Physical Education in Schools; Basis for Creating an Entrepreneurial Attitude in Students

This study aimed to design a model for physical education in schools to enhance students' entrepreneurial attitude. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research identified key components of physical education and examined their impact on students' entrepreneurial mindset. In the qualitative phase, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with experienced and specialized physical education teachers (n=20) in Najafabad, Isfahan, and analyzed using thematic analysis in three stages: open, axial, and selective coding. Findings revealed that physical education can serve as an effective platform for fostering entrepreneurial skills and attitudes. The main themes identified included developing entrepreneurial motivation and mindset, nurturing creative and strategic skills, enhancing resilience and challenge management, and p romoting professional and social values, which were categorized into axial themes. In the quantitative phase, data were gathered from first-cycle secondary school students in the same region (n=256) using a researcher-developed questionnaire based on qualitative themes and the standard Linan and Chen (2009) questionnaire. These data were analyzed using the partial least squares method in Smart PLS₃ software. Quantitative results confirmed that all main themes significantly influenced students' entrepreneurial attitude, particularly in areas such as self-efficacy, emotional management, and innovation. Model fit indices, including the standardized root mean square residual and normed fit index, indicated a good fit. These findings align with existing literature on experiential learning and the role of sports activities in developing soft skills, underscoring physical education's potential as a tool for indirectly teaching entrepreneurial concepts. The study recommends redesigning physical education curricula to incorporate targeted experiential activities, such as team-based projects and problem-solving games, to strengthen students' entrepreneurial attitudes. Additionally, it suggests organizing training workshops for physical education teachers to implement this approach effectively.