Introduction: Participation in sports and physical activities is considered an organizational responsibility for military personnel, and their physical fitness is routinely evaluated. Similar to many other aspects of military service, participation in sports activities is influenced by a variety of factors.
Objective: This study aimed to provide a narrative review of the factors influencing participation in sports activities among military personnel.
Materials and Methods: This study employed a narrative review approach. The study population consisted of Persian-language articles focusing on sports participation among military personnel published in Iranian scientific journals between 2011 and 2024. Relevant studies were identified through searches of several academic databases, including the Humanities Portal, Noormags, the Scientific Information Database (SID), Civilica, and other Iranian scientific journal repositories. A total of 16 eligible articles were identified and analyzed
Results: The findings revealed that the most important determinants of sports participation could be categorized into three levels. At the individual level, influential factors included motivation, quality of life, emotional aspects, personal characteristics, individual attributes, and social support from peers and family members. At the organizational level, factors included physical fitness requirements, management style, organizational regulations, available resources and facilities, and healthcare-related costs. At the social level, determinants included perceived security, media communication and awareness, purchasing power and economic conditions, sports-related expenses, urban sports facilities and infrastructure, and cultural factors. In contrast, barriers to participation were also identified across these three levels. Individual barriers included poor time management, lack of peers or companions, and insufficient awareness. Organizational barriers encompassed management-related issues, structural deficiencies, inadequate facilities, and insufficient organizational planning. Social barriers included limited access to urban sports facilities, economic challenges, inadequate public transportation, and lack of security. Suggested strategies for enhancing participation included effective planning, provision of appropriate facilities and opportunities, and increasing awareness among military personnel.
Conclusion: Lifestyle plays a crucial role in shaping sports participation among military personnel. Both facilitating and inhibiting factors reflect the individual, familial, organizational, and social dimensions of their lifestyle. Therefore, neglecting lifestyle-related factors may hinder the achievement of organizational objectives and reduce the effectiveness of programs designed to promote physical activity and fitness among military personnel.