The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of relaxation imagery training and competition upon the performance of a novel motor task (dart throwing) in both high and low sensation seekers. Eighty male college students were administered the Zuckerman Sensation Seeking Scale (SSS), and were randomly assigned to one of eight groups on the basis of their SSS scores. The 40 subjects who scored over 60% on the SSS were randomly assigned (N = 10) to either of three treatment groups, or one control group. Those subjects scoring under 40% on the SSS were randomly assigned (N = 10) to either of three treatment groups or one control group. Relaxation imagery training (audio-cassette) was administered to one treatment group of high sensation seekers who performed the motor task in a competitive situation; a second group of high sensation seekers received only relaxation imagery training; a third group of high sensation seekers received no relaxation imagery training, but performed in a competitive situation; the fourth high sensation seeking group received no treatment (control group). The four groups of low sensation seekers were assigned to the same (above) treatments. The 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 (sensation seeking level x relaxation imagery/no relaxation imagery x competition/no competition x pre-/post-performance score) ANOVA revealed that high sensation seekers scored significantly lower (less error) on the dart throwing task, regardless of treatment. Several data trends were noticed, although they were not statistically significant. The most noteworthy was that subjects performing in the competitive environment scored lower (error) on the pre- to post-test comparison than those subjects performing in the noncompetitive environment, regardless of level of sensation seeking. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 44-07, Section: A, page: 2082. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1983.

In order to determine whether memory search for movements was based on the familiarity (Atkinson & Juola, 1973, 1974) of the movements, the search processes involved in a short-term motor memory paradigm were investigated. Additionally, tests were made to determine whether subjects arranged the randomly presented memory set in sequential order to facilitate scanning. Tests for increases in reaction time (RT) with set size were also conducted. Subjects were required to remember a series of 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 movements in a memory set as administered with a linear-positioning task. Upon completion of a memory set, subjects were presented a comparison movement. It was either the same length as one of the memory set movements ("yes" response) or a different length ("no" response). Twelve subjects completed three consecutive days of testing. On Day 1, RT and movement lengths were practiced. Memory sets were also practiced on Day 1. On Day 2, subjects were required to search a memory set of movements and respond "yes" or "no" by lifting the appropriate finger. This response terminated a RT search clock. Subjects also rated (1 to 5 scale) how sure they were their response was correct. The same procedures were followed on Day 3. The serial-position analyses of variance indicated a strong recency effect and slight primacy effect for the error rates and confidence ratings of set sizes 4 and 5. The error rates showed the same effect for set sizes 2 and 3. The RT data were not significant yet they paralled the other measures. Additionally, subjects did not seem to sequentially organize the memory set according to movement length. Finally, there was a set size main effect for all three dependent measures. From these data it was concluded that the Atkinson and Juola (1973, 1974) framework is a more compatible model to describe motor information than Sternberg's (1969a, 1969b, 1975) model. Moreover, the larger sets required more time to scan than the smaller sets. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 44-11, Section: A, page: 3319. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1983.

The primary purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the effects of school classification, levels of responsibility (head coach, assistant coach), and coaches of different sports on the perceived stress of male coaches within the public secondary schools of Alabama. / Data were obtained from 628 subjects who were employed as a head or assistant high school varsity coach in football or basketball during the 1985-86 school year in Alabama. / The instrument used in the study had four sections they were: A Personal Data Sheet; Job Related Strain; Psychosomatic Stress; and Job Involvement Stress scale. A two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine whether a relationship exists between the perception of stress and aspects of coaching. The .05 alpha level was used as the criterion for the rejection of the hypotheses. / The following conclusions are made: (a) Level of responsibility of coaches has a significant affect on perceived stress; (b) The size of organization in which a coach works does not affect level of perceived stress; and (c) The sport in which one works has no affect on perceived stress. / The following recommendations are made: (a) Studies similar to the research reported here should be conducted using each section of the stress instrument to analyze the independent variables; (b) Similar studies using different geographical areas to determine if demographic and cultural differences have an effect on perceived stress of coaches should be conducted; and (c) Similar studies should be conducted on a variety of sports, both men and women. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 47-05, Section: A, page: 1648. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1986.

The primary purpose of this investigation was to determine the combined and separate effects of goal-setting and of an effort attribution orientation on intrinsic motivation and motor performance. The second purpose was to determine if these motivational treatments differentially affected subjects who had received failure-oriented, success-oriented, or no feedback of performance. The final purpose was to determine if the motivational treatments were equally affective for males and females at each level of feedback. Sixth grade male (N = 84) and female (N = 75) subjects were selected from all the sixth grade students attending the Howard Middle School, Monticello, Florida. They were stratified by sex and randomly placed in one of 24 groups: 2 levels of sex x 3 levels of feedback (failure-oriented, success-oriented, and none) x 4 levels of motivation (goal-setting and an effort attribution orientation, goal-setting, an effort attribution orientation, or control). All subjects were tested on a stabilometer task to determine learning and persistence) as a function of each condition. A 2 x 3 x 4 (sex x feedback x motivation) ANOVA revealed that females persisted significantly longer at the task than did males. With respect to motor performance, a 3 x 2 x 4 x 10 (feedback x sex x motivation x trials) ANOVA indicated that learning occurred across trials. A trend (p = .09) was also obtained for the motivation main effect. Treatment effectiveness occurred in the following descending order: effort attribution orientation, goal-setting, goal-setting and effort attribution orientation, and control. / Locus of causality, data was analyzed with a 3 x 2 x 4 x 2 (feedback x sex x motivation x test) ANOVA. A trend (p = .09) was obtained for the test x motivation interaction. Subjects in the three motivation groups perceived their causal ascriptions to be more internal on the posttest than on the pretest. The control group perceived its causal attributions to be more external on the posttest than on the pretest. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 47-05, Section: A, page: 1650. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1986.

