Given highly competitive markets where numerous quality equivalent brands exist in the sport industry, a well-established brand personality of sport brands can help sport brand managers or practitioners differentiate their brands from competitors beyond utilitarian or functional characteristics. In addition, brand personality enables marketers to effectively communicate with their consumers about the brands as well as build a strong relationship. Given the importance of brand personality as a marketing tool, sport brand managers and marketers could benefit from a sport brand personality scale in order to measure their brands’ personality. Therefore, the purpose of this study was therefore to develop a valid and reliable instrument for measuring brand personality in sport based on the rigorous definition of sport brand personality that excludes non-human personality traits, focusing on understanding the symbolic meanings of sport brands within a specific category (professional sport leagues in the U.S.). I identified five factors (i.e., Agreeableness, Emotionality/Extraversion, Openness, Conscientiousness, and Honesty) and developed a valid and reliable five-dimensional instrument in order to measure sport brand personality. The confirmatory factor analysis confirmed that the five-factor model has a satisfactory fit. This study contributes to the literature by (a) recognizing that defining the brand personality construct thoroughly can be a fundamental step in the process of developing a sport brand personality instrument; (b) developing a reliable and valid instrument that has five dimensional factors based on the rigorous brand personality definition; and (c) providing crucial information for brand managers or marketers to initiate effective positioning and advertising strategies.

The purpose of this study was to examine how sport type and interdependence were associated with the growth experiences of select level male basketball players (n = 150) and distance runners (n = 98), aged 14 to 17 years. This study also examined how growth experiences were related to the outcomes of enjoyment and burnout. Athletes completed the Youth Experiences Survey 2.0 (Hansen & Larson, 2005), Athlete Burnout Questionnaire (Raedeke & Smith, 2001), Sources of Enjoyment in Youth Sport Questionnaire (Wiersma, 2001), and a newly developed scale assessing interdependence. Hierarchical multiple regression procedures determined sport type was an independent predictor of teamwork and social skills experiences, and adult networks and social capital experiences. Basketball players reported higher rates of growth experiences promoting adult networks and social capital, and teamwork and social skills, and negative experiences. In terms of interdependence levels, athletes from both sports did not differ. Hierarchical multiple regression determined interdependence was an independent predictor of growth experiences promoting identity exploration, initiative, positive relationships, adult networks and social capital, and teamwork and social skills. Hierarchical multiple regression also determined negative experiences significantly predicted burnout. Although different sports may provide different learning environments for youth, interdependence levels in a sport setting were also related to the learning environment, independent of sport type. From this study, it can be surmised that the learning environments of youth sports may be more strongly influenced by how the people involved interact than by the type of sport. / Thesis (Master, Kinesiology & Health Studies) -- Queen's University, 2007-12-03 10:38:29.411

The concept of ‘risk’ has become one of the main ontological, existential, and epistemological categories in the modern Western world. People are continually confronted with considerable amounts of information concerning what constitutes risks and how they are to be mediated and avoided. Along side this growing concern with risk and risk avoidance, a large segment of the population continues to seek out risk itself. Although substantial sociological research has been undertaken to try and understand why people engage with risk, these theories and subsequent research falls short in ontological, existential, and epistemological breadth. As a response, this thesis presents a new avenue to understanding risk-taking that is based upon Nietzschean aesthetic theory and its conceptualization of the ‘Apollonian’ and ‘Dionysian’ drives that structure human existence. The world of high-risk skiing is the focal point upon which Nietzsche’s theory is applied, with the hope of not only understanding this specific area of social life, but also to demonstrate the importance that risk can play as an ontological, existential, and epistemological emancipatory category. Chapter two provides an overview of the historical inception of the concept of risk and the popular theoretical perspectives used to understand its place within the social whole. Following this, chapter three reviews the dominant theories used within the sociology of sport to understand risk-taking within the world of sport. Finally, chapter four engages Nietzsche’s theory showing how the high-risk skiing community is analogous to pre-Socratic Greek tragedy, in that it enables adherents to properly balance both Apollonian and Dionysian drives allowing them to escape the ‘reactive nihilism’ that defines the modern Western world. It is concluded that such a perspective not only provides researchers with new tools that are based around the social importance of art and aesthetics, but also that risk is an important ontological, existential, and epistemological category that allows risk-takers to experience a more complete level of existence based upon an understanding of life that celebrates both its positive and negative aspects. / Thesis (Master, Sociology) -- Queen's University, 2009-10-29 19:14:15.441

