There is now national and international evidence which indicates that those who have higher educational qualifications are more likely to be present-day and future sport participants than those who leave education once they reach the minimum school-leaving age. In Britain, despite significant government policy and financial investment in interventions designed to boost youth sport participation alongside other favourable trends, including a doubling in the proportion of students entering higher education (HE) since the 1980s, the rates of sport participation among the general population, including young people, have remained relatively static. This is particularly significant for, if attending HE does indeed help explain why university students are more likely to become present-day sport participants and remain sports-active into later life, then one might have expected to observe increases in participation by young people and adults over the last three decades or so. Since this has not happened, definitive conclusions about whether there is a HE effect on sport participation and, if so, what this effect/these effects are, cannot yet be drawn. The central objective of this study, therefore, was to explore this apparent paradox by analysing the development of 124 20-25-year-old undergraduate students’ present-day sport and leisure participation via a retrospective analysis of their sport and leisure careers. The study employed a cross-sectional, mixed methods, research design incorporating structured and semi-structured interviews held at two universities in England between March and July 2011. The findings indicated that the two clearest predictors of differences in the present-day sport participation and sport careers of university students were subject of study and sex, with sport students and males being the most likely participants over the life course and whilst at university. These differences first emerged during childhood, widened from age 12-13-years-old, and remained relatively set from age 16 onwards. The differences in the present-day sport participation of university students, and the richness of their overall sport careers, could thus not be attributed to a ‘HE effect’ as previous research has suggested. It was during childhood, rather than youth, when the preconditions required for constructing short- or longer-term sport (and leisure) careers were formed. The differential childhood socialization practices students’ experienced played a crucial role in the development of sporting habituses and dispositions within their unfolding networks (or figurations) which provided the foundations upon which present-day inequalities in participation were based. In this regard, the assumed contribution attending HE has previously been expected to make to students’ current and future sport participation appears to have been over-stated, and in so doing diverted attention from other processes associated with the inequalities that underlie students’ differential engagement in sport. It seemed that the context of university did little to promote overall levels of student participation, the numbers of sports they played, and the facilities they used. At best, attending HE may have simply delayed the drop-out from sport among those with already established and longer-running sport careers prior to attending university. In this regard, the present focus on raising sport participation among 14-25-year-olds by various sports organizations and facilitators would appear misguided and perhaps doomed to failure, for the evidence of this study suggests that a more appropriate focal point for policy interventions concerned with boosting longer-term participation is not with youth, but with children.

The purpose of this study was threefold. Primarily it was to identify the underlying motivational influences determining why mature age men and women continue playing sport competitively, long after they have reached their peak performance level. Secondly, the study sought to ascertain whether there was a change in specific temperament attributes, such as competitiveness, as Squash players became older, and whether any changes were restricted primarily to the sporting environment, or did changes pervade other areas ofthe individuals' lives. The third purpose of the study was to design a new measurement instrument for use in effectively identifying the primary motivations of mature age squash participants within Australia. The research study comprised a multi-system methodology which allowed for triangulation analysis of results. It involved both quantitative and qualitative methodological approaches, with four phases of investigation. The first phase focused on the development of a new motivation measurement instrument, titled Masters Sport Motivation Inventory (MSMI). The second phase involved a Pilot study aimed at implementing the MSMI instrument and evaluating it for validity and reliability, and sampled mature-age participants from nine different sports. The outcomes ofthe Pilot study demonstratedvalidityandreliability ofthe MSMI instrument. The third phase ofthe research comprised the main area ofinvestigation, which was to examine the motivations of Masters squash players in Australia. It used the MSMI instrument to obtain relevant data concerning the motivation of this cohort of sports competitors.The fourth phase comprised in-depth personal interviews from Australian Masters squash players. Interviewees had the opportunity to provide a greater insight into the importance of continued sporting participation into their older adult years. The MSMI data for both the Pilot and Main studies was analysed with the SPSS 15 analysis program. It was determined that there were 12 logical and interpretable motivational factors that were relevant to mature-age sports people and Australian Masters squash players. The results of the quantitative approach generally concurred with the outcomes derived from previous research which has examined the motivations of mature-age athletes, which found that health, enjoyment, fitness and competitiveness were highly relevant motives. In addition, this study extended the outcomes to include other motives viewed as being important to older athletes' sporting aspirations, such as self-awareness, team, aesthetics, skill, stress, recognition, social, and travel, The interview information was examined in two ways. Firstly, it was examined manually by the researcher. The material obtained during the interview process was classified according to groups of responses with similarities in contextual meaning, and the descriptive response data were calculated in the form ofmanual frequencies and percentages. Winning was the primary motive/outcome. Interview responses were also examined via an analysis program called Leximancer, and results revealed that differences in responses among mature-age squash players based on gender, age-class and ability level were minimal. Interview results indicated that many Masters squash players in Australia were still highly competitive, still very determined to win their matches, and still very focused on their goals and game plans. The motives derived from the Masters squash players involved in the qualitative approach generally concurred with the outcomes derived from the quantitative approach, thereby adding consistency and outcome strength to the overall research. The opportunity for mature-age squash participants to elaborate on their feelings, sporting goals and motivations to continue playing their chosen sport enabled a greater depth and wealth ofrelevant information to be examined, and revealed a change in motivational emphasis from health and fitness issues to competitive and win-related issues. The results ofthis research as a whole, in relation to the outcomes obtained from the MSMI instrument, as well as from the personal interviews, differs somewhat from the philosophy of Masters sport, whereby it is assumed and promoted that older athletes primarily participate for fun, enjoyment and social opportunities. The results obtained in this research do not necessarily support this view. Many Australian Masters squash players play to win, and they give their all in an effort to achieve this goal and to reap the pleasure of recognition and rewards for doing so.

