Participants were 15 professional sailors, ranging in age from 23-49 years (M age = 35.9 years; SD = 7.4), who competed in the 2005/06 VOR. After receiving approval from the Temple University Institutional Review Board, the researcher recruited participants who were subsequently required to provide informed consent to participate in the study. Using a semi-structured interview format, face-to-face interviews were completed with three sailors in Miami, FL, and with nine sailors in Valencia, Spain (three interviews with individual participants, one interview with two participants, and a focus group with four participants). Three interviews were completed via telephone. All interviews were transcribed verbatim. Each transcript was then analysed through an inductive open coding process. Data analysis revealed nine major themes (Background, Skiffs on Steroids, Boat Breakdowns, Managing Self, Pressure, Tragedy, Extreme, Team, and Reflecting) with associated subthemes, and three dimensions (Resonance, Edgework, and Performance Capacities) with associated subdimensions. A framework for understanding the experiences of the sailors was conceived in the form of a model depicting the dimensions of resonance (a passion for adventure and the VOR in particular), edgework (a desire and ability to perform in high-risk, life threatening situations), and performance capacities (team, individual, and boat). The model suggests an interplay between the dimensions of edgework and resonance, against which is set the performance dimension. This study is the first to take a glimpse inside the experiences of professional ocean racing sailors who compete in fully crewed around-the-world races. Findings confirm the widely held belief that the VOR is an extreme and unique event in the world of sport. / Kinesiology

This dissertation presents an investigation of the place of the horse in Roman society, within the context of its roles as equus publicus, which derived ultimately from that of the cavalry mount, and race-horse. Consideration of the ceremonial role of the horse provides a clearer understanding of the value placed upon horses and horsemanship in the Roman world, thus permitting inferences to be drawn regarding the role played by the horse in the development of the equester ordo. Evidence is drawn from both literary and archaeological sources to shed light on the management and training of the horses of equestrian Rome. Chariot racing is also re-examined from the perspective of its equine players, and evidence is drawn from various sources to provide a more complete picture of the Roman horse-racing industry as a social structure. The importance of the racehorse in Roman society is examined and the symbolism of the victorious horse as represented in Roman art is discussed. / Classics & Modern European Languages / M.A. (Ancient Languages and Cultures)

The growth and development of sport in Co. Tipperary, 1840 to 1880, was promoted and supported by the landed elite and military officer classes. In the instances of cricket, rugby union and association football, the military were the principle agency through which these sports were disseminated among the people of Tipperary. Sporting trends which were fashionable in Great Britain also became evident in Ireland, and by extension, Tipperary. The thesis demonstrates the emergence of these sports at a micro-level in Tipperary and the qualitative research is indicative of the trends by which they became apparent. The degree to which horse racing and hunting to hounds became an integral aspect of the social lives of the elite class is reflected countywide. The associational culture among this class became evident in summer time recreations most notably archery, lawn tennis and cricket. Cricket was the one sport which was quickly diffused throughout the sporting community of Tipperary as it became, in the 1870s, the most prolific team sport in the county and played by all classes. Sport took place without borders and to this end patronage was a key element of this support. There were some notable supporters who gave of their time and money to ensure that the best resources were in place to bring this about. In this respect the 3rd Marquis of Waterford was a leading figure. The thesis clearly shows that sporting diversions continued through the traumatic famine period. As everyday life continued, so too did recreational sport. Hurling remained a part of Tipperary life and the research identifies new sources to demonstrate this. The growth and evolution of sport in Co. Tipperary, 1840-1880, is put into context with comparable studies in Ireland and Great Britain as the Victorian penchant for sport manifested itself in this part of rural Ireland.

