In the breast cancer population to date, theoretical approaches and intervention strategies used to promote physical activity (PA) have relied upon intrapersonal (e.g., attitudes) and interpersonal (e.g., subjective norms) variables to understand PA behaviors. Unfortunately, these studies were limited by not looking at variables beyond the individual and their social support networks. Using a social ecological framework, this study examined correlates of PA among breast cancer survivors (BCS') from a multilevel perspective that assessed correlates at the intrapersonal (task and barrier self-efficacy---SE), interspersonal (social support), institutional (health care climate) and community (accessibility to home exercise equipment and neighborhood facilities) levels of influence. Fifty BCS' were recruited and assessed over a period of one month. Assessments included self-report questionnaires to assess the social ecological correlates for PA, a resting energy expenditure test to obtain basal metabolic rate, a DEXA san to obtain percentage of total body fat and accelcrometry to objectively assess total and average daily energy expenditure (EE). Quantitative findings revealed that barrier self-efficacy was a significant correlate of total EE (r = .290, p = .043) and daily EE (r = .315, p = .029) among BCS'. Specifically, do not feel like it, was a significant correlate for total energy expenditure (r = .316, p = .027), and no time (r = .345, p = .018), feeling under the weather (r = .364, p = .011) and do not feel like it (r = .315, p = .029) were significant correlates of average energy expenditure per day. A non-significant relationship between PA and the other levels of the social ecological model was found. Based on these preliminary findings, further investigation into the use of different variables at the social ecological levels of influence is warranted. The findings at the intrapersonal level have practical implications in that a barrier self-efficacy scale specific to breast cancer should be developed to include the specific side effects that breast cancer treatments cause. Such a scale can assist in identifying the targets for PA program development by highlighting the issues that are of greater importance to breast cancer patients. In terms of a PA intervention, SE as it relates to time constraints, not feeling well and a lack of will power should be addressed. For example, behavioral counseling that targets the specific issues of the BCS could be incorporated into the PA intervention, whereby the counselor assists the BCS with the identification of coping strategies to overcome various barriers specific to PA.

Purpose. The objective of the thesis was to examine the role of nonthermal regulatory influences on thermoregulatory responses during the postexercise period. Specifically, study #1 examined the effect of head down tilt (HDT), and by extension the role of baroreceptors, on prolonged postexercise heat loss and hemodynamic responses in males. Study #2 examined the effect of 15° HDT on cardiovascular and thermal responses in females. In particular the role of baroreceptors on cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) and sweating during extended recovery from dynamic exercise. Study #3 examined the effect of exercise intensity on hemodynamic and thermal responses in females. Methods. Study #1 and #2- seven male subjects and seven females subjects respectively, performed the following three experimental protocols: (1) 60 min in the upright-seated (URS) posture followed by 60 min in the 15° head-down tilt position (HDT); (2) 15 min of cycle ergometry at 75% of their pre-determined V˙O2 peak followed by 60 min recovery in the URS posture; or (3) 15 min of cycle ergometry at 75% of their pre-determined V˙O2peak followed by 60 min recovery in the 15° HDT position. Study #3- Seven females subjects performed the following 3 experimental protocols on a cycle ergometer: exercise at (1) 85% V˙O2peak; (2) 75% V˙O 2peak; or (3) 55% of their pre determined V˙O2peak followed by 60 min recovery in the upright-seated position. Mean skin temperature (Tsk), esophageal temperature (Tes), skin blood flow (SkBF), sweat rate, cardiac output (CO), stroke volume (SV), heart rate (HR), total peripheral resistance (TPR), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were measured in all three experiments. Results. Study #1- During recovery from exercise, a significantly greater MAP, SV, CVC and sweat rate and a significantly lower HR were found with HDT in comparison to URS posture (p≤0.05). Subsequently a significantly lower Tes was observed with HDT after 15-min of recovery onwards (p≤0.05). At the end of 60-min recovery, Tes remained significantly elevated above baseline with URS (p≤0.05), however Tes returned to baseline with HDT. Study #2- During recovery from exercise, a significantly greater MAP, SV CVC and sweat rate and a significantly lower HR were found with HDT in comparison to URS recovery posture (P≤0.05). Subsequently a significantly lower Tes was observed with HDT from 12-min till the end of the recovery period (P≤0.05). At the end of 60-min recovery, Tes remained significantly elevated above baseline with URS recovery posture (P≤0.05), however Tes returned to baseline with HDT. Study #3- as exercise intensity increased MAP, SV, sweating and CVC significantly decreased and HR significantly increased (P≤0.05). Subsequently the magnitude and duration of Tes also increased with exercise intensity (P≤0.05). At the end of 60-min recovery, Tes remained significantly elevated above baseline following exercise at 85% VO2peak and 75% VO 2peak (P≤0.05) but returned to baseline values following exercise at 55% V˙O2peak (P≥0.05). Conclusion. Study #1&2- extended recovery from dynamic exercise in the 15° HDT position attenuates the reduction in CVC and sweating thereby significantly increasing the rate of esophageal temperature decay compared to recovery in the URS posture. Study #3- in association with an increase in postexercise hypotension as exercise intensity increases esophageal temperature remains elevated for a prolonged period of time and CVC and sweat rate return to pre-exercise values more rapidly.

