The purpose of this quantitative research study was to explore dual enrollment as a college readiness strategy and the effects of dual enrollment programs on persistence and achievement within a post-secondary institution. This study examined documented institutional data of former dual enrollment students and their direct entry peers who were 1st-time college students at a community college in South Mississippi. Community colleges in Mississippi have maintained dual enrollment programs for over a decade, but few empirical-based research studies have been conducted to determine whether or not student achievement and persistence rates differed for students with prior dual enrollment experience. Therefore, more empirically-based research is needed to determine whether research findings are generalizable. Further research will contribute to the body of literature regarding the impact and effectiveness of dual enrollment and how it relates to college persistence. The sample included all students who graduated from local service area high schools in the spring of 2012 and matriculated to the community college in the fall of 2012. The study analyzed measures of achievement and indicators of persistence for all students over 2 academic years. The study used an independent sample t-test to compare whether prior dual enrollment students had different rates of persistence and achievement than direct entry students. A factorial analysis of variance was used to test for significance among independent variables of enrollment type with the dependent variables of persistence and achievement among categorical variables of race to determine if there was a difference in proportion of students in dual enrollment versus direct entry. Persistence is defined as the continuous full-time enrollment from the first year to the second year. Achievement was measured using ACT scores and grade point average (GPA). Findings revealed that no significant difference existed in measures of persistence between students with prior dual credit and direct entry students. Significant differences existed in measures of achievement by students with prior dual credit and by direct entry students in two areas: Act scores and cumulative GPA. Other findings indicated differences did not exist for persistence by enrollment type and race or for achievement by enrollment type and race.

Affecting the efficiency of stimulation a strenght endurance through exercies on unstable surface In our work we sought to verify the affecting the efficiency of a Strength programme of exercise on unstable surfaces for stimulation of strength endurance abilities, compared to a similar didactic programme conducted on stable surfaces, thus creating an alternative choice for coaches, teachers, and sports instructors. A major element of the didactic process is the quality of the strength training programme on stable and unstable surfaces. When evaluating the overall results of the tests before and after the experimental programme, we come to be of the opinion that the experimental programme manifested itself positively in effectiveness of stimulating strength abilities. The strength programme had an influence on increasing the persistence of strength in dynamic and static regimens. In the case of a strengthening programme on unstable surfaces there was a tendency towards greater growth in the number of repetitions as opposed to programme on a stable base at the beginning of the programme in the case of exercise in a dynamic regimen. Keywords: effectiveness, strength endurance preparation, unstable surfaces, stabilisation system.

Background: Repeated sprint training in hypoxia has shown to be superior to training in normoxia. However, both natural and simulated altitude training are strategies that are not always accessible and expensive due to traveling or the need for advanced equipment. A possible way of simulating hypoxic conditions is to administer carbon monoxide (CO) prior to training as it has been shown to reduce the oxygen transport and delivery to the muscle similar to systemic hypoxia. It is therefore hypothesized that inhaling a small bolus of CO prior to repeated-sprint exercise will potentiate the acute physiological responses during the training, thus induce performance improvements associated with repeated sprint ability compared to placebo control. Methods: 23 endurance-trained individuals (18 men and 5 women), age 33.2 ± 6.9 years, body mass 78.3 ± 11.0 kg, height 180.7 ± 7.3 cm, performed a 3-week supervised repeated sprint exercise protocol on electromagnetically braked cycle ergometers. A repeated sprint ability test was conducted pre-and post-training intervention. Participants were randomly assigned to either inhaling CO (INCO group) or inhaling a sham gas (NOCO group). Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was conducted to determine statistical significance by controlling for pre-test values. Results: Periodic inhalation of CO prior to repeated sprint exercise led a medium, significant difference in mean power decrement (INCO -2.63%, NOCO 8%; p <0.05, ηp2 = 0.19) and fatigue index (INCO 0.28%, NOCO 8.2%; p <0.05, ηp2 = 0.24) compared to sham gas, despite that both groups increased in number of sprints (INCO 16.58%, NOCO 27.60%; p <0.05; ηp2 = 0.71) with no difference between groups. Conclusion: Our findings in this study showed a positive effect on an improved ability to sustain power output during repeated sprints when periodic inhalation of CO is administered. Therefore, it is suggested that periodic inhalation of CO prior to repeated sprint exercise might be a nuanced way to induce favorable physiological adaptations, thus improving performance associated with repeated sprint ability.

