No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

In social theory, games are frequently presented as archetypal examples of activities governed by formal rules. Drawing upon ethnomethodology and figurational sociology, this project provides an analysis of the constituting of games and identifies the inadequacies of this conventional formalist wisdom. Applying and elaborating upon Garfinkel's work, two case-studies are presented which are designed to display the other dimensions of rule-following through which players accomplish a viable game. Analysis also reveals that this collaborative work does not preclude differing interpretations of the rules of the game. Changes to the rules are invoked in an attempt to remove their fringe of incompleteness in governing game-conduct and in the interests of creating and sustaining a viable game. These case-studies and a typification of game-rules provides the basis for analysis of the constituting of institutionalised 'invasion' games such as basketball, rugby union, soccer, rugby league, and netball. Interview material and documentary evidence is provided to argue that rule-changes are principally the outcome of a dynamic between legislators and players. Players explore the insufficiency of rules in precisely determining conduct in the game, and legislators respond by modifying the rules, to consolidate the game and thereby preserve characteristic features of game-identity and game-viability. This is elaborated by applying Elias's figurational analysis: changes to game rules are conceived as an unintended and unanticipated consequence of powerbalances and the different interests of the functionally interdependent groups who produce game-processes. By virtue of their separate functions in this process, each group seeks to mobilise their power and resources in pursuit of their interests in the game-process. Confirmation for the perspective upon game-constitution developed in this project is sought in an analysis of one contemporary initiative to establish an invasion game as constituted by a set of hybrid rules from Australian Rules and Gaelic Football. This analysis of game-processes and game-rules is designed to both exemplify and inform social theory, and also to make a significant contribution to sociological analysis of the development of contemporary sport.

No description available.

Rugby union was one of a number of versions of football to emerge from the mob games of pre-industrial England. It was adapted in the 19th Century into a pastime taken up by Gentlemen. During this period amateurism was the dominant hegemony, however conflict within the Rugby Football Union (RFU) over the concept of professionalism led to a schism with the working class clubs in the north of England forming their own professional version of the sport in 1895. Over the next one hundred years, the RFU utilised its power and authority to maintain amateurism as the central concept of rugby union. For much of this period amateurism was regarded as the superior approach to sports participation. It was, however, a definition of amateurism that was based on a 19th Century ideal. Changes took place in society, which changed the way sport was played. Sport became more serious and society began to demand only success from their teams. Rugby union was also influenced by the different cultures of the dominant playing powers of the Southern Hemisphere. As the 20`x' Century progressed, an emergent hegemony developed within sport, which emphasised qualities of performance that may be termed `professional'. In the last quarter of the 20th Century amateurism was a residual hegemony within sport and most major sports had become both commercially oriented and professional. In its desire to maintain and promote rugby, the RFU had become dependent on commercialism and had also permitted cups and leagues to become part of the sport. Finally, rather than lose total control of the sport the IRB agreed to allow professionalism. The five years since 1995 have seen a continued struggle for the control of the sport in England and have led some to fear for its survival at lower levels.

Leary (1992) suggests a self-presentation perspective could fruitfully be applied to sport. In support of this, early research has revealed that self-presentation concerns underpin a large percentage of competitive anxiety and stress in sport (James & Collins, 1997; Wilson & Eklund, 1998). However, little progress has been made towards the identification of athletes who are most at risk of experiencing self-presentation concerns. The main aim of this thesis was to examine self-presentation concerns in athlete populations. More specifically, the aims were firstly to develop a valid measure of self-presentation concerns in sport. Secondly, the impact of gender, age, skill level and type of sport on self-presentation concerns was examined. To achieve these aims five studies, including three validation, one quantitative and one qualitative study, were conducted. The validation studies provided evidence to suggest that the Self-Presentation in Sport Questionnaire (SPSQ) is a valid and reliable measure of self-presentation concerns in sport, suitable for administration to athletes over the age of eighteen. However, shortened versions ofthe SPSQ, suitable for children and adults, demonstrated a weakened internal structure and consequently these instruments ought not to be administered in their present state. The quantitative study investigated the impact of gender, skill level and type of sport on self-presentation concerns in swimmers, water polo players and divers utilising the SPSQ. The findings indicated that females exhibit consistently higher self-presentation concerns compared to males, as do non-elite athletes when compared to the elite. Furthermore, self-presentation concerns were affected by the situation in different ways dependent on the athletes' gender. Finally, differences in the self-presentation concerns experienced in adolescence and adulthood were qualitatively assessed. Differences were identified across the type of self-presentation concerns experienced, the strategies used to make an impression, and the targets of self-presentation. Overall the research conducted provides a valid measure of self-presentation concerns in sport, which can be utilised in future self-presentation studies. Furthermore, the impact of a number of individual and situational variables on self-presentation concerns has been revealed.

This thesis presents the sport of Judo from historical, statistical and scientific perspectives. Modern Judo introduced in 1882 by Professor Jigoro Kano, used the combat element of Jujitsu, stressing the importance of mental and physical preparation. Judo rules evolved with changes in the scoring categories and style of Judo suit. Gradually Judo spread from Japan, and the International Judo Federation was created in 1951, initially consisting of only 12 countries, increasing to 157 in 1992. Statistical analysis of the 1991 World Championships and 1992 Olympic Games showed significant differences in scoring patterns between standing and groundwork techniques for male and female competitors. Groundwork techniques consistently resulted in Ippon. Uchi-Mata and Seoi-Nage were the most successful standing techniques, whilst Osae-Waza was the most successful groundwork technique for both genders. Based on these observations strength programmes to improve Uchi-Mata and Seoi-Nage were developed. A statistical comparison of the two championships indicated that all subgroups of competitors, except male non-medallists displayed the same scoring patterns. Judo can be considered as a multiple activity sport, where flurries of activity are interspersed with periods of recovery. Video analysis of the World Championship and Olympic Games showed that the average activity to recovery ratio was about 1-9: 1. Exercise intensity was studied by measuring cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses to Judo practice and competition. The intensity of exercise, based on blood lactate concentration, during competition was higher than the intensity of exercise during practice. To supplement Judo practice a specifically designed rowing exercise was prescribed. An interval programme was based on the average activity-to-rest ratio determined from the video analysis. Blood lactate concentration was higher, and heart rate lower, for rowing compared to Judo practice. Rowing with short intervals of high intensity separated by short recoveries appears to be a good whole body exercise for conditioning the power endurance component of Judo. Further research is required to confirm this preliminary observation.

No description available.