The purpose of this study was to compare the mean performance scores of subjects under three visual conditions--congenitally blind, sighted, and sighted-blindfolded--on selected static and dynamic balance tasks. Twenty-seven male and 24 female adolescents, aged 168-209 months, were tested on stork stand for static balance and stabilometer for dynamic balance. A subject's score for the static balance task was the highest number of seconds he/she was on balance in one out of three trials. The score for the dynamic balance task was the highest number of seconds on balance in one out of five trials. Analysis of variance (ANOVA), a 3 x 2 factorial design, was used to test eight hypotheses at the .05 level of significance. Five hypotheses were accepted; three were rejected. Sighted adolescents (17) performed significantly better than the blind (17) and sighted-blindfolded subjects (17) on both the static and dynamic balance tasks. The mean scores of the congenitally blind subjects were significantly higher than the mean scores of the sighted-blindfolded subjects on the dynamic balance task. The mean scores of the sighted-blindfolded subjects were higher than the mean scores of the blind subjects on the static balance task; however, there was not a significant difference. Males performed better than their female counterparts on the static and dynamic balance tasks, but not significantly so. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 46-04, Section: B, page: 1139. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1985.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Indiana University, Dept. of Kinesiology, 2006. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 67-03, Section: B, page: 1406. Adviser: Janet P. Wallace. "Title from dissertation home page (viewed March 21, 2007)."

AbstractThis thesis is composed of two parts, the review of the literature and a manuscript. In the review of the literature topics such as physical activity for individuals with a disability, physical education teacher education programs, and practical experience in adapted physical activity were covered in depth to provide a background for the manuscript. The manuscript was prepared in a research article format for the purpose of potential publication. The research focused on the practicum program Project Double Challenge (PDC) at McGill University. An intrinsic case study was used to collect data from multiple sources and capture individuals' perceptions of the PDC experience. Three groups participated in the study: the McGill student, the young adult with a disability, and teachers of students involved. The themes that emerged from the data were positive aspects of the program, communication, and learning; each group expressed themes differently. In summary, PDC is a positive learning environment for all participants and communication plays a large role in the overall program. / RésuméCette thèse est composée de deux parties, une revue de la littérature et un manuscrit. Lors de la revue des thèmes de la littérature comme l'activité physique pour les personnes ayant un handicap, des programmes d'éducation physique de formation des enseignants, et l'expérience pratique de l'activité physique adaptée ont été abordés en profondeur pour fournir un arrière-plan pour le manuscrit. Le manuscrit a été préparé dans un format article de recherche dans le but d'une éventuelle publication. La recherche a porté sur le programme de stage Projet Double Défi (PDC) à l'Université McGill. Une étude de cas intrinsèque a été utilisé pour recueillir des données provenant de sources multiples et saisir les perceptions des individus de l'expérience PDC. Trois groupes ont participé à l'étude: des étudiant de McGill, des jeune adulte ayant une déficience, et des enseignants des élèves impliqués. Les thèmes qui ont émergé à partir des données étaient les aspects positifs du programme, la communication et l'apprentissage, les thèmes ont été exprimés différemment par chaque groupe. En résumé, le PDC est un environnement d'apprentissage positif pour tous les participants et la communication joue un rôle important dans l'ensemble du programme.

<p> Competitive surfing requires athletes to transfer force from their core musculature to maneuver a surfboard successfully with powerful, rotational movements on an unpredictable wave's surface. The purpose of this study was to test athletic performance outcomes in junior elite male surf athletes using a battery of field tests specific to the sport of surfing and determine the effects of a core strength training program (CSTP) on athletic performance outcomes. Nineteen junior elite surf athletes completed a pretest, 8-week CSTP, and posttest of rotational power, lower body power, core strength, core endurance, and rotational flexibility. Means, standard deviations, paired <i> t</i>-tests with a significance of <i>p</i> &lt; 0.05, and effect size was computed. Results demonstrated significant differences in time to peak maximal acceleration, left rotational power, core strength, core endurance, and rotational flexibility. This study concludes implementation of the CSTP enhances athletic performance measurements which is likely to increase overall surfing performance.</p>

