This study has sought to address the nature of the evolution of sports policy in ROC/Taiwan since 1973, within the context of a strategic relations approach to the analysis of policy. These aims have been addressed by the development of the analysis of the ROC/Taiwan's position in international relations and its implications for sports policy; of the internal structure and history of the state at national level and their implications for national level policy; and finally, analysis of the local government context. In each case explanation sought to identify both the structural context of policy development and the explanation provided by individual policy actors. The empirical analysis of policy draws on the evidence provided by key actors in the ROC/Taiwan state who have played a significant role in enabling sports policy output. In order to understand sports policy mechanisms since 1973, politicians' perceptions (evidenced in a review of parliamentary debates from 1984 to 2002) provide a useful empirical picture of sports policy. Other data sources employed included government reports, and press accounts as well as interviews with policy actors. The interviewees were drawn from the central government civil service, local government, the national governing bodies of sport and the business community (n--21). Qualitative data analysis software (QSR) was used to manage and organise the data in an inductive and deductive thematic analysis. The theoretical framework on which the study draws involves a recognition that the state is influenced by particular interest groups (characterised in the thesis as the neo-pluralist position), in which elites (the neo-elitist position) often, though not exclusively, drawn from business interests (the neo-Marxist position) are in evidence. The particular make-up of these groups will vary according to the issues concerned at the particular point of time in the history of the ROC/Taiwan state on which one focuses. In the early stages of the ROC/Taiwan state, the military elite was closely allied with the business elite'and with ethnic interest groups (Mainlander Chinese groups rather than native Taiwanese). Such political and ethnic divisions subsequently had an impact on party political affiliations and on the geographic location of facilities and services as the North and Souih of"the' island, and those cities under the Kuomintang and Democratic Progressive Party control, vied with one another to capture resources.

Rings is one of six disciplines in Men's Artistic Gymnastics. Judging criteria stipulate that a routine must incorporate two swinging elements completed in a motionless handstand. Performing backward and forward longswings in a routine fulfils this requirement. During both types of longswing, gymnasts typically use large angle changes at their hip and shoulder joints and move their arms laterally. Previous studies have ignored these three-dimensional arm movements, possibly neglecting a crucial aspect of technique. Using a computer simulation model this study investigated the contributions of hip and shoulder elevation angle changes and lateral arm movements to the performance of backward and forward longswings. A three-dimensional video and cable tension analysis of several backward and forward longswings performed by two elite gymnasts was conducted. The data provided accurate three-dimensional descriptions of backward and forward longswing techniques and the forces experienced by the gymnasts. In addition, data describing deformations of the rings frame and the extension of the gymnast were determined. A simulation model representing the three-dimensional movements of the rings cables and arms of a gymnast was developed. The model represented the right side of the gymnast and rings apparatus and comprised five segments: rings cable, arm, torso with head, thigh, and shank with foot. Damped linear springs represented the elasticity of the apparatus and gymnast. The model was evaluated against actual backward and forward longswing performances of two elite gymnasts. Actual joint angle time histories describing the gymnasts' techniques, together with subject specific inertia parameters, were used for this procedure. The RMS differences between values estimated by the model and actual values for the orientation of the gymnast and rings cable, the cable tension and the body extension were 4.3°, 2.1°,161N and 0.1 m respectively. The evaluated model was used to determine the contributions of each aspect of technique to the performance of longswings. Hip and shoulder elevation angle changes are important in producing the required rotation of the gymnast in both types of longswing. Without these components of technique the gymnast generated up to 113° less rotation. Lateral arm movements performed during backward longswings resulted in 40% less shoulder elevation torque required to complete the element and a 0.8 bodyweights decrease in peak force experienced at the shoulder joints. When lateral arm movements were omitted during forward longswings the gymnast produced 49° less rotation, and failed to reach the final handstand. This study shows that lateral arm movements make an important contribution to the performance of longswings on rings.

