Thesis (Ph.D.)--Ohio University, June, 2007. / Title from PDF t.p. Includes bibliographical references.

<p>The purpose of this study was to examine a relationship between perceived health and sport participation with objectives as follows: (a) to examine how athletes perceive their health and understand its importance for sport and life; (b) to examine what strategies athletes use to enhance their health and under what conditions they put their health at risk in sport; (c) to analyse social influences on athletes related to sport and health and (d) to analyse a position of health among athletes’ perceived “benefits” and “costs” of athletic career in its relation to satisfaction with sport participation. The perceived health and sport participation working model (Stambulova, Johnson, Lindwall & Hinic, 2004) was used as the theoretical framework for this study. Thirty six competitive athletes – representatives of different sports - were interviewed using a structured interview guide with both qualitative and quantitative questions. Inductive and deductive analyses were used to treat the qualitative data and to develop category profiles. SPSS was used to treat the quantitative data (descriptive statistics). The results show that the athletes’ attitude to their health is double sided. A majority of the athletes value health as important for life but at the same time 69% of them put their health at risk in their athletic career (e.g, practicing or competing when ill or injured). A majority of the athletes also use self enhancing strategies (e.g., injury and overtraining prevention), but are at the same time draining their health related resources. Health was the second highest perceived benefit of sport participation, but it was also the second highest perceived cost. Social influences are also contradictive as the athletes significant others express positive opinions about the link between sport and health, but they also often “push” athletes to put their health under risk in sport. The results are discussed in relation to the corresponding literature and the perceived health and sport participation working model.</p>

<p>The purpose of this study was twofold: a) To investigate dimensions and a structure of a personal identity in adolescent football players. b) To investigate a link between the players' athletic identity as a part of the personal identity and their self-esteem. An interview guide was made according to the objectives. Seven adolescent football players (four girls and three boys), who all played for the national team, were interviewed. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed. Interesting parts were noticed and illustrative quotations were used to present the results. </p><p> Twelve identity dimensions were found, six of them had not been regarded in prior studies. Football got a lot of attention in the personal identity but other dimensions were also important. Thus, football did not always have the highest priority in the participants’ lives. The relation between identity importance and prioritized behavior seemed more complicated than prior research have suggested. Public attention due to athletic success was one of the factors enhancing self-esteem. Athletic failures did, according to the participants, affect their self-esteem, in different amount however. </p><p> The author discusses the results in relation to relevant literature in the identity and self-esteem area. Identity commitment theory (Stryker, 1980; Stryker & Serpe, 1994) seemed difficult to apply to the result. The link between the participants’ athletic identity and their self-esteem seemed to be more complex than prior studies have shown. It is suggested that the discrepancy between the actual-self and the ideal-self (Higgins, 1987, 1989), the disruption of the identity feedback loop (Burke, 1991) and perfectionism (Flett & Hewitt, 2002) has a stronger affect on the adolescent football players than the need for self-enhancement (Leary, 1999; Leary & Baumeister, 2000). </p><p> The study implicates that significant others in the athletes’ surrounding ought to emphasize other dimensions of the athletes’ personal identity to avoid athletic identity foreclosure, thus prevent unsuccessful career transitions.</p>

The status of athletic department ATOD policies has received limited attention. Few studies have examined the extent to which athletic trainers are currently involved in developing and revising their drug education and prevention policies. This study compared the perceptions of head athletic trainers from NCAA member Divisions I, II and III toward the status of their current ATOD policies and what they would ideally like to see in their athletic departments. Policy issues were related to each of the following four domains, 1) policy implementation; 2) educational programs; 3) ATOD policy enforcement; 4) athletic trainer participation in developing and evaluating ATOD policies. A web-based questionnaire was designed to collect data. Responses were collected from (353) head athletic trainers at three NCAA member institutions. Conveying ATOD policies to visiting student athletes related to the use of drugs banned by the NCAA during recruitment