The purpose of this study was to monitor cardiovascular and endocrine changes in sedentary and training females during a six week period, and to assess the accuracy of a new, low-invasive sampling methodology (electrosonophoresis). Changes in fitness were measured using oxygen consumption (VO2). The impact on VO2 of sleep quality, sleep duration and alcohol consumption (recorded in sleep logs) was assessed. Cortisol, testosterone and growth hormone levels in plasma were monitored for acute changes following fitness tests, and chronic changes related to training, oral contraceptive use or alcohol consumption. Hormone concentrations in blood and saliva samples were compared to those in interstitial fluid (obtained using electrosonophoresis) to investigate the accuracy of electrosonophoresis. Mean VO2 increased by 3.3 ± 1.3mL/kg/min between Week 1 and Week 5 and the changes detected in heart rate (HR) during the fitness tests suggest that aerobic fitness of the training participants increased across the study. No significant associations between sleep quality, sleep duration or alcohol consumption and VO2 were detected. No acute changes in plasma hormone concentrations following fitness tests were detected. No chronic changes in plasma cortisol or testosterone concentrations were detected, although a non-significant trend towards increased plasma GH levels in training participants was detected. Resting plasma cortisol levels were significantly lower in oral contraceptive users compared with non-users. Plasma testosterone and growth hormone levels were unaffected by oral contraceptive use. Alcohol consumption had no acute detectable effects on plasma concentrations of the three hormones. Plasma testosterone levels were higher in participants who abstained from alcohol, and higher plasma growth hormone levels were detected in heavy drinkers. These results contrast with published reports. Concentrations of the three hormones in interstitial fluid and plasma exhibited highly significant positive correlations (r2 > 0.98) with an interstitial fluid:plasma concentration ratio of about 1:10 in each case. Equations to predict plasma concentrations of cortisol, testosterone and growth hormone from interstitial fluid concentrations have been derived. The electrosonophoretic method apparently provides an accurate, painless, low-invasive method for prediction of the plasma levels of these three hormones. This technology has far-reaching implications for research in human, animal and biomedical fields.

<p>What is a sports agent and what does a sports agent do? This is described in the thesis, through an explanation of the different functions and characteristics. It is also discussed how to use these functions and characteristics in the best way so that the sports agent can reach success. The complex concept “success” is also discussed so that it is adapted to this thesis and the profession of sports agents. Furthermore, the thesis contains recommendations of how to be successful in the sports agent business.</p>

There has been a great deal of research conducted which examines the development of student-athletes on college campuses. However, there has been limited investigation into how the institutional logics (i.e. the belief structures and related practices) within an athletic department may affect the manner in which athletic administrators and coaches perceive and approach the development of their student-athletes. The purpose of this study was to understand the institutional logics of an NCAA Division II athletic department and how those logics may affect student-athletes. In order to address the purpose and research questions of this study, I conducted a qualitative case study at a private university where I interviewed thirteen members of the university including eight members of the athletic department and five university faculty members and administrators. Additional data were obtained through various documents such as the university's mission statement and the NCAA Division II Handbook. It was found that the athletic department operates under certain institutional logics wherein they are expected to foster student-athlete development. These include the academic, physical, social, and spiritual aspects of their development. Additionally, the athletic department is expected to enhance the university by building community and promoting the mission and vision of the university. Finally, winning athletic competitions is an important expectation of members of the athletic department. Further exploration of the data reveals that certain aspects of these logics may conflict. Primarily, the participants acknowledged that they were expected to foster the development of their athletes in other aspects beyond athletics; yet their primary job performance evaluations were based on wins and losses. Additionally, the logic of enhancing the university may also contend with the academic development of the student-athletes. This is significant because research has suggested that conflicting institutional logics within an organization may lead to confusion as to which logics are paramount. Though the specific findings of this research may be contextually bound, this provides insight into how the institutional logics of an organization may influence the actions of its members and key stakeholders who are influenced by the processes within that organization.

