Assist. Prof. Dr. Sahar Mohammadzadeh | Neurodevelopmental Processes | Breakthrough Research Award
Assist. Prof. Dr. Sahar Mohammadzadeh, Damghan university, Iran.
Dr. Sahar Mohammadzadeh is an accomplished Assistant Professor at Damghan University, whose academic path began in French literature but evolved into a distinguished career in sport sciences. With advanced degrees from Shahid Beheshti University and international research experience in Switzerland, she has specialized in motor behavior, mental fatigue, and cognitive performance in athletes. Her scholarly contributions blend neuroscience and physical education, positioning her at the intersection of motor learning and brain-based performance enhancement. From improving gait in elderly populations to exploring attention networks in skilled athletes, her research reflects both depth and diversity in human movement science.
Profile
🎓 Early Academic Pursuits
Dr. Sahar Mohammadzadeh embarked on her academic journey with a Bachelor’s degree in French Language and Literature from the University of Tehran, graduating in 2009. Her transition from the humanities to sport sciences marked a unique interdisciplinary path that shaped her future contributions. Driven by a passion for understanding human movement and cognitive performance, she pursued her M.Sc. in Physical Education and Sport Sciences with a specialization in Motor Behavior at Shahid Beheshti University, completing it in 2012. Her academic dedication culminated in a Ph.D. in Motor Behavior – Motor Learning from the same institution in 2019, where she laid the foundation for her lifelong commitment to sport psychology and motor cognition.
🧠 Research Focus and Scientific Contributions
Dr. Mohammadzadeh’s research primarily centers on mental fatigue, cognitive performance, and motor learning in athletes. Her Ph.D. dissertation, focusing on the effect of cognitive training on behavioral and electrophysiological indicators of attention network function following mental fatigue in skilled athletes, illustrates her deep engagement with the neurocognitive dimensions of sport performance. She explores how mental exhaustion influences athletic efficiency and how cognitive interventions can enhance attentional capabilities. Her research aligns neuroscience with sports science, contributing valuable insights into athlete preparedness and cognitive resilience.
👩🏫 Professional Endeavors and Academic Roles
Currently serving as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sport Sciences at Damghan University, Iran, Dr. Mohammadzadeh plays a pivotal role in shaping future scholars and practitioners in the field. Her tenure at the university has been marked by a commitment to academic excellence, mentoring, and interdisciplinary research. She has also extended her academic boundaries internationally, having spent six months as a visiting scholar at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland, where she conducted research on brain activity and mental fatigue in athletes. This experience enriched her global perspective and reinforced her expertise in sport cognitive neuroscience.
🧬 Interdisciplinary Impact and Innovation
Bridging the gap between motor behavior, cognitive science, and athletic performance, Dr. Mohammadzadeh brings a unique lens to sport sciences. Her master’s thesis investigated the effect of balance training on gait kinematic characteristics in elderly women, reflecting her early interest in movement rehabilitation. With time, her work evolved into a more cognitive and neuropsychological domain, reflecting a sophisticated understanding of how mental states affect physical performance. Her interdisciplinary approach has helped in developing better training protocols and strategies for mental and physical endurance among athletes.
🌍 Global Recognition and Scholarly Engagement
Dr. Mohammadzadeh’s international exposure, particularly through her scholarly visit to Switzerland, has elevated her academic standing. She has collaborated with international peers in research focused on brain activity and mental fatigue—an area gaining critical attention in sports science. Her dual-language proficiency and academic versatility have enabled her to engage with diverse research communities and disseminate knowledge across borders.
🏅 Accolades and Academic Achievements
Throughout her academic journey, Dr. Mohammadzadeh has demonstrated outstanding performance, earning accolades for both her research quality and educational commitment. Her selection as a visiting scholar in Switzerland is a testament to her recognition in international academic circles. She continues to contribute actively through lectures, publications, and research, gaining respect as an emerging voice in the field of motor learning and athlete cognition.
🌱 Legacy and Future Contributions
With a strong foundation in both cognitive neuroscience and sport sciences, Dr. Sahar Mohammadzadeh is poised to make lasting contributions to the understanding of mental performance in athletes. Her future work aims to further investigate brain-behavior relationships in sport, design neurocognitive training modules, and foster holistic athlete development. As a dedicated educator and a passionate researcher, her legacy will be defined by her efforts to merge science with sport for better mental and physical performance.
Publication
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Title: The effect of balance training on hip, knee, and ankle joints Kinematic compatibility of older women during walking
Authors: A Farsi, H Ashayeri, S Mohammadzadeh
Year: 2016
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Title: The effect of six weeks balance training program on kinematic of walking in women elderly people
Authors: A Farsi, H Ashayeri, S Mohammadzadeh
Year: 2015
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Title: The effect of cognitive fatigue on the neural efficacy of the executive control network among athletes: dual regulation system model
Authors: S Mohammadzadeh, A Farsi, R Khosrowabadi
Year: 2020
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Title: Sonification of Motor Imagery in the Basketball Jump Shot: Effect on Muscle Activity Amplitude
Authors: H Ramezanzade, G Badicu, S Cataldi, F Parimi, S Mohammadzadeh, …
Year: 2023
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Title: The effect of a play-centered SPARK physical education program on motor proficiency and self-efficacy in children with developmental coordination disorder
Authors: S Mohammadzadeh, F Habibifar, H Ramezanzade, M Jafarzadeh, …
Year: 2025
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Title: Impact of Motivational Climate on Student Achievement in Sport: A Social Cognitive Theory Perspective
Authors: S Mohammadzadeh, L Alizadeh
Year: 2024
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Title: Effects of vitamins K1 and K3 addition to diets with calcium deficiency on performance and physicochemical indicators of tibia bone in Japanese quails
Authors: S Mohammadzadeh, T Vahdatpour, Y Ebrahimnezhad
Year: 2018
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Title: The Effect of Mental Fatigue on the Planning and Preparation of Alerting and Orienting Attention Networks in Athlete Students; A Non-Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: S Mohammadzadeh, A Farsi, R Khosrowabadi
Year: 2018
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Title: The effects of sensory motor exercise on strategies of stepping over obstacles in older adults women
Authors: S Mohammadzadeh, F Habibifar, BZ Hatami, A Farsi
Year: 2016
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Title: Training-related changes in gait and balance in older women
Authors: S Mohammadzadeh, F Habibifar, BZ Hatami
Year: 2016
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Title: The impact of play-based group motor program on gross motor function and self-efficacy in children with DCD
Authors: F Habibifar, S Mohammadzadeh, A Farsi, M Jafarzadeh, A Rabavi
Year: (Year not provided — likely around 2024–2025 based on style)
✅ Conclusion
Through her innovative and interdisciplinary research, Dr. Sahar Mohammadzadeh has emerged as a key contributor to the evolving field of sport cognitive science. Her work not only advances academic knowledge but also provides practical solutions for athletic training and mental resilience. As she continues to explore the frontiers of brain activity and motor learning, her impact will resonate across both academic institutions and the broader sporting world. Her journey reflects a dynamic blend of scholarship, global engagement, and a vision for improving athletic and cognitive health through science.