No description available.

This investigation was designed to determine if attitudinal differences toward involvement of females in athletic competitions existed between males when age, education, and sport backgrounds were considered. Subjects were 186 male employees of Air Products and Chemicals, Incorporated and the City of De Soto, Texas, and students at North Texas State University. A fifty-one item attitude inventory developed by the investigator was the instrument utilized in the study. Data were analyzed by a three-way analysis of variance. Conclusions of the study were that males of various ages, educational levels, and sport backgrounds do not differ in their attitudes and possess favorable opinions toward female sport participation, Males with nonactive sport backgrounds were more favorable than males with active-semiactive backgrounds when spectators at female sport events.

This dissertation presents two individual studies aimed at providing insight into the impacts and benefits of participation and involvement in an alternative sport. Thus, the purpose was to monitor and evaluate the authentic sport of quidditch, based on the Harry Potter franchise, and the governing body, the International Quidditch Association (IQA). In Study 1, through a grounded theory approach, I examined the impact and benefits on participants and determined similarities and differences to traditional sport activities. Findings suggest involvement with quidditch provided leadership skills, social gains, increased health and fitness, self-confidence and pride, along with a positive sporting experience, all of which have been recognized in more traditional sports. Further analysis revealed the grassroots component of the sport provided leadership opportunities that organized traditional sport often cannot provide. In Study 2, I furthered my exploration with the sport of quidditch through a grounded theory approach and examined the impact and benefits for volunteers who chose to work for the IQA. Findings suggested the unique atmosphere of quidditch was able to produce an environment that yielded positive impact on the volunteers. It was found that volunteering for the IQA resulted in two themes recognized as a precursor to social capital development: A positive experience within a sport setting and meeting new people and like-minded individuals. Two additional themes, satisfaction and pride, and enhanced job marketability and networking, were found to result in personal gain. As grounded theory methodology suggests, this study aimed to advance substantive theory in regards to alternative sport impact in an effort to assist in the development of formal theory. From a practical standpoint, this dissertation implies the importance of alternative sport endeavors in an effort to reach those whom normally might not be found on the field, court, or ice.

