This study was undertaken for the purpose of investigating whether there was (1) a significant relationship between the length of the segments of the throwing arm and the accuracy of the overarm throw, and (2) a significant difference in the accuracy of the overarm throw when the weight of the ball was varied.

Background: Lower extremity (LE) musculoskeletal injuries in soccer players are extremely common. These injuries can result in many days of lost time in competition, severely impacting players and their respective teams. Implementation of group injury prevention programs has gained popularity due to time and cost-effectiveness. Though participation in group injury prevention programs has been successful at reducing injuries, programs often target a single injury and all players do not benefit from participation. Players with a greater number of risk factors are most likely to sustain an injury, and unfortunately, less likely to benefit from a group injury prevention program. The purpose of the proposed research is to determine if targeting these high risk players with one-on-one treatment will result in a reduction in the number of risk factors they possess. Objectives: 1) Determine the effectiveness of one-on-one intervention for reducing the number of risk factors for LE musculoskeletal injury in soccer players with 3 or more risk factors; 2) Assess the effectiveness of matched interventions on reducing the magnitude of identified risk factors. Hypothesis: Fifty percent or more of subjects receiving one-on-one intervention will have a reduction of ≥ 1 risk factor(s). Design: Quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design. Subjects: NCAA Division I men’s and women’s soccer players. Methods: All subjects were screened for modifiable risk factors using a battery of tests which assessed mobility, asymmetry in fundamental movement pattern performance, neuromuscular control, and pain with movement. Players with ≥ 3 risk factors (“high risk”) were placed in the treatment group and received one-on-one treatment from a physical therapist. An algorithm was created with interventions matched to specific deficits to determine the treatment each subject received. Subjects in the intervention group were treated twice per week for four weeks. Players with < 3 risk factors (“low risk”) were placed in the control group and did not receive one-on-one intervention. Analysis: The primary outcome measure was proportion of treatment successes, defined as a reduction of ≥ 1 risk factor(s). Secondary outcomes included analysis of within group and between group differences. Results: Thirteen subjects were treated with one-on-one intervention, with twelve having a reduction of at least 1 risk factor at posttest. The proportion of treatment successes in the intervention group was 0.923 (95%CI 0.640-0.998). The proportion of high risk subjects that became low risk at posttest was 0.846, which was statistically significant (p = 0.003). Within group differences were noted in active straight leg raise (left; p = 0.017), hip external rotation (right, p=0.000; left, p = 0.001) thoracic spine rotation (left; p=0.026), and upper quarter neuromuscular control measures (left inferolateral reach, p = 0.003; left composite, p = 0.016). A statistically significant between group difference was noted in risk factor change from pretest to posttest (p = 0.002), with the median risk factor change in the intervention group and control group being -3 and -1, respectively. Conclusion: Utilizing one-on-one interventions designed to target evidence-based risk factors is an effective strategy to reduce LE musculoskeletal injury risk factors in high risk individuals.

The aims of the present study were to characterize the typical volume (total distance) and intensities (high-speed distance > 75% of maximum speed for weekday practices, Monday through Friday and competitive games on Saturday; compare the daily practice volume and intensities to competitive games to determine if the targeted volume and intensities are achieved as part of the periodized strategies using GPS software; and examine the relationship among total distance, high-speed distance in the prediction of player-load . Thirty NCAA Division I Football players (187.9 ± 5.5 cm; 107.4 ± 24.6 kg) were monitored using GPS receivers with integrated accelerometers during the 13-week regular season during the 2016 season. Separate one-way repeated measures ANOVAs demonstrated that competitive game loads and intensity were significantly different than weekday practices (p-value ≤ 0.05). There were significant differences among weekday practices in terms of overall volume and intensities, however the overall training goals were not met. Stepwise linear regression revealed that total distance is a significant predictor of player load. The results of the present study indicated that total distance, but not high-speed distance, could best be used to describe and track the development of a periodization model for training in Division I Collegiate Football using GPS technologies.

Ernest Lowell ("Dick") Romney chose athletics as a career, believing that it was worth-while for himself and for those with whom he would work and teach. He has devoted his entire life to this endeavor and through his many achievements has become one of the most prominent and respected men in his profession. He stands as an example of high ideals and his name is a legend in the Rocky Mountain area. Placed between Rockne and Roper, in the Football Hall of Fame at Rutgers University in New Jersey, is the name of Romney, E. L. "Dick". Other coaches so honored are Fielding H. Yost, Amos Alonzo Stagg, Fritz Crisler, and Frank Cavanaugh. Included in the roster of famous players are Harold ("Red") Grange, James Thorpe, George Gipp, Bronco Nagurski, Stanley Barnes, and Donald Hutson. The work of these men personifies the contributions of football in the American way of life. Their names and accomplishments serve as beacons for the young men of today. Nothing could be more fitting than for E. L. Romney to be honored along with all of the above mentioned people. It is a well deserved climax to an illustrious career. However, Dick has not retired from his chosen field. In 1949 he was appointed Commissioner of the Mountain States Athletic Conference. At present his wisdom is guiding the athletic destinies of eight universities in the states of Utah, Wyoming, Montana ,Colorado, and New Mexico.

