The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of certain training programs upon the physical fitness of students enrolled in university required wrestling classes and varsity wrestlers. Tests were administered to twelve students in the required program at the University of British Columbia and to the ten man University of British Columbia varsity wrestling team. Physical fitness test items of muscular strength, muscular endurance, motor ability, cardiovascular endurance, fat component and cardiovascular condition considered to have important implications for wrestlers and wrestling were selected for use in this study. The two groups were tested at the beginning of their training programs (t1) and again at the end of these programs (t2). The required training program consisted of two one-hour periods per week for an eight week period. The varsity wrestlers were also retested after eight weeks although their training program continued beyond this period. These men trained ten hours per week, that is, for two hours a time, five times per week. The test results of the University of British Columbia varsity wrestlers were also compared with those of the varsity wrestlers of the University of Western Ontario taken one year earlier at the same stage of training. The required program training regimen was evidently either not long enough or frequent enough to bring about significant physical fitness changes other than in several muscular endurance items. Results indicated that the varsity wrestling program brought about significant positive changes in muscular endurance, cardiovascular condition and fat component but not in muscular strength. The University of British Columbia wrestlers were inferior to the University of Western Ontario varsity wrestlers on all test items except the Progressive Pulse Rate Recovery Test and the right and left grip strengths. It was concluded that under the conditions of the study significant changes in components of physical fitness can be brought about as a result of the varsity wrestling training program but there were few significant changes in fitness produced by the required program in wrestling. / Education, Faculty of / Curriculum and Pedagogy (EDCP), Department of / Graduate

A complete reliability analysis of the AAHPER Test has not been reported in the physical education literature. Previous reports have dealt only with the test-retest reliability coefficients of one or more items. The purpose of this study was to provide a comprehensive reliability analysis of the AAHPER Test items. More specifically the problems of this study were (1) to determine the average and best test-retest reliability coefficients of the test items; (2) to determine the standard error of measurement (absolute accuracy) of the test items as computed by the standard correlation formula method and the analysis of variance technique; (3) to determine if the practice effect is significant for each test item; (4) to determine if the test items measure with an accuracy sufficient to distinguish between the subjects tested; and (5) to determine for each test item if subject differences (differences between subjects) are significantly larger than practice differences (differences between trials). Fifty-seven untrained male students enrolled in the Required Physical Education Programme at the University of British Columbia were tested once a week for four consecutive weeks with the AAHPER Test. The items administered were pull-ups, sit-ups, standing broad jump, shuttle run, 50-yard dash, softball throw and 600-yard run-walk. The data from each test item were analyzed in order to obtain (a) means and standard deviations for each of four trials, (b) between trials correlation coefficients and an average reliability coefficient, (c) standard errors of measurement computed by the standard correlation formula method and the analysis of variance technique, and (d) three F ratios (analysis of variance). It was concluded on the basis of the reliability analysis of the data collected that (1) the average test-retest reliability coefficients of the test items were pull-ups .938, sit-ups .861, standing broad jump .899, shuttle run .776, 50-yard dash .792, softball throw .940 and 600-yard run-walk .759; (2) the standard errors of measurement computed by the standard correlation formula method and the analysis of variance technique were pull-ups (correlation formula method 0.794 and analysis of variance technique 0.834), sit-ups (6.250 and 6.934), standing broad jump (3.124 and 3.353 inches), shuttle run (0.227 and 0.239 seconds), 50-yard dash (0.194 and 0.190 seconds), softball throw (9.100 and 9.170 feet), and 600-yard run-walk (5.000 and 5.660 seconds); (3) analysis of variance results showed a significant practice effect over four trials for all items except the softball throw; (4) analysis of variance results showed that the AAHPER Test items measure with an accuracy sufficient to distinguish between the subjects tested; and (5) analysis of variance results showed that for each test item subject differences are not significantly larger than practice differences; and since they usually are, it can be concluded that the practice effect must have been severe. The findings of this study showed that the pull-ups and softball throw variables were highly reliable. Thus when using these items it seems reasonable to accept first trial scores as sufficiently accurate for both survey and experimental purposes. The standing broad jump, 50-yard dash and the 600-yard run-walk items had relatively high reliability; however, results showed that several preliminary practice trials are probably necessary before scores become sufficiently reliable for research purposes. The sit-ups and shuttle run were the least reliable items of the AAHPER Test. These items seem to require at least four preliminary practice trials before a satisfactory level of reliability can be attained. / Education, Faculty of / Curriculum and Pedagogy (EDCP), Department of / Graduate