Athletic pelvic/groin injuries can be difficult to define, diagnose and therefore manage. These injuries are often the result of multifactorial dysfunction, making them susceptible to becoming chronic. Transverse pelvic belts have shown effectiveness in reducing pain and improving function in athletes with pelvic/groin pain, but there may be better alternatives. Exploring different pelvic belt configurations with athletes with pelvic/groin pain confirmed the role of a transverse belt but also found that diagonal belts produced significantly (< 0.05) greater effects upon clinical measures of pain and function. Dynamic elastomeric fabric orthoses (DEFOs) are Lycra®-based orthoses theorised as providing stability and enhancing proprioception. A DEFO was designed to apply diagonal force to the pelvic girdle and mimic transverse belt application. In a series of single case studies the DEFO was found to have beneficial effects upon pain and/or function in selected athletes with pelvic/groin pain. Athletes’ subjective reports suggested that balance and power may have also been positively influenced. Further work exploring appropriate measures of athletic balance led to the investigation of the intra-rater reliability of a functional measure; the multiple single-leg hop-stabilisation test. Good to excellent reliability (ICC = 0.85; CI 0.61-0.90) confirmed this measure as being reliable for use in a future study, and highlighted relationships with other factors such as age and training status. The findings of a pilot RCT indicated that with minor revisions this protocol could be effectively implemented in informing a future RCT. Findings also indicated that the DEFO led to moderate to large effect sizes on clinical measures (d = 0.6-1.1) of active straight leg raise and squeeze test force, and negligible to small effects on measures of power and functional balance (d = 0.1-0.3). This thesis therefore outlines the development and initial evaluation of a novel DEFO for supporting the management of athletic pelvic/groin injury. Further work is required to undertake a fully powered RCT, and to explore the mechanistic action of this DEFO.

Durch Kultusministerium und BLSV wurde 1997 ein Vereinspraktikum ins Leben gerufen mit dem Ziel, bei Studierenden bereits in der Ausbildungsphase eine Sensibilisierung für die Zusammenarbeit zwischen Schule und Verein zu erreichen und gleichzeitig die berufliche Eignung durch Erprobung der sportpädagogischen Begabung zu testen. Zu überprüfen galt es, ob Studierende durch das Praktikum in die Lage versetzt werden, diese beiden angestrebten Zielsetzungen zu erfüllen. Dazu war es in einem ersten Schritt notwendig, Kriterien für die Zielerreichung zu bilden. Praktika haben bei Studierenden einen hohen Stellenwert. Untersuchungen haben ergeben, dass Praktika nicht nur positive, sondern auch negative Wirkungen mit sich bringen können. Um die positiven Wirkungen zu vergrößern, müssen Vorschriften für die Gestaltung und Begleitung der Praktika einfließen. Kooperationsprogramme erfüllen unterschiedliche Funktionen. Es werden ihnen unterstützende und innovative Funktionen für Schule und Verein zugeschrieben. Die kompensative Funktion wird aber auch kritisch bewertet. Um eine partnerschaftliche Programmentwicklung zu fördern, sind Kriterien wie z.B. Vertrauen und Überzeugung nötig. Auf dem Gebiet der Begabungsforschung dominieren derzeit die Person-Umwelt-Interaktionsmodelle. Danach ist Begabung ein nach Anlage und Umwelt determiniertes, dynamisches Produkt von persönlichkeitsbildenden Lernprozessen. Pädagogisch begabte Menschen treten dadurch in Erscheinung, dass sie intuitiv eine komplexe Sache und soziale Beziehungen zugleich erkennen und handhaben. Voraussetzung hierfür sind inhaltliche und soziale Fähigkeiten. Die Untersuchung sollte zeigen, wie das Praktikum auf der Grundlage von unterschiedlichen Rahmenbedingungen wirkt und ob dabei die festgelegten Ziele verwirklicht werden können. Zu diesem Zweck wurde im SS 03 an allen bayerischen Sportinstituten eine schriftliche Befragung durchgeführt, die zu folgenden Erkenntnissen führte: Ein Großteil der Studierenden ist bereits als aktives Mitglied im wettkampforientierten Vereinssport organisiert. Das Praktikum wird daher hauptsächlich im Heimatverein absolviert. Oft stimmen Sportarten im Praktikum mit der betriebenen Vereinssportart überein. Zum Themenbereich Kooperation zwischen Schule und Verein werden nur