Mutlu Türkmen

Bu araştırma, Suudi Arabistan’ın spor alanındaki yumuşak güç kullanımını inceleyerek, ülkenin spor stratejileriyle küresel imajını güçlendirmeye yönelik çabalarını ortaya koymaktadır. Yumuşak güç kavramı, ülkelerin uluslararası alanda askeri veya ekonomik baskılara başvurmadan, kültür, diplomasi, medya ve spor gibi unsurlar üzerinden etki kurma stratejilerini ifade eder. Araştırmada nitel araştırma desenlerinden doküman analizi yöntemi kullanılmıştır. Veri seti olarak yararlanılan dokümana Play the Game internet sitesi üzerinden erişim sağlanmıştır. İlgili dokümandan elde edilen veriler içerik analizi yöntemi ile incelenmiştir. Araştırmanın bulguları, Suudi Arabistan’ın spor yatırımları ve organizasyon stratejilerinin sadece sportif başarılar değil, aynı zamanda uluslararası ilişkilerdeki etkinliğini artırmayı amaçlayan uzun vadeli bir planın parçası olduğunu göstermektedir. Özellikle futbol, boks, golf, MMA ve e-spor gibi popüler spor branşlarına yapılan yatırımlar bu planı ortaya koymaktadır. Ayrıca spor organizasyonlarında etkili isimlerin büyük çoğunluğunun erkek olması dikkat çekmektedir. Diğer bir dikkat çekici bulgu, Suudi Arabistan Futbol Federasyonunun iki uluslararası futbol federasyonu, kırk beş ulusal futbol federasyonu ve altı futbol kulübü ile ortaklık anlaşması imzalamasıdır. Bu stratejilerin ne kadar başarılı olacağı ve kadınların spora katılımı konusunda atılan adımların etkili olup olmayacağı ise gelecekte yapılacak araştırmalarla daha kapsamlı bir şekilde değerlendirilebilecektir.

Female athletes competing in weight-category sports may experience unique psychological pressures related to body image, performance expectations, and sociocultural gender norms. While elite sport participation is often assumed to enhance psychological functioning, evidence remains mixed. This study examined differences in psychological well-being, body image, self-esteem, and athletic identity between elite and amateur female taekwondo athletes in Türkiye, a cultural context characterised by distinct gender and body norms, and explored their associations with psychological well-being. Türkiye represents a theoretically relevant context in which institutional weight regulation intersects with sociocultural gender norms, creating a setting in which body-related psychological experiences may be uniquely shaped by both sport structures and cultural expectations. A cross-sectional design was employed with 233 female taekwondo athletes (107 elite, 126 amateur; M_age = 22.0 ± 3.2 years). Participants completed validated Turkish versions of the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS), the Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and the Athletic Identity Measurement Scale (AIMS). Independent samples t-tests, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson correlations, and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted. No significant differences were found between elite and amateur athletes in psychological well-being or self-esteem. Elite athletes demonstrated significantly stronger athletic identity (p < .001), whereas amateur athletes reported significantly, though modestly, higher body image scores (p = .046). In regression analyses, self-esteem (β = 0.428, p < .001) and body image (β = 0.354, p < .001) were significant predictors of psychological well-being, jointly explaining 52.6% of the variance (R² = 0.526), with self-esteem showing the strongest independent association. Effect size estimates indicated that differences were large for athletic identity (d = 0.75), small for body image (d = 0.26), and negligible for psychological well-being and self-esteem (d = 0.09 and d = 0.13, respectively). Psychological well-being in female taekwondo athletes was more strongly associated with self-esteem and body image than with competitive level. These findings support prioritising self-esteem and body appreciation in structured psychological support programs for female athletes in weight-category sport systems.

This study systematically reveals how athletes' motivation is strengthened by off-field leadership support and the positive effects this has on success. In the world of sports, leadership is shaped not only by on-field performance but also by psychological and social factors off the field. This study aims to examine the impact of off-field leadership on the motivation capacities developed by athletes throughout their training process and the relationship between these capacities and success from a theoretical perspective. Although leadership in sports is mostly evaluated in the context of on-field performance, off-field leadership plays a decisive role in athletes' psychological development, identity construction, and long-term success. In this context, the research is structured around three main dimensions: the role of off-field leadership in the construction of athlete identity, the interaction between leadership and motivation in the training process, and the impact of psychological factors on success. The study was conducted within the framework of a qualitative research approach, and the multidimensional meaning of off-site leadership was theoretically analysed using phenomenological analysis methods. In this study, which is not based on field data, the analysis was conducted based on the relevant literature and theoretical framework. The findings reveal that athletes' motivational development is strengthened by leadership-based social support mechanisms and that this development contributes significantly to success. The original value of the study lies in its multidisciplinary perspective, which relates off-field leadership to motivational capacity and considers individual success not only in terms of physical performance but also in terms of psychological and social processes. In this respect, the study makes important contributions to the literature on sports education, leadership theories, and sports psychology.