Structured sports are the most common activity in which youth participate. Research links sport participation to positive and negatives outcomes; however few studies have investigated the processes that affect positive and negative experiences. Considering that enjoyment, motivational climate, and coach behaviors are factors that are known to affect participation, it is of interest to determine if these factors can contribute to increased positive experiences for youth sport participants. Study 1 investigated the psychometric properties of the Youth Experience Survey 2.0 with a group of athletes. This instrument was originally designed to investigate experiences across a range of structured activities; however its psychometric properties had yet to be reported. Results of confirmatory factor analyses did not show strong psychometric support for the instrument. Follow-up exploratory analyses resulted in the instrument being modified and renamed the Youth Experience Survey for Sport. The revised scaled showed improved psychometric properties compared to the original instrument which makes it a preferred tool for investigation of personal development of youth sport participants. Study 2 explored the role of enjoyment and motivational climate on the personal development of team sport athletes. Stepwise multiple regression analyses were used to examine the relationships. Results demonstrated that positive experiences in sport were most strongly predicted by affiliation with peers, self-referenced competency, effort expenditure, and a task climate. Negative experiences were most strongly predicted by an ego climate and other-referenced competency. Study 3 examined differences on personal development and motivational climate for athletes in programs where coaches received positive youth development training and athletes in programs that did not provide training to coaches. Results showed that personal and social skills were higher for athletes of trained coaches. Cognitive skills and task climate did not reach significance but can be considered as marginal effects. Results from these studies provide researchers with an instrument to measure positive youth development in sport. In addition, results demonstrate that enjoyment, motivational climate, and coach training are important factors in promoting personal development. Youth sport program administrators that wish to incorporate positive development in their programs should consider these findings. / Thesis (Ph.D, Kinesiology & Health Studies) -- Queen's University, 2010-01-29 13:19:00.872

Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Durban-Westville, 1992.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of different foot types (normal, flat and high arch) with regards to speed, roll-over and impact forces, thus attempting to indicate if a specific foot type is dominant amongst sprinters. The different foot types of ten junior sprint athletes and ten nonsprinters were determined by walking over a pressure platform (RSscan Internationalâs Footscan® 7.x plate system). The effects of foot roll-over and peak pressures during sprinting were determined for left and right feet respectively. The subjects ran barefoot at their top speed (sprinted) over 20 meters, crossing a pressure platform (RSscan Internationalâs Footscan® 7.x plate system) comprising the last two meters of the 20 meter distance. The initial contact, final contact, time to peak pressure and the duration of contact of the different sub-areas of the foot were measured. The results of the sprintersâ trials were averaged and compared to the non-sprintersâ averaged trials by performing a statistical T-test. The control group (non-sprinters) dominantly has a high arch foot type for both feet. In the sprinter group, the different foot types are all represented almost equally with regards to right feet, whereas the left feet are dominantly normal type, followed by high arch and then flat foot types. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) during the Foot flat phase (FFP) between the sprinter group (mean left: 4.04ms, mean right: 4.34ms) and control group (mean left: 26.40ms, mean right: 24.46ms), left: p=0.007; right: p=0.022. This indicates that the FFP time is significantly faster for the sprinter group than for the control group. The control group spent a higher percentage of time on the rear foot than the sprinters did (left: p=0.0057, right: p=0.0268). The control groupâs peak plantar pressures were predominantly on the sub-areas of the heel (mean:HL=Left: 327.69, right: 351.44; mean HM= Left: 434.08, right: 423.19) and M1, M2, M3, whereas the sprintersâ peak plantar pressures are predominantly on the subareas of the M1, M2, M3, mid-foot and T1, meaning that sprinters predominantly have peak pressures on forefoot contact whereas the nonsprinters predominantly have peak pressures on heel contact. The results of this study therefore indicate that in general, sprinters dominantly have a normal foot type whereas the non-sprinters have a high arch foot type, and sprinters predominantly have peak pressures on forefoot contact whereas the non-sprinters predominantly have peak pressures on heel contact during sprints.