wenige Informationen und Einblicke gegeben. In den Unterrichtsversuchen sind die Praktikanten auf eigene Erfahrungen angewiesen. Betreuung von Vereinsseite erfolgt selten. Auf Grund dieser Rahmenbedingungen lässt sich die Wirkung mit Hilfe eines faktoranalytischen Verfahrens anhand von sechs Faktoren verdeutlichen. Wirkungen werden in den Bereichen soziale Selbsterfahrung, Wissen über Verein, Selbstbestätigung, Interesse an Vereinsarbeit, Perspektiven/Einblicke und Bestätigung der Berufswahl erzielt. Dabei werden die Wirkungen durch unterschiedliche vereinsinterne Bedingungen signifikant beeinflusst. Das Praktikum scheint ein geeignetes Mittel zum Test der eigenen Fähigkeiten und zur Bestätigung der Berufswahl zu sein. Allerdings zeichneten sich dabei keine erkennbaren Wirkungen hinsichtlich einer Sensibilisierung für die Zusammenarbeit zwischen Schule und Verein ab. Von der Grundidee stellen sich die beiden Ziele positiv dar, sind aber nur schwer miteinander zu vereinbaren. Um sinnvolle Erfahrungen hinsichtlich der sportpädagogischen Begabung zu gewährleisten, lässt sich das Praktikum nur eingeschränkt abwechslungsreich gestalten. Auf Grund der freien Gestaltungsmöglichkeit liefert es ein recht einseitiges Bild dieser Begabung. Der Beitrag des Praktikums zur Förderung der Kooperation Schule und Verein muss kritisch betrachtet werden. Studierende müssten bei Initiierung und Betreuung der Kooperationen das Vertrauen und die Überzeugung gewinnen, dass sie nicht zum Kompensieren all der Mängel dienen, die an Schul- wie Vereinssport derzeit erkennbar sind. Qualitativ hochwertige Kooperationen sind vorwiegend leistungssportlich orientiert. Breitensportliche Bereiche sind eher unterrepräsentiert. Studierende orientieren sich vorwiegend im leistungssportlichen Bereich. Die Vielschichtigkeit von Kooperationen wird durch diese vereinsexternen Bedingungen kaum erfüllt. Hier müsste eine Sensibilisierung durch explizite Steuerung für breitensportliche Belange geweckt werden. Die erhobenen Daten belegen den defizitären Informationsstand von Vereinen und Praktikanten und die mangelnde kritische Auseinandersetzung mit diesen Themen. Es entsteht der Eindruck, dass die Ergebnisse, die eine Sensibilisierung erkennen lassen, eine soziale Erwünschtheit widerspiegeln. Für eine bessere Umsetzung der Zielsetzungen sind organisatorische Veränderungen überlegenswert. / In 1997, the German Ministry for Culture and the BLSV (Bavarian State Sports Association) introduced compulsory teaching practice in athletic associations for physical education teaching students. The aim was to sensitize students to the working environment involving both schools and athletic associations while still in the training phase and to simultaneously check the students’ suitability for the profession by putting their aptitude for teaching PE to the test. It was necessary to assess whether this teaching practice puts students in a position to fulfil both the above objectives. In order to make such an assessment, the first step had to be to determine criteria which signalled the achievement of the objectives. Working practice and internships are highly significant for students. Investigations have shown that such practice periods can have not only positive, but also negative effects. Regulations concerning the structure and supervision of teaching practice must therefore be created to enhance the positive effects. Cooperation programmes fulfil various functions; ostensibly of a supportive and innovative nature for schools and athletic associations. The compensative role, however, is also subject to critical assessment. In order to foster the development of partner programmes, criteria such as trust and conviction must be fulfilled. Currently dominant in the field of aptitude research is the ‚individual-environment-interaction model’. According to this model, aptitude is a dynamic product of personality-forming learning processes determined by disposition and environment. People with an aptitude for teaching appear to intuitively and simultaneously recognize and deal with complex matters and social relationships. The prerequisites for this are textual and social abilities. The investigation should show the effects of teaching practice based on various general conditions and whether the determined objectives can be realized. To this end, a written survey was conducted at all Bavarian sports institutes in the summer semester 2003 