Background : The Türkiye 2025 Report Card for Children and Adolescents provides a comprehensive evaluation of physical activity (PA) levels and associated indicators using the Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance grading framework. Methods : The Türkiye 2025 Report Card follows the standardized methodology established by the Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance Global Matrix. Based on nationally available evidence (government reports, peer-reviewed literature, surveys, etc) released from 2019 to January 2025, a research team evaluated the 10 core PA indicators in the global matrix and assigned letter grades (A–F) according to benchmarks defined by the Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance. Results: Grades were awarded as follows: overall PA, F; organized sport participation, F; active play, INCOMPLETE; active transportation, C+; sedentary behaviors, B−; physical fitness, C−; family and peers, B; school, C; community and environment, B; and government, C. Conclusions: More than 90% of Turkish children and adolescents fail to meet World Health Organization guidelines for PA (ie, ≥60 min/d moderate to vigorous PA, on average). Although some efforts have been made to develop PA policies in Türkiye, there is limited surveillance and little evidence regarding their impact on PA levels among children and adolescents. The results highlight the importance of adopting an urgent and comprehensive approach to address and combat the widespread physical inactivity in Türkiye.

Purpose. To study the distinctive characteristics of functional reserve readaptation in elite Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) athletes during long-term rehabilitation after musculoskeletal injuries using various physical therapy protocols. Material & Methods. The study examined 24 elite athletes who sustained musculoskeletal injuries after competitions, predominantly involving the neuromuscular system and limb ligaments. 50 % of the athletes had previously practiced Muay Thai boxing, while the others specialized in Greco-Roman wrestling before MMA. The monitoring of the athletes’ functional reserve readaptation during rehabilitation lasted seven months. The study included four control stages (before injury, and after two, five, and seven months of rehabilitation), each accompanied by a set of test loads designed to evaluate the effectiveness of the readaptation. To assess the adaptive and compensatory responses of the body to the applied loads, a series of blood biomarkers was analyzed, including creatine phosphokinase, lactate dehydrogenase, cortisol, and creatinine. Changes in body composition were tracked using bioimpedance analysis. Results. The most noticeable signs of adaptation failure in elite MMA athletes occurred during the first two months of rehabilitation. Compared to pre-injury data, both groups of athletes showed a decrease in baseline creatine phosphokinase and creatinine levels. This was accompanied by an increase in lactate dehydrogenase activity in their blood serum, marking a significant drop in the body’s functional reserves and overall resistance. During the three-month rehabilitation period, athletes exhibited only partial signs of functional readaptation, despite the implementation of protocols that significantly differed from standard physical therapy approaches. Moreover, a decrease in blood cortisol concentration in response to physical load was detected in both groups, suggesting a low level of resistance and the need for additional energy supply. During the last eight weeks of the seven-month rehabilitation program, exercises replicating 85-90% of MMA technical skills facilitated both the activation and enhancement of functional readaptation. Modifications to the protocols led to an increase in baseline creatinine and creatine phosphokinase levels, along with a decrease in lactate dehydrogenase activity in both groups. Simultaneously, the changes observed in biochemical blood markers in response to the test loads indicated activation of mechanisms supporting short-term adaptation. Conclusions. The findings indicate the limited effectiveness of standard physical therapy protocols in supporting the readaptation of functional reserves among elite MMA athletes during long-term rehabilitation. Despite the high resistance of physiological systems to physical loads recorded before injury, the lack of sufficient muscular activity during the five-month rehabilitation period led to the manifestation of compensatory reactions. Restructuring the rehabilitation protocols with adjusted training loads and exercises simulating 75-80% of combat movements positively influenced the athletes’ recovery. The study results helped to identify and analyze the low effectiveness of functional reserve readaptation observed in many elite MMA athletes during long-term rehabilitation after musculoskeletal injuries.

Humour in educational contexts is not merely an element of entertainment but a powerful pedagogical tool that reduces anxiety, enhances motivation, strengt

Background This study is based on the “Multi-Sport Event Impact Scale,” developed to examine the social, political, economic, environmental, and sporting impacts of multi-sport events. Multi-sport events generate wide-ranging impacts, including cultural interaction, social contribution, and economic activity, in addition to sporting benefits. This study evaluates these impacts within the framework of demographic variables. Methods The study included a total of 574 individuals who attended the 23rd Summer Deaflympics held in Samsun in 2017 and the 5th Islamic Solidarity Games held in Konya in 2022 as spectators. Data were collected using the “Personal Information Form” developed by the researchers and the “Multi-Sport Games Impact Scale,” which consists of 30 items and 6 sub-dimensions. The demographic characteristics of the participants were summarized with frequency and percentage values, and t-tests and one-way ANOVAs were applied for group comparisons. The relationships between variables were examined using Pearson's correlation coefficient, and the statistical significance level was set at p<0.05. Results The Multi-Sport Games Impact Scale proved to be a valid and reliable tool. Differences were found according to demographic variables; in particular, positive relationships were observed with age, social and political impacts, and negative relationships with sports and economic impacts. Overall, it was determined that multi-sport games have a significant impact on society in social, political, economic, and environmental dimensions. Conclusions Findings indicate that multi-sport games have meaningful impacts on society in social, political, economic, and environmental dimensions. Demographic factors shape the level of these impacts. Future studies conducted in different cities and sports organizations using longitudinal designs could provide more comprehensive information on the social impacts of multi-sport games.