This study compared the eflicacy of 4 ditlerent hamstring-stretching techniques. Flexibility can be achieved by a variety of stretching techniques, yet little research has been performed on the most effective method. The four most basic stretches includes: Static stretching where the limb is held stationary at and endpoint for a certain time period; Dynamic stretching, an active stretch where the limb is slowly moved from the neutral position to the endpoint; PNF hold-relax- and PNF contract-relax stretching which is also referred to as active stretches because of the concentric and isometric contractions throughout the stretch (Prentice) 2010: Ill). This studyâs aim was to determine which type of stretching technique IS most effective in improving hamstring length. One hundred female subjects between the ages of 13 and 17 years were enrolled in the study. The 90°/90° hamstring length measure was used for all measurements to measure knee extension angle. Alii 00 subjects were included in a randomized controlled trial of 5 different groups comparing different hamstring-stretching techniques. Outcorne measure (hamstring length) was recorded on all subjects initially, at 3 weeks and at 6 weeks. After 3 weeks of stretching, there was a statistically significant improvement in hamstring length (p<O.OOOl) using all stretches when compared to the control group. From weeks 3 through 6, hamstring length for all groups again showed statistically significant improvement when cOlnpared to the control group. No significant ditlerence was found comparing the intervention groups after 3 'weeks or after 6 weeks of stretching. After both 3 weeks and 6 weeks of stretching the straight-leg-raise (static stretching) group had the greatest improvelnent 111 hamstring length, although the difference was not statistically significant.

The mission of the University of the Free State (UFS, 2010) is the pursuit of scholarship as embodied in the creation, integration, application and transmission of knowledge. This pursuit is acknowledged by promoting, among other things, community service and the development of the total student as part of the Universityâs academic culture. One of the reasons for having students participate in community service-learning (CSL) modules is that these modules address two components of the Universityâs mission: community service and the development of the total student. This links with the required transformation stipulated in the White Paper on the Transformation of Higher Education of 1997 (SA, 1997: 7â8). Many claims have been made as to the benefits students derive from participation in CSL modules (Astin & Sax, 1998; Bringle & Hatcher, 1996; Furco, 2002). These benefits can be divided into personal, interpersonal, academic and social benefits. Personal benefits include self-efficacy, self-knowledge, personal development (Simons & Cleary, 2006) as well as improved leadership skills, relationship skills and the definition of personal strengths and weaknesses (Mouton & Wildschut, 2005). Interpersonal benefits include interpersonal development, problem-solving skills (Simons & Cleary, 2006), working more effectively with others (Furco, 2002), awareness of cultural differences and awareness of cultural stereotypes (Mouton & Wildschut, 2005). Academic benefits include academic development, a better appreciation of academic work (Furco, 2002), the application of theory that improves skills such as critical observation, analysis and application (Winfield, 2005), as well as an increased understanding of the theoretical aspects (Erasmus & Jaftha, 2005). Social benefits include involvement in the community (Furco, 2002) and an increased awareness of community life and challenges (Erasmus & Jaftha, 2005). The literature highlights the diverse benefits of participating in CSL modules. However, the question arises whether the benefits derived are related to the competencies required by a person entering the recreation industry. The purpose of the study was to determine which competencies, if any, as seen from the studentsâ perspective, increased by participating in the CSL module offered by the Department of Exercise and Sports Sciences at the University of the Free State. The research was undertaken from a phenomenological viewpoint. Through a literature and job analysis study the competencies required in the recreation industry were identified. It was then determined what competencies students thought they would be able to gain by doing the module. Then the competencies that students perceived to have gained during the CSL module were obtained through student reflections. This data was then compared to the literature and job analysis information to determine how the perceived competencies gained by students through the CSL module relate to the competencies needed by a recreation specialist. Multimethod strategies of data collection were used. A literature study and a web search were undertaken to determine the required competencies. The nominal group technique (NGT) was used to determine studentsâ perceptions of competencies required. Structured and unstructured reflection and the NGT of interviewing were employed to determine the perceived gain of competencies. With regard to the competencies identified (through literature, job descriptions and student perceptions) that would be required in the recreation industry, results showed that students did indeed feel that their competencies increased. Four main themes were identified: communication, management skills, group dynamics and cultural diversity and self-evaluation. The findings indicate that CSL should be considered by lecturers in recreation as a pedagogical tool to impart competencies that are difficult, if not impossible, to teach to students in the normal classroom setup. When selecting CSL as an educational mode during the planning and conceptualisation of the module, it should be ensured that the module is designed in such a way that it imparts specific competencies that are required in the recreation industry.

