Adiponectin is a protein secreted exclusively from adipose tissue, which is speculated to increase acute fatty acid oxidation rates. High-intensity exercise has been reported to have a greater capacity to increase absolute fat oxidation rates, as compared to low-intensity exercise. Hence, the objective of this study was to investigate the acute effects of exercise intensity on adiponectin levels in young healthy women. Nine healthy, moderately active women (age = 22 +/- 2 years, BMI = 22.1 +/- 21.5 kg/m 2; VO2peak = 43.9 +/- 4.0 ml O2/kg/min) performed in a randomized order three experimental sessions: control (C) with no exercise and two equicaloric (350 kcal), low-intensity (LIE) and moderate-to-high-intensity (M-HIE) exercise sessions on a treadmill at 40% and 70% VO2peak, respectively. Experimental sessions took place during the follicular phase of the participant's menstrual cycle; therefore, sessions were spread out by at least one-month. Plasma adiponectin levels were measured before, at 15-minutes, at 30-minutes, and post exercise session (LI/M-HI) or control session. The results indicated that plasma adiponectin levels were comparable across conditions and remained unchanged over time within each session. These findings suggest that plasma adiponectin levels do not seem to be acutely modulated during and immediately after exercise of varying intensity in young healthy women.

The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the success elements of elite big mountain (BM) freeskiers to perform their best while immersed in their challenging sport. Big Mountain freeskiing is a high risk alternative sport that takes place in an unpredictable mountain environment. Nine of the best BM freeskiers in the world participated in the study, seven men, and two women. A qualitative research design was used with a post-positivist paradigm. Face-to-face interviews were used to gather the data. The success elements that emerged from the interviews were categorized within three temporal categories; pre-performance preparation (line selection, visualization, and calmness), performance execution (confidence and focus), and post-performance evaluation (reflection, lessons learned, mindset). Two additional success elements were evident for all athletes interviewed; love for their sport and what they were doing, and a fully focused connection to that in which they were engaged. These latter two success elements were not confined by temporal boundaries and were presented separately due to their uniqueness and importance. These athletes carried an intensely focused connection to what they were doing, and had the ability to remain calm while facing challenging situations. The ability of these athletes to transfer certain success elements they employed in BM freeskiing to the rest of their lives was interesting and one that warrants further research.

Recent studies, primarily in males, have shown that postexercise cutaneous vasodilation is attenuated by baroreceptor unloading subsequent to lower body venous pooling. However, gender differences in the control of cutaneous circulation may exist given that females appear to show a reduced tolerance to orthostatic challenge and, an attenuated responsiveness in mechanisms that regulate arterial pressure. We evaluated the hypothesis that females would demonstrate a greater reduction in postexercise mean arterial pressure (MAP) and concurrently a greater increase in the postexercise core temperature at which onset of cutaneous vasodilation occurred as compared to males. Fourteen subjects (7 males and 7 females) of similar age and fitness status remained seated resting for 15 min or cycled for 15 min at 70% of peak oxygen consumption followed by 15 min of seated recovery. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Background. Knee braces have been found to provide limited stability to the ACL deficient knee in situations where the knee is loaded during sporting movements. Different adaptation strategies have been found between patients that can cope with the injury and patients that cannot. One of the expected changes can be muscle activation characteristics of the injured knee during strenuous activity with and without a functional knee brace. Methods. Three dimensional (3D) kinematic and electromyography (EMG) data were collected from each participant for ten consecutive gait cycles during running on a treadmill under both braced and unbraced conditions. Participants were administered the "Knee Outcome Survey Activities of Daily Living Scale" to distinguish functional and non-functional candidates. Findings. No significant differences on 3D kinematics and EMG data were noted between functional and non-functional participants, thus data analysis focused on comparisons of bracing conditions for one combined group. Bracing significantly increased total range of motion in the sagittal plane (p<0.05) and reduced total range of motion in the transverse plane (p<0.05). Muscle activity at heel-strike showed a consistent trend to increase for the hamstrings and decrease for the quadriceps under the braced when compared to the unbraced condition. Interpretations. Our findings indicated that bracing the ACL deficient knee altered kinematics of the injured leg while running. Tendencies towards reductions in quadriceps and increases in hamstrings activity at heel-strike provides added stability to the injured knee. These changes to bracing further support the mechanical and the proprioceptive contributions of the functional knee brace to protect the ACLD knee.

Gait initiation is a temporary movement between upright posture and steady-state gait. The activation of several postural muscles has been identified to precede changes observed in vertical reaction force. Previous research examining gait initiation has concentrated on the electromyographic activity of muscles of the lower limbs. Few studies, however, have looked at recruitment patterns of the muscles of the thigh and trunk. This study was conducted to determine the recruitment patterns and the roles of certain muscles of the trail and lead lower limbs and trunk for the duration from quiet stance to trail leg toe-off. Eleven healthy participants initiated gait with their right leg. Electromyographic data were collected bilaterally from the erector spinae, tensor fasciae latae, adductor magnus and tibialis anterior muscles. In addition, force platform data were recorded for the duration of quiet stance to toe-off of the trail limb. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

