It is well documented that students from low socioeconomic backgrounds face a significant degree of deficiencies in college opportunity. Previous researchers have shown an estimated 1 in 5 student athletes given the opportunity to compete at the college level come from low socioeconomic backgrounds and encounter more adjustment issues than other students because of the psychological barriers they face. Using Pearlin's theory of psychological distress and Selye's GAS as the foundation, this study explored the extent to which the difference between the perceived time needed and actual time spent in both sports and academic commitment predict psychological distress in first-year high-risk student athletes. Data were collected from 132 first-year high-risk student athletes via an online survey. The survey included Health & Human Service SES questionnaire, Sport and Academic Commitment Questionnaire, and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale. Multiple regression analysis revealed that sports commitment differences and academic differences were shown not to predict psychological distress. However, the results consistently showed the student athlete has time discrepancies with sport and academics and on average has moderate to severe psychological distress levels. The results are key to continuing the conversation of student athletes' psychological distress levels and establishing better interventions that specifically address the challenges of being a high-risk student athlete. If specific interventions target high-risk student athletes' mental health, they can be better served and more prepared to make the most of the college experience.

The purpose of this study was to examine the use of and attitudes toward social networking as a tool for use by NASCAR speedways and to gauge track perceptions on the effectiveness of social media as a marketing tool. Individual NASCAR tracks were surveyed (n=22, 84.6% response) to explore current track social media practices and the potential impact of social networking sites on NASCAR marketing and consumer relations. Results found that individual tracks as well as the two major ownership groups highly agreed about issues concerning the use of social media to increase sales and to develop fan bases. However, they also agree there are other marketing tactics that are still more effective than social media at this time.

Childhood obesity and physical inactivity are serious threats to the health and wellness of our schoolchildren. Research has shown that play and physical activity are important in development, behaviour and academic achievement. Through the efforts of coordinated school health program and a Physical Education for Progress grant, a county school system in a southern state was able to construct multiple innovative playground systems at schools and combine them with various academic units in a cross-curricular effort to address the wellness needs of students. Exploratory research using pedometers, accelerometers and an observation method examined physical activity intensity levels during cross-curricular sessions. Results indicated that this type of physical activity might be a viable supplement to daily school-based physical activity needs.

Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance is considered to be among the most complex real-time strategy games that exist today. I am testing whether or not players can gain meaningful strategic value through statistical analysis. In particular, I have focused my analysis on how players can redefine their path from their initial-state to their goal-state in one versus one games, how players can optimize their chance of winning through faction selection, and how players ought to evaluate balance in team games. Through regression analysis, I have concluded that there is potential for statistics to inform player behavior when it comes to each of these strategies.

Sponsorship is one of the main methods through which a number of companies perform marketing and advertising functions. Athletes can serve as brand ambassadors of various products which are believed to help increase sales and/or enhance the image of a firm. Although a lot of research has been done regarding the subject of how sponsorship announcements affect sponsoring companies, not much research is available regarding how non-economic events and individual performances affect sponsors in the short-run. This study hypothesized that ‘good news’ would cause positive abnormal returns while ‘bad news’ would cause negative abnormal returns for the sponsoring companies. A total of nine events relating to three athletes and ten sponsoring firms were analyzed. Although not many significant results were found, this study helped establish the idea that the temporary images of athletes and emotions related to athletes do not affect the financial markets in a large capacity. This study also lays out some further areas of research in the similar field.

This study explores the different perceptions of effectiveness among four constituent groups of stakeholders in Singapore national sports associations. The four groups are athletes, board members, coaches, and secretariat staff. The study applies a qualitative research methodology. It uses a focus group and semi-structured interviews across 25 national sports associations. The qualitative data is analysed using NVivo software to organise the data into general themes and as an aid in breaking the data into sub-themes. The four constituent groups discuss multi-faceted perceptions of effectiveness by providing varying interpretations, meanings, inferences, and relational issues depending on the roles they hold. While confirming multi-dimensional perceptions of effectiveness, the study uncovers three determinants of effectiveness that are not cited directly in the literature: communication, athlete management, and commitment and organisation of the management committee. The study suggests major tensions in terms of organisational and personal athlete outcomes. It also highlights the paramount importance of funding, both for sports development and the organisation's personnel staffing and systems. There is a symbiotic relationship between internal and external perceptions of influences on effective performance. The findings suggest constituent groups' perceptions of the Singapore Sports Council influence their perceptions of effectiveness within their own associations. In turn, SSC's policy making and organisational behaviour are perceived to affect how the effectiveness of constituent groups is evaluated as well as their scope for action within their organisations. The implications for sports administrators and policy makers include the need for better communications between and within constituent groups, quality leadership (with decisions based on sports management and sports science knowledge), a more equitable distribution of funds, an internal environment of trust and empowerment balanced by objectivism, and an external environment of realism balanced by recognition of the need for continual performance improvement.