Purpose: To examine the effects of 28 days of β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate free acid (HMB) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on maximal oxygen consumption (VO2peak), ventilatory threshold (VT), respiratory compensation point (RCP) and time to exhaustion (Tmax) in collegeaged men and women. Methods: Healthy men and women (n=34, age and VO2peak= 22.7+3.1yr and 39.3+5.0 mL. kg-1.min-1, respectively) participated in this study. All participants completed a series of tests prior and subsequent to treatment. A maximal oxygen consumption test was performed on a cycle ergometer to assess VO2peak, Tmax, VT, and RCP. The peak power output (Ppeak), power at VT (PVT) and power at RCP (PRCP) were also recorded from this test. Twenty-six subjects completed 12 HIIT (80-120% maximal workload) exercise sessions consisting of 5-6 bouts of a 2:1 minute cycling work to rest ratio protocol over a four-week period, while eight served as controls (CTL). In double-blind fashion, the HIIT groups were assigned into either a placebo (HIIT) or 3g per day of HMB (HMB-HIIT). Body composition was measured with dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Outcomes were assessed by ANCOVA with posttest means adjusted for pretest differences. Results: The HMB-HIIT intervention showed significant (p & lt 0.05) gains in VO2peak, VT, and PVT versus the CTL and HIIT group. Both HIIT and HMB-HIIT treatment groups demonstrated significant (p < 0.05) improvement over CTL for Ppeak, Tmax, RCP, and PRCP with no significant difference between the treatment groups. There were no significant differences observed for any measures of body composition. An independent-samples t-test confirmed that there were no significant differences between the training volumes for the HIIT and HMB-HIIT groups. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the addition of HMB supplementation may result in greater changes in VO2peak and VT than HIIT alone. Therefore, in college-aged men and women, the use of HMB supplementation may enhance the benefits of HIIT on aerobic performance measures.

The strength model of self-control suggests that self-regulation and self-control processes are governed by finite internal energy resources. However, this perspective has recently come under scrutiny suggesting that self-control processes are not solely constrained to limited resources and may also be guided by motivational-cognitive processing. Self-efficacy theory and control theory are two theoretical views of self-regulation that also suggest self-regulation failures are dependent on motivational-cognitive processes; however the potential role of limited resources has not been evaluated in the context of these theoretical views. This dissertation sought to advance our understanding of self-regulation and self-control of exercise behaviour by integrating the three theoretical perspectives discussed above. Study 1 showed that self-control depletion leads to reductions in task self-efficacy mediating the self-control depletion – negative performance change relationship. Overall, findings are consistent with self-efficacy theory. However the results are limited as the mechanism(s) leading to reduced self-efficacy following self-control depletion remain unclear. Study 2 explored a sequential (serial) mediation model investigating the idea that exerting self-control leads to an altered psychophysiological state increasing subjective fatigue, which in turn, leads to reduced self-efficacy to exert self-control and reductions in physical self-control performance. Findings supported the proposed sequential mediation model. However, it remains unclear to what extent that self-efficacy plays a passive or active role guiding self-controlled behaviour following self-control depletion. Study 3 explored the independent and interactive effects of self-control depletion and normative performance feedback on self-efficacy and physical self-control. Findings showed an interaction between self-control depletion and feedback. Findings support predictions of control theory when self-control resources are intact, but suggest feedback information is processed differently when self-control strength is depleted. Overall, results show that when self-efficacy is manipulated by feedback the effects of self-control depletion on performance are no longer evident supporting self-efficacy’s role as an active causal mechanism determining behaviour. / Dissertation / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / Self-control failures are at the heart of many societal problems. A dominant theoretical view suggests self-control is governed by a limited internal resource. However, this perspective has recently been opposed by theorizing and evidence suggesting that people experience self-control failures due to shifts in motivational-cognitive processes. This thesis integrated three theories of self-control (i.e., strength model of self-control, control theory, and self-efficacy theory) in an attempt to provide a more complete understanding of why self-control failures occur for people performing demanding physical exercise. Findings suggest that each theoretical perspective provides complementary explanations for why self-control failures occur and how they can be overcome through shifts in cognitive processing. Specifically, self-control exertion leads to subjective fatigue, which decreases self-efficacy to exert self-control, and in turn reduces self-control performance. Furthermore, after self-control exertion, positive normative performance feedback increases self-efficacy and subsequent self-control performance whereas negative feedback drastically reduces self-efficacy and performance.