A dose response relationship between carbohydrate (CHO) ingestion and exercise performance has not been consistently reported. Additionally the underlying metabolic and neuromuscular explanations for an improvement in performance with increasing doses of CHO have not been fully explained. In Chapter 2 of this thesis 20 male cyclists completed 2 h of submaximal exercise followed by a time trial task (531 ± 48KJ). Three CHO electrolyte beverages, plus a control (water), were administered during a 2 h ride providing 0, 20, 39 or 64 g CHO·h-1 at a fluid intake rate of 1 L·h-1. Performance was assessed by time to complete the time trial task, mean power output sustained, and pacing strategy used. Mean task completion time (min:sec ± SD) for 39 g·h-1 (34:19.5 ± 03:07.1, p=0.006) and 64 g·h-1 (34:11.3 ± 03:08.5 p=0.004) of CHO were significantly faster than control (37:01.9 ± 05:35.0). The mean percentage improvement from control was -6.1% (95% CI: -11.3 to -1.0) and -6.5% (95% CI: -11.7 to -1.4) in the 39 and 64 g·h-1 trials respectively. The 20 g·h-1 (35:17.6 ± 04:16.3) treatment did not reach statistical significance compared to control (p = 0.126) despite a mean improvement of -3.7% (95% CI -8.8 to 1.5%). These data demonstrate that consuming CHO at a rate between 39 to 64 g·h-1 is likely to be optimal for most individuals looking to utilise a single source CHO as an ergogenic aid during endurance performances lasting less than 3 hrs. Attempts have been made to try and understand the acute metabolic regulation that occurs when ingesting increasing amounts of CHO. However, no one study has fully investigated the metabolic mechanisms underlying graded increments of CHO ingestion. In Chapter 3 we aimed to utilise stable isotopes and blood metabolite profiles to examine the integrated physiological responses to CHO ingestion when ingested at rates throughout the range where performance gains appear greatest. Twenty well-trained male cyclists completed 2 h constant load ride (95% lactate threshold, 185 ± 25W) where one of three CHO beverages, or a control (water), were administered every 15 min, providing participants with 0, 20, 39 or 64 g CHO·h-1 at a fixed fluid intake rate of 1L·h-1. Dual glucose tracer techniques (6,6,2H2 glucose and U13C labelled glucose) were used to determine glucose kinetics and exogenous carbohydrate oxidation (EXO) during exercise. Endogenous CHO contribution was suppressed in the second hour of exercise when consuming 39 and 64 g·h-1 in comparison to 0 g·h-1 (-7.3%, 95%CI: -13.1 to -1.6 and -11.2%, 95%CI: -16.9 to -5.5 respectively). Additionally, consuming 64 g·h-1 suppressed the endogenous CHO contribution by -7.2% (95%CI: -1.5 to -13.0) compared to the 20 g·h-1 treatment. Exogenous CHO oxidation rate increased by 0.13 g·min-1 (95%CI: 0.10 to 0.15) and 0.29 g·min-1 (95%CI: 0.27 to 0.31) when consuming 39 and 64 g·h-1 in comparison to 20 g·h-1 of CHO. Peak exogenous CHO oxidation rates were 0.34 (0.06), 0.54 (0.09) and 0.78 (0.19) g·min-1 for 20, 39 and 64 g·h-1 respectively. Plasma NEFA concentration was 0.10 (95%CI: 0.07 to 0.13), 0.12 (95%CI: 0.10 to 0.16) and 0.16 (95%CI: 0.13 to 0.19) mmol.L-1 higher when consuming 0 g·h-1 in comparison to 20, 39 and 64 g·h-1 respectively. Both 39 and 64 g·h-1 were effective at sparing endogenous CHO stores of which it is estimated that most of this is liver glycogen sparing, but the measured response was highly variable between individuals. Consuming 39 g·h-1 of CHO appears to be the minimum ingestion rate required to have a significant metabolic effect that results in an increase in performance. Recent research has indicated a key role of endogenous CHO sensing and oral glucose sensing in maintaining central drive and peripheral function during endurance exercise tasks. Consuming 39 and 64 g·h-1 of CHO elicits the greatest improvements in performance and also demonstrate a similar metabolic response. The improvement in subsequent time trial performance when consuming 39 and 64 g·h-1 coincided with significant alterations in whole body substrate usage that lead to endogenous CHO sparing at the same ingestion rates. In Chapter 4 we aimed to utilise gold standard neuromuscular function assessment techniques, alongside novel measures, to investigate the effect of consuming different rates of CHO on neuromuscular function during and following prolonged cycling exercise. In a double-blind, randomised cross-over design, well-trained male cyclists (n=20, mean±SD, age 34 ± 10 y, mass 75.8 ± 9 kg, peak power output 394 ± 36 W, V̇O2max 62 ± 9 ml·kg-1·min-1) completed 2 familiarisation trials then 4 experimental trials. Trials involved a 2 h submaximal ride followed by a high intensity time trial task lasting approx. 35 min with each of 0, 20, 39 and 64 g·h-1 CHO ingestion rates during submaximal exercise. Each trial involved pre and post exercise assessments (MVC, Mwave twitch potentiation and force, motor unit recruitment and firing rate assessment using high density EMG) and during exercise (gross EMG amplitude). MVC peak torque values were reduced post exercise by -20.4 nM (95%CI: -26.5 to -14.4) in comparison to pre value on all trials with no differences between trials. The firing rates of early recruited motor units significantly increased by 1.55 pps (95%CI: 0.51 to 2.59) following exercise in comparison to pre-exercise rates. Gross EMG during the 2 h cycling bout revealed a main effect of treatment (p<0.01) but post hoc comparisons provided no clarity and likely reflect methodological issues. Consuming CHO at ingestion rates between 20 and 64 g·h-1 had little to no impact on the neuromuscular function of well-trained cyclists when comparing pre and post fatiguing exercise values. Despite differences in time trial completion time between trials, following exercise to fatigue in an endurance task, no post exercise differences were detected.