Pesquisas em várias partes do mundo vêm sendo realizadas para compreender os fatores que interferem no sucesso internacional do Esporte de Alto Rendimento (EAR). Neste contexto, a Gestão da Informação (GI) torna-se estratégica para que as organizações do esporte possam usufruir dos dados e dos processos que envolvem o sucesso na gestão esportiva. Contudo, pouco foi desenvolvido para estabelecer modelos de gestão de informações que monitorem continuamente a situação do EAR brasileiro. Diante disso, o objetivo deste estudo é construir um modelo para a gestão de informações do EAR no Brasil. Por meio de um misto de métodos, o estudo foi constituído por quatro fases: (1) levantamento e análise dos métodos de sistematização de informações do esporte- para identificar os elementos fundamentais para o sucesso esportivo e para revisar os métodos de sistematização de informações do EAR; (2) estudo piloto – para desenvolver o método de coleta, catalogação e sistematização das informações do EAR no Brasil; (3) construção do modelo de gestão de informações do EAR utilizando um modelo entidaderelacionamento (MER) para gestão informatizada dos dados; (4) validação do modelo de gestão, por meio do julgamento de um comitê de especialistas. Os resultados revelaram que em 29 nações já foram desenvolvidos estudos para sistematizar informações do esporte e conhecer os elementos que interferem no sucesso do EAR. O estudo do escopo desses elementos resultou na seleção de dez dimensões para coleta e catalogação de informações do EAR brasileiro em um Banco de Dados (BD) MySQL, modelado com o objetivo de permitir a articulação entre as dimensões Com a eliminação das redundâncias e a construção do MER, a padronização e categorização dos termos permitiram a construção de um modelo de gestão de informações do EAR que possibilita a atualização continuada das dimensões e informações mapeadas, composto por oito dimensões: Recursos Financeiros; Infraestrutura Esportiva; Equipamentos e Materiais Esportivos; Entidades e Governança; Atletas e Profissionais do Esporte; Eventos e Resultados Esportivos; Ciência e Tecnologia; Legislação. O modelo utiliza os princípios do Business Intelligence (BI) e um banco de dados que pode ser continuamente adaptado a fatores, contextos e a esportes diferentes. É um repositório digital de informações composto por 75 tabelas divididas em nove conjuntos que são articulados por meio de 185 relacionamentos, permitindo realizar análises, produzir relatórios e indicadores de forma intra ou interdimensional e uni ou multiesporte. Este modelo permite cruzamentos e apresentação de respostas simultâneas a partir de informações de atletas, de entidades, de esportes, suas provas e de dados que envolvem o financiamento, a infraestrutura e demais dimensões. Concluiu-se que este estudo inova ao utilizar os fatores de sucesso para estabelecer um modelo informatizado de gestão de informações do EAR, que pode ser implementado em um país ou em uma entidade. Ao inserir a inteligência de negócios na gestão esportiva, o trabalho concede as informações mais importantes para a tomada de decisão de gestores, podendo qualificar as políticas e contribuir para uma comunicação eficiente entre as diferentes entidades ligadas ao esporte. / Researches in various parts of the world are being conducted to understand the factors that interfere in the international success of Elite Sports (ES). In this context, the Information Management (IM) becomes strategic so that the sports organizations can take advantage of the data and the processes that involve the success in sport management. However, little was developed to establish information management models that continuously monitor the Brazilian ES. The objective of this study, therefore, is to construct a model for the management of ES information in Brazil. Through a combination of methods, the study consisted of four phases: (1) survey and analysis of methods to systematize of sport information - to identify the fundamental elements for sports success and to review the methods to systematize information of the ES; (2) pilot study - to develop the method of collecting, cataloging and systematizing ES information in Brazil; (3) construction of the ES information management model using an entity-relationship model (ERM) for computerized management of sports data; (4) validation of the management model, through the judgment of an experts committee. The results revealed that in 29 nations studies have been developed to systematize sport information and to know the elements that interfere in the success of the ES. The study of the scope of these elements resulted in the selection of ten dimensions for collecting and cataloging Brazilian ES information in a MySQL Database (DB), modeled with the objective of allowing the articulation between the dimensions The elimination of redundancies and the construction of the ERM, the standardization and categorization of the terms allowed the construction of an information management model of the ES that allows continuous updating dimensions and information mapped, composed of eight dimensions: Financial Resources; Sports Infrastructure; Sports Materials; Entities and Governance; Athletes and Sport Professionals; Events and Sport Results; Science and Technology; Legislation. The model uses the principles of Business Intelligence (BI) and a database that can be continuously adapted to different factors, contexts, and sports. It is a digital repository of information composed of 75 tables, divided into nine sets that are articulated through 185 relationships, allowing to produce analyzes, reports and indicators of intra or interdimensional form and uni or multisport. This model allows information crossing and presentation of simultaneous responses of athletes, entities, sports, their evidence and data that involve financing, infrastructure, and other dimensions. It was concluded that this study innovates when using the success factors to establish a computerized information management model of the ES, which can be implemented in a country or an entity. By inserting business intelligence into sports management, this work provides the most important information for decision-making by managers, can qualify the policies and contribute to efficient communication between different sports entities.

