In July of 1986, we seeded buffelgrass, klein grass, "Catalina" lovegrass, "Cochise" lovegrass, bottlebrush, and sideoats grama grass on retired farmland in the Avra Valley west of Tucson. We seeded these grasses under three irrigation regimes: no establishment irrigation, two establishment irrigations, and four establishment irrigations. In measurements of the standing forage in 1987 -90, four establishment irrigations significantly increased the standing forage over the unirrigated treatments. However, the two irrigation treatment was not significantly different from either four irrigations or no irrigations. Buffelgrass, klein grass, and the lovegrasses appear to be promising species for vegetative cover for this site. We have also measured significant increases in the standing forage over the last four years.

La problématique de cette thèse prend sa source dans des données actuelles qui montrent la rapidité et l'intensité du vieillissement populationnel, ce qui génère une augmentation du nombre absolu d’aînés dans la population. De pair avec l’augmentation du nombre d’aînés, de nos jours, grâce aux progrès médicaux et scientifiques, plus d’aînés sont en bonne santé et cela même chez les nonagénaires. Ce panorama peut faire en sorte que plus d’aînés restent actifs, même après la retraite. Dans ce contexte, il est souhaitable de mettre à la disposition des individus des moyens afin d’encourager le vieillissement actif, dont l’apprentissage tout au long de la vie se démarque comme le principal pilier. D’une façon générale, les représentations sociales de la vieillesse et des aînés dans le contexte occidental contemporain sont souvent liées au déclin physique et cognitif. Lorsque le déclin est associé à la vieillesse, l’apprentissage pendant cette phase de la vie peut paraître impossible. La façon par laquelle l’apprentissage chez les aînés est représenté peut influencer l’accès de ces derniers aux activités d’apprentissage, ce qui peut avoir des retombées sur le vieillissement actif. La perspective intergénérationnelle de cette thèse se justifie notamment par l’augmentation des rapports intergénérationnels dans tous les contextes sociaux pour les années à venir. La présente étude a comme objectif général de dégager les représentations sociales de l’apprentissage chez les aînés selon une perspective intergénérationnelle. Les objectifs spécifiques consistent à : 1) Décrire la variété des représentations sociales de l’apprentissage chez les aînés parmi des populations étudiantes d’âges variés, 2) Analyser la distribution des représentations sociales de l’apprentissage chez les aînés, en fonction des catégories sociodémographiques (sexe, âge, niveau de scolarité et intervalle de revenu individuel), 3) Identifier d’éventuelles traces d’âgisme à l’intérieur des représentations de l’apprentissage chez les aînés, 4) Comprendre le lien entre les représentations sociales de l’apprentissage chez les aînés et l’âgisme. La présente recherche a un devis mixte et transversal. Les résultats révèlent l’existence de sept représentations de l’apprentissage chez les aînés : R1 (Les ainés ont besoin de plus de soutien pour apprendre que les jeunes), R2 (Les ainés sont plus autonomes dans l'apprentissage), R3 (Il est impossible que les jeunes et les aînés apprennent ensemble), R4 (La société n'encourage pas l’engagement des aînés dans des activités d’apprentissage), R5 (Les stratégies et le sens de l'apprentissage des jeunes et des aînés sont différents), R6 (Les jeunes et les aînés ont les mêmes capacités d'apprentissage) et R7 (L'acte d’apprendre est productif et lié à la jeunesse), qui obtiennent des degrés d’adhésion divers au sein de la population. Nous observons des associations significatives entre certaines représentations sociales de l’apprentissage chez les aînés et l’âge, le niveau de scolarité et le revenu individuel. Les résultats mettent aussi en lumière les représentations de l’apprentissage chez les jeunes qui sont fortement associées à l’insertion et au maintien dans une vie productive au travail, alors que le sens de l’apprentissage pendant la vieillesse est davantage associé à la quête d’épanouissement personnel. C’est ainsi que l’apprentissage informel finit par être considéré comme étant la modalité d’apprentissage la plus fréquente pendant la vieillesse. L’avancement des connaissances généré par la présente thèse peut contribuer : 1) À la mise en œuvre et à l’amélioration des activités d’apprentissage qui ont comme cible la population aînée, ce qui peut stimuler l’engagement de cette population à des activités d’apprentissage, 2) À la promotion du vieillissement actif, même indirectement, 3) À la réduction de l’âgisme envers les aînés et 4) À l’augmentation de la compréhension de la dynamique établie entre les générations.