L’objet de la thèse est de traiter de la compétition automobile comme enjeu opérationnel pour l’entreprise publique française. Elle montre la part respective des impératifs de recherche-développement, de parrainage, puis sponsoring, de recherche d’une image de marque, de marketing et de maximisation des ventes. Elle démontre le rôle moteur des pétroliers, Shell-Berre d’abord, puis, sous l’impulsion gaullienne représentée par Pierre Guillaumat, le groupe Elf ERAP, dont ce dernier était le PDG. Ce ne fut qu’à partir de l’arrivée de Bernard Hanon, directeur général, puis PDG, au début des années 1980, que la Régie Renault prit le leadership en ce domaine. En effet, sous la pression de la crise de l’énergie et de l’opinion, Elf Aquitaine, dirigée par Albin Chalendon, s’éloigna de la compétition automobile au profit de la voile. / The purpose of the thesis is to treat motor racing as an operational issue for the French public company. It shows the respective roles of research and development, sponsorship, sponsoring, branding, marketing and sales maximization. It demonstrates the driving role of the biggest oil companies, Shell-Berre first, then, under the Gaullist impetus represented by Pierre Guillaumat, the Elf ERAP group, of which the latter was the CEO. It was not until the arrival of Bernard Hanon, general manager, then CEO, in the early 1980s, that the Régie Renault took the leadership in this area. Indeed, under the pressure of the crisis of energy and opinion, Elf Aquitaine, led by Albin Chalendon, moved away from the motor racing in favor of sailing.

In Marked Men: Sport and Masculinity in Victorian Popular Culture, 1866-1904 I examine the representation of the figure of the Victorian sportsman in different areas of nineteenth-century popular culture – newspapers, spectacular melodrama, and series detective fiction – and how these depictions register diverse incarnations of this figure, demonstrating a discomfort with, and anxiety about, the way in which the sporting experience after the Industrial Revolution influenced gender ideology, specifically that related to ideas of manliness. Far from simply celebrating the modern experience of sport as one that works to produce manly men, coverage in the Victorian press of sporting events such as the 1869 Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race, spectacular melodramas by Dion Boucicault, and series detective fiction by Arthur Conan Doyle and Arthur Morrison, all recognize that the relationship between men and modern sport is a complex, if fraught one; it produces men who are “marked” in a variety of ways by their sporting experience. This recognition is at the heart of our own understandings of this relationship in the twenty-first century. / Thesis (Ph.D, English) -- Queen's University, 2012-08-01 15:16:09.384