abstract: This dissertation investigated positive intergroup contact and communication in the experiences of fans at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Guided by concepts from Intergroup Contact Theory (ICT), formerly Allport’s (1954) Contact Hypothesis, I asked fans to identify and discuss factors that were relevant to their experiences at the event. These factors are reported in previous literature to foster positive intergroup relations. The fan participants also provided detailed, experience-based rationales for why and how the factors supported each other and created individual models of their experiences of ICT at the Olympics. The study relied on participant-centered, in-depth qualitative interviews using Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) software. Based on an integration of ICT, communication theories, social capital concepts, and calls from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and mega-sporting event industry, the dissertation sought to answer four research questions. It started with a broad approach to the array of previous scholars’ ICT factors in order to identify what factors were present and relevant in fans’ experiences. It also sought to understand why and how the factors worked together by analyzing the ways factors related to and supported each other in Olympic fans’ experiences and producing a composite meta-structure of the factors’ relationships. Additionally, through thematic analysis, the research explored where and when in fans’ experiences the factors emerged and were active. Finally, the study identified the functions that each ICT factor served in fostering positive intergroup contact and communication and offered suggestions for practitioners and organizers of intergroup contexts. The study aimed to make theoretical contributions by addressing gaps and calls in ICT literature, as well as practical contributions by providing insight about how to organize intergroup contexts to foster positive contact and communication. In addition to addressing its research questions, the study provided a comprehensive list of previous scholars’ ICT factors, a preliminary, tentative model of ICT for ideal intergroup contexts adapted from Pettigrew’s (1998) model of group membership transformation for problematic contexts, and promising future directions given the unique, ideal, and unexplored features of the Olympics. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Communication 2017

