Thesis (M.S.)--Eastern Illinois University, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 35-40).

abstract: While there are many elements to consider when determining one's risk of heat or cold stress, acclimation could prove to be an important factor to consider. Individuals who are participating in more strenuous activities, while being at a lower risk, will still feel the impacts of acclimation to an extreme climate. To evaluate acclimation in strenuous conditions, I collected finishing times from six different marathon races: the New York City Marathon (New York City, New York), Equinox Marathon (Fairbanks, Alaska), California International Marathon (Sacramento, California), LIVESTRONG Austin Marathon (Austin, Texas), Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon (Cincinnati, Ohio), and the Ocala Marathon (Ocala, Florida). Additionally, I collected meteorological variables for each race day and the five days leading up to the race (baseline). I tested these values against the finishing times for the local runners, those from the race state, and visitors, those from other locations. Effects of local acclimation could be evaluated by comparing finishing times of local runners to the change between the race day and baseline weather conditions. Locals experienced a significant impact on finishing times for large changes between race day and the baseline conditions for humidity variables, dew point temperature, vapor pressure, relative humidity, and temperature based variables such as the heat index, temperature and the saturation vapor pressure. Wind speed and pressure values also marked a change in performance, however; pressure was determined to be a larger psychological factor than acclimation factor. The locals also demonstrated an acclimation effect as performance improved when conditions were similar on race day to baseline conditions for the three larger races. Humidity variables had the largest impact on runners when those values increased from training and acclimation values; however increased wind speed appeared to offset increased humidity values. These findings support previous acclimation research stating warm wet conditions are more difficult to acclimate to than warm dry conditions. This research while primarily pertaining to those participating physically demanding activities may also be applied to other large scale events such as festivals, fairs, or concerts. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Geography 2011

Experienced male marathon runners, 9 black and 10 white, with marathon times of 2 hours 45 minutes or faster, acted as subjects for the study, the purpose of which was to determine whether black runners are better suited to marathon running than whites. Body composition was determined by anthropometry. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂ max) and other physiological variables were measured during a continuous, speed-incremented treadmill protocol using a computer-aided data acquisition system. Subjects also ran a simulated marathon at 92.5% of the running speed at which the ventilatory threshold (VT) occurred. Physiological, gait and RPE variables were measured at 10 minute intervals during the marathon. Major findings are detailed below:- The VO₂, max averaged 60.4 ∓ 6.5 and 63.2 ∓ 2.9 mI. kg⁻¹.min⁻¹ in the black and white runners respectively and was highly correlated with best marathon race time (r = 0.86 and 0.85 respectively) and VT (r = 0.84 and 0.60 respectively) (p < 0.05). No significant differences existed between the groups in submaximal oxygen uptake (VO₂,) or % VO₂ max utilised at 16 km.hr⁻¹, but the estimated % VO₂ max utilised during a marathon race was higher in the black (89.0 ∓ 5.5%) than the white runners (81. 5 ∓ 3.1%) {p .( 0.05). The % VO₂ max utilised at 16 km.hr⁻¹ (84.8 ∓ 9.1 and 78.6 ∓ 5.8% in the black and white runners respectively) was significantly correlated with the % VO₂, max utilised while racing in the white (81.5 ∓ 3.1%) (r = 0.70) (p < 0.05), but not the black runners (89.0 ∓ 5.5%). The VT occurred at 82.7 ∓ 7.7 and 75.6 :∓ 6.2% VO₂; max in the black and white groups respectively (p < 0.05). Post-marathon blood lactic acid levels were lower in the black (1.30 ∓ 0.26 mmo1.l⁻¹) than the white runners (1.59 ∓ 0.20 mmol.l⁻¹). The respiratory exchange ratio (R) was higher in the blacks than whites when running at 16 km.hr ⁻¹ (1.03 ∓ 0.07 and 0.98 ∓ 0.03 respectively) and during the marathon (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in pulmonary minute ventilation (Vı) between the groups, but breathing frequency (f) was higher in the black (59 ∓ 12 breaths.min⁻¹) than the white runners (45 ∓ 8 breaths. min⁻¹ ) and tidal volume (V⊤) lower in the black ( 1.33 ∓ 0.16 l.breath⁻¹) than the white runners (1.75 ∓ 0.36 I.breath⁻¹) during submaximal running at 16 km. hr⁻¹ (p < 0.05). The same trend was observed during the marathon run. During the time-course of the marathon f increased and V⊤ decreased In both groups (p < 0.05). Stroke volume decreased and heart rate increased In both groups during the time-course of the marathon (p< 0.05). Cardiac output was therefore maintained. Thermal responses were similar in the two groups. A significant increase in rectal temperature coincided with a decrease in skin temperature and may have been related to an increase in f (r = 0.86 and 0.67 in the blacks and whites respectively), H/R (r = 0.70 and 0.67 respectively) and "local" (leg) RPE (r = 0.84 and 0.82 respectively). It was concluded that black runners were able to run marathon races at a higher % VO₂ more than whites due to the blacks having lower blood lactic acid levels when running at a similar % VO₂ max. Given similar maximal oxygen uptakes, this would enable blacks to run faster. Cardiopulmonary adjustments occur during the time-course of a marathon which maintains Q and Vı