Osteoporosis, through its association with age-related fracture, is a major public health concern worldwide. Although osteoporosis was once considered a disease of the elderly, it is now recognized as a condition that has childhood antecedents. The capacity of bone to adapt is the greatest before puberty because of a higher rate of modeling and remodeling. Therefore, the amount of bone gained during childhood and adolescence has the potential to impact lifetime skeletal health. Children who participate in greater amounts of physical activity have greater bone mineral accrual in adolescence as well as a greater peak bone mass in young adulthood. Structured impact loading during growth also positively influences bone parameters. However, the intensity, duration and frequency of loading that is required to elicit skeletal benefits are not well established. Furthermore, although structured physical activity during growth has been hypothesized to delay or prevent the risk of osteoporosis and related fracture later in life there is no clear evidence of a persisting benefit once the loading stimulus has been removed. Therefore, the objective of this thesis was to investigate low-level impact loading during growth and skeletal development as well as to determine the influence of the withdrawal of the loading stimulus on adult bone parameters. Two studies were necessary to realize this objective. The findings should help to determine whether adolescent and adult bone health benefits from structured physical activity during growth. If this is found to be the case then structured gymnastic activity could be promoted as an effective means to optimize adult bone mass, structure and estimated strength.<p> Study 1: The purpose of study one was to investigate whether the differences previously reported in the skeleton of competitive female gymnasts (high level gymnastics exposure) are also demonstrated in young children with a current or past participation history in recreational or precompetitive gymnastics (low level gymnastics exposure). One hundred and sixty three children (30 gymnasts, 61 ex-gymnasts, and 72 non-gymnasts) between 4 and 6 years of age were recruited and measured annually for four years. Total body (TB), lumbar spine (LS) and femoral neck (FN) bone mineral content (BMC) was measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at each measurement occasion. Bone mass, density, structure and estimated strength was determined using peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) at the radius and tibia during the third measurement occasion. Multilevel random effects models were constructed and used to predict differences in TB, LS and FN BMC between groups while controlling for differences in body size, physical activity and diet. Analysis of covariance (covariates of sex, age and height) was used to investigate differences in bone content, density, area, and estimated strength at the radius and tibia. Gymnasts had 3% more TB and 7% more FN BMC than children participating in other recreational sports at the fourth measurement occasion (p<0.05). Gymnasts were also found have 6-25% greater adjusted BMC, volumetric bone mineral density and estimated strength at the distal radius compared to non-gymnasts (p<0.05). These findings suggest that recreational and precompetitive gymnastics participation (low level gymnastics exposure) is associated with greater bone parameters. This is important as beginner gymnastics skills are attainable by most children and do not require a high level of training. Low-level gymnastics skills can easily be integrated into school physical education programs potentially impacting skeletal health.<p> Study 2: The purpose of study 2 was to assess whether the previously reported greater bone mineral content in premenarcheal gymnasts was maintained 10 years after the cessation of participation and removal of the gymnastics loading stimulus. In 1995, thirty elite premenarcheal female gymnasts were recruited into a study investigating the role of high impact physical activity on bone mass in childhood and compared to 30 non-gymnasts. In 2009-2010 gymnasts and non-gymnasts (n=60) were re-contacted and 25 retired gymnasts and 22 non-gymnasts consented to participate. Total body, LS, and FN BMC was assessed at both measurement occasions by DXA. Bone geometric and densitometric parameters were measured by pQCT at the radius and tibia in 2009/10. ANCOVA was used to compare gymnasts and non-gymnasts bone parameters while controlling for differences in age, body composition and maturation. Gymnasts had significantly greater size adjusted TB, LS, and FN BMC (15, 17, and 12%, respectively) at 12 years of age (1995) (p<0.05). At follow-up, retired gymnasts also had significantly greater size adjusted TB, LS, and FN BMC (13, 19 and 13%, respectively) (p<0.05). Furthermore, retired female gymnasts had greater bone area, content and estimated strength at the radius and greater BMC and estimated strength at the tibia compared to non-gymnasts (p<0.05). Premenarcheal gymnasts have bone benefits that were apparent in adulthood after long-term removal of the gymnastics loading stimulus. Low level gymnastics exposure was associated with greater bone parameters in childhood. If these benefits can be maintained, as is suggested in retired competitive gymnasts, recreational gymnastics participation has the potential to positively impact lifetime skeletal health.