Pesquisas em várias partes do mundo vêm sendo realizadas para compreender os fatores que interferem no sucesso internacional do Esporte de Alto Rendimento (EAR). Neste contexto, a Gestão da Informação (GI) torna-se estratégica para que as organizações do esporte possam usufruir dos dados e dos processos que envolvem o sucesso na gestão esportiva. Contudo, pouco foi desenvolvido para estabelecer modelos de gestão de informações que monitorem continuamente a situação do EAR brasileiro. Diante disso, o objetivo deste estudo é construir um modelo para a gestão de informações do EAR no Brasil. Por meio de um misto de métodos, o estudo foi constituído por quatro fases: (1) levantamento e análise dos métodos de sistematização de informações do esporte- para identificar os elementos fundamentais para o sucesso esportivo e para revisar os métodos de sistematização de informações do EAR; (2) estudo piloto – para desenvolver o método de coleta, catalogação e sistematização das informações do EAR no Brasil; (3) construção do modelo de gestão de informações do EAR utilizando um modelo entidaderelacionamento (MER) para gestão informatizada dos dados; (4) validação do modelo de gestão, por meio do julgamento de um comitê de especialistas. Os resultados revelaram que em 29 nações já foram desenvolvidos estudos para sistematizar informações do esporte e conhecer os elementos que interferem no sucesso do EAR. O estudo do escopo desses elementos resultou na seleção de dez dimensões para coleta e catalogação de informações do EAR brasileiro em um Banco de Dados (BD) MySQL, modelado com o objetivo de permitir a articulação entre as dimensões Com a eliminação das redundâncias e a construção do MER, a padronização e categorização dos termos permitiram a construção de um modelo de gestão de informações do EAR que possibilita a atualização continuada das dimensões e informações mapeadas, composto por oito dimensões: Recursos Financeiros; Infraestrutura Esportiva; Equipamentos e Materiais Esportivos; Entidades e Governança; Atletas e Profissionais do Esporte; Eventos e Resultados Esportivos; Ciência e Tecnologia; Legislação. O modelo utiliza os princípios do Business Intelligence (BI) e um banco de dados que pode ser continuamente adaptado a fatores, contextos e a esportes diferentes. É um repositório digital de informações composto por 75 tabelas divididas em nove conjuntos que são articulados por meio de 185 relacionamentos, permitindo realizar análises, produzir relatórios e indicadores de forma intra ou interdimensional e uni ou multiesporte. Este modelo permite cruzamentos e apresentação de respostas simultâneas a partir de informações de atletas, de entidades, de esportes, suas provas e de dados que envolvem o financiamento, a infraestrutura e demais dimensões. Concluiu-se que este estudo inova ao utilizar os fatores de sucesso para estabelecer um modelo informatizado de gestão de informações do EAR, que pode ser implementado em um país ou em uma entidade. Ao inserir a inteligência de negócios na gestão esportiva, o trabalho concede as informações mais importantes para a tomada de decisão de gestores, podendo qualificar as políticas e contribuir para uma comunicação eficiente entre as diferentes entidades ligadas ao esporte. / Researches in various parts of the world are being conducted to understand the factors that interfere in the international success of Elite Sports (ES). In this context, the Information Management (IM) becomes strategic so that the sports organizations can take advantage of the data and the processes that involve the success in sport management. However, little was developed to establish information management models that continuously monitor the Brazilian ES. The objective of this study, therefore, is to construct a model for the management of ES information in Brazil. Through a combination of methods, the study consisted of four phases: (1) survey and analysis of methods to systematize of sport information - to identify the fundamental elements for sports success and to review the methods to systematize information of the ES; (2) pilot study - to develop the method of collecting, cataloging and systematizing ES information in Brazil; (3) construction of the ES information management model using an entity-relationship model (ERM) for computerized management of sports data; (4) validation of the management model, through the judgment of an experts committee. The results revealed that in 29 nations studies have been developed to systematize sport information and to know the elements that interfere in the success of the ES. The study of the scope of these elements resulted in the selection of ten dimensions for collecting and cataloging Brazilian ES information in a MySQL Database (DB), modeled with the objective of allowing the articulation between the dimensions The elimination of redundancies and the construction of the ERM, the standardization and categorization of the terms allowed the construction of an information management model of the ES that allows continuous updating dimensions and information mapped, composed of eight dimensions: Financial Resources; Sports Infrastructure; Sports Materials; Entities and Governance; Athletes and Sport Professionals; Events and Sport Results; Science and Technology; Legislation. The model uses the principles of Business Intelligence (BI) and a database that can be continuously adapted to different factors, contexts, and sports. It is a digital repository of information composed of 75 tables, divided into nine sets that are articulated through 185 relationships, allowing to produce analyzes, reports and indicators of intra or interdimensional form and uni or multisport. This model allows information crossing and presentation of simultaneous responses of athletes, entities, sports, their evidence and data that involve financing, infrastructure, and other dimensions. It was concluded that this study innovates when using the success factors to establish a computerized information management model of the ES, which can be implemented in a country or an entity. By inserting business intelligence into sports management, this work provides the most important information for decision-making by managers, can qualify the policies and contribute to efficient communication between different sports entities.

