Thesis (M.S.)--Slippery Rock University, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 59-63). Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.

The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the levels of interdependency (simultaneity) between the performances of two direct opponents in professional football. More specifically, interdependency between performances is investigated at three different levels. Firstly, empirical analyses are conducted in order to assess the levels of interdependency between the performances of two teams in direct competition using team-game observations. Secondly, data on team formations and player starting positions within these formations is utilised in order to uniquely match individual players to a sole opponent on the field of play. Further empirical analyses are then conducted in order to investigate the levels of interdependency at this more isolated individual player level using player-game observations. Finally, an empirical investigation into the levels of interdependency between the performances of a positional unit (defence or attack) and their opposing team (as a collective) is conducted using positional unit-game observations. An exclusive and detailed data set ranging from the 2007-08 season to the 2010-11 season is utilised in order to estimate several production functions for teams, individual players and positional units competing in the German Bundesliga. The results in all empirical analyses confirm that the performance of the opponent is significant. At a team and positional unit level, no evidence is found to suggest that the performances of two direct opponents(s) are interdependent, however the results reveal that the recent past performances of the opponent(s) have a significant linear impact upon the performance of the subject. In particular, relative team form going in to a match is revealed to have a significant impact upon the performance of their opponent. At an individual player level, evidence is found to confirm that the performances of players in direct competition are interdependent thus supporting the sports economics theory of joint production. Specifically, the results reveal that the performances of defenders have a significant and negative impact upon the performances of their opposing attackers.

Introduction: Resilience is an important trait and mechanism for older adults facing adversity in their later life. Physical activity has been established as an important determinant of mental health among older adults, in which relationship of resilience may play a mediating role. In order to examine the relationships among resilience, physical activity, and mental health in older adults, the current project is designed to conduct three studies. Study-1 aims to use qualitative method to identify the characteristics that contribute to resilience in a group of community-dwelling older adults in Hong Kong. Study-2 aims to develop and validate an age-specific resilience scale, named as "Resilience Scale for Chinese Older Adults (RSCOA)". Study-3 aims to test a model in which physical activity is hypothesized to influence mental health in path mediated by resilience. Methods: Twenty-five Chinese older adults (2 males, 23 females) aged 69 to 100 years (M=80.00, SD=39.08) were included in Study-1. Interviews were conducted to collect information about the adverse events in their lives, as well as their attitudes towards adversity and the beliefs underlying their approaches to overcoming adversity. The transcripts were analysed using qualitative content analysis. In Study-2, a sequential approach was used to develop the RSCOA in three stages. In stage 1, scale candidate items were generated and initial content validity of the RSCOA were explored. In stage 2, the factorial structure of the RSCOA was extracted using exploratory factor analysis. In stage 3, exploratory structural equation modeling was conducted to test the structure. The reliability and validity of the RSCOA were also examined. In Study-3, cross-sectional data was collected from a sample of 293 Chinese older adults [60 males, 233 females; age from 65 to 95 years old (M=76.58, SD=7.02)] from eight community senior centres located in three districts in Hong Kong. Correlation analyses were performed and path analysis was employed to assess the associations among physical activity, resilience and mental health variables. Results: In Study-1, 7 themes were emerged from the interviews: 1). Equanimity- the realisation that life has both joys and sorrows. 2). Positive attitudes towards life. 3). Meaningfulness- the realisation that life has a purpose and is full of hope. 4). Self-reliance- a belief in one's capabilities and the realisation that each person's life path is unique. 5). Social support- which comes from family and friends, health care professionals, staff in the senior centres and others' appraisal. 6). Environmental support- which includes the support from neighbours, community senior centres and government. 7). Spirituality and faith- which can take the form of a belief in destiny, gratitude or religious faith. For the scale development and validation, a pool of 70 candidate items for RSCOA was established with good content validity in stage 1. In stage 2, seven factors, namely perseverance, self-reliance, spirituality, social support, living in the moment, environmental support, and meaningfulness, reflecting internal, external and existential dimensions, were identified and reflected in 27 items in the construct of resilience. In stage 3, the 27-item RSCOA was further examined, by which 3 items were deleted to achieve acceptable internal consistency (α= 0.87) and good concurrent as well as construct validities, and finally a 24-item RSCOA was confirmed. The measurement model displayed satisfactory model fit and proven invariant across gender. Building on the three path models, it was found that significant mediation effects of resilience on the relations from physical activity to depression (β =-.54, p=.002), from physical activity to loneliness (β=-.25, p=.005), as well as from physical activity to psychological well-being (β=.37, p=.008). In sum, the results confirmed that resilience mediates relationship from physical activity to mental health among the older adults. Conclusion: The qualitative analysis found that resilience of the Hong Kong older adults is characterised by internal, external and existential factors. A reliable and valid age-specific instrument for measurement of resilience in Chinese older people was developed. Older adults who are more physically active reported greater psychological well-being and less mental health problems, and the effects were mediated by resilience. The results may be useful for developing interventions that aim at assisting older adults to enhance the positive experiences and mental health in their lives.