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of "steady pace" and "interval" training methods upon work output. Thirty-four male University of British Columbia first year students between the ages of nineteen and twenty-one, were selected from the required physical education activity program. Each student was tested on a fixed resistance type bicycle ergometer. The number of revolutions achieved in two minutes was recorded. Two groups were then formed by the "paired comparison" method and trained for six weeks. Both groups did the same amount of work in each training session but each group varied its method of work application, i.e. one group trained at a steady effort while the other group trained at a higher power, with regulated rest periods between bursts of power. Each group was subjected to a two minute test at the intervals of two, four and six weeks after the commencement of training. On the basis of statistical treatment, the following results were evident: 1. There was no statistically significant improvement of work output scores for either group after two weeks of training. 2. After four weeks of training, both groups exhibited marked improvement in work output scores which were statistically significant at the five percent level of confidence. 3. Tests after six weeks of training indicated statistically significant improvements in performance scores in both groups. These scores were statistically significant at the five percent level of confidence. 4. Both types of training, when compared, showed no difference in the results obtained at the end of two, four and six weeks of training. There was no statistically significant difference between the means of each group at the end of two, four and six weeks of regulated training. It was concluded that within the limitations of the study, there was no difference in work output obtained from the results of either "steady" or "interval" types of training provided the total work done by the members of either group was the same. In both groups, however, a statistically significant gain in work output was evident after four and six weeks of training. / Education, Faculty of / Curriculum and Pedagogy (EDCP), Department of / Graduate

The effect of isometric muscle training on the strength and endurance of junior secondary school boys in tests of trunk flexion was investigated. A group of fifty-one boys was tested for trunk flexor strength by the cable-tensiometer, and for endurance by a sixty-second sit-up test and then matched on the basis of strength scores. The matched subjects were then randomly divided into two groups. One group performed a single, six-second, maximal, isometric trunk flexion exercise five days a week for five weeks, while the other group did not. At the end of the five week training period the two groups were retested for strength and endurance. From the statistical treatment of the data it was concluded (1) that there were significant mean increases in performance in the strength and endurance tests by the isometric muscle training group and the control group, and (2) that there was no significant difference between the gains in strength and endurance made by the training group and the gains in strength and endurance made by the control group. / Education, Faculty of / Graduate

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a circuit training programme on the physical fitness of grade 5 girls. Two classes of grade 5 girls at Kerrisdale Elementary School, Vancouver, British Columbia, participated in this experiment. All students within these two classes were given the AAHPER Youth Fitness Test -modified pull-up, sit-up, shuttle run, standing broad jump, 50-yard dash, softball throw for distance, 600-yard run-walk. One class was selected at random to be the Experimental Class, the second class to be the Control Class. The Experimental Class participated in a ten-minute circuit training programme at the beginning of each lesson for eight weeks. The remainder of the lesson was devoted to the regular physical education programme. The Control Class participated in the regular physical education programme for the eight weeks. At the end of the eight weeks both groups were re-tested on the AAHPER Youth Fitness Test. Improvements were measured statistically within each group and a comparison of the improvements was made between the groups both on separate test items and on a total physical fitness score. In addition, a coefficient of correlation was calculated between the gains of the Experimental Class and their physical education teacher's rating of student "co-operativeness". The Experimental Class showed a significant gain in performance in the modified pull-up, sit-up, shuttle run, standing broad jump, Softball throw for distance and 600-yard run-walk. The Control Class showed a significant gain in performance in the sit-up, shuttle run, standing broad jump, Softball throw for distance and 600-yard run-walk. The Control Class made significantly greater gains than the Experimental Class in the shuttle run. Both groups made statistically, significant gains in the total physical fitness scores. However, there was no statistically significant difference between these mean gains. There was some relationship, though low, between the gains made by the Experimental Class and the teacher rating of student "co-operativeness". The conclusion resulting from this study was that a physical education programme for grade 5 girls which includes a ten-minute circuit training programme, does improve their physical fitness, as measured by the AAHPER Youth Fitness Test. The data of this study also should, be interpreted to indicate that programmes other than circuit training may be equally effective in increasing physical fitness as measured by the AAHPER Youth Fitness Test. / Education, Faculty of / Curriculum and Pedagogy (EDCP), Department of / Graduate