Osteoporosis, through its association with age-related fracture, is a major public health concern worldwide. Although osteoporosis was once considered a disease of the elderly, it is now recognized as a condition that has childhood antecedents. The capacity of bone to adapt is the greatest before puberty because of a higher rate of modeling and remodeling. Therefore, the amount of bone gained during childhood and adolescence has the potential to impact lifetime skeletal health. Children who participate in greater amounts of physical activity have greater bone mineral accrual in adolescence as well as a greater peak bone mass in young adulthood. Structured impact loading during growth also positively influences bone parameters. However, the intensity, duration and frequency of loading that is required to elicit skeletal benefits are not well established. Furthermore, although structured physical activity during growth has been hypothesized to delay or prevent the risk of osteoporosis and related fracture later in life there is no clear evidence of a persisting benefit once the loading stimulus has been removed. Therefore, the objective of this thesis was to investigate low-level impact loading during growth and skeletal development as well as to determine the influence of the withdrawal of the loading stimulus on adult bone parameters. Two studies were necessary to realize this objective. The findings should help to determine whether adolescent and adult bone health benefits from structured physical activity during growth. If this is found to be the case then structured gymnastic activity could be promoted as an effective means to optimize adult bone mass, structure and estimated strength.<p> Study 1: The purpose of study one was to investigate whether the differences previously reported in the skeleton of competitive female gymnasts (high level gymnastics exposure) are also demonstrated in young children with a current or past participation history in recreational or precompetitive gymnastics (low level gymnastics exposure). One hundred and sixty three children (30 gymnasts, 61 ex-gymnasts, and 72 non-gymnasts) between 4 and 6 years of age were recruited and measured annually for four years. Total body (TB), lumbar spine (LS) and femoral neck (FN) bone mineral content (BMC) was measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at each measurement occasion. Bone mass, density, structure and estimated strength was determined using peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) at the radius and tibia during the third measurement occasion. Multilevel random effects models were constructed and used to predict differences in TB, LS and FN BMC between groups while controlling for differences in body size, physical activity and diet. Analysis of covariance (covariates of sex, age and height) was used to investigate differences in bone content, density, area, and estimated strength at the radius and tibia. Gymnasts had 3% more TB and 7% more FN BMC than children participating in other recreational sports at the fourth measurement occasion (p<0.05). Gymnasts were also found have 6-25% greater adjusted BMC, volumetric bone mineral density and estimated strength at the distal radius compared to non-gymnasts (p<0.05). These findings suggest that recreational and precompetitive gymnastics participation (low level gymnastics exposure) is associated with greater bone parameters. This is important as beginner gymnastics skills are attainable by most children and do not require a high level of training. Low-level gymnastics skills can easily be integrated into school physical education programs potentially impacting skeletal health.<p> Study 2: The purpose of study 2 was to assess whether the previously reported greater bone mineral content in premenarcheal gymnasts was maintained 10 years after the cessation of participation and removal of the gymnastics loading stimulus. In 1995, thirty elite premenarcheal female gymnasts were recruited into a study investigating the role of high impact physical activity on bone mass in childhood and compared to 30 non-gymnasts. In 2009-2010 gymnasts and non-gymnasts (n=60) were re-contacted and 25 retired gymnasts and 22 non-gymnasts consented to participate. Total body, LS, and FN BMC was assessed at both measurement occasions by DXA. Bone geometric and densitometric parameters were measured by pQCT at the radius and tibia in 2009/10. ANCOVA was used to compare gymnasts and non-gymnasts bone parameters while controlling for differences in age, body composition and maturation. Gymnasts had significantly greater size adjusted TB, LS, and FN BMC (15, 17, and 12%, respectively) at 12 years of age (1995) (p<0.05). At follow-up, retired gymnasts also had significantly greater size adjusted TB, LS, and FN BMC (13, 19 and 13%, respectively) (p<0.05). Furthermore, retired female gymnasts had greater bone area, content and estimated strength at the radius and greater BMC and estimated strength at the tibia compared to non-gymnasts (p<0.05). Premenarcheal gymnasts have bone benefits that were apparent in adulthood after long-term removal of the gymnastics loading stimulus. Low level gymnastics exposure was associated with greater bone parameters in childhood. If these benefits can be maintained, as is suggested in retired competitive gymnasts, recreational gymnastics participation has the potential to positively impact lifetime skeletal health.