Plantar fasciitis is a common overuse injury in runners accounting for almost 10% of all injuries. (45) An excessively flexible shoe midsole or shank may be at fault for the development of plantar fasciitis in runners because of the unnecessary stretching of the plantar fascia ligament. (9;12;48) The main purpose of the study was to assess whether a change in shoe midsole flexibility would influence gait behavior and/or accelerate recovery time from plantar fasciitis. Method. Eighteen male and female (M= 10: F= 8) subjects participated for 3-months performing their normal exercise activities and either wearing shoes prescribed by the study (> 27 N/mm in stiffness) or remained in their current shoes. Mean age, mass, height and years running for the experimental group were 41.9 yrs, 147.3 lbs, 167.1 cm and 13.7 yrs and the control group were 45.3 yrs, 199.7 lbs, 180 cm and 15.3 yrs, respectively. Participants attended 3-separate sessions (initial, 45 & 90 days post initial visit). Pre and post kinematic parameters were collected for rear foot, ankle, knee and hip angles (degrees) while running at a speed of 3.0m/s. Shoe shank-midsole motion (mm) was also evaluated to determine dynamic flexibility of the shoe. Results. Significant differences were found between groups for range of motion (ROM) of the rear foot angle and mid shoe shank compression motion as well as pain level (p<0.05). The experimental group increased rear foot ROM, slightly decreased mid shoe shank ROM motion and decreased pain level. The control group decreased rear foot angle, decreased mid shoe shank ROM and maintained pain level. No significant differences were found for ankle, knee and hip angles. Conclusion. A stiffer shoe could potentially dissipate or transfer forces exerted on the foot away from the plantar fascia to alleviate strain during stance phase of running. Significant relief from the symptoms of plantar fasciitis can be attained with the use of a stiffer shoe. No generalizations can be drawn for ankle, knee and hip ROM because too many adaptations patterns exist among runners.

The purpose of this study was to explore and document the process through which a team of athletes and coaches felt and attempted to learn and apply resonance in a group context throughout a season. Resonance is a process that allows people to identify how they want to feel, prepare to experience that desired 'feel,' recognize obstacles that prevent them from feeling the way they want, and reconnecting when they are disengaged (Newburg, 2006; Newburg et al., 2002). Sixteen synchronized swimmers, one head coach, and one assistant coach participated in a group resonance based intervention over the span of a four month competitive season. The results, which are presented as two narratives, suggest that a group resonance process is possible. However, participants must be prepared to take ownership of this process and engage in challenging, deliberate work to incorporate their individual desired feel and the desired feel of others in the everyday experiences of a competitive team. This story also indicates that unresolved conflict can be detrimental to (a) relationships between athletes and coach, (b) performance, and (c) how people want to feel in the context of their sport.

