A Dissertation Submitted to the Department of Physiology, University of the Witwatersrand,Johannesburg for the Degree of Master ot Science / Extensive disruption of muscle fibres has been shown to occur after short term eccentric exercise where high mechanical forces are generated. This study tested whether downhill running acts as a stimulus for inducing eccentric damage, and results in greater muscle damage and deterioration in muscular performance than an equal workload of uphill running. The study aimed at determining whether an adaptation or training effect takes place such that the muscle is more resistant to the damaging effects of a repeated bout of the same exercise. In. addition, the study aimed at determining whether the lower muscle volumes and forces of muscular contractions in females compared to males, makes females less susceptible to the damaging effects of eccentric contraction.(Abbreviation abstract) / Andrew Chakane 2019

In this thesis, adaptations were made on the Hybrid Cadaveric System to accommodate new testing ramifications. The tests simulated dynamic loading (jump landings) from a 1ft. height with various degrees of valgus (fixed hamstring and quadricep forces) and various Quadricep (Q) and Hamstring (H) forces (fixed degrees of valgus) to determine how the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) and Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) behave. The tests performed included 0Q 0H, 100Q 0H, 300Q 0H, 300Q 100H, and 5°, 15°, 25° of valgus. To determine the strain behavior of the ACL and MCL a variety of equipment was used, including electromagnetic force plate to take impact reading, cables used to create loading on the quadriceps and hamstrings, and two Differential Variance Resistance Transducers (DVRTs). These ultimately generated ACL and MCL strain allowing for a variety of strain comparisons under various circumstances. It was concluded that in a few cases there were statistically significant differences in strain for the ACL and MCL when applying various quadricep and hamstring forces (fixed valgus). It was also found that only statistical significance was present in ACL strain when comparing degrees of valgus (fixed quadricep and hamstring forces). The research concluded that muscle activation reduces strain on the ACL and MCL in these testing scenarios. It was also established that degrees of valgus effects the ACL but is negligible for the MCL. However, due to complications and variables, further testing is needed to increase accuracy and supply more definitive results. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2018. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Although the “self” has generally been conceptualized as relatively stable in sport-specific research, events such as deselection, injury, and career termination have been found to negatively affect athletes’ levels of identification with the athlete role. Additionally, there has been limited research regarding competitive failure and its ability to negatively affect athletes’ levels of identification with the athlete role. The purpose of the present investigation was to provide additional evidence regarding the influence poor competitive seasons have on the malleability of athletes’ self-identity. Athletes were followed throughout the course of their season to determine whether athletes who encountered a poor competitive season reported lowered levels of athletic identity. Specifically, male and female NCAA Division I track and field athletes completed pre-indoor, post-indoor, and post-outdoor assessments of athletic identity. Contrary to previous research, the current study’s results indicated no identifiable relationship between male and female athletes’ season performance satisfaction and their level of post-indoor and post-outdoor athletic identity. Thus, the greatest predictor of athletes’ post-season level of athletic identity was their pre-season level of athletic identity, regardless of season performance. Given these results, future research should assess self-esteem as well as other potential coping strategies athletes might use in order to gain a better understanding of the effect encountering a poor competitive season may have on athletes’ self-identity.

<p>The purpose of the study was to investigate what factors affect the young athletes in the transition from junior to senior sport. The study’s secondary purpose was to find out what the athletes do to cope with the transitions and the final purpose was to revile what indicates the end of the transition to the athletes. The interview guide had three parts with questions about background information, personal experience related to the transition from junior to senior sport and finally the transition’s effect on the athlete’s career, life outside sport and lessons drawn from the experience. The study consisted of nine interviews, with four male and five female athletes. The data was analysed by using sentence categorisation. Quotations were used to underline the results. The results were divided into several categories, namely: demands, resources, barriers, coping, indicators and long-term effects. The results implicate that the participants felt that it was a big step to take that involved changes in demands both in the sport and in the life outside sport. The participants also felt that social demands, demands on the self, school and planning caused the biggest barriers during the transition. The results also imply that the resource most commonly mentioned by the participants were social factors (such as team cohesion) followed by individual factors. The coping strategies mainly involved mental strategies while the long-term effects show effects of evolving mental skills. Finally the indicators most commonly mentioned were objective and involved an increase in responsibility and better statistics. It is discussed in which way the results of this study can be further strengthened by the results of earlier studies and theories.</p>

