Recent literature reveals that sex differences in performance actually might be reflections of sex differences in perceptions about the sex-appropriateness and the masculinity and femininity of certain activities. Therefore, this study was designed to determine the effects of perceived sex-appropriateness of a task upon performance of selected sport skills.

Name: Development and comparison of performance in athletic disciplines in certain classes at primary school Author: Karolína Procházková Department: Department of Physical Education Supervisor: PhDr. PaedDr. Ladislav Kašpar, Ph.D. ABSTRACT The master thesis is about development and comparison pupil's athletic performance from 1st, 2nd and 3rd class at primary school. Performance is compared according to the results of athletic disciplines - 50 meters run, long jump and throw. The thesis compares performance in classes, looking for differences between boys and girls. It also focuses on differences between classes and other improvements. KEYWORDS Younger school age, primary school, athletics, athletic performance, athletic disciplines

The purpose of this study was to compare the attitudes of faculty at: (1) Division I NCAA and NAIA institutions, (2) Division I and II NAIA institutions on selected issues related to intercollegiate athletics, and (3) Division I NCAA and NAIA institutions toward selected issues related to intercollegiate athletics when demographics variables are considered. The problem was to determine if there were significant differences between the attitudes of the faculties.

The purpose of this study was to investigate if there are correlations among an instructor's approach to teaching, student evaluation of instruction outcomes, and the amount of formal coursework in education a teacher has completed. Three research questions provided the focus for the study: (1) to determine if there is a correlation between the number of formal educational courses taken by athletic training educational program (ATEP) faculty and their approach to teaching; (2) to determine if there is a correlation between the amount of formal educational courses taken by ATEP faculty and their students' evaluations of instruction; and (3) to determine if there is a relationship between faculty's approach to teaching and students' evaluations of instruction. The population for the study was certified athletic trainers working as full-time faculty in ATEPs in the State of Florida. Data were generated using all eligible faculty from 10 of the 13 universities in Florida that offer Athletic Training Educational Programs. The study included faculty who teach in large and small ATEPs. Faculty from public and private, large and small universities were also represented. The faculty completed questionnaires that included demographic information, the Approaches to Teaching Inventory (ATI-R) and the Students' Evaluation of Educational Quality (SEEQ) questionnaire. Based on the research findings, there is clear evidence that there is a lack of uniformity among ATEP faculty in the area of formal exposure to pedagogy and curriculum. 17.6% (n = 3) of respondents earned a bachelor's degree in physical education and 18.8% (n = 3) of respondents earned a master's degree in education, health education, or physical education. Of the 77.8% (n = 14) of respondents who completed or were in progress with a doctoral degree, 42.9% (n = 6) degrees were related to education. Faculty reported completing a mean of 9.25 courses related to education (SD = 7.39). The number of educational courses taken ranged from 0 to 25 courses. The study demonstrates that there is a correlation of large effect size between the amount of formal educational coursework and the SEEQ subscale value of "Assignments/Readings." In addition, the "Assignments/Readings" and "Learning/Academic Value" subscale scores on the SEEQ were significantly higher when instructors had completed more than 10 educational courses. The study found moderate and large correlations and medium and large effect sizes between the scores of 7 of the 8 remaining SEEQ subscales and the number of education courses taken by faculty. In addition, there was a moderate correlation and medium effect size between the total score of the SEEQ and the number of education courses taken by faculty. Though statistically non-significant, each of these correlations were positive and may demonstrate a need for the study to be replicated using greater statistical power.

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Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Human Nutrition / Mark D. Haub / Background: Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a growing sport that places competitors into specific weight classes to level the competition field. Athletes “cut weight” to compete in a weight class lower than their “walk around” weight. Techniques for cutting weight include dehydration, starvation and exercise in hot environments jeopardizing health and performance. Higher-protein diets (HPD) have been shown to improve weight loss by increasing satiety, thermogenesis, decreasing total energy intake, and maintain lean mass during periods of energy deficiency, such as weight loss. Research regarding the impact of HPD on performance is limited and conflicting. Specific Aims: The central hypothesis for this study was: HPD diets will elicit greater weight loss and enhance body composition compare to tradition low-fat diets in non-obese, active individuals. The three specific aims of this study are: 1) examine the effects of HPD on weight loss, 2) evaluate the impact of HPD of athletic performance, and 3) determine the effectiveness of HPD for accelerated weight loss. Methods: Military personnel participating in the Combatives program were recruited. Participants were assigned a HPD (40% CHO, 30% PRO, 30% fat), traditional low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet (65% CHO, 15% PRO, 20% fat), or an ad libitum diet for 12-day to 6-weeks depending on their training program. Fields tests for pre- and post-intervention measures of performance included: vertical jump and leg power index to measure explosive power, 600 meter shuttle run for anaerobic capacity and 1.5 mile run for aerobic capacity. Pre- and post-intervention of weight and body composition were determined using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Diet analysis software was used to determine nutrient intakes during the study. SPSS statistical software was used to determine descriptive statistics, paired t-tests, Pearson’s Correlations and one-way ANOVA. Results & Conclusions: Due to the unanticipated high rate of dropout, statistical significance was difficult to determine, however, there was a trend for the HPD to elicit fat-free mass retention and it not negatively impact performance. Discrepancies in energy and nutrient intake made dietary comparison difficult. Future studies with larger samples and greater dietary control are needed to further evaluate the research goals of this study.

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2009. / Objective: Literature has focused its efforts on professional cricket players and player related risk factors to injury with little information being available with regards to coaching / management and environmental risk factors to injury. Therefore, this study aimed to profile the injuries and risk factors in Premier League club cricketers in the greater Durban area. Methods: This was a prospective, cross-sectional based study, using a self-administered questionnaire, developed specifically for this research utilizing a focus group and pilot study. The questionnaire consisted of a demographics section, as well as an injury history and risk factor section. Letters of informed consent and questionnaire were distributed to 144 players / coaches for completion. Data was analysed using Pearson‟s correlation and t-tests. Results: A response rate of 70% (n=109) was achieved. Selected parameters from demographics, injury history and risk factors were found to be significantly related to current and / or previous injury. Conclusion: It is advised that coaches heed significant injury parameters in order to improve player health, decrease injury risk and decrease time out of play. Key words: Athletic injuries; questionnaires; cross-sectional study‟s; risk factors; sports; sports medicine; risk assessment; cricket.

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements of the Degree of Master of Technology: Quality, Durban University of Technology, 2011. / Football boot manufacturers can have an advantage over their competitors if they gain knowledge about the purchase decision-making process of their consumers. It is significant that marketers understand the important criteria of a consumer’s purchase decision. This study aimed to investigate consumer behaviour in the football boot industry, to support football boot manufacturers with information of the purchasing behaviour of their consumers in order to establish product development and novel marketing strategies. The objective of the study was to identify expectations of survey respondents in terms of the factors which influence their purchasing behaviour of football boots in the federal state of Bavaria in Germany. In order to accomplish the objectives of the study, a quantitative study was conducted by means of self-administered questionnaires. A sample of 400 questionnaires was administered. The respondents were purposively selected. Conclusions and recommendations were thereafter drawn from the literature and the findings of the study. The results showed that quality and brand names were the major influential factors in the purchase decision. Adidas was the most popular brand, followed by Nike and Puma. Citing satisfaction with their purchases, consumers were brand loyal and repeated purchases occurred. The research recommended that football boot manufacturers need to invest constantly in its development and quality management program in order to meet consumers’ expectations and international standards.

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