Adolescence is a crucial period for bone development and exercise can enhance bone acquisition during this period of life. However, there is a lack of scientific evidence on how different loading sports practiced during adolescence can affect bone development in males. The present thesis is part of the PRO-BONE study and aimed to investigate the cross-sectional and longitudinal effects of participation in football (osteogenic sport), swimming and cycling (non-osteogenic sports) on bone mass, bone geometry, texture and bone metabolism in adolescent males. An active control group has been included too. Additionally, the thesis examined the effect of a 9-month jumping intervention programme on bone outcomes in adolescent males involved these sports. Cross-sectional findings from Chapter 4 show that footballers have better bone status than swimmers, cyclists and controls (7 to 21 %), and that there are no differences between participants of non-osteogenic sports and controls. Chapter 5 identifies that lean mass is the strongest determinant of bone outcomes, followed by football participation and height in adolescent male athletes, whereas the contribution of the other predictors, such as nutrition, physical activity and fitness, is site specific. Longitudinal evidence in Chapters 6 and 7 show that bone mass (5 to 8 %) and geometry (4 to 10 %) is higher in adolescent male footballers compared to swimmers and cyclists after one year of sport specific training, and that there are no differences in bone development between non-osteogenic sports groups and controls. Chapters 8 and 9 indicate that a 9-month jumping intervention programme can improve bone outcomes only in male adolescents participating in swimming and cycling (4 to 13 %), but not in those engaged in football, while it can improve fitness outcomes in all 4 groups (4 to 8 %). Collectively, the present thesis contributes to the literature by providing novel evidence in adolescent male athletes on the effects of popular sports such as football, swimming and cycling on bone status and development, and that a jumping intervention programme can improve bone development in those involved in non-osteogenic sports.

A s instalações esportivas são apontadas como um dos fatores fundamentais para o desenvolvime nto do esporte nos países , e está relacionada com o envolvimento da população geral e m atividades físicas/esportivas. A gestão de instalações esportivas possui definição ampla, podendo referir se à gestão dos processos de construção de uma nova instalação (desde seu planejamento e concepção até a obra), como também todos os processos que en volvem seu funcionamento/operação. Apesar da importância que todos os processos de gestão possuem no funcionamento de uma instalação esportiva, há poucos estudos no Brasi l que analis e m e discutem o planejamento e a gestão de instalações esportivas , assim como normas nacionais e diretrizes para a gestão . Tendo em vista o crescimento da área de gestão do esporte no Brasil e a preocupação que se instalou no país acerca dos lo cai s voltados a prática esportiva , é relevante a reflexão a respeito da gestão adotada nas instalações esportivas volt adas ao esporte de participação no país e a construção de conhecimento sobre o tema . A partir do conhecimento análise e discussão dos pro cessos de gestão de instalações esportivas brasileiras , esta pesquisa teve como objetivo final elaborar um modelo que contemple os processos de gestão de instalações esportivas voltadas ao esporte de participação no Brasil. Para tanto conduziu se uma pesq uisa exploratória de abordagem qualitativa utilizando se o método Grounded Theory. Foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas com 18 sujeitos envolvidos com a gestão de instalações esportivas de 3 diferentes entidades, de diferentes níveis e cargos, seg uindo o processo iterativo de coleta. As entrevistas foram analisadas pelo método de comparação constante utilizando se a técnica de codificação aberta, axial e seletiva para categorização do conteúdo. Um pesquisador independente suportou a criação das cat egorias. O processo de análise resultou em 905 unidades de análise (trechos categorizados), 68 categorias e 40 subcategorias que emergiram dos dados , divididos em 10 dimensões ou áreas : Construção de Instalações Esportivas; Gestão Econômico Administrativa; Gestão de Pessoas; Gestão de Atividades/Programas Esportivos; Exploração da Instalação Esportiva; Marketing; Comunicação; Infraestrutura e Manutenção; Segurança e Gestão de Risco; e Serviços de Suporte . A partir dos resultados obtidos em campo e da compar ação e discussão deste com a literatura, foi possível apresentar como resultado final de sta Tese uma proposta de modelo que apresenta 115 processos de gestão detalhados associados à gestão de instalações esportivas voltadas prioritariamente à prática do es porte de participação / Sports facilities are considered as one of the fundamental factors for the sport development in the countries, and it is related to the involvement of the general population in physical / sports activities. The sports facilities management has a broad definition, and can refer to the management of the construction processes of a new facility (from its planning and design to the construction ), as well as all the proces ses that involve its operation . Despite the importance of all the management processes in the sport facility operation , there are few studies in Brazil that analyze and discuss the pla nning and sports facilities management as well as national norm s and guidelines for management . Considering the growth of the area of sport management in Brazil and the concern that has been established in the country about the places focused on sports p ractice, it is relevant to reflect on the management adopted in sports facilities focused on the sport participation in the country and construction of knowledge on the subject Based on the knowledge, analysis and discussion of the management processes of Brazilian sports facilities, this research aimed elaborate a model that contemplates the management processes of sports facilities focused on the sp ort of participation in Brazil. For that, an exploratory qualitative approach was conducted using the Groun ded Theory method. Semi structured interviews were conducted with 18 subjects involved in the sports facilities management of 3 different entities, at different levels and positions, following the iterative process. The interviews were analyzed by the cons tant comparison method using the open, axial and selective coding technique for content categorization. An independent researcher supported the categories creation . The analysis process resulted in 905 analysis units, 68 categories and 40 subcategories tha t emerge from data , divided into 10 dimensions or areas: Construction of Sports Facilities; Economic Administrative Management; Human Resources M anagement; Management of Activities / Sports Programs; Sport Facility Exploration ; Marketing; Communication; In frastructure and Maintenance; Security and Risk Management; and Support Services. From the results obtained in the field and the comparison and discussion of this with the literature, it was possible to present as a final result of this thesis a proposal m odel that presents 115 detailed management processes associated with the sports facilities management focused primarily on the p ractice of sports participation