This retrospective cross-sectional study aimed to explore interactions between signs of periodontal inflammation and systemic parameters in athletes. Members of German squads with available data on sports medical and oral examination were included. Groups were divided by gingival inflammation (median of papillary bleeding index, PBI median) and signs of periodontitis (Periodontal Screening Index, PSI 3). Age, gender, anthropometry, blood parameters, echocardiography, sports performance on ergometer, and maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max) were evaluated. Eighty-five athletes (f = 51%, 20.6 3.5 years) were included (PBI < 0.42: 45%; PSI 3: 38%). Most associations were not statistically significant. Significant group differences were found for body fat percentage and body mass index. All blood parameters were in reference ranges. Minor differences in hematocrit, hemoglobin, basophils, erythrocyte sedimentation rates, urea, and HDL cholesterol were found for PBI, in uric acid for PSI. Echocardiographic parameters (n = 40) did not show any associations. Athletes with PSI 3 had lower VO2max values (55.9 6.7 mL/min/kg vs. 59.3 7.0 mL/min/kg; p = 0.03). In exercise tests (n = 30), athletes with PBI < 0.42 achieved higher relative maximal load on the cycling ergometer (5.0 0.5 W/kg vs. 4.4 0.3 W/kg; p = 0.03). Despite the limitations of this study, potential associations between signs of periodontal inflammation and body composition, blood parameters, and performance were identified. Further studies on the systemic impact of oral inflammation in athletes, especially regarding performance, are necessary.

Objective: This study investigated the behaviors and characteristics of the adult female endurance runner and potential components of the female athlete triad (FAT). The FAT consists of three components that are interrelated: low energy availability, menstrual dysfunction, and low bone mineral density. Low energy availability may occur with or without disordered eating. Reproduction becomes non-essential leading to irregular menstrual cycles. A reduction in estrogen levels may contribute to low bone mineral density which may lead to stress fractures. Research investigating the FAT has primarily focused on adolescent and young adult females. Adult females training for endurance events may also be at risk for the FAT. Method: A survey was constructed and distributed to females in a local half-marathon and marathon training group in Central Florida. The data was collected at one point in time and no additional follow-up was required. The survey aimed to identify specific behaviors and characteristics related to components of the FAT and determine the potential prevalence in a small sample of female endurance athletes aged 18 and older. Results: 72 females with a mean age of 40.92(± 9.61) years completed the survey. Subjects had an average height of 163.60(±6.41) cm, weighed an average of 62.24(±10.05) kg and had 10 years of running experience. Conclusion: Adult female endurance runners demonstrate behaviors and characteristics that may be indicative of the FAT. Participants demonstrated signs of inadvertent or intentional low energy availability. These characteristics can be due to either body dissatisfaction or wanting to increase performance.

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