Thesis (M.S.)--University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2009. / Title from PDF title page (viewed Jan. 22, 2010). Includes bibliographical references (p. 65-71).

The purpose of this study was to determine the: 1) knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors toward hydration and fluid replacement among collegiate football players at an NCAA Division I University, overall , and the relationship, if any, by position on the team, number of seasons played, and previous nutrition education; 2) relationship between the athletes’ hydration knowledge, attitudes and behaviors; 3) current sources of nutrition information likely to be used by the football players; and 4) players’ perception of the adequacy of, and barriers to, their fluid intake before, during, and after exercise. The players’ mean Hydration Knowledge Score was 14.2 ± 1.4 out of 17 (83.5%). Common misconceptions included: 60% thought water, rather than sports drinks, should be consumed when exercising for more than one hour; 54% did not believe sports drinks are better at restoring muscle glycogen than water; 47% believed salt tablets kept players from getting dehydrated; and 42% indicated thirst is the best indicator of dehydration. No differences were detected by number of seasons, position or previous nutrition education. / Department of Family and Consumer Sciences

The purpose of this study was to determine if isokinetic testing could be used as an effective means of assessing a players potential to play a certain position. The subjects were twenty four male division IA college football players. The Cybex 340 isokinetic testing device, twenty and forty yard dash, and standing broad jump were used to collect data. An analysis of variance test with repeated measures was used for the statistical analysis (ANOVA). Based on the findings of this study, no significant difference was found between offensive and defensive lineman, through isokinetic testing. However, a significant difference was found between the groups in the twenty and forty yard dash, and in the standing broad jump. Significant differences in these areas may have been attributed to a significant difference in body weight between the two groups tested. / School of Physical Education

College football is big business, earning slightly more than $1 billion in profit in the last few years. As a result of its popularity, fans of the game devour massive amounts of information about college teams and their players. Less known are the non-academic challenges college football players face, in addition to the typical concerns shared with their non-athletic peers. Along with academic and cognitive challenges, the ability to effectively navigate non-academic areas - such as personal, social and cultural - is critical to the development and holistic growth of today’s college football players. These factors can affect a student's ability to thrive or persist toward graduation. In this report, I explore the specific challenges of African American college football players at predominantly White institutions. Within this scope, I will examine the growth of college football in addition to the reach and impact it has on African American families. Within these communities, research shows a pervasive focus on playing professional football. Some players believe that college football is a mere stepping stone on the road to a professional career. The reality is that very few college football players are chosen to play professionally – actually less than .2%. This report explores some of the psychosocial issues that can impact the on and off the field success of African American college football players at predominantly White institutions The goal of this work is to lay a foundation and make an argument for counseling and therapeutic support targeted to, but not exclusively for African American college football players. As systems that seek to understand growth and change for optimum mental and physical well-being, the field of counseling and sports psychology present intervention models that can be useful for today’s African American college football players. / text

Access to abstract permanently restricted to Ball State community only / Access to thesis permanently restricted to Ball State community only / School of Physical Education, Sport, and Exercise Science

The purpose of this study was to determine what practices and policies were being used in the training and conditioning programs for football, the similarities and differences of the training and conditioning programs for football, and to recommend a training and conditioning program for football in colleges based upon the present practices of colleges and universities of Texas.

The deregulation of snacks by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) permits institutions to provide enhanced snacks incidental to participation. Athletes may now have the opportunity to improve their diet quality. The purpose of this research was to assess the consumption of fruits and vegetables as well as body composition of Division I collegiate athletes. The sample included 19 American football players and 8 volleyball players. Paired t-tests were performed to compare fruit intake, vegetable intake, and body fat percentage pre- and post-deregulation of snacks. Linear regression models were used to determine correlations between change in fruit intake and change in body fat percentage and change in vegetable intake and change in body fat percentage. There were no significant differences in the paired t-tests; however, there was a significant correlation in increasing fruit intake, vegetable intake, and decreasing body fat percentage among football players. Results suggest that regular contact with a Registered Dietitian may improve diet quality, and providing nutrient-dense foods planned by a Registered Dietitian to college athletes may improve body fat percentage.

The purpose of this study was to determine the importance recent recruits of football programs placed on athletic facilities (specifically football facilities) in the selection of a NCAA Division I-A football team. Specifically, the opinions of recruited freshman at selected NCAA Division I-A football programs in the Big Ten Conference were examined.Participants completed a 21 item questionnaire that ascertained the football players opinions of how football facilities influenced their decisions to play football at the institution, their opinions on how the university and the football program influenced their decision to play football at that institution, and a ranking of 11 facility factors. Athletes (N = 88) representing three schools in the Big Ten Conference completed the questionnaire. The most influential factors in the recruiting process were coaching staff (M = 1.65, SD = .98) and the strength and conditioning facilities (1Vi = 2.02, SD = 1.06). Furthermore, this study found that the top five facility factors that NCAA Division I-A football players rank are strength and conditioning facilities, an academic lab, location of facilities, stand-alone facilities, and an indoor turf field. / School of Physical Education