The primary purpose of this investigation was to determine the relationship between urban secondary school physical education teachers' job satisfaction and job stress. In addition, differences in the levels of teacher job satisfaction and teacher job stress according to sex, age, years teaching, and school size were studied. / Data used were obtained from 229 secondary school physical education teachers teaching in 85 urban schools in North Florida and South Georgia. / Three instruments were used. They were a Personal Data Sheet, the Job Satisfaction Scale, and the Job-Related Stress Scale. The Pearson-Product Moment Correlation was used to test the first hypothesis and a one-way Analysis of Variance was used to test hypotheses 2 through 9. The .05 alpha level was used as the criterion for the rejection of the hypotheses. / The following conclusions are made: (a) There is a negative relationship between urban secondary school physical education teacher's job satisfaction and job stress; (b) Secondary school size above 1500 has an adverse affect on job satisfaction and job stress of secondary school physical education teachers; and (c) Male secondary school physical education teachers tend to have a higher level of job stress than do female secondary school physical education teachers. / The following recommendations are made: (a) Similar studies should be conducted using teachers in other subject areas to determine if there are differences in the job satisfaction and job stress of different subject matter teachers; and (b) Studies using different geographical areas to determine if demographic and cultural differences affect teacher job satisfaction and teacher job stress. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 47-01, Section: A, page: 0120. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1985.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of two 10-week training programs on self-concept and student attitude toward physical activity of Jordanian college physical education majors. Subjects were 72 male and female physical education majors, aged 18 to 21 years old, who participated in a course entitled "Physical Fitness" offered during the spring semester (1986). / The subjects were randomly assigned to either a weight training program group or an aerobic training group. The total number in both groups was equal (n = 36) and contained an equal number of male and female subjects. Each group participated twice a week for 50 minutes in either a weight training group or an aerobic training group for a period of 10 weeks. / The two groups were pre- and post-tested on the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale (TSCS), the AAHPERD Youth Fitness Test, and the Kenyon Attitude Toward Physical Activity Inventory. / For the purpose of this study, the following hypotheses were tested with alpha set at .05 level for hypotheses 1 and 2 and .003 for hypotheses 3 and 4. (1) There will be no difference in total positive self-concept scores from pre-test to post-test within either group. (2) There will be no difference in the total attitude toward physical activity scores from pre-test to post-test within either group of subjects. (3) There will be no correlation between the physical fitness gain scores and the total positive self-concept gain score within either group. (4) There will be no correlation between the physical fitness gain scores and the total attitude toward physical activity gain score within either group of subjects. / The student t test for two related samples was used to test hypotheses 1 and 2. The Spearman Correlation Coefficients were used to test hypotheses 3 and 4. The results for hypotheses 1 and 2 showed that scores for the subjects within both groups were significantly increased from pre- to post-test in their total self-concept and total attitude toward physical activity. The results for hypotheses 3 and 4 showed that there were no correlations between physical fitness gain scores and total positive self-concept gain score, and total attitude toward physical activity gain score within either group. (Abstract shortened with permission of author.) / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 47-10, Section: A, page: 3693. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1986.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a six-week exercise and rope jump program on AAHPERD Health Related Physical Fitness Test scores of high school females. Sixty-two students, aged 15 to 16 years, enrolled in the 10th grade physical education classes in the National Orthodox School in Amman, Jordan, during the spring semester of 1986, were subjects. / Pre- and post-tests (administered according to directions outlined in the AAHPERD Test Manual) were given to two groups. One group, composed of 31 students, participated in a designed exercise and rope jump program. The program consisted of warm-up, conditioning exercise, rope jump, and cool-down periods. The other group of 31 students participated in one or more sport activities; basketball, volleyball, team handball, and ping pong. / All subjects participated in 18 sessions, three times each week for 30 minutes, in a six-week period. Pre- and post-test scores were recorded for the one-mile jog/walk, body composition, sit-ups, and flexibility tests. / The following hypotheses were tested by the Pairs T-test, the independent samples T-test, and gain scores: (1) There will be no difference between the mean pre-test and post-test AAHPERD Health Related Physical Fitness components' scores of the subjects participating three times per week for a six-week period in an exercise and rope jump program. (2) There will be no difference between the mean pre-test and post-test AAHPERD Health Related Physical Fitness components' scores of the subjects participating three times per week for a six-week period in a regular physical education class. (3) There will be no difference between the mean post-test AAHPERD Health Related Physical Fitness components' scores of the subjects in the test program and subjects participating in a regular physical education class. / Level of significance was set at the 0.05 level. The analysis of the data led to reject the first and third hypotheses and to failure to reject the second hypothesis. / Subjects who participated in the exercise and rope jump program scored significantly better in all four components than subjects who participated in the regular physical education classes. Subjects who participated in the regular physical education class did not score significantly higher in any of the four components. (Abstract shortened with permission of author.) / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 47-10, Section: A, page: 3694. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1986.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (1980) has called for improvements in the fitness of American youth. As a result, the National Children and Youth Fitness Study (Ross & Gilbert, 1985) has revealed that almost one-half of all American school-age children have sub-optimal cardiorespiratory functioning. Although adults appear to be improving their cardiovascular capacity, the fitness level of children is diminishing. Physical fitness has also been found to positively affect the psychological characteristics of adults, but research is limited on similar effects in children. / The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of an aerobic running program on the psychological and physical fitness of eighth grade children. In addition, this study investigated the effects of an aerobic running program on the creativity of junior high school children. / Eighty-five eighth grade students participated in the study. Following random assignment to groups, the treatment subjects engaged in a five day per week structured aerobic running program. Control subjects participated in traditional, non-aerobic physical education. Using multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVA), the results revealed no statistically significant differences between groups on measures of psychological fitness. However, statistically significant differences were found between groups on measures of physical fitness and creativity. An eight week follow-up measure of aerobic capacity found no statistically significant differences between groups. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 48-03, Section: A, page: 0594. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1987.