The present study explores the experiences of 12 gay and queer males within the sport of marathoning. Working within an anti-positivist paradigm that draws on queer and poststructuralist gender theories, as well as a Foucauldian perspective of the body, I investigate subjects' discursive constructions of sexuality, gender, and the body within the context of this individual sport milieu. Gathered through guided conversations, written personal stories, and my reflexive research journal, subjects' narratives were analyzed thematically and then submitted to a discourse analysis. While revealing the subjects' recitation of dominant discourses regarding gay sexuality, the analysis also suggested marathoning as a "queer positive" space for the participants. Analysis also uncovered some resistance to dominant constructions of sporting masculinity, but also an emergent masculinity specific to the marathon context that re/produced a traditional gender order. Though interpellated by dominant discourses, subjects also "blurred" the traditional rigid boundaries of sexuality and gender binaries. Finally, the subjects' discursive constructions of their bodies and marathon practices were also considered. I have suggested that queer marathon bodies can be considered as "hybrid" creations through the adoption of subject positions within dominant discourses of physical activity, running, and popular representations of gay male physicality. In focusing specifically on an individual sporting space, this study adds a unique perspective to the growing body of knowledge related to gay men in sport.

Statement of the problem. Physical activity levels generally decrease during adolescence and adulthood. A better understanding of patterns and determinants of physical activity through adolescence can inform physical activity interventions aimed at youth. Methods of investigation. Subjects were 1206 Montreal adolescents followed over 4.5 years. Physical activity was measured using a modified Weekly Activity Checklist. Trajectories were identified using the multilevel model for change. Demographic, psychological, and behavioural predictors were explored separately by sex. Results. A cubic trajectory controlling for season emerged. Activity peaked at age 13.5, decreased, and increased again at age 16.5, but showed significant heterogeneity both within- and between-subjects. Males had higher physical activity levels than females at all ages. Depression, stress, sedentary behaviours, and alcohol use affected physical activity trajectories. Conclusion. Physical activity levels follow a complex, curvilinear pattern during adolescence, and begin to decrease by age 14. Physical activity promotion interventions should focus toward this age group to promote increased physical activity participation.

The Canadian School Sport Federation, responsible for interscholastic sport, provides a mission to extend physical and athletic development, as well as, moral and social development (Canadian School Sport Federation, n.d.). To reach this mission, participation is needed not only by the coaches, who's role is central to the athletes experience (Roy, Trudel, & Lemyre, 2001), but also the school principals. As part of a research program examining the practice of interscholastic sports, we conducted interviews with 11 school principals and documented 'who' are the high school principals i.e. documented their past experiences and their role and perspective regarding high school sports. The main results showed that (a) most school principals had experience in sport as an athlete or a coach, (b) being a physical education teacher often led to the position of school principal, (c) the principals were conscious of the importance of school sports, and (d) they preferred to select coaches from within their school. Keywords: school sport/interscholastic sports, school principal

Since the Canadian educational reform in the 1990's, schools have included health education in their curriculum, and as all children under the age of 16 must attend school, on can ask "what better place to encourage health?" With this increased focus on health education, more schools are adopting a Comprehensive School Health (CSH) approach, yet as the CSH approach is not standardized in Canadian schools, school's choosing to adopt such principles must do so independently. In addition to independent adoption, school's who do chose to employ a CSH approach are under researched, resulting in little information on current CSH practices. This lack of research is prevalent in many countries, as researchers have acknowledged that the concept of the CSH approach is more advanced than its implementation (WHO, 1997). Therefore, by examining the physical activity habits and body image perceptions of rural students, this research sought to develop a better understating of a rural CSH approach. Results of this study demonstrated that this school's vice-principal and physical education teachers engaged in a series of health promoting initiatives. This school's joint development of their CSH approach was one of the factors that lead to their extensive application of the approach, as they benefited from the additional support of volunteers, government funding, pedagogical resources, and health professionals. With these unique opportunities, this school surpassed the level of CSH implementation that is presented in the current literature, by successfully implementing a Health Curriculum, a Healthy Environment, and providing an avenue for Health Services to begin. The students in this rural school demonstrated high levels of physical activity participation and body image satisfaction. Students credited their knowledge of health issues to their unique health education opportunities, parental and peer modeling, and their participation in regular physical activities.

The purpose of the study was to document the process of Triathlon Canada's implementation of a new coach education program in the competition-development context. Two conceptual frameworks were used for the study, the first was the OECD (2007b) qualifications system framework and the second was Jarvis' (2006a) conception of a biography. In part 1, the high performance director was interviewed four times throughout the year to get his perspective on the process of developing and implementing the new program. Through the use of purposeful sampling, all of the coaches' (n=10) actively coaching triathletes in the competition-development context in Canada were interviewed in order to explore the different experiences and qualifications they had, prior to their entry into the program. In part 2, one interview was conducted with the first coach to be evaluated on the Design a Sport Program outcome, and one interview was conducted with each of the two evaluators. The results were divided into two parts; in part 1, it was evident based on the interviews with the high performance director that his unique academic and professional background influenced him to develop a program tailored to the experienced coaches participating in the new program. Furthermore, interviews with the participants' revealed biographies that indicated they were: (a) well educated, (b) held multiple coaching certifications, (c) had rich athletic and coaching experiences, and (d) approached learning through diverse means, including formal, non-formal, and informal learning situations. These interviews revealed that the evaluation process was a learning experience for both the coach and the evaluators. Furthermore, there were elements within the new program that seemed to be conducive to lifelong learning. In conclusion, results from the study suggest that it is important to consider the biography of the participants because it will influence how they approach learning. As such, the development and delivery of coach education programs in the competition-development context will likely vary for each national sport federation.