Netball is a sport that places high physical demands on players. Quick acceleration, changing of direction, high jumps to receive a ball or to intercept an opponentâs pass is some of the tasks that players are required to perform. These requirements leave the players vulnerable to injury. From international studies it is clear that netball players have an increased risk to sustain injuries to the lower limbs. The ankle is the joint most likely to be effected. Injuries to the ankle can account for more than 80% of all netball injuries. The ligaments are the most commonly injured structures. Due to a lack of literature on injuries in South-African netball players, injury patterns in South-Africa cannot be compared to international trends. Epidemiological studies provide the proof on which risks for specific sporting codes are assessed as well as the success of therapeutic intervention programs. The aim of the study was therefore to assess the incidence and severity of injuries in a cohort of elite South-African netball players. The subjects were all the players (n = 1280) that participated in three elite netball tournaments during the 2009 season. The medical staff of each team completed a questionnaire for each player that sustained an injury during the three tournaments. The completed questionnaires were collected at the adjournment of each days play. For those players whose teams did not have their own medical officer, completed questionnaires were collected from the First Aid station where the players received medical attention. Most injuries occurred to the ankle joint (36%) followed by the knee (18%) and injuries to the fingers, hand and wrist (15%). There was a high total injury rate of 500.7 injuries per 1000 playing hours, but the severity of injuries were low, with the majority of the participants being able to continue play or being available for the next match. In order to reduce the amount of injuries to the lower extremities it is recommended that netball players follow a structured program aimed to enhance proprioception and optimize biomechanical execution of functional movement patterns. These exercises should not only be done as part of the pre-season program but continued throughout the remainder of the season.

The objective of this research is to document sound marketing practice in Scotland's museums and galleries. This research was undertaken due to the increasing interest in marketing by museums themselves, and by those who fund museums. Before the research began there was a suspicion that the transfer of consumer goods marketing concepts to museums might be inappropriate, and that there was a lack of empirically based studies of marketing in museums. The literature review confirmed these suspicions. An explanatory approach using qualitative methods was therefore appropriate. Examples of sound museum marketing practice were identified by use of a panel of experts. The research was essentially an ethnographic study of what curators (managers) in the successful museums actually do. Whilst the techniques used are well established in many of the social sciences they are less common both in marketing and in museum studies. The research also made use of "Ethnograph" software for the analysi s of interview data, one of the first occasions this has been done in marketing research in the UK. The research revealed an inductively derived model identifying three important areas that successful museum curators have to attend to, namely, the management of the museum, the management of its reputation, and the management of its relationships with the museum's patron (funding) groups. It is this latter split that provides the key difference between museum marketing and commercial marketing. The research went on to discover how these three categories are dynamically related in a "spiral of success", and how the model can be used as a diagnostic tool to identify areas requiring attention. The other principal findings relate to the characteristics of successful curators. The research has implications for policy in areas including training, and the whole relationship between museums and those who fund them. In particular the idea that marketing will necessa is refuted.