which resulted in the following findings: The majority of students are already active members of competition-orientated athletic associations. Teaching practice is therefore primarily undertaken at the students’ home-town athletic associations. The types of sports involved in the teaching practice often coincide with those run by the association. Little information is given and few insights are gained concerning the topic of cooperation between schools and associations. During teaching practice lessons, the students have to rely on their own experiences. Supervision is rarely supplied by the association. Due to this general framework, the effects can be clarified with the aid of a factor analytic procedure using six factors. Effects are achieved in the fields of social self-awareness, knowledge about the association, self-affirmation, interest in the association’s work, perspectives/insights and affirmation of the choice of profession. These effects are significantly influenced by various intramural conditions. Teaching practice appears to be a suitable method for students to test their own abilities and to affirm their vocation. Admittedly, recognizable effects regarding sensitization to cooperation between schools and associations were not apparent. Both objectives are fundamentally positive, yet difficult to combine. In order to guarantee meaningful experiences with regard to PE teaching aptitude, teaching practice can only be structured with limited diversity. Due to the freedom of structure, the picture created of a student’s talent is rather one-sided. The contribution of teaching practice to promoting cooperation between schools and associations has to be critically examined. When cooperation programmes are initiated and supervised, students should gain the trust and conviction that they do not serve to compensate all the deficits currently apparent in school sports and athletic associations. Qualitative cooperation is primarily competitive-sport oriented. Amateur areas are rather underrepresented. Students orient themselves primarily in the field of competitive sport. The diversity of cooperation is hardly fulfilled due to these extramural conditions. Sensitization should be inspired here through explicit supervision of amateur sport matters. The submitted data prove the deficient state of information in athletic associations and students undertaking teaching practice and the lack of critical discussion about these topics. The overriding impression is that the results which reveal sensitization actually reflect social desirability. Organizational changes are worth considering in order to better realize the objectives.

Der Gesundheitssport hat sich in den vergangenen Jahrzehnten als feste Säule im organisierten Sport etabliert. Erkenntnisse aus der Vereinsforschung, der Erforschung des Gesundheitsverhaltens und der Wechselwirkung von Sport und Gesundheit sowie Modellvorstellungen von Gesundheit und Krankheit werden zur Konzeption und Optimierung von Sportprogrammen herangezogen. Die vorliegende epidemiologische Studie arbeitet anhand einer Re-Analyse von 1752 Datensätzen aktiver Vereins-Gesundheitssportler aus dem Wettbewerb "Der Gesundheitsclub im Sportverein" zentrale Befunde zur Gesundheit, dem Gesundheitserleben und -verhalten sowie dem Sport(vereins)erleben heraus, um im Vergleich der Geschlechts- und Altersgruppen die Zielgruppe deskriptiv zu bestimmen. In einem zweiten Analyseschritt wird geprüft, wie sich Aktive im fitnessorientierten, präventiven und rehabilitativen Sport in ihrer Wahrnehmung unterscheiden. Dabei zeigt es sich, dass eine stärkere gesundheitliche Belastung der weiblichen und jüngeren Sportler mit einer ungünstigen Gesundheitswahrnehmung dieser Teilpopulationen einhergeht. Fitnesssportler dokumentieren sich hier als am geringsten belastet, was sie im Gegenzug zu einem vergleichsweise risikoreichen Gesundheitsverhalten zu verleiten scheint. Insgesamt attestiert sich die Sportlerstichprobe ein geringes Raucherpotential, jedoch einen mit dem Alter steigenden Anteil an Übergewichtigen bei einem grundsätzlich ausgeprägtem Schutzverhalten, dokumentiert durch das Ernährungs- und Bewegungsverhalten. Kognitive Gesundheitsressourcen als ein Faktor verhaltensunterstützender Elemente werden insgesamt in der Stichprobe sehr gering kommuniziert, vor allem im Bereich des Handlungswissens, und diese scheinen generell krankheitsspezifisch generiert zu sein. Eine