Purpose. The purpose of this study is to compare the time-frequency characteristic, using non-linearly scaled wavelets, the amplitude and the timing of the electromyography (EMG) signal, as well as the three-dimensional (3D) kinematics of the lower limb of female and male elite soccer players performing an unanticipated cutting manoeuvre. Methods. Fifteen female and 15 male elite soccer players performed a series of the cutting manoeuvre during which EMG of eight muscles of the right leg, 3D kinematics of the hip, knee and ankle, as well as ground reaction forces were recorded. To create an unanticipated condition, the participants executed one of three tasks, which were signalled to them with an illuminated target board. All variables were compared between genders by means of one-way ANOVAs. Results. Female participants performed the cutting task with greater knee valgus and ankle pronation angles, as well as smaller hip internal rotation and ankle external rotation angles, than did the male group. Women also displayed different muscle activation patterns, such as an earlier semitendinosus (ST) onset, greater peak rectus femoris (RF) activity, greater lateral gastrocnemius (LG) and tibialis anterior (TA) activity at initial contact (IC) and greater LG activity during the entire motion. Furthermore, men executed the cutting manoeuvre with higher frequency components for the quadriceps and higher frequencies at IC for the biceps femoris (BF). These higher frequencies dominated the signal earlier in time for the BF and later for the TA in women. Conclusion. Gender differences in lower limb kinematics were observed, possibly exposing the female anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) to higher strain. Women also exhibited neuromuscular control strategies that may assist in explaining the gender bias in ACL injury rates. The frequency at which one contracts a muscle to sustain joint stability may be of greater importance than the amount of muscle activity. Key Words. Anterior cruciate ligament, Knee Injury, Gender, Wavelet, Neuromuscular Control, Kinematics.

The present qualitative study aimed to explore the role of feel within the creative process of pre-professional modern dancers. Grounded in the participatory paradigm (Heron & Reason, 1997), this ethnographic study was informed by the resonance approach to performance and living (Newburg, 2006). It chronicles the creative and affective experiences of six dancers and I over a four month period. Qualitative data was collected through participant observation, full participation, field notes, reflexive journaling, videotaping of rehearsals and performances, informal conversations with informants, and 12 weekly focus group discussions. Deductive and inductive content analyses (Cote, Salmela, Baria, & Russell, 1993) as well as narrative analyses (Polkinghorne, 1995) were used to examine all data collected. Results suggest that the RPM is an effective framework for discussion, reflection, and creative exploration with modern dancers. Findings indicate that individual feel is an integral element of creativity in the dancers. Furthermore, collective feel emerged as a meaningful aspect of the dancers' creative experiences. Applied research and educational implications are highlighted.

The introduction of the new Canadian Sport Policy in 2002 included Enhanced Interaction as one of its four goals. This study examines how interaction between governments and civil society has evolved from the 1990s to the present to determine how the Canadian Sport Policy has influenced multilevel governance in sport. Using both semi-structured interviews and a document analysis, this study looked at sport policies from the governments of Canada, Quebec and Ontario and the cities of Montreal and Toronto to identify the nature of their interactions with each other and civil society. Using the Advocacy Coalition Framework (ACF) to examine these interactions and their effects on policy change, the findings revealed that although multilevel governance was long considered a priority for the success of Canadian sport, it was not until the introduction of the Canadian Sport Policy that interaction on a multilevel was formalized. Recommendations are also offered to further enhance multilevel governance in Canadian sport and improve policy implementation.