visits was the highest priority among HATS in three NCAA divisions. Athletic trainers from all divisions wanted to see ATOD education programs scheduled closer to athletic events when the potential for drug use could increase. Drug enforcement policies related to the consequences of testing positive for using a banned drug after a second or a third time by athletes was a high priority for Division I and III HATS. Division II trainers reported that mandatory drug testing was also a high priority. More Division I NCAA member institutions had evaluated their ATOD policies during the past year compared to Division I and III members. Participation in developing and revising athletic department and team ATOD policies was an important priority for head athletic trainers. HATS who were more involved in developing ATOD policies mentioned that they gained a better understanding of drug abuse and drug testing issues when they were part of their athletic departments' policy making process. / Graduation date: 2004

Thesis (Ph.D. (Human Movement Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

The sport industry has become an enormous cultural and economic force across the globe. Yet it is one that is largely understudied in regards to public relations. In the United States, intercollegiate athletics—particularly football and men’s and women’s basketball—garners a tremendous amount of attention from media, the government, sports fan communities, merchandisers and scholars. However, there is scant research on public relations within intercollegiate athletics departments. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to learn how intercollegiate athletics directors (ADs) from National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I institutions with major basketball programs understand public relations, overall and in the context of men’s and women’s basketball coaches. For this study, a phenomenological approach was used. Twelve ADs were interviewed, and their transcripts were analyzed using comparative analysis procedures. The findings show that the overall understanding of public relations to the participants is integrated impression management: a combination of image, message, and action/interaction. The ADs associated public relations with marketing, branding, communication, media relations, community/university relations, fundraising and crisis management. They expressed a range of responsibility within their organizations for public relations, as well as related issues and challenges. They also associated some specific responsibilities and challenges regarding public relations to the context of men’s and women’s basketball coaching. The results of this study imply that despite some scholars’ insistence that public relations is a distinct discipline from marketing, executives do not necessarily separate the two. The findings of this study aid in understanding how public relations might be evolving within intercollegiate athletics. Learning how those with power and influence in this industry understand public relations can help intercollegiate athletics departments with the root and ramifications of some major challenges. For scholars, this presents an opportunity to test and develop theory, as well as to identify trends, changes and solutions for public relations in an industry with cultural power and influence.

Athletic directors (ADs) in institutions of higher education are the chief administrators of their respective athletic departments. The purpose of this study is to describe the current demographic, educational, and professional characteristics of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II and III ADs. Forty-five Division II ADs and 105 Division III ADs responded to a survey of 725 institutions, returning response rates of 15.5% and 24.1% respectively. Findings for social and educational demographics mirror those of previous studies. Subjects in both divisions studied athletic administration in post-graduate work, but studies in education were also common. Experiences in coaching and athletic administration were most frequent for both samples. Division II ADs were notably experienced in compliance, while teaching experiences were common with Division III ADs. Both sets were heavily involved in finance and internal policy, but Division II responses emphasized community relations while Division III responses emphasized campus relations. Limited resources challenged ADs in both groups. In conclusion, NCAA institutions, especially those with athletic administration departments and significant minority populations, should promote NCAA diversity initiatives campus-wide. Students and professionals preparing for a career as a Division II or Division III AD should pursue post-graduate education in an administrative field, preferably in concentrations of sport or education. They should choose a career path involving teaching, coaching, or an administrative specialization within athletics, and they should be familiar with finance and NCAA regulations. Recommendations for future research include detailed analysis of AD job design and investigating whether ADs can be clustered based on their involvement in various tasks.