fundierte soziale Integration in das Netz des Sportvereins erreichen offensichtlich am ehesten die weiblichen Aktiven, während Männer aufgrund der Suche nach sozialer Anbindung die Sportaktivität aufnehmen. Fitnesssportler zeigen sich hier am stärksten eingebunden, während die Rehabilitanten die geringste soziale Integration dokumentieren, gleichwohl sie diese am stärksten im Verein suchen. In quantitativer Hinsicht zeigen sich Frauen sportlich aktiver als Männer bzw. Fitness- und Präventionssportler aktiver als Rehabilitationssportler. In die Befunde lassen sich die Erkenntnisse zur Motivationslage der Sportler einbinden, nachdem Fitnessaktive an einer Intensivierung der sozialen Kontakte, Präventionssportler an den kompensatorischen Leistungen der sportlichen Aktivität und Rehabilitanten an einer therapeutischen Zielsetzung orientiert sind. Als Fazit lässt sich eine konsequente Abstimmung der (Vereins)Sportangebote auf die Selbstwahrnehmung, Motive und Bedürfnisse der Sportler fordern, um eine ganzheitliche Gesundheitsförderung ermöglichen zu können. Diese Abstimmung muss jedoch in Abhängigkeit der Möglichkeiten und des Potentials des jeweiligen Sportvereins erfolgen. / Fitness sport for health reasons has established itself as a solid part of organized sport over the past few decades. Findings resulting from club analysis, research into health behavior and the interaction between sport and health, as well as model representations of health and diseases are all to be taken into account when considering concepts and for the optimizing of sport programs. The discussed epidemiological study presented is based on a re-analysis of data from 1752 showing recordings of active sport club members in health sports with regard to the contest “Der Gesundheitsclub im Sportverein” with the central results relating to health, health experiences and behavior, as well as the findings from sport and club experiences. The aim of this being to compare the gender and age groups in order to subsequently be able to descriptively determine the target groups. A further analysis was performed to determine the different perceptions active sportspersons make in relation to fitness orientation, prevention and rehabilitation. This study has furthermore shown that, due to a negative perception of health, an increased strain on health within the female and younger sports sector shows correlations in this section of the study population. Fitness sport persons are documented here as being least strained which subsequently appears to mislead them into a high-risk counter-productive health relationship. Altogether, the randomly monitored study group revealed a low smoking potential. It did, however, show a correlation between increasing age and increased over-weight through fundamental destructively protective behavior, documented through nutritional and exercise behavior. Cognitive health resources as a factor for behavior supporting elements were, in general, rarely reported within the study group, especially in the region of active knowledge and, therefore, appears to be disease-specific generated. A fundamental social integration within the organization of sport clubs seems to be achieved at best by the female active members, where as the men appear to take up sport activities due to their search for social commitments. Fitness sportspersons are shown here is be at most integrated, whilst the rehabilitates are documented as having the lowest form of social contact, although their search for exactly this within a club is the strongest. In relation to a quantitive point-of-view, females appear to be more sport active than men and, furthermore, sportspersons active in fitness and prevention are more active than rehabilitation sportspersons. The findings regarding the state of motivation in the sportsperson can be classified in the results after: active members have been orientated towards more intense social contact, prevention sportspersons have been orientated to compensatory achievement of sport activities and rehabilitate members directed to a therapeutic objective. As conclusion, a consequently coordination of sports offered by the clubs directed to the self-perception, motivation and requirements of the sportspersons has to be present in order to offer an all-round health challenge. This coordination has to follow in conjunction with the possibilities and the potential of the individual sport club.