<p> The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of a gravity independent multi-mode exercise device (M-MED) and to evaluate a resistance (RE) and aerobic (AE) exercise protocol. Thirty-two participants (16 females and 16 males) aged 22 &plusmn; 0.4 years completed 5 weeks of training: RE, 4 sets of7 repetitions of squats 2 days a week and AE consisting of four, 4 minute high-intensity interval rowing at &sim;90% V&dot;O₂max, 3 days per week. Three repetition maximum (3RM) leg press increased in both AE+RE and RE groups by +20% and &sim;30% respectively. AE+RE V02max increased by 7.73 &plusmn; 1.99%. Cross sectional Area ofthe quadriceps femoris increased by 8.73 &plusmn; 3.94% in AE+RE and 16.5 &plusmn; 5.5% in RE. Isokinetic improvements were seen at all speeds in both groups. Aerobic capacity and strength gains indicate that the M-MED is effective in providing robust stimuli to musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems.</p>

The purpose of this study was to determine if any differences in gaze characteristics existed between accurate and inaccurate shooting groups. A total of twelve subjects participated in this study; five of which were placed in the AS group (accurate) and seven in the IS group (inaccurate) post-hoc. The task required the subjects to receive a pass from an assistant, followed by the execution of a wrist shot at one of two targets on net. Each subject performed 90 total shots which included 60 shots with a time pressure condition and 30 shots without any time constraints. Passes were directed to either the forehand or backhand of the subject for the time pressure task, while during the task with no time pressure passes were only directed to the forehand. Each subject executed the protocol wearing an eye tracking system which identified their eye-line-of-gaze which was recorded at 60 Hz. The results indicated that for the forehand reception / time pressure condition the AS group gazed at the net and target (combined time) for a significantly longer (p &lt; 0.049) duration (0.191 s ± 0.020) prior to the shot release, than the IS group (0.136 s ± 0.017). The backhand reception / time pressure condition yielded similar results regarding this gaze characteristic. The results of the forehand reception / time pressure condition also revealed that the AS group was able to shift their gaze from the puck (on the ice) to the net in a significantly shorter (p &lt; 0.014) duration of time (0.157 s ± 0.023) than the IS group (0.238 s ± 0.019). When no time constraints were placed on the subjects, no significant differences in gaze characteristics were found between the two accuracy groups. However, the AS group was able to significantly improve (p&lt; 0.042) their accuracy results in the no time pressure condition (M=57.3% to 70.7%) while the IS group (M=28.1% to 30.0%) was not able to do so. The results of the present study suggest that accurate shooters in ice hockey are able to transfer their gaze to the net in a significantly shorter duration of time which ultimately allows them to gaze at the net and target for a significantly longer duration of time in comparison to an inaccurate shooter. These factors in combination with the kinematics of the shooter may help to determine the accuracy of a shooter in ice hockey. Verifying if these same differences exist, or if there are any more discrepancies when a goaltender is present in the net may be the next step for future studies. / Le but de cette étude était de déterminer si des différences existaient entre des joueurs de hockey de précision différente au niveau des caractéristiques visuelles lors de tirs du poignet. Un total de douze sujets ont participé à cette étude; cinq ont été placés dans le groupe AS (précis) et sept dans le groupe IS (inexactes) post-hoc. La tâche des sujets consistait à recevoir une passe à partir d'un assistant, suivie par l'exécution d'un tir des poignets à l'une des deux cibles sur le filet. Chaque sujet a effectué 90 tirs au total, parmi ces derniers 60 étaient effectuer avec une limite de temps (pression) et 30 tirs sans aucune contrainte de temps. Chaque sujet a exécuté le protocole portant un modèle 501 Head Mounted Eye Tracker (Applied Science Laboratories, Bedford, MA) qui a permis d'identifier et d'enregistrer la ligne de vision, enregistré à 60 Hz. Les résultats indiquent que pour la condition sous pression, le groupe AS regardait la cible à atteindre pour une plus longue durée que le groupe IS avant la rondelle ne quitte le bâton. Les résultats ont également révélé que le groupe AS a été capable de déplacer leur regard de la rondelle (sur la glace) au filet plus rapidement. Quand aucune contrainte de temps n'était imposée aux sujets, aucune différence significative dans les caractéristiques des regards ont été trouvés entre les deux groupes de précision. Cependant, le groupe AS a été en mesure d'améliorer considérablement la précision de leurs résultats lors des lancers sans pression. Pour de futures études, il serait important de déterminer si ces mêmes différences existent, ou s'il ya des écarts plus grand lorsqu'un gardien de but se trouve devant le filet.