The aim of this paper was to study what impact sports participation has on young people and how nonprofit people and representatives of sports associations work to counter exclusion and how they contribute to inclusion. We investigated if, and if so how, participation in sports and physical activities can generate inclusion and counteract exclusion for young people. In this study we have completed six qualitative interviews with non-profit persons and representatives of sports associations. We interviewed two people who work voluntarily in sports and four people who have a leadership role in sports associations in a specific municipality. This selection was made in order for us to get a broader picture of how the strategies of non-profit and associations might differ in practice regarding exclusion and inclusion for young people. Based on our respondents' answers from the interviews, we have identified four main themes; expectations and demands, the socialization arena, working methods and the negative and positive factors of sports. We analyzed these themes based on previous research and theory sections and to our purpose and issues. The main conclusion we made was that sport contributes to community, belonging, joy, exercise, reduced risk of physical and mental illnesses and facilitates the integration of newly immigrated youth. Our conclusion regarding negative factors with sports are that young people might develop some form of eating disorder, overload their bodies if they exercise too much and that the risks of getting physical injuries might increase if they participate in sports too much. In response to our last research question, it emerges that economy might be an exclusive factor that sport associations try to prevent in different ways. The associations and the working methods of the non-profit people differ in terms of generating inclusion and counteracting exclusion.

<p>Two studies explored the connections between physical activity, participation in structured open-skilled sports (e.g., soccer and basketball) and closed-skilled sports (e.g. running and swimming), and executive function (EF) among preschool-aged children. Study 1 included 197 preschool-aged children (mean age = 4.34 years, female = 48%, white = 83.5%). Study 2 included 1012 preschool-aged children (mean age = 51.59 months, white = 60.5%). Results from regression models indicated that parent-reported physical activity was not associated with direct assessments or parent reports of child EF (Studies 1 and 2). General sport participation was associated with one direct assessment (DCCS; Study 1), but was not associated with parent reports of child EF when controlling for physical activity (Studies 1 and 2); however, depending on the conceptualization of sport, some associations were significant. Future research is necessary to determine whether these associations exist when the constructs are conceptualized differently and when using different assessments. </p>

ABSTRACT The Development of an Online Interactive Resource for Enhancing Motivation in Swimmers Richard Judson Clark Research pertaining to motivation in athletics and the link that it has to continued participation in sport is widespread. Despite the resources available, adolescents continue to drop out of sports at alarming rates. The purpose of this project was to create an online tool and resource center to enhance motivation in swimmers that participate in a year-round swim program in San Luis Obispo, California. The development of the site http://athletenet.net was created based on research linked to the Self-Determination, Cognitive Evaluation, Reversal, and Achievement Goal Theories. Swimmers can login to the website to set a variety of goals including practice/technique goals, short-term goals, long-term goals, and dream goals. More importantly, swimmers have the option to share these goals with their coaches via the website. Additional features for swimmers include daily practice ratings, daily journals, team blog, and performance charts for practice and meet results. The tools that have been created for the swimmers on the website are based on research that supports an athlete-directed environment in which coaches empower their athletes to define their own success. Future research could include empirical studies in which researchers examine the extent to which these interactive tools enhance intrinsic motivation and decrease dropouts among swimmers.