Approximately 45% of the points scored in international Rugby Union matches are the result of place kicks (Quarrie & Hopkins, 2015). However, the key technique characteristics underpinning this skill are not well understood. The aim of this thesis was therefore to investigate rugby place kicking technique and performance, and understand how these differ between successful and less successful place kickers. In order to objectively quantify place kick performance outcome from data collected in a laboratory environment, a novel performance measure representative of the maximum distance that any given place kick could be successful from was developed. This measure combined initial ball flight data with previously published aerodynamic forces and was shown to predict ball location with a mean error of 4.0%. Full body motion capture and ground reaction force data were then collected from 33 experienced (amateur to senior international level) kickers and three groups of kickers were identified based on their performance outcome: long, short, and wide-left kickers. Differences were observed in the initial ball flight characteristics between the three groups and specific aspects of technique were then analysed to understand how these different performance outcomes were achieved. The long and wide-left kickers used different strategies to achieve comparable forward kicking foot velocities and initial ball velocities. The wide-left kickers used a hip flexor strategy: greater positive hip flexor work which was facilitated by a stretch across the trunk at the top of the backswing, followed by longitudinal rotation throughout the downswing. In contrast, the long kickers used a knee extensor strategy: greater positive knee extensor work and a more consistent trunk orientation throughout the downswing. Although both strategies led to comparably high initial ball velocity magnitudes, the hip flexor strategy led to greater longitudinal ball spin and an initial ball velocity vector directed towards the left-hand-side. Kickers who achieve fast ball velocities but miss left could potentially benefit from technical interventions to address their trunk kinematics or development of their kicking knee extensor involvement. The long kickers achieved faster kicking foot and initial ball velocities than the short kickers. The long kickers took a more angled and faster approach to the ball compared with the short kickers. This enabled the pelvis to be less front-on at the top of the backswing, meaning that the kicking foot was further away from the ball at this point and subsequently travelled a longer path to initial ball contact. The long kickers also demonstrated greater horizontal whole-body CM deceleration between support foot contact and initial ball contact and performed greater hip flexor and knee extensor positive work than the short kickers during the downswing. Kickers who cannot generate fast ball velocities could potentially benefit from interventions to their approach direction and velocity, or from development of their kicking hip flexor and knee extensor involvement. This thesis has provided a comprehensive understanding of rugby place kicking technique and recommendations for both coaching practice and research.

Physical activity is fundamental to prevent common illnesses in youth and research shows that students who perceive enjoyment in physical education (PE) have a more physically active lifestyle. This study aims to identify psychological antecedents of student enjoyment in PE. We addressed this by assessing aspects of self-determination theory (SDT), including the extent of autonomy-supportive teaching in PE (reported by teachers), the satisfaction of students’ basic psychological needs, and student age (reported by students), via questionnaires. Correlational and multiple linear regression analyses of the collected data of N = 170 students (M = 14.3 ± 2.20, 10–19 years of age) and N = 10 teachers show that autonomy support is related to autonomy satisfaction in students (r = 0.20, p < 0.01). In turn, student perception of autonomy correlates with competence (r = 0.64, p < 0.001) and belonging (r = 0.37, p < 0.001). All three basic psychological needs predict enjoyment in PE (F(1, 163) = 19.59, R2 = 0.68, p < 0.01). Additional analyses show that higher student age predicts a decrease in enjoyment (ΔR2 = 0.04, B = −0.73, β = −0.21, p < 0.01). Thus, student enjoyment in PE, as a foundation for a physically active lifestyle, can help to prevent common illnesses by satisfying basic psychological needs in PE.