Title: Risky eating behaviour in synchronised swimming. Objectives: The objective of this diploma thesis is to find out what is the prevalence of risky eating behaviour in synchronised swimming by means of the EAT - 26 and ORTO - 15 questionnaires. Methods: The theoretical part of the diploma thesis deals with theoretical knowledge about synchronised swimming, diagnostic criteria of eating disorders and disturbed eating behaviour as well as eating disorders in water sports. The research group consists of 133 respondents, who are further divided into two primary groups, namely the group of synchronised swimmers, which includes 72 respondents, and the control group, which includes 61 respondents. The control group is further divided into two subgroups, depending on whether the respondent is registered in a sports club or not. Standardized questionnaires EAT - 26 and ORTO - 15 were used for the research. The questionnaires were completely anonymous and in an electronic form. The results were evaluated quantitatively and processed in the form of graphs in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet editor. Results: The prevalence of risky eating behaviour when using the EAT - 26 questionnaire is lower in the group of synchronised swimmers (8.31 %) compared to the control group (24.58 %). In the control group, the...

This work deals with the economics of sports organizations and the overall analysis of the current state of funding for sport in the Czech Republic, its benefits, health benefits, and also comparison with other countries within the European Union. The main sponsor of sport in the Czech Republic is the Ministry of Education Youth and Sports, which in co-operation with the umbrella organizations reallocate resources to support sports through grant programs. The goal of this thesis is to analyze the management of two key umbrella organizations and representatives of Czech sports the Czech Olympic Committee and the Czech Union of Sport and to propose recommendations for improving the system of redistribution of funds, including the definition of the highest sports authority, which is will be able to represent the interests of the sport towards international institutions, legislative bodies, government institutions, regional and district authorities, lottery companies or potential sponsors.

Der Sport ist das dominierende Phänomen der heutigen Freizeitkultur und ein wachsender Wirtschaftszweig. Ob in den Medien, beim Handel mit Sportwaren oder beim Sport selbst: Wo über Sport gesprochen wird, treffen verschiedene Sprachen aufeinander. Um Sprachbarrieren zu überwinden, sind Dolmetscher oft unverzichtbar. Das Fachgebiet Sport bringt dabei Besonderheiten mit sich, z. B. die große Rolle des Fernsehens sowie eine eigene, vielschichtige Sprache, in der Jargon nicht selten mit Fachlexik kombiniert wird. War die Sportsprache bereits Gegenstand vieler Publikationen, befasst sich diese Arbeit mit den kaum erforschten Dolmetschtätigkeiten im Sport. Im Theorieteil werden u. a. der Bedarf an Dolmetschleistungen dargelegt und die Sportsprache aus Dolmetschersicht analysiert. Grundlage des Praxisteils ist eine Umfrage unter 51 Sport-Dolmetschern, die zu sprachlichen Herausforderungen ebenso befragt wurden wie zu den häufigsten Dolmetschsituationen oder den Verdienstmöglichkeiten.

The thesis was preceded by a specialized atelierwork "architectural study of BMX track of the Favorit Brno. Further elaboration of the architectural and urban study of the sports complex in Komárov with the presumption of the dominant of the cycling hall. Evaluation of existing buildings and newly designed sports facilities. The diploma thesis deals with the development of a new concept of the area, where it will have its place for both professional and recreational sports. The aim of the proposal is to create a significant area both professional and recreational sport. The main part of the work is devoted to the design of o new cycling stadium owned but TJ Favoritisms Brno. The hall should have sufficient capacity and facilities to hold international sporting events in cycling. At the same time it should be useful for smaller races and other events. Another requirement is that the stadium can provide enough facilities for the TJ Favorit Brno cycling club. The home base is currently a cycling stadium at the Brno Exhibition Grounds. This stadium is currently inadequate, serving only as a training course. It does not meet conditions of the international Federation od UCI. The design of the variable space of the hall deserves a further attention at least, because it will serve athletics of other sporting events. The cycling stadium is located in the northern part of the grounds. It place emphasis on the scattered surfaces in the immediate vicinity of the stadium, easy orientation and layout of entries from all sides of the object, separation of athletes from spectators. The main expressive element is two masses, one of which allows the public to climb the ramp along the perimeter of the stadium to lookout points. From the ramp you can see the action inside the stadium. The attractiveness of the entire area is enhanced by the proposed traffic playground and bombrack. The total area will be separated from traffic. 3 new car parks will be built in the area.