Bu araştırmanın temel amacı, boş zaman tüketicilerinin yaşam kalitesi ile mutluluk düzeyleri arasındaki ilişkiyi incelemek ve yaşam kalitesi ile mutluluğun demografik değişkenlere göre farklılaşıp farklılaşmadığını belirlemektir. Araştırma, tanımlayıcı (betimsel) ve ilişkisel tarama modeli yöntemleri çerçevesinde gerçekleştirilmiştir. Araştırmanın evrenini, Erzurum ilinde düzenlenen Avrupa Gençlik Olimpik Kış Festivali’ne izleyici olarak katılan bireyler oluşturmaktadır. Bu evrenden basit tesadüfi örnekleme yöntemiyle seçilen 414 kişi, araştırmanın örneklemini oluşturmuştur. Veri toplama aracı olarak: “Kişisel Bilgi Formu, Yaşam Kalitesi Ölçeği Kısa Formu (WHOQOL-BREF-TR) ve Oxford Mutluluk Ölçeği Kısa Formu (OMÖ-K)” kullanılmıştır. Veriler, SPSS 23.0 programı ile analiz edilmiştir. Tanımlayıcı istatistiklerde frekans, yüzde, ortalama ve standart sapma; değişkenler arası farklılıkların incelenmesinde t-testi ve ANOVA; değişkenler arası ilişkilerin analizinde ise Pearson Korelasyon Testi ve Çoklu Doğrusal Regresyon Analizi kullanılmıştır. Çoklu karşılaştırmalar için ise Tukey testi uygulanmıştır. Araştırma Bulguları: Katılımcıların yaşam kalitesi ve mutluluk düzeylerinin medeni durum, meslek ve gelir gibi demografik değişkenlere göre anlamlı farklılıklar gösterdiği saptanmıştır. Yaş ile yaşam kalitesi ve mutluluk arasında pozitif yönde bir ilişki olduğu belirlenmiştir. Yaşam kalitesi ölçeğinin (YKÖ) alt boyutları ve toplam puan ortalamaları, mutluluk üzerinde anlamlı bir etki göstermiştir. Regresyon analizine göre, yaşam kalitesi değişkenleri mutluluk düzeyindeki değişimin %45’ini açıklamaktadır. Korelasyon analizinde, YKÖ ile OMÖ-K arasında yüksek düzeyde, pozitif ve anlamlı bir ilişki tespit edilmiştir. Sonuç olarak, bireylerin yaşam kalitesi arttıkça mutluluk düzeylerinin de arttığı; yaşam kalitesi alt boyutlarının mutluluk üzerinde belirleyici bir etkiye sahip olduğu sonucuna ulaşılmıştır.

Yetenek seçiminde, pek çok farklı boyutları olan karmaşık sorunların çözümlenmesinde, insanların daha iyi seçim yapmalarına destek olmak amacıyla, bir dizi rassal alternatif içinden yalın ve belli kıstaslara bağlı optimum bir çözüm alternatifleri sıralaması ve önerisi sunmak için çok kriterli karar verme yöntemleri geliştirilmiştir. Bunlardan biri de Analitik Hiyerarşi Süreci (AHS)’dir. Bu bağlamda bu araştırmanın amacı AHS yönteminin bocce branşında yetenek seçiminde kullanılmasının araştırılmasıdır. Araştırma kapsamında öncelikle bocce sporu için gerekli yeterlilikler 4 ana kriter ve her bir ana kritere bağlı alt kriterler belirlenmiştir. Kriterlerin belirlenmesinde Türkiye Bocce Bowling ve Dart Federasyonuna bağlı olarak görev yapan 42 antrenör (2. 3. ve 4. kademe) katılmıştır. Kriterler belirlendikten sonra bocce branşında yeteneğe etki edebileceği düşünülen alt kriterlerin ağırlık önem değerleri antrenörler tarafından puanlanmıştır. Bu puanlamalara dayanarak da AHS kullanılarak her bir alt kriterin yüzde önem dereceleri hesaplatılmıştır. Çalışma sonucunda ana kriterlerde yüzdelik dilimler açısından ağırlık sıralamasında ilk sırada bilişsel özellikler (%45,6), ikinci sırada psiko-sosyal özellikler (%30,3), üçüncü sırada (%14,6) ile motorik özellikler ve son sırada (%9,4) antropometrik ve fiziksel özellikler yer almıştır. Alt kriterler açısından ise odaklanma becerisi (%17,83), algılama (%9,94), karar verme (%7,30), oto kontrol (%7,11), dikkat seviyesi (%6,48), denge ve koordinasyon (6,12) becerilerinin ön plana çıktığı görülmektedir. Bu sonuçların spor yöneticileri ve antrenörlerin bocce branşında yetenek seçiminde ve yetenek gelişiminde yol gösterici olabileceği düşünülmektedir.