Balance ist als die koordinative Fähigkeit anzusehen, die am meisten durch das Sinnes- und Nervensystem determiniert ist. Damit könnte sie als Indikator für Funktionseinschränkungen des Nervensystems - etwa bei Lernstörungen - von Wert sein. Aussagen über Zusammenhänge zwischen Balance und Kognition werden vielfach diskutiert, sind jedoch noch nicht hinreichend wissenschaftlich gesichert. Hieraus wird die zentrale Zielstellung der Arbeit abgeleitet, das Wissen über somatische und psychische Determinanten von Balance zu erweitern. Betrachtet werden daher bei Vorschulkindern mögliche Zusammenhänge mit dem Geschlecht, mit den anthropometrischen Parametern Körperhöhe und Fußgröße, mit Statikstörungen des Beckens und der Intelligenzleistung. <br><br> An der Studie nahmen insgesamt 201 drei- bzw. vierjährige Kinder sowie 148 fünf- bzw. sechsjährige Kinder teil. Die Balancefähigkeit wurde mit Hilfe einer Kraftmomentenplattform sowie eines klinischen Tests erfasst und mit anthropometrischen Parametern, qualitativen statischen Befunden bzw. den Ergebnissen des BIVA-Intelligenztests nach SCHAARSCHMIDT verglichen. Für die Auswertung der Balanceparameter wurden sowohl lineare als auch nichtlineare Verfahren eingesetzt, die zum Teil gegenläufige Trends in Bezug auf Zusammenhänge lieferten. <br><br> Im Ergebnis konnte ein starker Einfluss des Geschlechts nachgewiesen werden. Mädchen zeigten eine bessere Balanceleistung als Jungen sowohl bei 3-Jährigen als auch bei 6-Jährigen. Dies wird als Beleg für den geschlechtsspezifischen Vorsprung der sensomotorischen Entwicklung bei den Mädchen im Alter von 3 bis 6 Jahren angesehen. Außerdem gab es einige Hinweise auf einen Zusammenhang mit der Körperhöhe bzw. Fußlänge. Ein Zusammenhang mit den Umstellungen des ersten Gestaltwandels wird vermutet. Die Daten sprechen für einen statistisch schwachen Einfluss von Störungen der Beckenstatik (Beckenverwringung) auf die Balance bei den Kindern. Es wird vermutet, dass die Verrechnung Balance relevanter Inputs durch nozizeptive Impulse beeinträchtig werden kann. Dies könnte Anlass sein, diesen Aspekt bei Funktionsstörungen mit zu berücksichtigen. Signifikante Zusammenhänge mit Ergebnissen des BIVA-Intelligenztests konnten kaum gefunden werden. Allerdings fallen überzufällig viele Mittelwertvergleiche in Richtung der Hypothese aus, erreichen jedoch nicht Signifikanzniveau. Dies könnte ein Hinweis auf einen schwachen Zusammenhang darstellen, der jedoch mit einer größeren Gruppe noch bestätigt werden müsste. Weitere Forschung auf diesem Gebiet ist erforderlich. Sollte hinreichende Evidenz erreicht werden können, so könnte in der Förderung koordinativer Fähigkeiten und insbesondere der posturalen Balance eine wichtige pädagogische Reserve liegen. / Balance is considered a coordinative ability, which is mostly affected by the sensory and nervous systems. It can be used as an indicator for the functional ability of the nervous system, such as learning disability. Although the relationship between balance and cognition has long been postulated, this interaction has not yet been scientifically well established. The aim of this study is to examine the somatic and psychological determinants of balance. Preschool children were used to analyse the balance-cognition relationship with respect to gender, anthropometric parameters of body height and foot length, pelvic static and intelligence ability. <br><br> 201 three to four years old children, as well as 148 five to six years old children, were used in this study. A clinical test involving a force moment platform was used to examine the balance ability. Results obtained were compared with specific anthropometric parameters and findings obtained from the BIVA-intelligent tests (SCHAARSCHMIDT). <br><br> In the results, there is a strong effect of gender on balance. Girls showed a better balance ability than boys in the age groups of three and six years old. This finding provides evidence of an earlier gender specific advantage of sensor-motor development in girls between the ages of 3 to 6 years old. A relationship between postural balance and body height/ foot length was found. This