The purpose of this study was to determine if differences exist among NCAA divisions I, II and III as well as between Athletic Directors and Primary Women Administrators with regard to the perceived competencies and preparatory coursework required of athletic administrators. A mail survey utilizing a six point forced choice Likert rating scale was constructed from a review of the literature and modifications of the survey instrument "Athletic Club Managers Survey" developed by Lambrecht (1986). The questionnaire contained 46 competency statements and 30 course content area statements as well as a set of demographic questions. The 1987-88 NCAA Directory listed 466 institutions which employed both an Athletic Director and a Primary Woman Administrator. Two hundred five of these institutions were systematically randomly selected and received two questionnaires, one for the Athletic Director and one for the Primary Woman Administrator. Three hundred and forty-nine questionnaires were returned yielding an 85% response rate. It was hypothesized that there were no significant differences between the responses of athletic administrators from the three divisions of the NCAA with regard to the competency and course content area statements. The analysis of variance technique was used to analyze the data. Where differences existed the Newman-Keuls test was employed to determine the location. The null hypothesis was rejected for 20 competency items and 17 course content area items. Athletic Directors and Primary Women Administrators were also studied. Fifteen competency items and 14 course content area items were rejected in this comparison. The top six ranked competency items were: 1. Enforce NCAA Rules, 2. Human Relations, 3. Staff Communications, 4. Decision Making Process, 5. Budget Preparation and Control, and 6. Interpret NCAA Rules. These top six ranked competency items were the same in each division, although the order of importance varied. Competency items were rated higher than course content area items. Of the top 16 items with means above 5.0, only three items were course content area items. Public Relations, Speech and Writing were the top three ranked courses. Results of this study indicate that there is limited significant difference among the three NCAA Divisions or between Athletic Directors and Primary Women Administrators in their perception of competencies and coursework necessary for athletic administrators. / Graduation date: 1990

Thesis (M.S.)--Boise State University, 2009. / Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 46-49).

Dissertation (Ph.D.)--University of Toledo, 2009. / "In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences." Title from title page of PDF document. Bibliography: p. 128-144.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2003. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Available also from UMI Company.

Thesis (Ed.D.)--East Carolina University, 2008. / Presented to the faculty of the Department of Educational Leadership. Advisor: Cheryl C. McFadden. Title from PDF t.p. (viewed May 26, 2010). Includes bibliographical references.

The purpose of the study was to investigate what factors affect the young athletes in the transition from junior to senior sport. The study’s secondary purpose was to find out what the athletes do to cope with the transitions and the final purpose was to revile what indicates the end of the transition to the athletes. The interview guide had three parts with questions about background information, personal experience related to the transition from junior to senior sport and finally the transition’s effect on the athlete’s career, life outside sport and lessons drawn from the experience. The study consisted of nine interviews, with four male and five female athletes. The data was analysed by using sentence categorisation. Quotations were used to underline the results. The results were divided into several categories, namely: demands, resources, barriers, coping, indicators and long-term effects. The results implicate that the participants felt that it was a big step to take that involved changes in demands both in the sport and in the life outside sport. The participants also felt that social demands, demands on the self, school and planning caused the biggest barriers during the transition. The results also imply that the resource most commonly mentioned by the participants were social factors (such as team cohesion) followed by individual factors. The coping strategies mainly involved mental strategies while the long-term effects show effects of evolving mental skills. Finally the indicators most commonly mentioned were objective and involved an increase in responsibility and better statistics. It is discussed in which way the results of this study can be further strengthened by the results of earlier studies and theories.