The purpose of this study was to compare effects of static and dynamic stretching on explosive agility movements, and to examine the effect of the interaction of dynamic and static stretching prior to explosive agility movements. Fourteen men and 10 women performed the different warm-up protocols, including no warm-up (NWU), static stretching (SS), dynamic stretching (DS), and dynamic stretching with static stretching (DS+SS). The T-Drill was used to assess agility. The results indicated no difference between the NWU and SS conditions (effect size = 0.40, p = 0.06), as well as no significant difference between the NWU and DS+SS conditions (effect size = 0.01, p = 0.48), and the SS and DS+SS conditions (effect size = 0.40, p = 0.06). Statistically significant differences were found between the NWU and DS conditions (effect size = 0.45, p = 0.03), the SS and DS conditions (effect size = 0.85, p < 0.001), and the DS and DS+SS conditions (effect size = 0.40, p = 0.03). Agility test times, in order from fastest to slowest, were (a) dynamic stretching (10.87 ± 1.07 s), (b) dynamic stretching + static stretching (11.41 ± 1.26 s), (c) no warm-up (11.42 ± 1.21 s), (d) static stretching (11.90 ±1.35 s). Dynamic stretching resulted in the fastest agility test time. Static stretching resulted in the slowest agility times. The benefits of dynamic stretching may have been diluted when followed by Static Stretching, and the agility test time was the same as if no form of stretching was completed. Static stretching prior to agility is not recommended as it has a negative effect on the stretch shortening cycle, and agility. The results support the use of dynamic stretching prior to agility performance.

Precooling is a method used to decrease initial pre-exercise core temperature in order to facilitate a greater margin for heat production before a maximum core temperature is reached. The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in physiological and perceptual effects of precooling using beverages of three different temperatures: room temperature beverage (24.88 ± 1.13°C), cold beverage (6.15 ± 3.16°C) and ice slushy (-1.61 ± 0.45°C) in a hot environment (27.88 ± 0.72°C and 35.36 ± 0.83°C for wet globe bulb temperature and dry bulb temperature respectively). For all trials the environmental temperature was set to 35°C with 56% rh. For this study, 10 physically active females (age= 23.7 ± 2.26 years, height=1.74 ± 0.23 m, weight=66.27 ± 0.92 kg, BMI=24.14 ± 2.63 kg/m2, body fat= 22.99 ± 2.37% and VO2 max= 43.61 ± 4.78 ml/kg/min) participated in the study. On three separate occasions participants precooled via beverage consumption over a 30-minute period with a 5-minute rest period before beginning a 45-minute interval treadmill protocol. Following exercise, participants then re-cooled for 15 minutes. Each subject precooled and re-cooled with all three beverages at their respective temperature. Treatments were randomized. There were no significant differences found for TGI during precooling, exercise or re-cooling Mean HR and mean TSK during precooling were significantly lower in the ice slushy trial as compared to the room temperature trial (HR = 75.7 ± 15.7 and 80.1 ± 16.4 bpm; respectively, p < 0.05 ; TSK = 34.47 ± 0.74 and 34.21 ± 0.92ºC; respectively, p < 0.05). There was also a significant difference in thermal sensation during precooling among all three beverage temperatures (Thermal sensation = 4.7 ± 0.7, 4.5 ± 0.7 and 4.0 ± 0.7; for room, cold, and ice slushy respectively, p < 0.05). Mean thirst sensation for ice slushy was also significantly lower during precooling when compared to cold (p < 0.05) and room temperature beverages (p < 0.05). Mean thirst sensation was also significantly lower during exercise for ice slushy compared to cold (p < 0.05) and room temperature (p < 0.05) (precooling thirst sensation= 2.3 ± 1.0, 2.1 ± 1.1 and 1.6 ± 1.0; exercise 4.1 ± 2.0, 4.5 ± 1.7 and 3.2 ± 1.6 for room, cold and ice slushy respectively). During re-cooling mean thirst sensation was significantly lower for ice slush as compared to room temperature (p < 0.05). Results from the current study suggest that precooling with an ice slushy as compared to a cold or room temperature beverage had little to no effect on TGI and a small effect on HR and TSK during precooling. Although, precooling with an ice slushy appeared to be effective at decreasing perceptual measurements.

