Introduction: In today's world, environmental issues have gained more attention than ever before. Climate change, environmental pollution, depletion of natural resources, and environmental threats are among the challenges that human societies face. In this context, athletes, as social and cultural role models, can play a significant role in raising environmental awareness and promoting green behaviors. The fame and influence of athletes, especially at the national level, can be crucial in promoting these values and green behaviors among fans and the sports community. The aim of this study was to examine the green behavior of selected athletes from the national teams of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Materials and Methods: This study was descriptive and applied in terms of purpose, with data collection conducted through a survey. The research method was quantitative. The statistical population consisted of athletes from the national teams of Iran, who participated in national team camps in Tehran between February and June 2024. Based on data from relevant authorities, this population was estimated to include 420 athletes. The sample size, calculated according to the Morgan table, was 201 athletes. Data were collected using a modified version of the questionnaire by Potgieter et al. (2017). To ensure the validity of the questionnaire, the opinions of 15 faculty members from the departments of Sports Sciences, Health, and Environmental and Natural Resources were utilized. The reliability of the questionnaire was assessed using Cronbach's alpha, and the obtained alpha value of 0.839 indicated acceptable reliability. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 26. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to assess the normality of data distribution, while one-sample t-tests, correlation tests, and linear regression were employed for statistical analysis. The one-sample t-test was used to evaluate the level of environmental awareness, attitudes, and green behavior among athletes. Pearson's correlation test was used to examine the relationship between environmental awareness, attitudes, and green behavior. Finally, linear regression was used to predict green behavior based on environmental awareness and attitudes.
Results: The results showed that the level of environmental awareness, attitudes, and green behavior was above the baseline (3), and there was a significant positive relationship between environmental awareness and attitudes with the green behavior of selected athletes from the national teams of the Islamic Republic of Iran (p<0.001). Additionally, the components of environmental awareness (Beta=0.335) and environmental attitude (Beta=0.232) demonstrated a significant relationship and predictive capacity for green behavior among selected athletes of the national teams of the Islamic Republic of Iran (P<0.001, R²=0.147).
Discussion: The findings of this study emphasize that educating and promoting environmental awareness among athletes can help improve their environmental behavior and facilitate the promotion of green culture in the sports community. Based on the results of this study and considering the importance of the environment, current global environmental challenges, and the influential role of national athletes on society and sports enthusiasts, it is suggested that sports organizations and authorities prioritize the development of environmental awareness and attitudes among national team athletes. To achieve this, it is recommended to design educational programs focused on introducing green behavior, environmental issues and challenges, the role of athletes in promoting green behavior, and the interaction between sports, athletes, and green behavior.