Seven normal, healthy, male volunteer subjects were exposed to four different environmental conditions at random on four separate occasions: breathing room air with an ambient temperature of 25(DEGREES)C (NN); breathing room air with an ambient temperature of 8(DEGREES)C (NC); breathing an hypoxic gas mixture (12% oxygen in nitrogen) with a neutral temperature (HN); and breathing an hypoxic gas mixture in the cold (HC). Measurements were taken pre-exposure and every 15 min during 90 min of resting exposure and 30 min of exercise of heart rate, blood pressure, core temperature, pulmonary ventilation, and oxygen uptake. Blood samples were taken by venipuncture pre-exposure, at 45 and 90 min of resting exposure, and 5 min post-exercise and subsequently analyzed for glucose, glycerol, and lactic acid concentration. Shivering was measured by electromyography during the two cold exposures. / Hypoxia led to significant increases in heart rate, systolic blood pressure, ventilation, respiratory quotient, blood lactate, and perceived exertion during exercise, while causing significant depression of core temperature and oxygen uptake. Exposure to cold significantly increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulmonary ventilation, oxygen uptake, blood glucose, and blood glycerol, while resulting in significant decreases in heart rate, core temperature, and respiratory quotient. Shivering and diastolic pressure were significantly higher, and core temperature was significantly lower, in HC compared to NC. Heart rate, systolic pressure, ventilation, respiratory quotient, and blood lactate showed tendencies to be elevated in HC compared to NC, while oxygen uptake and blood glycerol tended to be depressed. These results suggest that (1) the work output and energy requirements of the myocardium may be greater in HC than in NC, since 'pressure work' is more energetically expensive than 'volume work', in which only stroke volume and cardiac output are augmented, and (2) hypoxia concomitant with cold exposure may result in an increased reliance on shivering for heat production. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 48-03, Section: A, page: 0596. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1987.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of setting specific, difficult goals on performance on the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) by cadets enrolled in a Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) precommissioning program. The subjects used for this study were contracted Advanced Course cadets in the Army ROTC program at Florida State University who were assigned to either a goal-setting group or to a do-your-best group. / The final APFT performance data showed that setting specific, difficult goals for the goal-setting group did not result in higher performance scores than the do-your-best group cadets who were asked to do their best on the APFT. In fact, the do-your-best group cadets demonstrated a higher average improvement on the APFT. / Questionnaires designed to assess attitudes were administered to the cadets in both groups at the beginning, midway through, and after the final APFT. For the goal-setting group there was unanimous acceptance of the goals. There was, however, a slight decrease in the cadets' perception of the realistic nature of, as well as a slight decrease in their confidence of achieving, their APFT goals. They also responded with a slight decrease in the difficulty of their APFT goals. There was a surprisingly large decrease in the group's commitment to their APFT goals. On the final questionnaire the group reported that they tried hard on the APFT and that they were moderately successful on the APFT. They also preferred to set their own goals or to set them with the ROTC cadre. / For the do-your-best group the initial and mid-semester questionnaires showed a total willingness to do their best. However, on the final questionnaire one cadet reported an unwillingness to do his best. The group reported a steady decrease in their perception of the realistic nature of constantly working hard at doing their best on the APFT, and in their confidence that they could give their best effort throughout the study. The group also reported that they found doing their best to be moderately difficult. There was also a large decrease in their commitment to doing their best over the duration of the study. On the final questionnaire, 50% of the cadets reported that they had set goals despite none being set for them. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 55-03, Section: A, page: 0505. / Major Professor: Dewayne J. Johnson. / Thesis (Ed.D.)--The Florida State University, 1994.