact angle sensor (electronic sensor), high-speed video analysis, and force platforms to measure contact angle, ground contact time, and the horizontal force ratio (RF%). The results revealed statistically significant improvements in favor of the experimental group in ground contact angle and contact time compared to the control group, with statistical significance values (p < 0.05) and a large effect size (d > 1.0), in addition to a noticeable increase in the horizontal force ratio (RF%). The study concludes that the use of a ground contact angle sensor effectively enhances start mechanics in sprinters. It also emphasizes the importance of integrating modern biomechanical technologies into youth training programs to improve competitive performance efficiency, and this achieves one of the sustainable development goals of the United Nations in Iraq which is (Good Health).

Tests in the sports field constitute an essential tool for achieving optimal results and evaluating player performance, particularly in competitive sports such as basketball. The importance of shooting emerges as it is the only means of direct scoring and the critical statistic that distinguishes victory from defeat. The researchers observed that previous tests of basic shooting types whether administered individually or in combination do not adequately reflect the complexities of actual game situations. Therefore, the problem lies in the need to address this gap by designing a composite test that simulates various playing conditions related to basic shooting skills. The descriptive approach was adopted, and the research community was deliberately selected from student-players at the College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, University of Baghdad, with a research sample of (88) players. The research resulted in a composite test comprising four basic shooting types (free throw, jump shot inside the arc, jump shot outside the arc, and layup) with a total of 13 attempts and a maximum score of 27 points. The test demonstrated high validity, with 100% expert agreement and a discriminative validity t-value of 5.11 (p < 0.05). Reliability was established using the test-retest method (r = 0.91, p < 0.05), and objectivity was confirmed with an inter-rater correlation coefficient of 0.96 (p < 0.05). The mean performance score was 5.56 points/minute, with scores ranging from 2.14 to 15.56 points/minute, and standards were established, and this achieves one of the sustainable development goals of the United Nations in Iraq which is (Quality Education).

The main aim of this research was analyzing the attitudes of students at the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Sciences at Al-Mustaqbal University towards e-cigarette use. The research explored how e-cigarette use is related to demographic, economic, and social variables; in addition to the level of health awareness of its risks. The researchers followed a descriptive approach and used a survey method. The research was conducted on a sample of (80) students belonging to the four stages of the 2024–2025 academic year. Data were obtained through a questionnaire in accordance with scientific principles and verified by five specialized experts. The reliability coefficient was calculated using Cronbach’s alpha (0.86). A set of statistical tools was used, including percentages, frequencies, arithmetic means, standard deviation, Pearson correlation coefficient, chi-squared test (χ2), and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results showed: Social factors, particularly peer pressure and integration into the university environment, are the were among the most prominent factors of e-cigarette use (85%), with statistically significant differences between academic years (χ2 = 8.47, p < 0.05). A moderate positive correlation exists between low income levels and limited spending (r = 0.42, p < 0.01), reflecting a more experimental use pattern. A general awareness of the harms of e-cigarette use (100% in some items) is contrasted by a weak understanding of its long-term health risks. The influence of family is less effective (8.75%) compared to friends and the university environment (77.5%). The study recommends implementing awareness programs and strengthening sports activities within the university environment, and this achieves one of the sustainable development goals of the United Nations in Iraq which is (Good Health).

Basketball is defined as a high intensity sport which significantly depends on an anaerobic energy system, specifically its phosphagen and lactate components, especially during very fast transitions from the offensive phase to defensive failure and vice versa. These scenarios involve continuous accelerations/decelerations coupled with accurate actions under time constraints. The relevance of these requests is even higher for under-18 players, as they are at a special stage (against the above-mentioned physical and physiological development) directly affecting the capacity to resist fatigue and keep performance levels in the 2nd half during competition. This accumulation of lactic acid leads to an erosion in muscle strength, transition time and technical accuracy. The inclusion of ball transition and fast break type drills as part of training sessions is thought to be appropriate for improving anaerobic capacity, cardiorespiratory efficiency, basic offensive skills (dribbling, passing and shooting), lactic acid release/accumulation and delaying the appearance of metabolic shutdown (physiological fatigue). Research has also shown that this type of training lends itself to the production of concurrent gains in both physical and technical performance, thus aiding young players in generating and maintaining high levels of play at various moments in the game — particularly when it counts most on offense, and this achieves one of the sustainable development goals of the United Nations in Iraq which is (Good Health).

The current study explores the correlation between reflective thinking and the chosen offensive basketball skills in students. This involved evaluating the degree of reflective thinking and relating it to performance in certain offensive skills, that is, receiving, high dribbling, chest passing, long passing, and lay-up shooting. The descriptive correlational design was chosen as it was consistent with the nature of research problems. The sample consisted of undergraduate students, and it was chosen based on predetermined scientific criteria. The study used various measures, such as a reflective thinking scale and three composite skills tests in basketball. The average of the reflective thinking scale was 83.26 (SD = 9.759) which was higher than the mean of 67 of the hypotheses. The t-value was 11.057 at p <.001 meaning that the participants reflected high level of thinking. In addition, it was established that reflective thinking has statistically significant positive relationships with the first test (r = .684), the second test (r =.612), and the third test (r =.597) with a significant level of p =.000. These findings indicate that there is an improvement in performance on complex offensive basketball skills as the level of reflective thinking increases. Reflective thinking is involved in the organization of motor performance but also improves the quality of learning skills among students. The research suggests the introduction of new instructional methods that will facilitate the development of reflective thinking in physical education lessons. The practice is in line with Sustainable Development Goals associated with quality education, and good health and well-being.

This research aims to determine the effectiveness of compound exercises in developing explosive power and force speed in the long jump among students. The research problem lies in the limited use of compound exercises that develop explosive power and force speed during training. The researcher used an experimental design with two groups (experimental and control). The sample included 24 students from Najaf Preparatory School for Mathematical Sciences, who were randomly divided into two groups (experimental and control). Each group consisted of 12 students, representing 49% of the research population. The experimental group underwent compound exercises, which were conducted over eight training sessions. Explosive power and force speed were measured in the research sample, and the researcher drew several conclusions, the most important of which are: The results of post-tests for both the experimental and control groups showed that the statistical significance values (Sig) in the standing broad jump test were (0.001), in the force speed test (0.003), and in the long jump test (0.000). Therefore, all values were less than 0.05, indicating statistically significant differences favoring the experimental group in subsequent tests. Furthermore, the statistical significance values in all tests (explosive power, speed and strength, and long jump) confirm the research hypotheses and their statistical validity. The statistical results (Sig < 0.05) indicate that the combined exercises were more effective than traditional exercises in developing the physical variables under study.