The purpose of this study was to investigate elite soccer players' attentional focus during their best performances, better understand the strategies they use to enter or re-enter optimal attentional states, and explore potential attentional differences according to soccer positions, performance tasks, and game situations. No previous studies have explored elite soccer players' attentional skills from a naturalistic and qualitative perspective in such detail. The growing interest in soccer among Canadians provided further justification for this study. Data collection consisted of individual semi-structured interviews with eight elite soccer players from five main soccer positions, namely goalkeeper, defender, wing, midfielder, and forward. Cross-case thematic analysis indicated positive thinking and pre-performance routines as important sources of optimal focus. Attentional focus varied according to soccer positions and performance tasks. Information processing, sport expertise, and attentional systems theoretical frameworks informed the discussion of results. Applied and theoretical implications were drawn and future studies were recommended.

The effect of salbutamol on performance was studied in 7 male non-asthmatic elite (VO₂max ≥ 60 ml/kg/min) athletes. The subjects entered the study just prior to their competitive season. Salbutamol (2 puffs=200 µg) or placebo was administered by metered-dose inhaler, through a spacer device, 20 minutes prior to testing in a double-blind, randomized crossover design. Pulmonary functions including maximum flow volume curves were performed on the first two visits, at 5 intervals (pre-medication, 20 minutes post-medication, and 5, 10, and 20 minutes post-exercise). The first two sessions combined these pulmonary function measures with an exercise bout consisting of a continuously ramped cycle ergometer ride to exhaustion to determine maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max), peak power, and maximal heart rate. Pulse oximetry was used to measure the oxygen saturation of hemoglobin. The next sessions involved performing a 45 minute ride at 70% of VO₂max, followed by a timed sprint to exhaustion. Lastly, a Wingate anaerobic test was used to measure total work and peak power. There was a non-significant decrease in VO₂max from a mean of 63.5 ml/kg/min (± 3.2) for the placebo (P) trial, to a mean of 62.6 (± 3.3) with salbutamol (S). No difference was found in peak power (P= 438 Watts ±26.3, S= 438 ±27.9) or maximum heart rate (P=191 beats/min ±5.4, S=191 ±6.0). The performance related variables of endurance sprint time (P=104 seconds ±22.8, S= 97 ±31.4), and Wingate peak power (P= 10.12 Watts/kg ±0.57, S= 9.97 ±0.60) showed a non-significant decrease, while the total work performed on the Wingate test (P= 19.30 kJ ±2.09, S= 19.61 ±1.54) displayed a non-significant increase. The data failed to show significance despite using statistical analysis with a level of significance of p<0.20 to maximize the power of the tests. There was a statistically significant (p<0.05) increase in post medication (pre-exercise) forced expiratory volume (FEV₁) of 4.5% with salbutamol. This baseline increase persisted post-exercise, but there was no interaction effect of salbutamol and placebo over time. This represents an expected effect in non-asthmatic individuals, and although statistical significance was achieved, the magnitude of difference is not considered to be clinically significant. It was concluded that a therapeutic dose of aerosol salbutamol does not have an ergogenic effect in elite non-asthmatic athletes and it is therefore recommended that inhaled salbutamol continue to be permitted in international competition for individuals with exercise induced asthma. / Education, Faculty of / Curriculum and Pedagogy (EDCP), Department of / Graduate

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&#8804;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&#8804;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.

The primary aim of this research was to assess Saudi Arabian male athletes' attitudes toward seeking sport psychology services and determine their previous experience using mental skills. As a part of the study, an Arabic version of the Sport Psychology Attitudes – Revised form (SPA-R) was developed. Transcultural translation procedures (e.g., back translation) were used to translate the SPA-R into Arabic version. Saudi male athletes (N = 222) ranging from 17 to 25 years of age with various individual and team sport experiences completed the Arabic version of SPA-R survey twice over two-weeks. Exploratory factor analysis indicated that the original theoretical structure of the phenomena existed in the version created for Arabian athletes. Follow-up analyses revealed that Saudi male athletes had high sport psychology consultant confidence and personal openness, moderately high cultural preferences, and low in stigma tolerance. Although the Arabic version of SPA-R may be useful for assessing Saudi male athletes, further research is needed with different Arab populations to verify the factor structure of the observed constructs.