شناسایی عوامل مؤثر در توسعه استارت‌آپ‌های ورزشی مرتبط با فعالیت بدنی و سلامتی

Background and Purpose
The present research was conducted to identify the effective factors in the development of sports start-ups related to physical activity and health. In recent years, the rapid advancement of technology has led to a significant shift in daily activities, with many tasks now accomplished through electronic and digital tools. This technological evolution, while offering convenience, has also contributed to a decline in physical activity and mobility, resulting in an increase in various health issues and abnormalities within society. The emergence of sports start-ups in the domain of health and physical activity has been recognized as one of the promising strategies to address these challenges. These start-ups are positioned to offer innovative solutions that can foster greater engagement in physical activity at the community level. As a multidimensional tool with broad-reaching effects, exercise not only supports physical health but also plays a valuable role in overcoming mental and social pressures. Thus, the development of sports start-ups is seen as a vital component in promoting healthier lifestyles and combating the negative consequences of sedentary behavior.
 
Method
This study adopted an exploratory research design, utilizing both field and descriptive-survey methods for data collection, and was grounded in the structural equation modeling (SEM) framework. The research population was divided into qualitative and quantitative categories. In the qualitative phase, participants included experts, sports management professors, students with experience in sports businesses and start-ups, and owners of sports businesses. Participants were selected using purposeful and accessible sampling methods, and the sample size was determined through ongoing interviews until theoretical saturation was reached, which occurred after 22 interviews. The process continued until information from participants became repetitive and no new data emerged, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the research objectives.
In the quantitative phase, the sample consisted of sports management professors and students from Tehran universities who had relevant experience or were active in start-up or entrepreneurship fields. Due to the limitations imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic and restricted researcher access, 126 individuals successfully completed the final online questionnaire. For the qualitative analysis, all interviews were fully recorded and transcribed. The researcher meticulously reviewed and coded each interview to ensure accuracy and reliability. Coding was employed to analyze the qualitative data, while descriptive statistics were used to examine demographic information in the quantitative phase. Structural equation modeling was applied to analyze the variables and components related to the development of sports start-ups. The software tools utilized in this research were SPSS version 20 and Lisrel version 10.
 
Results
Descriptive statistics revealed that 89% of the research participants were master’s students, while 11% were doctoral students. The majority (63%) were aged between 21 and 25 years. The gender distribution was 66% male and 44% female, with 74% single and 26% married. The qualitative analysis of the interviews identified seven key components as effective factors in the development of sports start-ups: (1) personal characteristics of the founder, (2) facilities and resources, (3) cultural factors, (4) innovative nature of the start-up, (5) economic factors, (6) management factors, and (7) branding of the start-up.
To assess whether these seven components adequately described the main variable of sports start-up development, structural equation modeling was employed. The results indicated that the standard coefficients between the sports start-up variable and its seven components were at satisfactory levels. Furthermore, the T-values for all paths exceeded 1.96, confirming that all relationships in the research model were positive and statistically significant. A confidence level of 95% and an error margin of 5% were applied to all pathways. These findings support the conclusion that the seven identified components meaningfully and sufficiently explain the development of sports start-ups.
In evaluating the model fit, several indices were considered. Among the absolute fit indices, the relative fit index (X2/df) and the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) were used. For adaptive fit, the comparative fit index (CFI), normalized fit index (NFI), and adjusted goodness of fit index (AGFI) were assessed. All indices fell within acceptable ranges, indicating a well-fitting model. This suggests that the empirical data collected in the study corroborate the theoretical framework proposed for the development of sports start-ups.
 
Conclusion
The study highlights the significance of sports start-ups as a contemporary innovation driven by scientific and technological advancements, particularly in response to the growing challenge of physical inactivity and the need for sports industry development. Sports start-ups are established with diverse objectives, one of the most important being the promotion of physical activity and sports participation at the community level. Given the increasing relevance of these enterprises, the research sought to identify the critical factors influencing their development, specifically in the context of physical activity and health.
The findings demonstrate that the development of sports start-ups is shaped by seven dimensions: the personal characteristics of the founder, availability of facilities and resources, cultural readiness, the innovative nature of the start-up, economic considerations, effective management, and strategic branding. These factors collectively contribute to the success, sustainability, and competitive positioning of sports start-ups. In light of the limited research on physical activity-related start-ups in the country, the results of this study provide valuable guidance for practitioners and entrepreneurs. By leveraging the identified factors, sports start-ups can enhance their prospects for success, secure their place in the competitive landscape, and lay the groundwork for future growth and development.
 Article Message
The development of sports start-ups focused on physical activity and health can play a pivotal role in enhancing public well-being. Success in this domain depends on addressing key factors such as the founder’s personal attributes, cultural context, innovation, and strategic management. By understanding and acting upon these dimensions, sports start-ups can effectively contribute to the promotion of healthy lifestyles and the advancement of the sports industry.