Introduction: The purpose of this study was to present a model of dynamic competitiveness of Iranian sports in world competitions of team sport disciplines.

Methods: This applied research was conducted using a system dynamics approach. First, data were collected through searches in sports databases. Then, dynamic competitiveness model was designed and implemented in vensim software. The research population included all team sports of IRI in world competitions after Islamic Revolution, from which data related to fifteen accessible national teams were collected as sample. Data accuracy was confirmed through triangulation and comparison of parallel data. Model validation was confirmed through structural examination, dimensional consistency, and behavioral validity.

Results: The causal loop model showed that dynamic competitiveness system affects competition memory through participation and performance, while increases or decreases in competitiveness are explained by four balancing and reinforcing loops. Furthermore, accumulative model showed men’s beach soccer, men’s futsal, women’s canoe polo, and men’s kabaddi in a leading position; women’s kabaddi, men’s volleyball, football, basketball, canoe polo, indoorhockey, and beach volleyball in a lagging position; and men’s and women’s handball, women’s futsal, and men’s waterpolo in a left-behind position.

Conclusion: The competitiveness of team sports is product of dynamic interaction of feedback loops over time, in which competition memory constitutes core of system and plays a determining role in transforming participation and performance into sustainable competitiveness. Disciplines that maintain reinforcing loops among participation, performance, and competition memory achieve a leading position, whereas dominance of balancing loops results in competitive delay or left-behind status.