The problem of this investigation was to test the motor performances of Haney Correctional Institution inmates, compare their performances to various norm populations, find out if their motor performances improved after they stayed for a short period of time in the Institution, determine whether their motor performances were typical for the dominant physique type of delinquents and decide whether factors such as size, maturity and mental performance had any relationship to their motor performances. The purpose of the investigation was to arrive at some kind of a "motor performance picture" of delinquents, as compared to the "normal population." It was hypothesized that: (a) inmate motor performances and mental performances would be lower than those of the norm population; (b) inmate motor performance would not be typical of their dominant physique type; (c) inmates would improve motor performances after a short stay at the Institution; and (d) relationships would be-found between size, maturity, mental performance and motor performance. The subjects were 670, male inmates of the Haney Correctional Institution, British Columbia, ranging in age from l4 to 4O, but with the majority between 17 and23 years of age. Of this population of 670, only 280 were given the Motor Educability test, one of the motor performance items. Tests were given to inmates on their arrival and again after four months and the pertinent data recorded. The re-test population decreased in size from 670 to 255 and from 280 to 129 for the Motor Educability test. Transfers, discharges, medical and various other reasons not connected with physical education and out of the investigator's control caused these reductions. The reductions and some missing data further reduced the size of the population to 111 when the inter correlation matrix of all variables was calculated by the computer. A computer was used for the majority of the statistical; work to obtain means, standard deviations, inter correlation matrix of all variables and t statistic of differences between initial and re-test motor performance scores. Other calculations, such as the t statistic of differences between H.C.I. inmates' scores and those of the norm populations, and preparation of frequency distribution polygons, were done by the investigator. The results, in all but a few instances, supported statistically the hypotheses stated by the investigator. It was concluded, therefore, that Haney Correctional Institution inmates had lower motor performances than the various norm populations, had motor performances that were not typical for the dominant physique type of delinquents, had inferior mental performances, had heights and weights that were shorter and lighter than the norms and had typical relationships between mental performance, size, maturity and motor performance. / Education, Faculty of / Curriculum and Pedagogy (EDCP), Department of / Graduate

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of training for competitive rowing on cardiovascular condition as measured by the brachial pulse wave (Cameron Heartometer). Brachial pulse wave records were taken on fifteen male subjects (nine varsity and six freshmen rowers) every week over a ten week period. Measurements of fourteen variables were obtained from each individual brachial pulse wave record. The data for each subject consisted of 10 serial measurements for each of 14 brachial pulse wave variables. There were thus 14 variables for each of 15 subjects, giving 210 sets of variables in total. Each of these sets was tested for linearity of regression against number of days elapsed from the beginning of the ten weeks testing period to the time when the pulse wave record was made. As a means of determining relative cardiovascular condition of rowers during training, mean measurements for twelve brachial pulse wave variables of (a) varsity and (b) freshmen crew members were compared with corresponding mean measurements for four non-rowing athletic groups. The brachial pulse wave tracings obtained during the training period suggest that progressive changes in the variables studied were, on the whole, relatively small and unstable. The data suggest that heart rate - blood pressure measurements are fairly sensitive variables in reflecting the effects of training but other measurements of the brachial pulse wave are not. Comparison of the rower's measurements with those of other athletic groups showed that varsity rowers were superior in cardiovascular condition to freshmen rowers before during and after training and that both groups were in many respects superior in cardiovascular condition to other non-rowing athletic groups. / Education, Faculty of / Curriculum and Pedagogy (EDCP), Department of / Graduate