Orientador: Marco Antonio Coelho Bortoleto / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Educação Física / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-15T19:37:50Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Oliveira_MauriciodosSantosde_M.pdf: 2236556 bytes, checksum: 11a8b423f57878bb1fb33d49dae77a12 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010 / Resumo: Observamos, nos últimos anos, uma expressiva melhora nos resultados internacionais da Ginástica Artística (GA) brasileira. Apesar deste perceptível avanço, é difícil avaliar objetivamente o nível de desenvolvimento desta modalidade competitiva no cenário esportivo nacional. São poucos os dados disponíveis referentes à modalidade, o que aponta para uma escassez de pesquisas que permitam uma análise criteriosa e precisa desta problemática. Deste modo, o objetivo central desse estudo foi descrever o panorama da Ginástica Artística Masculina (GAM) brasileira no último ciclo olímpico (2005-2008), com ênfase nas dimensões competitiva, econômica, organizacional e de infraestrutura. Para tal, fizemos uma análise da atual conjuntura das federações estaduais, filiadas a Confederação Brasileira de Ginástica (CBG), bem como uma análise pormenorizada de diversos outros aspectos, tais como: a quantidade e a qualidade dos ginastas federados, número de participantes em competições de nível nacional e internacional, a quantidade de árbitros no país e a sua qualificação, o número de clubes federados e a sua distribuição no território nacional, a realidade financeira da modalidade, entre outros. Metodologicamente, realizamos uma revisão bibliográfica e documental seguida de um estudo de campo constituído por um questionário enviado às federações estaduais de ginástica e entrevistas junto a profissionais de destaque (ginastas, técnicos, árbitros e dirigentes). Os dados obtidos revelaram com uma maior riqueza de detalhes a realidade da GAM brasileira neste período, permitindo uma relativa predição dos problemas mais relevantes e dos avanços, assim como as tendências do futuro da GAM no país. Constatamos que, embora tenham ocorridos significativos avanços no quadro financeiro, de organização e infraestrutura disponíveis para a modalidade, ainda persistem problemas característicos do esporte amador brasileiro caracterizado pela realização de projetos de trabalho sem sequência e continuidade, marcado pela improvisação e pela falta de recursos financeiros na formação e preparação dos atletas. Finalmente, dispusemos de algumas informações que auxiliaram em um conhecimento mais realista deste esporte o que, por conseguinte, poderá auxiliar na tomada de decisões para o seu desenvolvimento tanto em nível nacional como internacional / Abstract: It was possible to observed in recent years, a significant improvement in the international results of Brazilian gymnastics. Despite this perceptible progress, it is difficult to evaluate, objectively, the level of development of this competitive sport in to Brazilian Sport scenario. There are few data available for this Sport, revealing a lack of research who enable a careful and precise analysis of the issues who surround the development of this Sport. Thus, the aim of this study was to describe the panorama of Brazilian men's Artistic Gymnastics (MAG) in the last Olympic cycle (2005-2008), with emphasis in the following dimensions: competitive, economic, organizational and infrastructure. To reach our purpose, we analyzed the current situation of the gymnastic states federations affiliated to the Brazilian Gymnastics Confederation (CBG), as well as a detailed analysis of various other aspects such as: number and quality of the gymnasts who are affiliated in the states federations; number of Brazilian gymnasts participants in the national and international level; number of Brazilian judges and their classification according to FIG; number of affiliated clubs and their distribution in national territory; the funding for this Sport in Brazil; among other aspects. Methodologically we did a bibliographic and documentary research followed by a field study consisting of a questionnaire sent to the gymnastics federations, and interviews with gymnasts, coaches, judges and officials. This study reveal, with greater details, the status of Brazilian MAG in this period, showing the developments and also allowing a prognostication of the most important problems, as well as the future trends of this Sport. We found that although significant advances have occurred in the financial, organizational and infrastructure available for the sport, some problems remain as a characteristic of an amateur sport. This is characterized by the implementation of projects without sequence and continuity, marked by improvisation and a lack of financial resources to support the training and preparation of gymnasts. We believe that this study has information which can help with a more realistic knowledge of this Sport in Brazil. This understanding can assist the development of Brazilian MAG in the international e national levels / Mestrado / Educação Fisica e Sociedade / Mestre em Educação Física