The history of amateur tennis pre and post the Second World War is dominated by the sporting biographies of male players with women’s stories largely ignored. This research addressed the issue of women tennis players’ marginalisation through a biographical analysis of the women’s amateur circuit with particular emphasis on the previously untold story of four British tennis players: Mrs. Phyllis King (née Mudford, who competed at the Wimbledon Championships 1928-1953), Mrs. Joan Hughesman (née Curry, Wimbledon 1939-1960), Mrs. Joy Michelle (née Hibbert, Wimbledon 1947- 1957), Mrs. Christine Janes (née Truman, Wimbledon 1957-1974). The lives of the women were investigated utilising biographical methods of life story interviews and analysis of life documents including published biographies and archival and media sources. Gender and social class emerged as key themes which were explored through the microcosm of women’s tennis shedding new light on a wide range of issues from the influence of family, gender role expectations and life on the amateur tennis circuit. The findings reveal the significance of fashion in British tennis whereby it is argued that choice of clothing was a form of gender compliance. Further to this the contributions of fashion designer Teddy Tinling is recognised as a key factor in changing the shape of women’s tennis post the Second World War. The research reveals the key role sport played in shaping the women’s identity from the onset of their playing careers through to their retirement from sport

Mixed reality games combine interactive digital content with real world environments, objects, and actors by utilizing a multitude of different sensors. While offering plenty of opportunities for designers, they are also notoriously difficult to design. This is in part due to them still being a relatively new form of gaming with only very few examples of commercially successful games. This means that the majority of aspiring designers lacks knowledge about the design space of these games – something that is crucial in order to create new and exciting experiences. While there exist several authoring tools to facilitate the development of mixed reality games, these tools do not provide guidance on the game design aspects. The design of mixed reality games is likewise bringing together experts from different domains (e.g. game design, technology, locales). In order to support this multifaceted and collaborative design process I have developed the Mixed Reality Game Cards. These are a deck of ideation cards that encapsulate the design space of mixed reality games in the form of physical playing cards. The cards can be used for rapid idea generation (i.e. creating a multitude of ideas from scratch in a short time) and in-depth idea development (i.e. further expanding and refining an idea). The Mixed Reality Game Cards consist of four types of cards to support idea generation as well as idea development. Opportunity Cards are the building blocks of an idea and describe potential elements of a design. Question Cards prompt the design group to consider the experience from different angles to refine the design. Challenge Cards surface typical design issues and problems that might occur. These domain-specific cards are supported by Theme Cards that are taken from the board game Dixit in order to provide additional domain-extrinsic sources of inspiration. I developed the Mixed Reality Game Cards iteratively over the course of seven studies following a Research through Design approach. This provided valuable insight into what makes ideation cards such powerful facilitators of collaborative design sessions. I identify content, appearance, and rules as crucial elements under direct control of an ideation card designer and tangible as well as playful interactions as dynamics that emerge during an ideation session. This thesis describes the development of the Mixed Reality Game Cards and uses the insights gained from this process to reflect on ideation cards as design tools in general, expanding our understanding of them.

No description available.

In spite of the growing awareness of the importance and health enhancing benefits of physical activity (Anderson et al., 2000; Barengo et at., 2004; Kaleta et al., 2006) the population still remain predominantly inactive (Haskell et at., 2007). Limited UK published data (to date) has simultaneously examined children and families health and physical activity patterns (Wing, 2000). The research aimed to explore and better understand the determinants associated with children and families health related behaviour and physical activity patterns and investigate the underlining factors which direct current and guide future health related behaviour choices. Prior to Study 1 an extensive needs assessment of the area (gathering data on the children and families literacy levels and understanding of research) was undertaken to assist in the development of Study 1's measures. Study 1 then utilised a parental (Goding, 1985; Baker et al., 1994) and children's (Baldings, 1997) health related behaviour questionnaire to explore the habitual physical and nutritional behaviours of children and their families in Knowsley (UK) thus creating a baseline of data to investigate further. One hundred and fifteen children (n=115; M=55, F=60) mean age of 8.6 years completed the self-report questionnaire from five Knowsley MBC (UK) primary schools. Fifty-seven parents (n=57; F=54, M =3) completed and returned the postal self-report questionnaire. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS for windows Version 7 and descriptive statistics (cross tabulation with two dimensional tables), frequency distributions and Chi Square used to assess the children and parents' nominal health related behaviour results.

No description available.