This study attempted to determine whether or not there was a difference in the physical fitness or in the developmental change of physical fitness between deaf and hearing children. Five deaf subjects of each sex were randomly chosen from each age group (7, 9, 11, 13, and 15) from the deaf population who had no major physical or health difficulties at Jericho Hill School for the Deaf, Vancouver, B.C. Hearing subjects (10 in each age group and sex for statistical purposes) represented the population of general Canadian school-age children who did not have any major physical or health defects. Deaf subjects were administered the CAHPER Fitness-Performance Test which is composed of 6 tests (one minute speed sit-ups, shuttle run, standing broad jump, flexed arm hang, 50 yard run, and 300 yard run) and the CAHPER Physical Work Capacity Test. The results indicated no significant difference between the deaf and hearing in over all physical fitness with the exception of sit-ups and shuttle run nor in the developmental change of physical fitness. The deaf children were superior in the sit-ups but inferior in the shuttle run as compared with hearing children. Possible causes of these differences were discussed. / Education, Faculty of / Curriculum and Pedagogy (EDCP), Department of / Graduate

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 16 week training programme on selected on-ice and laboratory variables of 9-10 year-old boys involved in a competitive ice hockey programme. Twenty-four players from two A-level representative teams were selected as subjects for this study. Players from one team served as the training group while players from the second team served as the age-matched control group. On-ice measures were calculated from a Repeat Sprint Skate (RSS) whereby subjects performed 4 repetitions of 91.45 metres, commencing each repetition every 35 seconds. Laboratory measures included a Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT) which was extended to 40 seconds, an Anaerobic Speed Test (AST), and strength and power measurements (30, 100, 180 deg*sec⁻¹) of the quadriceps and hamstring muscle groups. Results from this study indicate that the training group showed significant (p = .05) improvement over the control group in the following variables: (1) the AST; (2) RQ (30 deg*sec⁻¹); (3) RH (30 deg*sec⁻¹); (4) RH (100 deg*sec⁻¹) ; (5) LH (30 deg*sec⁻¹). Findings from this study indicate that intense anaerobic training will benefit prepubertal ice hockey players on selected anaerobic and strength measures. / Education, Faculty of / Curriculum and Pedagogy (EDCP), Department of / Graduate

The purpose of this study was to determine which of several selected combinations of components within an employee fitness program would positively effect female hospital workers' rate of adherence to a regular physical activity routine. Additional problems included: (i) studying the effects of the twelve week employee fitness pilot program on the measured dependent variables performed on the employee sample and (ii) determining a relationship between adherence rates-(high or low) and the amount of change in the hypothesized improvements. Fifty physically inactive female employees from Peace Arch District Hospital in White Rock, B.C. volunteered to take part in the employee fitness program. The subjects were randomly assigned to one of three groups. Each group participated in a lifestyle and fitness assessment but was otherwise distinguished as follows: Group 1 was assigned to the exercise facility, exercise classes and the education and motivation program; Group 2 was assigned to the exercise facility and exercise classes, and Group 3 was assigned to the education and motivation program. An attempt was made to determine if the maximal stimulus program available to Group 1 resulted in (i) a superior rate of adherence to a regular exercise routine and (ii) a greater improvement in the dependent variables, compared with Groups 2 and 3. The Employee Fitness Program was conducted over a twelve week period and the subjects were pre and post tested for physical activity levels, physical fitness (as indicated by predicted oxygen uptake, flexibility and percent body fat), lifestyle risk factors and self concept which were then analyzed by separate ANOVA's. Instruments used were: the Action B.C. Nutrition Evaluation to determine physical activity levels, the Dynavit computerized bicycle ergometer, the Action B.C. norms for flexibility, the Kuntzelman method for determining percent body fat, the Health Hazard Appraisal and the Tennessee Self Concept Scale. Adherence data was collected on self reported progress charts and analyzed by the use of the Chi-square test of independence. The results indicated a significant improvement in the physical activity and physical fitness of the employee sample. There were no significant improvements in the lifestyle risk factors and self concept over the course of the study. As well, no significant differences were noted among the three groups in adherence and in the improvements in the dependent variables. Only three variables - predicted oxygen uptake, back extension and percent body fat - were considered appropriate for statistical analyses regarding high vs. low adherence due to the unequal number of subjects in the two groups and the large differences among cell variances. In these three variables, the high adherence participants showed a significant improvement over the low adherence participants. This trend was also noted in the other five variables inappropriate for statistical analyses. / Education, Faculty of / Kinesiology, School of / Graduate