The purpose of this study was to examine the career development of African-American male athletes and non-athletes. The study utilizes Gottfredson’s circumscription and compromise model of career development as a framework for understanding the way individuals go about selecting different career paths based on various contextual variables and career development processes. A sample of 71 African-American male college students completed self-report questionnaires measuring different aspects of their background make-up, relevant career development processes, and career development outcome variables. Results of the study suggest that non-athlete students have a more developmentally appropriate approach to careers. Results also suggest that perceived career barriers and career locus of control mediate the relationship between athletic status and maturity surrounding careers. Career development is a complicated process and further study on this population is very important, especially when considering athletes. Implications for the findings are discussed as are suggestions for directions of new research concerning African-American career development.

A alta prevalência de broncoespasmo induzido pelo exercício (BIE) tem sido observada em atletas que praticam modalidades de longa duração. Até o presente momento, nenhum estudo foi realizado no Brasil. Por essa razão, o objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a prevalência de BIE em corredores de longa distância. Para isto, 22 atletas do gênero masculino foram submetidos à prova de função pulmonar, teste de esforço ergoespirométrico e teste de broncoprovocação induzida por hiperpnéia (BIH). Os atletas responderam um questionário sobre sintomas de asma e forneceram informações relacionadas aos seus treinamentos. Após realizarem o teste de BIH, os atletas foram classificados de acordo com a variação do volume expiratório forçado no primeiro segundo (VEF1) em comparação ao valor basal. Aqueles que apresentaram queda do VEF1 igual ou superior a 10% foram denominados Grupo BIE+; os demais foram designados Grupo BIE-. Os resultados demonstraram a presença de BIE em 25% dos atletas. Não foram evidenciadas diferenças estatisticamente significantes em relação às características antropométricas, aos valores basais de função pulmonar, assim como aos parâmetros analisados durante o teste ergoespirométrico. Um aspecto interessante xi observado foi que, os atletas do Grupo BIE+ percorrem, nos seus treinamentos, uma distância inferior quando comparados aos atletas do Grupo BIE- (p≤0,05). Estes resultados sugerem que a presença de BIE pode limitar o rendimento esportivo / The high prevalence of exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) has been observed in endurance athletes. Until today, no such study had been conducted in Brazil. The aim of this study was to look for prevalence of EIB among long-distance runners. Twenty-two male athletes were subjected to pulmonary function tests, maximal exercise tests and hyperpnea-induced broncoprovocation (HIB). The athletes also answered questions about asthma symptoms and provided information about their training programs. After the HIB test, they were ranked by the variation in the FEV1 (Forced Expiratory Volume in the first second). Those with a decrease of 10% or more were labeled EIB+ group; all the others were labeled EIB - group. Results show the presence of exercise-induced bronchospasm in 25% of the athletes. Among them, there were no significant statistical differences related to anthropometric characteristics, basal pulmonary function values or other parameters analyzed during the ergospirometric test. One interesting aspect observed was that, in their training sessions, the EIB+ Group athletes ran a shorter distance when compared to those in the EIB- Group (p≤0.05). These results suggest that EIB presence may be a limitting factor in sports performance

Background: Endurance running is known to be a prevalent sport, due to well-understood health benefits. Ultramarathon running, particularly in master athletes, has been increasingly popular. Various parameters of an individual's ability to participate in numerous such events have been explored. The performance trends of such seasoned runners have been of interest to identify trends that could influence participation and running career longevity. Aim To identify performance trends of seasoned ultramarathon runners across their Two Oceans Ultramarathon running careers. Specific Objectives The specific objectives were to 1) describe the profile of seasoned ultramarathon runners who have completed 20 or more Two Oceans Ultramarathon races, including sex, number of ultramarathons completed, medal category of peak performance and age at debut Two Oceans Ultramarathon; 2) to determine average performance, peak performance, worst performance and the pattern of improvement or decline in performance in seasoned ultramarathon runners over 20 years of race participation; 3) to determine differences in factors that may influence performance trends, such as sex, number of ultramarathons completed, medal category of peak performance and age at debut Two Oceans Ultramarathon; and 4) to determine the variation in ultramarathon performance based on the sex, number of ultramarathons completed, medal category of peak performance and age at debut Two Oceans Ultramarathon. Methods Data from 625 runners who completed 20 or more Two Oceans Ultramarathons were extracted from a publicly available website (www.twooceansmarathon.org). Finish times across their running careers were used to establish average race speeds, peak and worst performances, changes in performance over time, and coefficients of variation in performance. Groups were compared according to a) sex, b) number of Two Oceans Ultramarathons completed (20 or more than 20), c) age category of debut race, and d) medal category of peak performance. Results The finishing times and race speed results showed that males ran significantly faster than females across their 20 year Two Oceans Ultramarathon running careers (p=0.00001). Runners who completed more than 20 races had faster finishing times and race paces than those who ran 20 Two Oceans Ultramarathons (p=0.00001). When performances of the participants were analysed according to age categories, the youngest age group, namely 16-19, had the fastest average finishing times across 20 years of racing (p=0.00002). Peak and worst performances showed that best personal efforts were attained in the first quarter of the Two Oceans Ultramarathon career, and worst race performances toward the end of these running careers. It was observed that as running careers progressed over time, the groups compared showed a pattern of performance convergence as differences in finishing times and running speeds decreased. Discussion and Conclusion The findings of this study suggest that a decline in performance over time is a natural and inevitable progression of a running career. Peak performances are usually acquired within the first few years of running careers. Participation trends as well as improved performances of master runners has shown that advanced age may be favourable in successful long-term ultramarathon running. This study identified a unique cohort of athletes who have consistently maintained ultramarathon running for 20 or more years. There is an opportunity for more detailed investigation of factors contributing to the longevity of their running careers, with the goal of promoting continuity in endurance running participation and physical activity at large.