The aim of this experiment was to investigate whether a self-modeling intervention could enhance competitive diving performance along with psychological mechanisms, such as self-efficacy, self-talk, and mental readiness. Eight participants (M age =12.6) competed at two competitions where one of their dives received the self-modeling video while the other acted as a control. At each competition, measures associated with the participants' self-efficacy, self-talk, mental readiness, and diving performance were collected. In addition, the participants responded to four questions relating to their thoughts and feelings of the self-modeling video intervention. Separate analyses of variance were conducted on all dependent measures. The results revealed no significant difference for all dependent measures between the self-modeling and control dive. This indicates that the self-modeling video failed to enhance competitive diving performance, and did not have an effect self-efficacy, self-talk, and mental readiness. Furthermore, imagery ability was measured to determine whether it acted as a possible moderating variable. However, this was not found to be a moderating variable between the self-modeling video and performance. Possible explanations for the lack of significant results with the quantitative data are forwarded A deductive analysis of the participants' transcripts was conducted where Zimmerman's (1989, 2000) self-regulation framework was adopted. Discussion of the qualitative data will focus on the participants' use of the self-modeling video with respect to self-regulatory processes.

The objectives of this study were to determine whether games-based computerized biofeedback training using the NeuroGym system reduces the attention demands of balance tasks in active community-dwelling older adults. Specifically, this study examined whether postural sway, reaction time, functional balance, and composite fitness changed following the training. Sixteen community-dwelling adults over the age of 65 who were experienced chair exercise participants were assigned to either a training group (n=9) or a control group (n=7). Participants in the training group followed an 8-week training program (2 x 30 minute sessions each week) consisting of five separate exercise routines using the NeuroGym system. The training routines required participants to play a computerized tennis game by shifting their body weight. Postural sway, reaction time, functional balance, and composite fitness were evaluated prior to training, after completion of the training and following a two week retention period.

The purpose of this research was to evaluate biomechanical differences in alternate stair descent strategies to determine the mechanisms by which these strategies modulate task mechanics Seventeen healthy subjects (9 males, 8 females) performed ten trials in four experimental conditions; forwards (FD), backwards (BD), step-by-step lead (SBSL) and trail (SBST) limbs. Results showed that peak ankle plantiflexor powers and work in BD and SBSL were similar in magnitude (p>0.05) and reduced relative to FD at initial contact (p<0.001) Similarly, the midstance peak plantiflexor moments, powers and work in FD and SBST were greater than both BD and SBSL (p<0.001). The plantiflexor moment and work in BD were larger than those at the SBSL limb (p<0.01), whereas power magnitudes were not significantly different (p>0.05). Lastly, peak moments, powers and work at push-off were greater in FD compared to all other conditions (p<0.001) and further, were larger in SBST relative to BD and SBSL (p<0.001). Peak moments, powers and work were similar in BD and SBSL conditions (p>0.05). Peak knee moments, powers and work were reduced during the eccentric midstance burst. Knee moments, powers and work were similar in FD and SBST (p>0.05), but were greater than BD and SBSL (p<0.001). Peak moments, powers and work were greater in BD compared to the SBSL limb (p<0.001). Thus, the step-by-step descent strategy is more appropriate for individuals with unilateral knee problems, whereas backwards descent is more suitable for bilateral quadriceps weakness. Peak hip powers and work were larger in BD relative to FD (p <0.001) during initial contact. Similarly, the extensor moment in BD was significantly larger than the flexor moment demonstrated in FD. No consistent stair or condition effects were observed for the concentric hip flexor burst at push-off in FD, SBSL and SBST conditions. Finally, this study considered foot clearance in stair descent. Clearance was greater in BD relative to FD, SBSL and SBST in the mid staircase region, but was similar at step 1, which represented the transition from standing to stair descent. No foot contacts, trips or stumbles were recorded, demonstrating the likelihood of contacting a stair edge in all patterns was nonexistent for these healthy participants. The present results have implications to improve functionality in stair descent for individuals that find the task difficult or painful. Future studies will likely consider the strategies employed during the initiation of stair descent by elderly and clinical populations to gain insight on the strategies used to minimize mechanical burden on both the joints and overlying musculature. Lastly, research should consider the effects of handrail use on alternate stair descent strategy mechanics, such as backwards and step-by-step descent.