may be attributed to the transposition of the body developmental changes. The results show a weak statistical effect of pelvic static disorders on balance in children. It can be suggested that inputs through the nociceptive impulse pathway can have a negative effect on balance. This can be factored as an aspect of a function disorder. Slight significant relationship could be found from the results of BIVA-intelligent tests. This can provide information on the weak relationship, which might show in larger group size. Further studies in this research area are necessary. Sufficient evidence should be reached, regarding the support of coordination ability and particularly postural balance, and the relationship could play an important role in education

Aim The aim of the present study was to examine young female volleyballers’ body build, physical abilities, technical skills and psychophysiological properties in relation to their performance at competitions. The sample consisted of 46 female volleyballers aged 13-16 years. 49 basic anthropometric measurements were measured and 65 proportions and body composition characteristics were calculated. 9 physical ability tests, 9 volleyball technical skills tests and 21 psychophysiological tests were carried out. The game performance was recorded by the computer program Game. The program enabled to fix the performance of technical elements in case of each player. The computer program Game calculated the index of proficiency in case of each girl for each element. The first control group consisted of 74 female volleyballers aged 13–15 years with whom reduced anthropometry was provided and 28 games were recorded. The second control group consisted of 586 ordinary schoolgirls aged 13–16 years with whom full anthropometry was provided. Results In order to systematize all anthropometric characteristics, we first studied the essence of the anthropometric structure of the body as a whole. It turned out to be a characteristic system where all variables are in significant correlation between one another and where the leading characteristics are height and weight. Therefore we based the classification on the mean height and weight of the whole sample. We formed a 5 class SD classification. There are three classes of concordance between height and weight: small height – small weight, medium height – medium height, big height – big weight. The other two classes were classes of disconcordance between height and weight- pycnomorphs and leptomorphs. We managed to show that gradual increase in height and weight brought about statistically significant increase in length, breadth and depth measurements, circumferences, bone thicknesses and skinfolds. There were also systematic changes in indeces and body composition characteristics. Pycnomorphs and leptomorphs also showed differences specific to their body types in body measurements and body composition. The results of all tests were submitted to basic statistical analysis and all correlations were found between all the tests (volleyball technical skills, psychophysiological abilities, physical abilities), and all basic anthropometric variables (n = 49) and all proportions and body composition characteristics (n = 65). All anthropometric measurements and test results were correlated with the index of proficiency for all elements of the game. The best linear regression models were calculated for predicting proficiency in different elements of the game. We can see that body build and all kind of tests took part in predicting the proficiency of the game. The most essential for performing attack, block and feint were anthropometric and psychophysiological models. The studied complex of body build characteristics and tests results determine the players’ proficiency at competitions, are an important tool for testing the player’s individual development, enable to choose volleyballers from among schoolgirls and represent the whole body constitutional model of a young female volleyballer. Outlook Our outlook for the future is to continue recording of all Estonian championship games with the computer program Game, to continue the