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The problem addressed in this study is whether physiologic, hematologic, and performance parameters obtained during and after a long term program of anaerobic and aerobic exercise can be used as markers of chronic fatigue.

Rock climbing has been growing increasingly popular in the United States and around the world. Rock climbers frequently climb in the presence of fear and anxiety. Often climbers make mistakes while climbing that increase the potential for accidents and injuries. One area in which behavioral interventions have targeted sports performance is through the use of acceptance and commit training methods. Research has suggested that components of ACT may improve athletic performance such as present moment awareness, values clarification, and acceptance of challenging thoughts while performing. Studies have looked at the effects of training athletes within various sports such as basketball, powerlifting, swimming and golfing. Common skills that have been targeted include flow, attention to task, and goals/values identification. At this time, there has not been any research examining the impact of ACT on rock climbing performance. The current study examined the effects of ACT on rock climbing performance in two participants who frequently engaged in recreational rock climbing in a multiple baseline design across participants. Participants received ACT lessons prior to climbing and were assessed on falls and errors, speed, and heart rate. Results for both participants demonstrated improvements in decreasing falls and errors and increasing speed. There was no effect seen on heart rate. A second component of feedback on errors was added for participant one to further reduce errors.

Objective: To extend previous research designs and examine cognitive performance up to 30 days postconcussion. Method: A prospective cohort design was used to examine 2000 athletes from 8 mid-Michigan area high schools to compare baseline neurocognitive performance with postconcussion neurocognitive performance. All concussed athletes were readministered the Immediate Post Assessment and Cognitive Test (ImPACT) at 2, 7, 14, 21, and 30 days postconcussion. Results: A total of 72 high school athletes (aged 15.8 ± 1.34 years) sustained a concussion. A significant within-subjects effect for reaction time (F = 10.01; P= 0.000), verbal memory (F = 3.05; P = 0.012), motor processing speed (F= 18.51; P = 0.000), and total symptoms following an injury (F= 16.45; P= 0.000) was found. Concussed athletes demonstrated a significant decrease in reaction time up to 14 days postconcussion (P = 0.001) compared with baseline reaction time. Reaction time returned to baseline levels at 21 days postinjury (P = 0.25). At 7 days postinjury, impairments in verbal memory (P= 0.003) and motor processing speed (P= 0.000) were documented and returned to baseline levels by 14 days postinjury. Concussed athletes self-reported significantly more symptoms at 2 days postconcussion (P = 0.000) and exhibited a resolution of symptoms by 7 days postinjury (P = 0.06). Conclusion: High school athletes could take up to 21 days to return to baseline levels for reaction time. These data support current recommendations for the conservative management of concussion in the high school athlete.

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts (Counselling Psychology) in the Department of Psychology at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2005. / Health is viewed as a complete state of well-being and not only the prevention of disease. This research was embarked upon to highlight the importance of health promotion as a method of improving one's health as compared to disease prevention. This study aims to detect whether there is a substantial difference in psychological wellness between individuals who exercise and those individuals that a sedentary. Secondly, this study aspires to determine whether there is a difference in psychological wellness between individuals who engage in different forms of physical activity. This study motivated by the fact that no other previous international research has implemented the RyfFs scales of psychological well-being (1995) and Fox's physical self-perception profile (1990) concurrently. It is hoped that results from the proposed scheme of work will afford experts in the field of health with further insight as to the importance of physical activity as a prescription for health promotion.

The specific factors that influence student-athletes to enroll in Utah colleges were studied at Utah State University, Iieber State College, University of Utah, Westminster College, Brigham Young University, and College of Southern Utah. The intercollegiate sports surveyed were football, basketball, track and field, wrestling, and baseball. Factors influencing student-athletes to attend certain institutions varied :f'rom one athlete to another. Academic programs, level of competition, amount of financial aid, reputation of the athletic programs and institutions, as well as general facts of the programs were evaluated prior to selecting certain financial aid awards. Recruiting coaches were found to be very influential on the student-athletes and were responsible for dispensing the most helpful information to them. Most student-athletes were receiving some financial aid and were actively recruited by representatives of athletic departments.