This dissertation presents an investigation of the place of the horse in Roman society, within the context of its roles as equus publicus, which derived ultimately from that of the cavalry mount, and race-horse. Consideration of the ceremonial role of the horse provides a clearer understanding of the value placed upon horses and horsemanship in the Roman world, thus permitting inferences to be drawn regarding the role played by the horse in the development of the equester ordo. Evidence is drawn from both literary and archaeological sources to shed light on the management and training of the horses of equestrian Rome. Chariot racing is also re-examined from the perspective of its equine players, and evidence is drawn from various sources to provide a more complete picture of the Roman horse-racing industry as a social structure. The importance of the racehorse in Roman society is examined and the symbolism of the victorious horse as represented in Roman art is discussed. / Classics and Modern European Languages / M.A. (Ancient Languages and Cultures)

Habituellement décrite dans les états maniaques chez des patients présentant un trouble bipolaire, la tachypsychie est définie comme une accélération de la pensée qui peut également être observée dans les états dépressifs mixtes. Pour évaluer les mécanismes psychopathologiques impliqués dans ce phénomène peu étudié, nous avons élaboré un auto-questionnaire, le Racing and Crowded Thoughts Questionnaire (RCTQ), et nous avons évalué ses propriétés psychométriques chez les sujets sains et chez les patients avec trouble bipolaire. Les mécanismes cognitifs ont été investigués par le biais d’approches temporelles et langagières. Nos résultats suggèrent que la tachypsychie est un phénomène composite présent même chez les sujets sains en cas d’instabilité mineure de l’humeur. Sur le plan cognitif, la tachypsychie a été associée à la présence d’anomalies lexico-sémantiques et exécutives relevées à des tâches de fluence verbale ainsi qu’à une accélération du passage du temps. / Racing thoughts have been traditionally described in manic states in patients with bipolar disorder. Recently, attention has been raised to this symptom in depressive episodes. In this thesis, we aimed at investigating the phenomenology of racing thoughts, a phenomenon that has been understudied so far, via a self-report questionnaire that we have developed – the Racing and Crowded Thoughts Questionnaire (RCTQ) -, in patients with bipolar disorder and in healthy individuals. From a cognitive standpoint, we assessed the cognitive underpinnings of racing thoughts via temporal and verbal fluency tasks. Our results suggest that racing thoughts are a multi-faceted phenomenon, that can be observed even in healthy individuals with mild affective instability. Importantly, our results show that racing thoughts are associated with lexico-semantic and executive abnormalities as well as with a feeling of faster than usual passage of time.

A análise da concentração de metabólitos no sangue pode refletir o comportamento metabólico durante o exercício físico. O presente estudo teve por objetivo analisar o comportamento eletroquímico e do distúrbio ácido-básico de praticantes de Parkour, durante a realização de um percurso que utilizou movimentos fundamentais desta modalidade. Foram avaliados 23 praticantes de Parkour do sexo masculino, com idade média de 21,4±2,7 anos, com no mínimo dois anos de experiência na modalidade. Foram realizadas cinco coletas de sangue capilar da polpa digital dos dedos da mão, em diferentes momentos: (1) repouso, (2) após aquecimento, (3) logo após o esforço, (4) após cinco minutos e (5) após dez minutos. Foi realizado um percurso usando movimentos fundamentais da modalidade para caracterizar o esforço. A amostra foi analisada utilizando o aparelho de gasometria GEM Premier 3000, utilizando os parâmetros pH, Na+, K+, pH, lactato e HCO3−. Os valores de pH, lactato e HCO3− apresentaram diferença significativa (p<0,05) na maioria dos momentos analisados. Os valores de Ca2+, Na+, K+ apresentaram diferença significativa após o esforço, e uma rápida recuperação após cinco e dez minutos, quando comparados com os valores de referência. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram uma adaptação fisiológica dos eletrólitos, com rápida recuperação aos valores de referência. As alterações dos valores do pH, lactato e HCO3− identificam a utilização de vias anaeróbias para a produção de energia, assim como uma evidente acidose metabólica após o esforço. Os valores obtidos são similares a atletas de alto rendimento, principalmente de modalidades de força e velocidade. O presente estudo contribuiu para o entendimento do comportamento eletroquímico e do equilíbrio ácido-básico da modalidade Parkour, preenchendo assim uma lacuna na literatura. / The analysis of the blood metabolites can show the metabolic behavior during physical exercises. This study aimed to analyze the electrochemical and acid base disorders behavior in Parkour athlets, during an exercise routine that used basic movements of this particular sport. Twenty three male athletes (average of 21,4±2,7 years old) with a minimum of two years of experience in Parkour were evaluated. The capillary blood was collected through the fingers in five diferent moments: (1) rest, (2) after warm-up, (3) after exercise, (4) five minutes later and (5) ten minutes later. A course using basic Parkour movements was used as reference. The samples were analyzed by the gasometric equipment GEM Premier 3000. The variables pH, sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), calcium (Ca2+), lactate and bicarbonate (HCO3−) were used. The pH, lactate and HCO3− showed significant variation (p<0,05) in most of the analyzed moments. Ca2+, Na+ and K+ values showed significant difference right after the exercise and a fast recovery after five and ten minutes when compared to the reference values. Results showed a physiological adaptation of electrolytes with a fast recovery back to the reference values. The values of pH, lactate e HCO3− present an anaerobic system usage, as well as a clear metabolic acidosis post exercise. The values obtained in this study are similar to high performance athletes values, mostly in strength and speed modalities. This study contributes to the understanding of the eletrochemical and acid-basic disorders behavior of Parkour athletes, filling a gap in the literature.