No description available.

Female collegiate athletes have been identified as a group at risk of developing eating disorders (EDs) and unhealthy weight control behaviors. Interventions grounded in cognitive dissonance theory and those that incorporate mindfulness-based interventions have shown improved body image and reductions in internalization and ED symptomatology over time in female non-athletes. However, few studies have examined the efficacy of intervention programs among female athletes, and, despite early promising results, previous research has been limited in several ways (e.g., methodology, small sample size). The purpose of this study was to conduct a long-term (i.e., three years) qualitative follow-up evaluation of Bodies in Motion (BIM), an ED prevention program developed specifically to acknowledge the unique experience and needs of female athletes with respect to their bodies as women and athletes. Results indicate that, similar to their initial experiences, now-retired athletes reported increased awareness of sport and societal messages and their impact on body image, shifted perspectives in their view of themselves and their bodies, and ongoing use of skills to manage body image in their lives. Further, with the passage of time, athletes continued to report a positive experience in the program and the utility of Bodies in Motion as they navigated challenging life transitions. These results indicate that the Bodies in Motion program has long-term benefits for female collegiate athletes consistent with program aims, even as athletes transition out of their sports.

No description available.

For the past two decades pension funds, and more specifically teacher pension funds, have experienced a rapid growth and an increased importance in the national and regional economies of the United States. The primary purpose of this study was to provide a descriptive examination of the legislative changes in the 50 state teacher retirement systems and the h relationship of these changes with selected state demographic variables over the fifteen-year period of time from July 1, 1969, to June 30, 1984. The research questions that guided this study were: 1) What are the existing characteristics of the 50 states; teachers retirement systems and selected state demographic variables? 2) What are the changes over a 15-year period of time of the 50 states; teacher retirement systems and selected state demographic variables? 3) What are the projected changes in the 50 teacher retirement systems? 4) What are the relationships between the following pairs of variables; a) change in retirement systems and change in state . variables, b) change in state variables and projected change in retirement systems, c) changes in retirement systems and projected changes in retirement systems, d) current retirement systems and projected change in retirement systems, and e) current demographic variables and projected changes in retirement systems? A survey instrument, designed to statistically explore the relationship of selected demographic characteristics with legislative changes in the 50 teacher retirement systems, over the fifteen-year period of time was administered nationally. The population for this study was the 50 state teacher retirement systems. Selected individuals representing systems were surveyed for specific factual information. The rate response from the 50 states was 100%. Statistical methods used to classify and summarize the numerical data were cross-tabulations and frequencies. Pearson r and Spearman Rho correlation statistics were used to determine relationships between pairs of variables. / Ed. D. / incomplete_metadata

We examined military retirement. We sought to determine if preretirement planning, having knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) that are readily transferable, and being committed to, and/or identifying with, the Navy would affect the retirement satisfaction and adjustment of a retired naval officers sample. Results indicated that both planning and transferability influenced retirement satisfaction and adjustment, while organizational commitment and identification did not. Implications of our findings, as well as a brief overview of some general retirement issues are included.

This study attempted to determine the amount of time spent on nonpaid daily activities by retired people and to identify management problems encountered while performing daily activities. Time use data were collected by daily records completed by the subjects. Variables examined were age, sex, health, education, level of income, and living arrangements. Age and sex were related to total time spent on household activities and family care. Those in the oldest age group spent the least amount of time on household activities and family care and men spent less time than women on these activities. Health, living arrangements, income, and transportation were identified as management problems. These problems were not incapacitating and most elderly were able to live independently at home.