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of extreme exercise on vitamin B-6 metabolism and urea nitrogen. Nine men and five women completed two 5-day trials; Trial 1 (T1) included a 50-km ultramarathon on day 4 and during Trial 2 (T2) subjects were "inactive" on day 4. During both trials, subjects consumed a diet providing men 2.0 and women 1.5 mg of vitamin B-6. With the exception of the ultramarathon, T1 activity was replicated during T2. Twenty four-hour urine collections were completed and blood was drawn pre-race (pre), mid-race (mid), post-race (post) and 60 minutes post race (P-60). On the inactive, day blood was drawn at the same intervals. Plasma was analyzed for pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP), pyridoxal, 4-pyridoxic acid (4-PA), urea nitrogen (PUN), creatinine, albumin, glucose, and lactate concentration and alkaline phosphatase activity. Urine was analyzed for 4PA, creatinine, and total urinary nitrogen (TUN). During T1, compared to pre, plasma PLP concentration increased 17% at mid, decreased 5% by post, and 19% by P-60. During T2, plasma PLP concentration decreased 13% pre to P-60. During T1, plasma 4-PA concentration increased 135% and the percent dietary vitamin B-6 that was excreted as urinary 4-PA the day of the ultramarathon was higher than that excreted the day before and the day after. During T1, from pre to post mean PUN concentration increased 36.9%, and the average rate ofincrease from pre to mid, mid to post, and post to P60 was 0.5, 1.75, and 2 mg/dL/hour, respectively. During T1 on days 3, 4, and 5,88%, 100%, and 95% of nitrogen intake was excreted in the urine compared to 86%, 83%, and 84% for the same days during T2. The day of the ultramarathon, 24-hour TUN excretion was 2 g higher than the previous day. Extreme exercise of greater than six hours initially increases the plasma concentration of PLP but ultimately results in a significant decrease in plasma PLP, an increase in plasma 4-PA, and an increase in percent of dietary vitamin B-6 (as 4-PA) excreted in the urine. Additionally, the rate of change in PUN inoeases as duration increases. / Graduation date: 2001

The sample included 29 healthy competitive male distance runners. Bilateral measurements were taken for selected variables of the talocalcaneal flexibility by means of a mechanical goniometer, and of the peak isokinetic knee strength on a Cybex II device. The frontal and horizontal plane motions of the lower limbs of the subjects were recorded by high speed filming and videotaping while they were running on a motor driven treadmill at their training pace under two conditions: with running shoes and barefoot. A detailed description of each runner's history was obtained and bilateral dominance characteristics were determined. Significant functional asymmetries were found for subtalar joint flexibility (eversion, inversion, and eversion/inversion ratio) and peak isokinetic knee strength (flexion, extension, total, and flexion/extension ratio). Significant kinematic asymmetries were revealed during the foot support phase in lower leg angle, rearfoot angle, mediolateral velocity of the foot, and in some temporal parameters. The two running conditions differed significantly only for the pretouchdown phase of support. Significant trends of association were identified between selected components of the lower limb functional and kinematical asymmetries which were characterized by consistent laterality patterns. Multivariate asymmetry components and running injury patterns were independent. Only asymmetries in foot pronation during barefoot running tended to significantly differentiate between runners grouped by injury incidence. The phenomenon of functional and kinematic asymmetries in runners is warranted.

No description available.

Thesis (M.A.)--York University, 2007. Graduate Programme in Kinesiology and Health Science. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 140-159). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:MR29582

Thesis (M.S.)--Brigham Young University. Dept. of Exercise Sciences, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (MTech (Marketing))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2010 / A total of R4.8 billion was spent on sports sponsorship in South Africa in 2008, while a remarkable increase in sports sponsorship indicates that research, which deals with studying effectiveness of sports sponsorship, is essential. Moreover, brand extension was considered as a means to assist brand revitalisation and revival; however, in order to render brand extension implementation successful proved another important aspect of this research. Therefore, this research answers the question: can marathon sponsorships help sponsors to achieve effective and successful brand extensions? This study applied quantitative methodology as its research design. A self-administered questionnaire was designed for the survey and quota sampling was implemented in the research. A sample of 122 athletes who ran the full marathon at the Weskus Marathon was collected at the venue where athletes collected their running numbers on 5th of March 2010 for the following day’s race. This process continued until the researcher had asked 122 athletes for their cooperation to complete the questionnaires. The responses indicated that marathon athletes agreed that: first, a qualified marathon enhances the sponsor's brand image; second, the sponsor's brand was visible at the previous event; third, I can recall the sponsor’s brand of the most recent marathon in which I participated (excluding current marathon); fourth, sponsoring the marathon enhanced my awareness of the sponsor's brand/product; and last, it is good to have the same sponsor sponsoring a marathon continuously. Conversely, the responses also illustrated that the marathon athletes were neutral towards the following research statements: firstly, participating in marathons that have high media coverage; then, I will buy a new product in addition to the brand, which sponsored the marathon; and finally, my experience of the marathon will influence my decision to buy a new product in addition to the brand, which sponsored the marathon. Hence, the research explored the hypothesis that marathon sponsorship can be utilized as an effective way to achieve brand extension. Furthermore, regarding brand extensions and marathon sponsorships, male athletes of the Afrikaner or English culture who use English as their home language, think that marathon sponsorships will be effective for brand extensions. Such athletes are normally around 41 to 50 years old, are professional, managerial and are involved in other work such as administrative, marketing, skilled craft, self employed and so on, and have a higher education – postgraduate diploma/degree, while their running years range from 3 to 5 years.

Please read the abstract (Synopsis) in the section 00front of this document / Dissertation (MA (Human Movement Sciences))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Biokinetics, Sport and Leisure Sciences / MA / unrestricted