This autoethnographic dissertation recounts numerous untold stories about my journeys into the Islamic Republic of Iran as a sports consultant and women’s softball coach for Global Sports Partners (GSP). Autoethnography as defined by Ellis & Bochner (2000), is “an autobiographical genre of writing and research that displays multiple layers of consciousness, connecting the personal to the cultural…Autoethnographers vary in their emphasis on the research process (graphy), on culture (ethnos), and on self (auto)” (pp. 739-740). Autoethnographers, writing within a branch of narrative inquiry (Ellis & Bochner, 2000), believe in the power of story and that humans learn through stories lived and told (Ellis, 2004). To date, the majority of the literature devoted to Iranian women in sports has been written from a critical feminist perspective, detailing the “oppressive” societal structures associated with sport in an Islamic Republic (Hargreaves, 2000; Pfister, 2003; Pfister, 2006). While understanding the structure in which Iranian women compete is important, it does not closely reflect my experiences with the way Iranian women define their own sport participation. The purpose of this autoethnography is (1) to confront my previously held stereotypes and reveal my personal transformation, (2) to provide a counternarrative that “extends sociological understanding” (Sparkes, 2002), (3) to demonstrate the use of sport in fostering cross-cultural respect, appreciation, and dialogue, and (4) to offer new ways of knowing and telling (Ellis & Bochner, 2000; Richardson, 2000b).

The aim of this study was to extend existing literature on the martial arts by examining the experience of kendo (Japanese fencing) participants. In-depth, existential phenomenological interviews were conducted with nine (eight males and one female) currently competitive kendo practitioners (i.e., kenshi), ranging in age from 19 to 40 years. All participants were of Japanese descent but resided in the United States at the time of the interviews. Thematic analysis of the transcripts revealed several prominent aspects of the lives and performance experiences of kenshi. The most important finding was the relatively equal emphasis participants placed on the mastery of kendo technique, aesthetically elegant skill execution, and victory in competition. Other aspects of kenshi’s experience included the building of strong relationships with influential sensei (i.e., instructors), the display of proper manners and etiquette, and the learning of life lessons.

Psychological Momentum (PM) is a commonly recognized phenomenon in sport, yet remains one of the least understood (Taylor & Demick, 1994). Previous research examined PM using archival data (Gayton & Very, 1993; Gilovich, Vallone, & Tversky, 1985; Koehler & Conley, 2003; Silva, Hardy, & Crace, 1988), hypothetical and contrived scenarios (Eisler & Spink, 1998; Miller & Weinberg, 1991; Perreault, Vallerand, Montgomery, & Provencher, 1998; Vallerand, Colavecchio, & Pelletier, 1988), and actual performance (Mack, et al., 2008). More recently, Jones and Harwood (2008) used semi-structured interviews to examine participants’ perceptions of PM. However, their research was focused on the specific components of existing conceptual models. The purpose of this study was to explore athletes’ experiences of PM without a priori assumptions. In-depth phenomenological interviews were conducted with seven NCAA D-I intercollegiate and professional soccer, volleyball, basketball, and tennis players. Co-participants were asked the following open-ended question: “Think of a time that you experienced momentum in your sport and describe as fully as you can what stands out for you about that experience.” Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim. Qualitative analysis of the transcripts revealed a final thematic structure of five major dimensions that characterized these athletes’ experiences of psychological momentum: Instantaneous momentum, Created Momentum, Internal Indicators, External Indicators and Resistance. These major themes appeared against the contextual backgrounds of an Awareness of Momentum and Competitive Performance. Results were largely consistent with previous literature examining PM, but also included new findings not previously discussed in that research. For example, co-participants described experiencing Instantaneous Momentum from a single event. In addition, they also described a systematic approach to experiencing PM using strategies to alter performance leading to Created Momentum. Co-participants also described a critical level of Resistance required to experience PM. While perceptions of PM were described when this Resistance level was low, they were not described as having a significant impact on performance. Finally, co-participants described an Awareness of Momentum, suggesting they were aware of PM during competition but not directly focusing on it. Put simply, the strategies used during competition were directed towards performing more successfully, not towards the altering of PM.

p { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }a:link { color: rgb(0, 0, 255); Special needs sport literature is narrow-focused and generally focuses on the different disabilities of athletes (Howe & Jones, 2006). Additionally, cheerleading is generally researched in terms of disordered eating and body image (Thompson & Digsby, 2004), high injury risk (Jacobson, Hubbard & Redus, 2004; Jacobson, Redus, & Palmer, 2005), and over-sexualization of youth (Adams & Bettis, 2003). While several websites and resources for coaches of special needs athletes provide information for how a coach should feel, there is a lack of empirical research to support these claims (www.specialolympics.org; www.usasf.net). In the present study, a phenomenological interview approach was taken for eight coaches of special needs cheerleading squads. The interviews were thematized to reveal figure themes of: (a) enthusiasm; (b) parents; (c) us vs. “them”; and (d) improvements vs. struggles. Additionally, there were two sub-ground themes of the athletes and outside help. All of the figure themes and the sub-ground themes were encompassed by the ground theme of community. Connections to previous research, practical implications, and future directions of the present findings are discussed.