players’ anthropometric measuring and psychophysiological testing at competitions and to compile a national register for assessment of development of individual players and teams. / Ziel Das Ziel dieser Untersuchung war den Körperbau, die körperliche Fähigkeiten, die technische Geschicklichkeiten und psychophysiologische Fähigkeiten der jungen Volleyballspielerinnen in Bezug auf ihre Leistung bei den Wettkämpfen zu untersuchen. Die Auswahl bestand aus 46 Volleyballspielerinnen im Alter 13-16 Jahren. Es wurden 49 anthropometrische Masse gemessen, 65 Proportionen und Körperbaumerkmale kalkuliert, 9 Tests der physischen Fähigkeit und 9 Testen der volleyballtechnischen Geschicken ausgeführt. Die Spielleistung wurde mit dem Computerprogramm Game gespeichert. Das Programm machte es möglich, die Leistung der technischen Elementen im Falle von jeder Spielerinnen zu bestimmen. Das Computerprogramm Game kalkulierte den Leistungsindex im Falle von jedem Mädchen für jedes Element. Die erste Kontrollgruppe bestand von 74 Volleyballspielerinnen im Alter von 13–15 Jahren, mit wem reduzierte Anthropometrie durchgeführt wurde und 28 Spiele gespeichert wurden. Die andere Kontrollgruppe bestand aus 586 gewöhnliche Schulmädchen im Alter von 13–16 Jahren, mit wem volle Anthropometrie durchgeführt wurde. Ergebnisse Um alle anthropometrische Merkmale zu systematisieren, haben wir zunächst das Wesen der anthropometrischen Struktur des Körpers als Ganzes geforscht. Es hat sich erwiesen, dass es um einem characteristischen System handelt, bei dem alle Merkmale in aussagekräftiger Beziehung miteinander sind und die führende Merkmale die Höhe und das Gewicht sind. Darum haben wir die Klassifikation auf die durchschnittliche Höhe und das durchschnittliche Gewicht der ganzen Auswahl gegründet. Wir haben eine Klass 5 SD Klassifikation gebildet. Es gibt drei Übereinstimmungsklassen zwischen Höhe und Gewicht: kleine Höhe – kleines Gewicht, mittlere Höhe – mittleres Gewicht, grosse Höhe – grosses Gewicht. Die andere zwei Klassen waren die Nichtübereinstimmungsklassen zwischen Höhe und Gewicht - Pyknomorphe und Leptomorphe. Es ist uns gelungen, zu beweisen, dass der stufenartige Anstieg in der Höhe und in dem Gewicht einen statistisch bedeutsamen Anstieg in den Merkmalen der Länge, Breite und Tiefe, in den Umkreisen, in den Dicken des Knochens und in den Hautfalten veranlassen. Es bestanden auch systematische Änderungen in den Indexen und Körperbaumerkmalen. Auch die Pyknomorphen und Leptomorphen zeigten Unterschiede für ihre Körpermasse und Körperbau spezifische Unterschiede. Die Ergebnisse von allen Testen wurden der statistischen Grundanalyse unterworfen und alle Korrelationen zwischen allen Testen (volleyballtechnische Geschicke, psychophysiologische Fähigkeiten, physische Fähigkeiten) und allen anthropometrischen Grundvariablen (n = 49) und allen Proportionen und Körperbaumerkmalen (n = 65) gefunden. Alle anthropometrische Merkmale und Testresultaten wurden im Falle von allen Spielelementen mit dem Leistungsindex korreliert. Die besten lineare Regressionmodellen, um die Leistung in verschiedenen Spielelementen vorauszusagen, wurden kalkuliert. Es ist sichtbar, dass der Körperbau und alle Testarten in der Voraussage der Spielleistung mitgemacht haben. Das Wichtigste um einen Angriff, einen Block und eine Finte durchzuführen, waren anthropometrische und psychophysiologische Modelle. Der geforschte Komplex der Körperbaumerkmalen und der Testergebnissen bestimmen die Leistung der Spielerin in den Wettbewerben, sind ein wichtiges Mittel für das Testen der individuellen Entwicklung der Spielerin, ermöglichen die Volleyballspielerinnen aus den Schulmädchen zu wählen und vertreten das ganze Körperbaumodell einer jungen Volleyballspielerin. Die Aussicht Unsere Aussicht für die Zukunft ist, das Speichern von allen Spielen der estnischen Meisterschaftswettbewerben mit dem Computerprogramm Game, die anthropometrische Messung und das psychophysiologisches Testen der Spielerinnen während Wettbewerben fortzusetzen und ein staatliches Register für die Bewertung der Entwicklung der individuellen Spielerinnen und Teamen zusammenzustellen.