A análise da concentração de metabólitos no sangue pode refletir o comportamento metabólico durante o exercício físico. O presente estudo teve por objetivo analisar o comportamento eletroquímico e do distúrbio ácido-básico de praticantes de Parkour, durante a realização de um percurso que utilizou movimentos fundamentais desta modalidade. Foram avaliados 23 praticantes de Parkour do sexo masculino, com idade média de 21,4±2,7 anos, com no mínimo dois anos de experiência na modalidade. Foram realizadas cinco coletas de sangue capilar da polpa digital dos dedos da mão, em diferentes momentos: (1) repouso, (2) após aquecimento, (3) logo após o esforço, (4) após cinco minutos e (5) após dez minutos. Foi realizado um percurso usando movimentos fundamentais da modalidade para caracterizar o esforço. A amostra foi analisada utilizando o aparelho de gasometria GEM Premier 3000, utilizando os parâmetros pH, Na+, K+, pH, lactato e HCO3−. Os valores de pH, lactato e HCO3− apresentaram diferença significativa (p<0,05) na maioria dos momentos analisados. Os valores de Ca2+, Na+, K+ apresentaram diferença significativa após o esforço, e uma rápida recuperação após cinco e dez minutos, quando comparados com os valores de referência. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram uma adaptação fisiológica dos eletrólitos, com rápida recuperação aos valores de referência. As alterações dos valores do pH, lactato e HCO3− identificam a utilização de vias anaeróbias para a produção de energia, assim como uma evidente acidose metabólica após o esforço. Os valores obtidos são similares a atletas de alto rendimento, principalmente de modalidades de força e velocidade. O presente estudo contribuiu para o entendimento do comportamento eletroquímico e do equilíbrio ácido-básico da modalidade Parkour, preenchendo assim uma lacuna na literatura. / The analysis of the blood metabolites can show the metabolic behavior during physical exercises. This study aimed to analyze the electrochemical and acid base disorders behavior in Parkour athlets, during an exercise routine that used basic movements of this particular sport. Twenty three male athletes (average of 21,4±2,7 years old) with a minimum of two years of experience in Parkour were evaluated. The capillary blood was collected through the fingers in five diferent moments: (1) rest, (2) after warm-up, (3) after exercise, (4) five minutes later and (5) ten minutes later. A course using basic Parkour movements was used as reference. The samples were analyzed by the gasometric equipment GEM Premier 3000. The variables pH, sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), calcium (Ca2+), lactate and bicarbonate (HCO3−) were used. The pH, lactate and HCO3− showed significant variation (p<0,05) in most of the analyzed moments. Ca2+, Na+ and K+ values showed significant difference right after the exercise and a fast recovery after five and ten minutes when compared to the reference values. Results showed a physiological adaptation of electrolytes with a fast recovery back to the reference values. The values of pH, lactate e HCO3− present an anaerobic system usage, as well as a clear metabolic acidosis post exercise. The values obtained in this study are similar to high performance athletes values, mostly in strength and speed modalities. This study contributes to the understanding of the eletrochemical and acid-basic disorders behavior of Parkour athletes, filling a gap in the literature.