This study develops and conducts a 15-month, high resolution 24/7 user counting exercise on an area of urban-fringe moorland. The results of this study are discussed and used to predict future land use. The results of this study are compared with results from lower resolution user counts in other wilderness areas. This study was conceived to address a gap in data around recreational moorland use and provide 24/7 data on user numbers in order to develop models to attempt to predict use of urban-fringe moorland from time and weather variables. The data collection strategies utilised were manual counts by an observer, supplemented by Arduino micro-computers and passive infrared sensors. These sensors were designed and developed specifically for the purpose of remote high resolution counting of visitors at low cost, producing reliable 24/7 data for 15-months. Time and synchronous local weather variables at 30 minute, 1 hour, 3 hour and 6 hour resolution were compared with 30 minute moorland user data to assess how these factors affected counts. The study found that the strongest variable affecting visitor counts was daylight. User counts were highest in summer, at weekends and during afternoons. Surprisingly, very little change in user counts was detected during school, bank or religious holidays. Generally, there are trends toward using the moor when temperature is higher and humidity lower. Cloud, visibility, wind chill, wind speed and wind direction had no influence on user counts. User counts, time and weather information were modelled using two approaches: (1) weighting factors and (2) multiple regression. The best model was able to explain 52% of variation in use. The predictive capability of the model increased to 58% during summer and on weekends. Data suggest that there are two groups of users on the moor. A group that have become acclimatised to the prevailing weather conditions and use the area regardless of the weather, this first group will use the moor regularly throughout the week. The second user group is more likely to use the moor during the weekend. These users are more influenced by time and weather factors. An important social discovery was made through anecdotal observation and discussion indicating that the urban fringe moorland is utilised by users beyond the expected dog walkers, hikers and cyclists.

Physical activity (PA) and reducing the time spent sedentary can favourably impact the health and wellbeing of preschool aged children. Despite the importance of regular P A, objective monitoring studies suggest that young children do not accumulate enough P A to benefit their health. Furthermore, relatively few interventions to promote PA in children under 5 have been rigorously evaluated and intervention studies to date have generated mixed results. The aims of this thesis were to a) assess within-day variability of objectively measured moderate-to- vigorous physical activity (MVP A) during weekdays and weekend days among preschool children; b) investigate the effect of a curricular Active Play intervention on children's sedentary and P A behaviours; and, c) investigate the effect of a family focused Active Play intervention on children's weekday and weekend day sedentary time and total P A. Study 1 Background: Identifying periods of the day which are susceptible to varying levels of P A may help identify key times to intervene and potentially change preschool children's PA behaviours. This study assessed variability of objectively measured MVP A during weekdays and weekend days among preschool children. Method: One hundred and eighty-eight children (aged 3-5 years; 53.2% boys) from a northwest English city wore uni-axial accelerometers for 7 consecutive days. Results: Higher levels of MVP A were recorded in boys, particularly those who attended preschool for a half day. Children who attended preschool for a full day engaged in 11.1 minutes less MVPA than children who attended for a half day. After-school hours were characterised by a decrease in activity for all groups. Patterns of activity during the weekend were smoother with less variability. Conclusion: This study identified discrete segments of the week, specifically afterschool and during the weekend, when preschoolers engage in low levels of PA. Higher levels of MVPA among children who attended preschool for less time each day suggests that the structured preschool environment is related to decreased activity. Consequently, there is a need for interventions in young children to focus on school and home environments. - Study 2 Background: Early childhood is a critical time for the promotion of healthy lifestyle behaviours such as physical activity. Cross-sectional studies suggest that preschool children are not sufficiently active to benefit their health. Few studies have investigated the effect of interventions on physical activity levels and time spent being sedentary in this population. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a school-based active play intervention on preschool children's physical activity and sedentary time. Method: Two hundred and forty children were recruited from 12 randomly selected preschools in the North West of England. Six schools were randomly assigned to either an intervention (n=6) or a current practice comparison group (n=6). One teacher in each intervention school received training in the delivery of a 6-week active play programme including active play resources. The training programme was delivered by experienced active play professionals. Comparison schools received the active play resources (but not the training) and were asked to deliver their usual active play provision. Children wore a uni-axial accelerometer for 7 days at baseline, post-test and at 6 months follow up. Whole week sedentary time and physical activity adjusted for pupil- and school- level covariates were analysed using multilevel analyses. Results: No significant intervention effects were observed for sedentary time or physical activity. Sex and hours spent at school were significant predictors of physical activity in this age group, with boys engaging in less sedentary time and more light intensity activity than girls. Children who spent fewer hours at school were significantly more active than those who spent more time at school. BMI, maternal education, child's ethnicity and accelerometer wear time were not associated with activity levels. Conclusion: Physical activity during intervention classes was high. However the six teacher training intervention sessions did not increase physical activity or decrease sedentary time over a week. Specific covariates were identified as having a significant effect on the outcome measures. Moreover, children who spend more time at pre-school were less active suggesting that this setting was not as conducive to physical activity engagement as other environments. Study 3 Background: Early childhood provides a window of opportunity for the promotion of physical activity. Given the limited effectiveness of interventions to date, new approaches are needed. Socio-ecological models suggest that involving parents as intervention targets may be effective in fostering healthier lifestyles in children. This study describes the effectiveness of a family-focused' Active Play' intervention in decreasing sedentary time and increasing total physical activity in preschool children. Method: Seventy-seven families were recruited from 8 randomly selected SureStart children's centres in the North West of England. Centres were randomly assigned to either an intervention (n=4) or a comparison group (n=4). Parents and children in the - intervention group received a IOeweek active play programme delivered by trained active play professionals; this included an activity and educational component. Families in the comparison group were asked to maintain their usual routine. Each participating parent and child wore a uni-axial accelerometer for 7 days at baseline and post-test. Week and weekend day sedentary time and total physical activity adjusted for child- and home- level covariates were analysed using multilevel analyses. Results: Significant intervention effects were observed for sedentary time and physical activity for both week and weekend days. Children in the intervention group engaged in 1.5% and 4.3% less sedentary time during week and weekend days, respectively and 4.5% and 13.1 % more physical activity during week and weekend days, respectively than children in the comparison group. Parent's participation in sport and their physical activity levels, child's sex, availability of media in the home and attendance at organised activities were significant predictors of sedentary time and physical activity in this age group. Conclusion: A 10-week family focused active play intervention produced positive changes in sedentary time and total physical activity levels in preschool children. Specific covariates were identified as having a significant effect on the outcome measures. Moreover, children whose parents were active engaged in less sedentary time and more physical activity suggesting that parent's activity habits are mediators of physical activity engagement in this age group.

