Background: In the present era, due to inactive lifestyles and the emergence of physical problems, focusing on the development and improvement of women's participation in sports, especially female employees, is of high importance.



Objective: The present study was developed with the aim of presenting a paradigmatic model for enhancing the quality of leisure time for female employees through physical activity and sports.



Method: This study is classified among qualitative research, conducted with an exploratory nature and based on the Glaser approach. The statistical population included all experts familiar with and engaged in the research topic (members of sports science faculty, officials of sports and youth departments in the field of women's sports, and female employees in various organizations) in South Khorasan Province. Sampling was purposive with a homogeneous sample selection approach and maximum diversity. After 13 semi-structured interviews, theoretical saturation was achieved. Data analysis involved coding using the grounded theory method with the Glaser approach, in the form of open, axial, and selective coding, utilizing MAXQDA software, version 2020.



Findings: In the open coding stage, based on analysis and re-purification of identified signs, 261 initial conceptual codes were extracted. Upon review and merging based on similarity, this number was reduced to 177 initial conceptual codes. According to the results of axial coding and shared concepts among desired categories, 25 axial codes and 7 selected codes were defined to form a process for improving the quality of female employees' leisure time with an emphasis on physical activity and sports: Culture-building (with 2 axial codes), platform-building (with 4 axial codes), implementation and execution (with 7 axial codes), empowerment and training (with 4 axial codes), and maintenance and continuity (with 3 axial codes). To enhance this developed process, supporting factors (with 3 axial codes) and monitoring and evaluation (with 2 axial codes) were also explained.



Conclusion: The results of this research can lead to effective policy-making and planning to develop and enrich the leisure time of female employees with an emphasis on physical activity and sports within organizations.