<p> This study investigated the relationships between birth order, personality, mental toughness, and performance as they relate to trained collegiate athletes in the sports of Men's and Women's Basketball. There were three variables measured: personality, mental toughness, and performance. There were 238 participants in this study: 149 females and 89 males. All participants were NCAA collegiate basketball players. Participants' ages ranged from 18 to 24. Participants were administered the NEO Five Factor Inventory questionnaire to assess personality, while mental toughness was assessed using the Mental Toughness Scale (Madrigal &amp; Hamill, 2013). To measure performance, statistics were obtained from the 2013-14 collegiate regular season and computed into an overall performance score (Ramos-Villagrasa &amp; Navarro, 2013). Correlational analyses were conducted to determine the relationships between birth order, personality, mental toughness, performance score, and performance statistics. Based on past research, it was hypothesized that middleborns would score the highest in mental toughness while firstborns would score higher than lastborns (who will score the lowest). Hypotheses for the big five traits were as follows: Openness: middleborns would score the highest, followed by lastborns, then firstborns. Conscientiousness: firstborns would score the highest, then middleborns, then lastborns. Extroversion: middleborns would score the highest, then firstborns, and finally lastborns. Agreeableness: lastborns and middleborns would not differ, but would both score higher than firstborns. Neuroticism: lastborns would score highest, followed by firstborns, then middleborns. It was hypothesized that high conscientiousness and extroversion, along with low neuroticism would indicate higher mental toughness, while other big five traits would not factor into determining mental toughness. Higher mental toughness scores were hypothesized to result in higher performance scores. Middleborns were hypothesized to have the highest performance scores, followed by firstborns, and finally lastborns. The results of this study did not support any of the hypotheses regarding birth order. The results did support the hypothesis that high conscientiousness and extroversion, along with low neuroticism would predict higher mental toughness. The results also partially supported the hypothesis that higher mental toughness would yield higher performance scores.</p>

To examine the effect of whole body pre-cooling on the exercise duration and the thermoregulatory and metabolic responses during the exercise, fourteen male runners (27 $\pm$ 7.4 yrs) completed two separate high-intensity running test sessions. Each session consisted of a rest period in either 24$\sp\circ$C (normothermic condition; NC) or 5$\sp\circ$C air (hypothermic condition; HC) for 30 minutes followed by an exercise bout at 82% of individual maximal aerobic capacity to exhaustion. / Rectal temperature was significantly lower (0.37$\sp\circ$C) in HC than in NC when subjects started exercise. Rectal, mean skin, and mean body temperatures remained lower during the exercise in HC compared to NC (ANOVA). The exercise duration in HC (26 min. 14 sec.) was significantly longer and equivalent of 121 $\pm$ 23.9% to the duration in NC (22 min. 25 sec.). The change between post- and pre-exercise values in mean skin, mean body, thermal gradient as well as heart rate was larger in HC compared to NC (t-test, p $<$ 0.05). On the other hand, the final value of rectal temperature, thermal gradient, and heart rate was not different between the two conditions. While exercising, a greater increase in heat storage was observed in HC (173 $\pm$ 45.7 W$\cdot$m$\sp{-2}$) than in NC (143 $\pm$ 38.1 W$\cdot$m$\sp{-2}$) and subjects lost larger amounts of sweat in NC than in HC. Oxygen consumption was significantly lower in an early phase of HC than in NC while oxygen pulse and respiratory exchange ratio were not different. Blood lactate level at post-exercise was not different between the conditions. Based on the results, it is concluded that whole body pre-cooling increases the duration of high-intensity running in a thermoneutral environment. Greater endurance is accompanied by less stress in thermoregulatory and cardiovascular systems as well as greater thermal capacitance after pre-cooling. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 55-08, Section: B, page: 3180. / Major Professor: Emily M. Haymes. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1994.

Thirty-four older women (ages 60 to 75 years) were tested under 21% and 80% oxygen conditions, while they performed two tasks which varied in complexity (SRT and CCRT). During SRT the subject lifted her finger as quickly as possible when she saw a light. The CCRT task required the subject to determine which finger to lift based on a directional cue and a starting point in a sequence of three numbers. Based on exercise and aging studies in which exercised adults performed at a significantly better rate than less active adults. A one-mile walking test was administered for each subject in order to determine her estimated VO max. A 2 x 2 x 2 (Active/Less Active x SRT/CCRT x Normal/Enriched Oxygen) ANOVA was performed. This analysis of variance revealed that the less fit subjects (M = 16.60ml/kg/min) reacted slower than the fit subjects (M = 34.40ml/kg/min) for both SRT and CCRT. This difference, however, was significant only for the most complex task. The greatest difference in time to respond when comparing SRT and CCRT was seen with the less active individuals. Additionally, providing the subjects with an enriched oxygen mixture did not compensate for the proposed hypoxic state. Likewise, oxygen saturation levels did not indicate a state of less oxygen. However, for the most complex task there was a trial effect across groups and oxygen. The oxygen saturation level for both groups was significantly higher after 30 and 60 trials in comparison to pre-trial saturation levels. When mean trial blocks (15 trials) were calculated, subjects appeared to improve with each trial block. This improvement was best demonstrated during CCRT for 80% oxygen. Thus it appeared, based on these results, that oxygen may have had some effect on performance. The lack of the oxygen main effect, however, contradicts this notion. According to these data it was concluded that some other / factor(s) besides, or in addition to, oxygen may be influencing the aging CNS. The significant fitness differences between the two groups suggests that one possible mechanism(s) of importance may be related to regular aerobic exercise. (Abstract shortened with permission of author.) / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 51-06, Section: A, page: 1950. / Major Professor: Tonya Toole. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1990.