Tendinopathien der Achilles- oder Patellarsehne sind häufig in Sportarten mit zahlreichen repetitiven Belastungen im Dehnungs-Verkürzungs-Zyklus der unteren Extremität zu finden. Sowohl eine möglicherweise alterierte belastungsspezifische neuromuskuläre Antwort (NMA), als auch funktional begründete Therapiemaßnahmen mit möglichen positiven Effekten sind aktuell ungeklärt. Ziel der Arbeit war deshalb die Untersuchung der belastungsspezifischen neuromuskulären Antwort bei Athleten mit Tendinopathie der Achilles- oder Patellarsehne im Vergleich zu beschwerdefreien Athleten. Zusätzlich sollten mögliche funktionale und therapeutische Effekte eines sensomotorischen Trainings im randomisierten, kontrollierten und prospektiven Studiendesign überprüft werden. 51 Sportler mit unilateraler Tendinopathie (Achilles-/Patellarsehne n = 35/16) und 33 gesunde Sportler wurden zur Beurteilung der belastungsspezifischen neuromuskulären Antwort eingeschlossen. Zur Klärung der Effekte eines sensomotorischen Trainings im Längsschnitt konnten 26 Sportler mit Tendinopathie randomisiert zu einer Kontrollgruppe (n = 14) und einer Therapiegruppe mit sensomotorischem Training (n = 12) zugeordnet werden. Nach einer ersten biomechanischen Messung M1 (Belastungssituationen: Lauf-, Stabilisations-, Kraftbelastung) und der Erhebung der subjektiven Schmerzsymptomatik folgte eine 8-wöchige Therapiephase mit einer abschließenden Re-Test-Messung M2 identisch zu M1. Das sensomotorische Training war auf die gesamte untere Extremität ausgerichtet und wurde nach Einweisung regelmäßig kontrolliert. Die Erfassung der NMA erfolgte über die Quantifizierung der muskulären Aktivität (EMG). Zusätzlich wurde die Kinetik (z.B. Maximalkraft) belastungsspezifisch erfasst. Eine reduzierte NMA konnte für die Sportler mit Tendinopathie über veränderte EMG-Zeit- und Amplitudenmessgrößen, eine reduzierte aktive Stabilisationsfähigkeit und Maximalkraft (p < 0,05) nachgewiesen werden. In Abhängigkeit der Lokalisation (Achilles-/Patellarsehen) bzw. der Seite (Beschwerdeseite/gesunde Seite) ergaben sich keine relevanten Differenzen. Das sensomotorische Training zeigte eine Optimierung der NMA (z.B. erhöhte Maximalkraft) bei Tendinopathie der Achilles- oder Patellarsehne. Die Überprüfung der Beschwerdesymptomatik wies in allen Schmerz-Scores nach der Therapie reduzierte Werte und damit einen positiven therapeutischen Effekt gegenüber der Kontrollgruppe auf. Zusammenfassend kann eine systematisch reduzierte NMA bei Lauf-, Stabilisations- und Kraftbelastung der Sportler mit Tendinopathie nachgewiesen werden. Das sensomotorische Training ist funktional und therapeutisch als effiziente Therapiemaßnahme zu erachten. / Tendinopathies of the achilles- or patellartendon are common overuse unjuries in sports including high numbers of repetitive stretch-shortening-cycles of the lower limb. Possible alterations of the neuromuscular response (NMR) to physical stress and functionally justified therapies with potential positive effects are currently unknown. The aim of the study was therefore the analysis of the neuromuscular response in situations with physical stress in athletes with tendinopathie of the achilles or patellartendon compared to symptom free athletes. In addition, possible functional and therapeutic effects of a sensorimotor training were studied in a prospective, randomized and controlled study. 51 athletes with unilateral tendinopathy (achilles-/patellartendon n = 35/16) and 33 healthy athletes were included to assess the stress related neuromuscular response (NMR). To clarify the effects of a sensorimotor training 26 athletes with tendinopathy were randomized to a control group (n = 14) and a therapy group with sensorimotor training (n = 12). After initial biomechanical measurements M1 (situations: running, active postural stability and maximum strength test) and the collection of subjective complaints (pain) an 8-week treatment phase followed with a final re-test M2 measure identical to M1. The sensorimotor training was arranged for the entire lower extremity, and was checked after an initial briefing on a regular basis. The assessment of the NMR was quantified by muscle activity (EMG). In addition, the kinetics (e.g. maximum force) was acquired in the stabilization and maximum strength test. A reduced NMR could be proven for athletes with tendinopathy with changed EMG time and amplitude measurements, a reduced active postural stabilization ability and reduced maximum strength (p <0.05). No relevant differences could be observed in comparing localization (achilles-/patellartendon) and side (leg with complains/healthy leg). The sensorimotor training showed an optimization of NMR (e.g. increased maximum strength) for patient with tendinopathy of the achilles- or patellartendon. The examination of the complaints showed reduced values in all pain scores after therapy. The treatment had therefore positive therapeutic effects compared to the control group. In summary, a systematically reduced NMR in running, stabilization and strength tests are evident for athletes with tendinopathy. The sensorimotor training can be considered as an efficient treatment with functional and therapeutic effects.