University of Guilan Journal of Sport Management and Development 2322-4800 15 3 2026 09 23 Designing a Model of Professionalizing in Student Sports Based on Structural Equation Approach Designing a Model of Professionalizing in Student Sports Based on Structural Equation Approach 47 72 8980 10.22124/jsmd.2025.31035.3004 FA Saeed Abdi Ph.D Student in Sport Management, Department of Sport Management, Faculty of Sports Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran Rahim Ramezaninejad Professor of Sport Management, Department of Sport Management, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran HamidReza Goharrostami Associate Professor of Sport Management, Department of Sport Management, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran Journal Article 2025 07 03 <strong>Objective</strong><strong>:</strong> The goal of the present study was to design a model for professionalizing of student sports.<br /><strong>Methodology</strong><strong>: </strong>The present study was applied in terms of its purpose and descriptive-correlational in nature. The statistical population of the study included experts from the Deputy of Physical Education and Health of the Ministry and the Student Sports Federation, the Deputy of Physical Education and Health, heads of physical education departments, experts and physical education teachers of the provinces. A sufficient number of statistical samples were selected for structural equation modeling (369 people) and they responded to a researcher-made questionnaire whose face validity was confirmed by 10 experts and its reliability was confirmed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient (0.99); and structural equation modeling in PLS4 and SPSS26 software was used to analyze the data and examine the model fit..<br /><strong>Results</strong><strong>:</strong> The results showed that the effect of professionalization opportunities and professionalization requirements on professionalization management is positive and significant. The effect of professionalization management on human capital empowerment and optimization of development resources was direct, positive and significant; but it did not have a direct effect on inter-organizational efficiency. Also, human capital empowerment and resource optimization had a direct, positive and significant effect on inter-organizational efficiency, and further, the effect of inter-organizational efficiency on the quality of health and wellness programs, updating of education and learning, and holding standard events and competitions was direct, positive and significant.<br /><strong>Conclusion</strong><strong>:</strong> By considering the context and capacities of student sports and recognizing the paths to professionalization, student sports programs and activities can be moved from a normal level to an advanced level, leading to the professional growth and advancement of student sports. <strong>Objective</strong><strong>:</strong> The goal of the present study was to design a model for professionalizing of student sports.<br /><strong>Methodology</strong><strong>: </strong>The present study was applied in terms of its purpose and descriptive-correlational in nature. The statistical population of the study included experts from the Deputy of Physical Education and Health of the Ministry and the Student Sports Federation, the Deputy of Physical Education and Health, heads of physical education departments, experts and physical education teachers of the provinces. A sufficient number of statistical samples were selected for structural equation modeling (369 people) and they responded to a researcher-made questionnaire whose face validity was confirmed by 10 experts and its reliability was confirmed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient (0.99); and structural equation modeling in PLS4 and SPSS26 software was used to analyze the data and examine the model fit..<br /><strong>Results</strong><strong>:</strong> The results showed that the effect of professionalization opportunities and professionalization requirements on professionalization management is positive and significant. The effect of professionalization management on human capital empowerment and optimization of development resources was direct, positive and significant; but it did not have a direct effect on inter-organizational efficiency. Also, human capital empowerment and resource optimization had a direct, positive and significant effect on inter-organizational efficiency, and further, the effect of inter-organizational efficiency on the quality of health and wellness programs, updating of education and learning, and holding standard events and competitions was direct, positive and significant.<br /><strong>Conclusion</strong><strong>:</strong> By considering the context and capacities of student sports and recognizing the paths to professionalization, student sports programs and activities can be moved from a normal level to an advanced level, leading to the professional growth and advancement of student sports. https://jsmd.guilan.ac.ir/article_8980_db80dc494cc1e12f151120647ddb5f8b.pdf