Exploration of the Contextual Factors in Institutionalizing Physical Activity in Iranian Universities

Despite the increasing public awareness of the consequences of inactivity, only a small percentage of the Iran's academic community supports university sports programs based on available evidence, so the purpose of this study was to investigate the institutional contextual factors of physical activity in Iranian universities. The research method was qualitative and exploratory. The statistical population of the study consisted of all experts, managers, and professionals dealing with the topic of sport for all and physical activity in universities and the subject of institutionalizing sport. According to thematic analysis method and interviewing for data collection, the sampling was done theoretically and using the judgment method until the theoretical saturation. Based on the results of the study, seven factors, environmental monitoring, media, education and research, family, cultural and social contexts, support and encouragement and legal factors were identified as the underlying factors that underpin the institutionalization of physical activity in Iranian universities. Therefore, it seems that the process of institutionalizing physical activity in Iranian universities can be strengthened by identifying the opportunities available in university sports and paying attention to the role of education and research along with reforming policies and structures of university sports.