No description available.

No description available.

The study explores the work of the English choreographer and Director of the Birmingham Royal Ballet, David Bintley. Particular reference is made to Bintley’s ballet Still Life at the Penguin Café (1988) and the extent to which he has drawn from English Cotswold Morris dance in the Humboldt’s Hog-nosed Skunk Flea section of the ballet. The comparison between Bintley’s selection of movements and their traditional Morris dance counterparts is based on findings from extensive fieldwork conducted with Morris dance teams and in particular the Ravensbourne Morris Men of Keston in Kent, as well as a study of Bintley’s creative practice. The research draws from ethnographic modes of study including participant observation, embodiment and notions of reflexivity. Following an analysis of the results from the creation and performance of a more authentically ‘Morris’ version of Bintley’s dance for eight female dancers, entitled Still Life at the Folk Café, the study offers a series of recommendations for the translation of English Morris into a theatrical setting. The thesis is divided into six chapters. The first explores the methods involved in the development of the analytical model for the study, including those of the Hungarian scholars György Martin and Erno Pesovár during their folk dance research in the Upper-Tisza region of Hungry, and the categorisation of the various aspects of Morris dance using Morris dancer Lionel Bacon's motif catalogue, A handbook of Morris dances. It also reviews the work of folk dance theorists such as John Forrest and Chris Bearman. The second chapter discusses the concept of Englishness to define the importance of the English ballet tradition as advocated from 1926 by the founder of the Royal Ballet, Dame Ninette De Valois. It looks at Bintley's influences, ideological inheritance, creative process and place as a protector of the English ballet tradition. Chapter three focuses on the fieldwork conducted with the Ravensbourne Morris Men, and compares Bintley’s movements in Humboldt’s Hog-nosed Skunk Flea dance with their counterparts from the Cotswold Morris tradition. Chapter four details the practice based element of the research and analyses the findings from a series of Morris dance workshops in which the eight female dancers representing the field of professional dance were introduced to the Morris dance form. It also investigates the results from the creation and performance of Still Life at the Folk Café. Chapter five discusses the benefits of conducting a workshop with the Ravensbourne Morris dance team and some of the dancers involved in the performance process. Finally chapter six explores the conclusions drawn from the research and explains how choreographers or dancers wishing to work with Morris dance should immerse themselves in the source language of its practitioners, and draw from aspects of the tradition in rehearsals and performances in order to extend their choreological and physical vocabulary and attain the stylistic and social qualities associated with the dance form. These aspects include working with live musical accompaniment, using the performance space informally to maintain close interaction with the audience and challenging the dancer’s personal response to their own movement style.