Sports injuries that could be prevented by protective equipment are a serious cause of morbidity among children. The objectives of this study were to: determine the frequency of protective equipment use among children participating in winter sports, identify the reasons for non-use of equipment, explore whether an injury prompted an intended change in the use of protective equipment, and compare an open-ended and a categorical method for collecting data on sports injuries. Data was collected about children who visited the emergency rooms of the Montreal Children's Hospital and L'Hopital Ste. Justine, from the Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program, and from a follow-up telephone interview. There were 691 injuries. Protective equipment was used in 2% of sledding injuries, 6% basketball, 11% snowboarding, 29% skiing, 40% ice skating, and 75% ice hockey. With regards to intended use of protective equipment, 40% of respondents stated they will not require its use and 5% will no longer permit participation in the sport.

<p> The current study investigated ratings of coaches and their athletes on the Coaching Efficacy Scale. Coaches (<i>n</i> = 12) and athletes (<i>n</i> = 177) were recruited from several Southwestern universities and community colleges to participate in this study. The purpose of this study was to compare coaching efficacy ratings of coaches to those of their athletes to determine how similarly coaches and athletes perceive the coach&rsquo;s efficacy. Coaches and athletes from a variety of team and individual sports, including male teams, female teams, and teams with a mixture of males and females participated in this study. Results indicated that there is a difference between coaches&rsquo; ratings of themselves and athletes&rsquo; ratings of their coaches. Differences were found in athlete gender as well as gender matching of coaches and athletes.</p>

<p> The areas of motivation and family structure have been well researched in various studies. However there is limited research on the effects of family structure on motivation, and no research on the effect of family structure on an athlete's motivation. Therefore research on the relationship of family structure and motivation in sport will be performed. The purpose of the current study is to investigate the effects of family structure on an athlete motivation. It is hypothesized that athletes from single parent families will be more extrinsically motivated than those athletes from two parent families. Participants were college athletes from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and Saint Francis University (PA) who agreed to participate in a study on family structure and motivation. The study had a sample size of 114 participants the various sports teams associated with the universities. Participants were gathered by emailing all the athletes from the various athletic teams at the two universities. The hypothesis that athletes from single parent families would be more extrinsically motivated than athletes from two biological parent families was found to be partially supported. The research showed that athletes from non-traditional families were more extrinsically motivated in the area of external regulation than athletes from two biological parent families. As there is no previous research on this topic, this study provides a starting point to a subject with numerous possibilities for future research.</p>

<p> This research project was designed to understand the influence of excessively restricting ankle range of motion (ROM) on knee injuries, especially non-contact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear. Participating in physical activity without injuries is important to maintain physically active life style and well-being. To prevent ankle injuries, external ankle supports (EAS) are widely used in sport settings by limiting frontal plane ankle ROM; however, the EAS also restricts sagittal plane ankle ROM that could increase the risk of non-contact ACL injury by intensifying the medial knee displacement (MKD) and ground reaction force (GRF). In this research, the effects of external ankle supports (EAS) on landing mechanics were investigated among 19 physically active college-aged females. Two research manuscripts report the results of this research project. </p><p> The first manuscript investigated the effect of EAS on landing kinematics and kinetics during a drop-jump landing task. The results demonstrated the use of EAS altered the ankle displacement, total MKD, and vertical GRF; however, no relationship was observed between isokinetic plantar flexor strength and landing mechanics. The second manuscript compared the effect of EAS on landing kinematics and kinetics between drop-jump landing and forward-jump landing tasks. The result exhibited the use of EAS similarly affect ankle displacement, knee displacement, peak MKD in drop-jump landing and forward-jump landing tasks. However, the landing tasks affected the posterior GRF differently, and the EAS altered vertical GRF differently in the two landing tasks.</p><p> Overall, excessively restricted ankle ROM changed the landing kinematics and kinetics, especially MKD and GRF during landing tasks. Our findings indicate that healthcare professionals should use EAS with care because the overly limited ankle ROM could increase the risk of non-contact knee injuries by increased MKD and GRF.</p><p> Future research should include an examination of the effect of EAS on the magnitude of ACL strain, an assessment of the strength of the other muscles, an evaluation of the muscular activation during a landing task. These studies help understand the landing techniques and strength training to reduce the risk of non-contact ACL tear among physically active population.</p>