AbstractThis thesis is based on two questions: What are the differences in the outcome of a sport event depending on the choice of method to be used for evaluation? And what method is the most appropriate one in terms of evaluation of the economic effects of sport events? There are two methods used: and the first one is the traditional multiplier analysis and the second method used is introduced by Braunerhielm and Andersson (2007). The economic results of the two different methods used in this thesis have been applied on a real life event, The European Championships in Figure Skating in Malmo City 2003. The two methods is of great importance and they provide us with two suggested results that are of interest, but what method to be used depends on who is making the evaluation and for what purpose. The suggested method by Braunerhielm and Andersson (2007) results in an outcome representing the economic effects of the event concerning all areas in the municipality involved both the private sector and the public sector. This method is of best use for athlete organizations that wants to keep a continuous record of their contribution towards the municipality through events and the positive result will help them promote their importance of existence to the municipality so that they can get public funding for arranging future events and gain more profit by increasing the interest of their association. Whereas,the multiplier analysis is appropriate to use for the municipality, as the results is the tax revenue gained from the event that is to be reinvested in e.g. new schools or roads the result will then help promoting the public funding of sport events to the public. The appropriate method to use is the multiplier analysis as it generates results that is of interest for the public as it calculates the effect for the municipality as a whole and not only the effects for the once directly involved in the sport event.

What is a sports agent and what does a sports agent do? This is described in the thesis, through an explanation of the different functions and characteristics. It is also discussed how to use these functions and characteristics in the best way so that the sports agent can reach success. The complex concept “success” is also discussed so that it is adapted to this thesis and the profession of sports agents. Furthermore, the thesis contains recommendations of how to be successful in the sports agent business.

Background: Past studies suggest that inadequate energy intake (EI) is directly related to menstrual dysfunction (MD) in active females. Inadequate EI causes activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, disrupting the normal hormonal signaling of reproductive cycling and resulting in MD. However, studies have also demonstrated similar EI in athletes, but with different menstrual function. Traditionally, energy balance has been evaluated in 24-hour time periods. Recent research suggests there is benefit to analyzing energy balance at smaller intervals to better address physiologic response in real time. It is possible that women who meet their daily EI needs could still, therefore, experience MD if the majority of the day is spent in energy deficit. Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine whether within-day energy balance is a factor in menstrual status in active adult females. Methods: Twenty active females tracked hourly EI and energy expenditure over three days. A two-page survey was utilized to obtain information on training, health, and menstrual status. Participants were also asked to respond to several questions regarding eating habits and attitude towards food. Within-day energy balance was calculated and evaluated using NutriTimingTM software. Collected energy balance data were analyzed for associations with menstrual status. Results: Participants spent more hours in a catabolic state (energy balance less than zero) than in an anabolic state (20.5 hrs vs 3.5 hrs) and averaged a caloric deficit of -504 kcal over 24-hours. Nine subjects (45%) had experienced loss of menses for greater than 3 months (LoM>3mos), indicative of amenorrhea. Hours spent in energy surplus >400 kcal was inversely correlated with LoM>3mos (r = -0.463; P = 0.04). The impact of number of miles run per week and menstrual dysfunction, based on a quartile stratification of miles run, were analyzed using an ANOVA with Tamhane non-parametric post hoc test. Significant differences were found between the upper two quartiles of distance run per week and LoM>3mos (P = 0.048). There was no relationship between end-of-day energy balance and Lom>3mos. Conclusion: Researchers and healthcare professionals would do well to examine energy balance in an hour-by-hour manner as it is has implications for MD. This would help to clarify whether within-day energy balance is a factor in MD, and allow for the development of appropriate intervention strategies to improve health and athletic outcomes for active women.

Student-athletes' and athletic administrators' perceptions of available and accessible social support in the athletic department are explored. Interviews were conducted with three athletic administrators whose job responsibilities are most focused on student-athlete welfare and 13 student-athletes from a NCAA Division I University from the Pacific Ten Conference in the Northwestern United States chosen from a purposive sample based on demographic characteristics and nominations. Interviews were conducted with participants until informational redundancy was achieved. The university was chosen based on diversity of student-athletes, proximity to researcher, and access granted to student-athletes for interviews. Interview questions were based on the psychosocial model of development. Data from interviews were analyzed thematically using five dimensions of social support to examine the differences and similarities between the types of support identified as available and accessible by student-athletes and athletic administrators. From the 13 student-athletes and three athletic administrators that were interviewed, 38 categories were identified in the themes of emotional support, instrumental support, informational support, appraisal support, and lack of support. Student-athletes identified 29 categories in the five themes and athletic administrators identified 19 categories in the five themes. Similarities between student-athletes and athletic administrators were found in 14 categories. Student-athletes identified 13 categories that athletic administrators did not and athletic administrators identified six categories that student-athletes did not. Implications of the results for student-athletes and athletic administrators are discussed.

