The Role of Age, Work Experience, Body Composition, and Level of Sports Participation in Enhancing the Performance of Physical Education Teachers

Authors

1 Department of Physical Education, Farhangian University; P.O. Box 14665-889, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Physical Education, Susangerd branch, Islamic Azad University, Susangerd, Iran

3 Department of Physical Education, Khuzestan General Directorate of Education, Ahvaz, Iran

10.48310/istt.2026.22470.1216

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Identifying the factors associated with the athletic performance of physical education (PE) teachers is of particular importance. Accordingly, the present study was designed to investigate the role of body composition, employment status, and sports participation history in the athletic performance of PE teachers.
Methods: A total of 130 male PE teachers (age: 34±5.8 years; work experience: 12.8±3.7 years; weight: 76.4±9.6 kg) from 13 cities/districts in Khuzestan Province were randomly selected. Athletic performance tests were conducted in (1) basketball, (2) handball, (3) volleyball, (4) futsal, (5) table tennis, and (6) badminton. Additionally, data regarding employment status, work history, highest academic degree, in-service training, body composition, and sports participation history (including previous and recent level and extent of participation) were collected. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and partial eta squared (pη²) were employed as effect size indices for analyzing the results.
Findings: The results indicated that age was significantly and negatively correlated with athletic performance (p=0.049, r=-0.19, weak correlation), while work experience and in-service training were not significantly associated with athletic performance (p>0.05). Body composition showed a significant negative relationship with overall athletic performance (p=0.001, r=-0.40, moderate correlation), such that teachers with normal body weight exhibited better athletic performance than others (p=0.001, pη²=0.166, large effect size). Finally, teachers with professional sports participation demonstrated better athletic performance compared to semi-professional and amateur teachers (p<0.05, pη²=0.194–0.395, large effect size).
Conclusion: Functionally, maintaining normal body weight and continuous participation at a professional level play a more important role in preserving the motor skills of physical education teachers than age or years of teaching experience. These findings suggest that interventions should focus on improving body composition and sustaining high-intensity sports participation, rather than relying on academic degrees or conventional in-service training courses.

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History

  • Receive Date: 16 February 2026
  • Revise Date: 31 May 2026
  • Accept Date: 16 June 2026
  • First Publish Date: 16 June 2026
  • Publish Date: 23 July 2026

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