Research results have demonstrated depressed levels of salivary immunoglobulin A (s-IgA) following strenuous physical activity which may be causally related to the incidence of upper respiratory infection (Mackinnon, Ginn, & Seymour, 1991, 1993; Tharp & Barnes, 1990; Tomasi, Trudeau, Czerwinski & Erredge, 1982). Practicing eliciting the Relaxation Response has been found to enhance s-IgA levels in several studies (Green & Green, 1987; Green, Green & Santaro, 1988; Jasnoski & Kugler, 1987; Olness, Culbert, & Uden, 1989). The purpose of this study was to extend such findings to determine if an original relaxation routine Relaxation Circuit (RC) practiced following heavy swim training may enhance recovery of s-IgA levels to pre-training levels or better. / Twenty-eight swimmers from the Florida State University Swimming Team volunteered to participate in the study (14-female, 14-male). The subjects were provided a taped copy of the Relaxation Circuit, instructed to practice the routine for three weeks, and record their experience on a log sheet. The swimmers were then divided into two groups for the intervention phase. Half were instructed to practice the Relaxation Circuit between practices on Intervention Day 1, and the other half not to. This was reversed the following day for Intervention Day 2. Four samples of saliva were collected each day: immediately pre- and post-practice for both morning and afternoon practices during the heaviest training period. / The saliva samples were measured with a standard enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA) (Engvall, 1980). / A two-way ANOVA for gender and condition was conducted for each day. Only those who did not report falling asleep during either the intervention condition or the control condition were included in the analysis. While no main effects were found, a significant group by gender difference was found for Day 2 (F$\sb{1,15}$ = 4.36, p $<$.05). A post-hoc comparison of means revealed that males undergoing the intervention on Test Day 2, showed significantly improved s-IgA concentration following the RC intervention relative to those in the control condition (t$\sb8$ = 2.96, p $<$.05). There was no significant difference between the two conditions for females. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 55-06, Section: B, page: 2432. / Major Professor: David Pargman. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1994.

Aquatic facility owners and operators are more likely today than ever to become involved in negligence litigation. Courts throughout the country are handing down decisions that create ever expanding liability and new areas of potential liability in the operation of aquatic facilities. In aquatic programs it is impossible to completely eliminate the risk of injury and death. However, it is possible to minimize that risk, and in today's litigious society, it has become imperative to do so. / The purpose of this legal case study was to identify legal precedents involving negligent liability in aquatic facility operation, particularly cases involving drowning, near drowning, and spinal cord injuries. A second purpose was to identify legal duties generally applicable to the standard of reasonable prudent care in judicial opinions involving negligent liability in aquatic facility operations. Legal principles associated with the legal duties were also identified. Recommendations for aquatic administrators concerning avoiding or reducing the risk of negligent liability were provided. The significance of this study ultimately was to provide aquatic facility operators, owners, and educators with a greater understanding of the legal issues surrounding negligent liability in the field of aquatic facility operation. / The traditional model for studying the judicial process served as the conceptual framework. Using traditional legal research methods, 132 state and federal cases, which were settled between 1970-1994, were identified. Analysis of the case law identified (a) legal precedents; (b) legal duties; and (c) legal principles which were established by the courts that may have an impact on aquatic facility operation. This research provides a framework upon which to evaluate and strengthen the legal dimension of aquatic facility operation. Based on the case law, guidelines and recommendations were provided which could reduce the risk of future negligent liability and assist in updating standards and policies for aquatic facility operation and education. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 56-07, Section: A, page: 2605. / Major Professor: Dewayne Johnson. / Thesis (Ed.D.)--The Florida State University, 1995.

No description available.

No description available.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Indiana University, Dept. of Kinesiology, 2005. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 67-01, Section: B, page: 0220. Adviser: Lawrence W. Fielding. "Title from dissertation home page (viewed Feb. 9, 2007)."

Heart Rate and Accelerometry during Footbag Net Singles Play

<p> An increasing prevalence of preventable diseases in the U.S. adult population calls for health interventions by primary care providers. This study compared the lifestyle behaviors of 208 young adults ages 20 to 40 years in Southern California. One group of adults participated in recreational team sports such as basketball, dodgeball, football, softball or soccer and the other group did not participate in team sports but had a gym membership. A demographic survey assessed the respondents' extent of physical activity, alcohol consumption, and smoking, and the <i>Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II</i> (HPLPII) measured items such as nutrition and stress management. Results found that the sport group consumed alcohol, of any amount, more days of the month than those who solely exercised at the gym. There was no significant difference between the groups when comparing other health behaviors. The results indicate a need for preventive education regarding alcohol consumption in young adults.</p>