The intent of this study was to determine if men’s football and men’s basketball coaches at the university or college level utilize an assessment instrument when recruiting and evaluating potential student-athletes. Specifically studied through interviews were the characteristics that these coaches look for in successful and unsuccessful student-athletes, how they currently collect information during the recruitment period and the importance of collecting data on student-athletes. Swanson’s Performance Diagnosis Matrix and Human Capital Theory framed the research. The population for this study consisted of current Division IA men’s football and men’s basketball coaches in the Big 12 Conference. Prior to contacting the Big 12 coaches a pilot study was conducted at two Division IA Universities and with a former head football coach at a Big 12 Conference University. These interviews were instrumental in the final development of the questions used to interview the Big 12 Conference coaches. The participants were sent a letter asking for their participation in the study and then were contacted by phone to set up an interview. The interviews were conducted in the months of July, August, and September 2006 by phone. This study found that most coaches do not have or utilize an assessment instrument. Significant data showed coaches believe that the evaluation process of student-athletes is the most difficult and critical part of their job. Using emergent category designation I found seven themes (characteristics) of successful student-athletes, as indicated by the coaches: competitive, a hard worker, has a supportive family, is a leader, has good character, and is honest. I also found the themes (characteristics) of an unsuccessful student-athlete to be: undisciplined, lacks character, has an unstable family and is not competitive. The study helps to define through research and development an assessment instrument to more effectively define the needs of student-athletes prior to entering universities and coaches will have additional data for meeting the needs of student-athletes.

<p> <strong>Abstract</strong><p>This thesis is based on two questions: What are the differences in the outcome of a sport event depending on the choice of method to be used for evaluation? And what method is the most appropriate one in terms of evaluation of the economic effects of sport events? There are two methods used: and the first one is the traditional multiplier analysis and the second method used is introduced by Braunerhielm and Andersson (2007). The economic results of the two different methods used in this thesis have been applied on a real life event, The European Championships in Figure Skating in Malmo City 2003. The two methods is of great importance and they provide us with two suggested results that are of interest, but what method to be used depends on who is making the evaluation and for what purpose. The suggested method by Braunerhielm and Andersson (2007) results in an outcome representing the economic effects of the event concerning all areas in the municipality involved both the private sector and the public sector. This method is of best use for athlete organizations that wants to keep a continuous record of their contribution towards the municipality through events and the positive result will help them promote their importance of existence to the municipality so that they can get public funding for arranging future events and gain more profit by increasing the interest of their association. Whereas,the multiplier analysis is appropriate to use for the municipality, as the results is the tax revenue gained from the event that is to be reinvested in e.g. new schools or roads the result will then help promoting the public funding of sport events to the public. The appropriate method to use is the multiplier analysis as it generates results that is of interest for the public as it calculates the effect for the municipality as a whole and not only the effects for the once directly involved in the sport event.</p></p><p> </p>

This project argues that American college sports involving Black male athletes (primarily football and men’s basketball) at Gulf Coast State University (GCSU) actively construct and impact local knowledge about Black masculinity in relation to white, male, hetero-normative systems of authority. These sports, in turn, then impact policy, administrative decisions, and teaching approaches as they relate to young Black men on a college campus. In other words, Black male college athletes on a white college campus offer the opportunity for a reinforcement of systems of authority through the pattern of de-stabilizing their subjectivity (as nothing more than physical entities) in order to provide a revenue-generating resource for the university. I posit that the positioning of Black males in this space as athletes and as students is strategic and intentional, when one takes into account the ongoing dynamic of the hegemonic positioning of white, male, hetero-normative value systems as the unmarked standard of social norms. That these contested meanings become significant within the realm of sport situates sport itself as another, often underutilized, space for social inquiry. I further argue that this categorization is heightened in the context of a predominantly white institution. Through ethnographic fieldwork, I explored the sport (mainly football and men’s basketball) and academic community at GCSU with the goal of understanding how high-profile and high-revenue sports and their participants become central to the understanding and expression of normalized ideas about race, gender, and sexuality. I reason that the predominantly white demography of GCSU, added to the uneven ratio of Black to white males on the football and basketball teams, creates perceptions about race and masculinity that factor into people’s everyday understanding of the term “student-athlete”. The term “student-athlete” becomes racialized and gendered in ways that continually make reference to Black male athletes differently than other students and student-athletes at the university. I believe these effects on the term then impacts the structural mechanisms that affect the daily lives of these Black male athletes both on and off the field, both inside and outside the classroom. / text