Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2002. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains xi, 130 p. : ill. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ed. D.)--West Virginia University, 2002. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains xii, 182 p. Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 155-172).

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2004. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains vii, 68 p. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis--PlanA (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stout, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Florida State University, 2003. / Title and description from dissertation home page (viewed Mar. 3, 04). Advisor: Dr. James P. Jones, Florida State University, College of Arts and Sciences, Dept. of History. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2003. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains vii, 90 p. : ill. (some col.). Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 58-59).

The purpose of this research was to investigate how intrapersonal and environmental factors shape the beliefs and experiences of talented athletes in Hong Kong, using a case study approach. The four participants involved in the study were elite athletes recognised for their outstanding sporting achievements. A literature review of previous studies suggested that genetic and environmental factors influence talent development in the sporting domain, with four key themes worthy of further investigation: self-perceptions of natural abilities in sport (talent), self-motivation, coach, and family and school. To achieve a deeper understanding of these variables, a qualitative approach involving semi-structured interviews was used to examine the nature and complexity of the process of talent development. The results indicated that the participants did not tend to perceive themselves as significantly talented or “very special”. However, there was evidence that the four factors identified above critically influenced the development of their talent, both positively and negatively. Based on the participants’ stories, a conceptual framework was constructed to represent the interplay among the major influences on talent development. The findings have implications for improving or modifying the strategies commonly used to maximise talent development in elite athletes in Hong Kong. However, the limitations of this small-scale research study are acknowledged. / published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education

Élite adult athletes are known to have physical and physiological characteristics specifically suited to their sport. However, it is not clear whether the observed adult differences arise because of training or whether the sport selects the individual with the appropriate characteristics.The purpose of this study was to compare and contrast the physical development of young athletes (8 - 19 yr) and in so doing provide an answer to this question. Development of anthropometric characteristics, sexual maturation, pulmonary function and aerobic power were assessed in a group of 232 boys and 222 girls. The athletes were a randomly selected group of young athletes who had demonstrated previous performance success or who were excepted to do so in the future. They came from 4 sports namely: soccer (all male); gymnastics (2:1 female to male ratio), swimming (1:1 sex ratio) and tennis (1:1 sex ratio). The subjects were assessed annually for three consecutive years. The adjusted mean (ANCOVA) height of male swimmers (161.6 ± 0.6 cm) was found to be significantly greater (P<0.01) than non-athletes (159.2 ± 0.4 cm), gymnasts (150.7 ± 0.8 cm) and soccer players (158.7 ± 0.6 cm) and adjusted body mass (51.3 ± 0.6 kg) significantly greater (P<0.01) than the other groups. These trends were also observed in females. When testicular volumes were compared, it was found that swimmers matured significantly earlier (P<0.05) than gymnasts, tennis players and a reference population of non athletes. Female gymnasts attained sexual maturation (indexed by menarche) on average (14.4 ± 0.2 yr) a year after the other sports and the general population. A positive correlation was found between menarcheal age in mothers and daughters (r=0.29 , P<0.05), suggesting a familial trait. The observed late sexual maturation of gymnast therefore suggests some form of sports specific selection. Swimmers had the highest initial lung volumes (P<0.001), a difference which did not change with time. However, as training began well before the subjects were tested it was not possible to determine whether these observed differences were present prior to training. When age, height and weight were controlled for VO₂ max in males significantly increased both pubertal development, although this pattern was not shown in females. Swimmers had the highest VO₂ max values at all ages.

The purpose of this research study is to examine the habitual and competitive dietary practices of triathletes competing in a half-ironman triathlon. Data was collected from 123 male and female triathletes who participated in the 2001 Muncie Endurathon held in Muncie, Indiana. Habitual and competitive dietary patterns and eating habits were assessed via a validated semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Competitive dietary practices were evaluated using a questionnaire designed specifically for this study. The results of this study indicated that both energy and carbohydrate intakes of male and female triathletes were well below recommended levels. The male triathletes energy intake was on average 2,165 ± 919 kcal/d and females consuming significantly lower with 1,743 ± 1002 kcal/d. Carbohydrate intakes were similar between the male and female triathletes in both grams per kg (4.5 ± 144 g/kg/d vs. 5.2 ± 188 g/kg/d, respectively) grams per day (352 ± 144 vs. 306 ± 188 g/d, respectively), and percentage of energy (65% vs 70%, respectively). The triathletes were only slightly better in following carbohydrate recommendations before, during, and after exercise. The results also indicated that over half (66%) of the triathletes reported obtaining their nutrition information from magazines, while only (9%) of the participants used a registered dietitian for nutritional advice or consultation. This study has shown that triathletes in general do not meet all the recommendations set for endurance athletes. Triathletes can improve their overall performance by educating themselves on the importance of nutrition and by following the recommended guidelines set for endurance athletes. / Department of Family and Consumer Sciences

The purpose of this study was to determine if a significant difference exists between collegiate athletes' perceived and actual nutritional awareness. This study compared differences in athletes' perceived and actual nutritional awareness between sports focusing on appearance/body composition and those sports that do not, as well as, between genders. Participants (N = 92) for this study were obtained from a purposeful sample of 367 collegiate varsity athletes (n = 196 males, n = 171 females) at a Midwestern Division I University.The researcher observed the effects of the Nutritional Education Series treatment, between the pre- and post-test, and found significant differences (p < .05) across all groups of participants in athletes' perceived and actual nutritional awareness for protein, carbohydrates, iron, water during the day, water during sport, potassium, fiber, calcium, and fat. In addition, the researcher looked at the frequencies of the questions and found that the Nutritional Education Series treatment was significantly effective in altering the athletes' perceived versus actual nutritional awareness for protein, carbohydrates, iron, water during the day, water during sport, sodium, potassium, fiber, calcium, and fat.Specifically, both males and females showed a significant difference (p < .05) in perception and actual nutritional awareness for iron, but female athletes showed a greater difference than males. Significant differences (p < .05) in actual and perceived nutritional awareness for carbohydrate consumption were also observed for athletes participating in both sports focusing on appearance/body composition and those athletes that do not. Those participating in sports focusing on appearance/body composition showed the greatest difference in perception and actual nutritional awareness for carbohydrate consumption.The findings of this study would suggest that athletes demonstrate significant differences in their perceived and actual nutritional awareness, with significant differences observed between genders as well as between sports that do and do not focus on appearance/body composition. In addition, the results of this study would suggest that the systematic implementation of a nutritional educational program for athletes can modify athletes' nutritional and dietary awareness. Given the importance of nutrition in sport and physical activity, as well as the increasing competitiveness of athletics, it is important and necessary to learn the amount and accuracy of the nutritional education that athletes are receiving. Poor nutrition and an inaccurate perception of nutritional awareness can lead to a disruption in physical development and decrease an athlete's ability to play. / School of Physical Education, Sport, and Exercise Science