The load-depended loss of vertical barbell velocity at the end of the acceleration phase limits the maximum weight that can be lifted. Thus, the purpose of this study was to analyze how increased barbell loads affect the vertical barbell velocity in the sub-phases of the acceleration phase during the snatch. It was hypothesized that the load-dependent velocity loss at the end of the acceleration phase is primarily associated with a velocity loss during the 1st pull. For this purpose, 14 male elite weightlifters lifted seven load-stages from 70–100% of their personal best in the snatch. The load–velocity relationship was calculated using linear regression analysis to determine the velocity loss at 1st pull, transition, and 2nd pull. A group mean data contrast analysis revealed the highest load-dependent velocity loss for the 1st pull (t = 1.85, p = 0.044, g = 0.49 [−0.05, 1.04]) which confirmed our study hypothesis. In contrast to the group mean data, the individual athlete showed a unique response to increased loads during the acceleration sub-phases of the snatch. With the proposed method, individualized training recommendations on exercise selection and loading schemes can be derived to specifically improve the sub-phases of the snatch acceleration phase. Furthermore, the results highlight the importance of single-subject assessment when working with elite athletes in Olympic weightlifting.

This study aimed to investigate athletes’ hypothetical use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), a behavior similar to doping, and its association with doping attitudes, competitive anxiety and situational opportunity. One hundred twenty-two sport science students completed an online survey assessing biographical information, doping attitudes, and competitive anxiety. Students’ intention to use analgesics was measured via two discussed.

Research suggests that belonging to multiple group memberships before and after life transitions promotes resilience by helping people maintain their well-being compared to those with fewer group memberships. Although group memberships are of key importance for well-being and adjustment to change, the influence of athletes’ group memberships on their well-being remains largely unexplored, despite the numerous transitions they face in sport. Furthermore, no research to date has assessed the effects of group memberships on performance, and little research has assessed the potential mechanisms through which group memberships produce beneficial effects on outcomes. These ideas were explored in this thesis. Two studies within this thesis adopted a longitudinal approach, using questionnaires to examine the effects of players’ group memberships on well-being after a sporting transition. Study 1 focused on team and club transitions for university students and measured changes in well-being across a three month period; Study 2, focused on programme transitions in elite cricket and measured changes in well-being across a two year period. Study 2 also examined whether the beneficial effects of group memberships extended to performance. Both studies demonstrated that players with multiple group memberships before and after transition generally experienced greater well-being after transition. Study 2 also showed that multiple group memberships had beneficial implications for performance. However, when the recency of the transition was taken into consideration, significant interactions between group memberships and time since the transition generally revealed that the beneficial effects were most pronounced for those who had recently transitioned into the clubs, teams, and programmes. Furthermore, both studies revealed that players with multiple group memberships before a transition were better able to maintain these group memberships across the transition (i.e., lose fewer groups) and more likely to identify highly with the new club, team, or programme (i.e., join new groups). Although Study 1 failed to uncover evidence of the processes underpinning these effects, Study 2 provided some evidence that identification with the new group, and (to a lesser extent) personal identity strength, appeared to be important potential mediators of the group membership effects. In Study 3, an experimental approach was employed to investigate whether changing athletes’ group memberships is associated with improvements in performance and persistence in a golf-putting task. To do this, the study manipulated the number of group memberships participants reflected on (i.e., control, one, or five groups) and assessed the effects this had on their performance and persistence (as an indicator of resilience). Results revealed that participants who were asked to reflect on five groups that they belonged to showed a greater improvement in their performance after receiving the group manipulation than those who reflected on one group and those in the control group condition. Furthermore, those who reflected on groups they belong to (whether one, or five) showed more persistence following false failure feedback than those who did not. Although potential mediating mechanisms were measured, there was no evidence that any of these processes accounted for the beneficial impact of group memberships. Overall, the results from this thesis demonstrate that multiple group memberships can promote resilience by making important contributions to athletes’ well-being, performance, and persistence. Thus, athletes should be encouraged to increase the number of group memberships they belong to as this may provide an important psychological resource during times of change.