This paper uses empirical analysis to value of each section of the NFL Draft relative to the others in order to establish which NFL draft picks are undervalued. We crafted a new performance metric that uses the size of a given draftee’s second contract relative to his peers to evaluate his performance over the course of his previous contract. Using two OLS regressions, we predict the level of performance, given by our metric score, for each section of the draft. We then use the residuals from these regressions to investigate which sections of the draft are undervalued. The results show that mid-3rd round picks and late 5th round picks are the best value per dollar in the draft.

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This study investigated the relationship between motives of sports fans, and affinity for television, Internet, radio, and newspapers. Specifically economic, aesthetic, eustress, self-esteem, group affiliation, entertainment, and family motives all were expected to influence affinity for television, Internet, radio and newspapers.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between estimated absolute and relative squat strength and a static jump protocol with potential to provide desirable training adaptation data to practitioners in the field of collegiate strength and conditioning. Forty-one young (20.80 ± 2.44 years), healthy volunteers reported estimated back squat 1RM’s based on the most recent training block and completed a static jump protocol. Males (n=19, est. 1RM 141.29 ± 32.02kg) and female (n=22, est. 1RM 71.56 ± 19.64kg) jump data revealed large to very large correlations between squat strength, mean jump heights of jumps and other calculated variables.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether listening to motivational music prior to performing leg extensions and flexions effected peak torque performance. Participants included 23 adults between the ages 18 and 48 years. Participants engaged in three sets of leg extensions and flexions utilizing a Cybex Humac NORM system following a warm-up period consisting of listening to either researcher-selected music, self-selected music, and in silence. Two one-way ANOVAs comparing participants’ data showed significant results in leg flexions performed following warm-up while listening to self-selected music. Significant results were not achieved for leg extensions yet a similar trend was seen providing evidence that listening to self-selected music before performing activities increased level of performance.

This study investigated the application of music as a factor in influencing running pace of runners. Thirty (30) runners of varying ages, paces, and distances run per week were individually tested on two runs: one, with music, using a portable cassette player; the other, without music. Results indicated that there was a statistically significant difference in actual, as well as perceived, running pace between the experimental conditions. Of the 30 runners: 19 actually increased their pace, 20 runners perceived an increase in running pace, 3 maintained there was no change and 7 felt the music decreased their running pace. In addition, most runners reported that they enjoyed running to music, and felt that it assisted them in diverting attention from the actual run, thereby enhancing the total running experience.

The purpose of this study was to determine if participation in an exercise based fat reduction program would affect body image. A second purpose was to determine if there were a relationship between psychological measures of body image and changes in percent body fat, total body weight, and/or cardiovascular fitness. Male and female differences were also examined. The participants consisted of nine middle aged males and twenty-six middle-aged females enrolled in a fat and/or weight reduction program. Data were collected at the beginning of the program and again at the end of the 12-week program. Body image was measured utilizing the Body Self Relations Questionnaire (BSRQ) (Winstead & Case, 1984). Percent body fat was determined by the protocol established by Pollock, Schmidt, and Jackson (1980), while cardiovascular fitness was measured using the YMCA bicycle ergometer test (Golding, Myers, & Sinning, 1982). Results of the t tests indicate that there was a significant improvement in pre-test to post-test in the perception of physical appearance t(16) = 4.68, p < .001 and physical health t(16) = 2.74, p < .01 pretest to post-test. The absolute change in percent body fat and total body weight decreased by 8% and 3%, respectively. Cardiovascular fitness increased by 23%. A Pearson product-moment correlation test determined there was a nonsignificant relationship between changes in physiological measures and psychological measures. Of these relationships, the strongest correlation occurred between cardiovascular difference and physical fitness difference pre-test to post-test (r = .4783, p > .05). Results from a discriminant analysis failed to reliably discriminate between males and females with respect to psychological andjor physiological measures. There were no significant differences between the adhering and non-adhering group in any of the pre-test measures. The largest difference was measured on the physical fitness subscale of the BSRQ, t(33) = 1.68, p = .10. The results indicate that changes in body image may not be due to physiological changes, but to the cognitive perception or interpretation of that improvement. Furthermore, it is difficult to predict who will complete a fat reduction program based on pre-test measures.

Paralympic athletes (PA) appear to be more prone to chronic overuse injuries from daily wheelchair or crutch use. Over half of these injuries are shoulder related which can deleteriously impact quality of life. Adaptive powerlifters (AP) are a subdivision of Paralympic athletes and are at a higher risk for catastrophic injuries as compared to their counterparts, due to the compound of fatigue and lifting of maximal weights. For this reason, it is vital to have well-designed training plans for these athletes in order to preserve quality of life and maximize performance in competition. Unfortunately, there is a lack of literature on training adaptive athletes for performance. The purpose of this dissertation is to collect and analyze monitoring data of a para-powerlifter preparing for competition over the course of a six-month macrocycle. Specifically, the intention is to 1) explore options in adaptive monitoring measures for the adaptive athlete community via para-powerlifting 2) analyze trends in the training process with such monitoring methods in fatigue and performance and 3) examine efficient and safe training methods and practices for para-powerlifting. The major findings of this dissertation are 1.) Hand grip dynamometry may be a valid monitoring tool used to gain clarity on neuromuscular fatigue within para-powerlifters. 2.) Barbell velocities may reveal trends in fatigue and recovery over the course of a training cycle for para-powerlifters. 3.) Para-powerlifters and para-athletes training for upper-body power development should likely perform bench press using a strap to secure them to the bench for enhanced stability. The significant and consistently increased force outputs the added stability enables the athlete to utilize may bring more pronounced training adaptations towards their goals. This dissertation is exploratory in nature and much more research needs to be done to give the adaptive athlete population adequate information and tools for their long-term success and safety.

The objectives of this dissertation include 1) to review accelerometry and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) derived measures used to monitor training load, 2) to investigate the validity and reliability of accelerometers (ACCs) to identify stepping events and quantify training load, 3) to assess the relationship between accelerometry and Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) derived measures in quantifying training load. In Study I, acceleration data was collected via two tri-axial ACC (Device A and Device B) sampling at 100Hz mounted closely together at the xiphoid process level. Each participant (n=30) performed two trials of straight-line walking, running, and sprinting on a 20m course. Device A was used to assess ACC validity to identify steps and the test-retest reliability of the instrument to quantify the external load. Device A and Device B were used to assess inter-device reliability. The reliability of accelerometry derived metrics Impulse Load (IL) and Magnitude g (MAG) were assessed. In Study II, known distance (DIST) was predicted via acceleration data collected by a tri-axial ACC sampling at 100Hz mounted at the xiphoid process level, simultaneously positional data collected using a triple GNSS unit sampling at 10Hz placed between scapulae. Each participant (n=30) walked different DIST around various movement constraints (small and large circles). Thirty distances were completed around each circle and ranged from 12.57–376.99m. In Study I, the instrument demonstrated a positive predictive value (PPV) of 96.98-99.41% and an agreement of 93.08-96.29% for step detection during all conditions. Good test-retest reliability was found with a coefficient of variation (CV) < 5% for IL and MAG during all locomotor conditions. Good inter-device reliability was also found for all locomotor conditions (IL and MAG CV < 5%). These results indicated that tri-axial ACCs are a valid and reliable tool used to identify steps and quantify external load when movement is completed at a range of speeds. In Study 2, all linear regression models performed well for both movement constraints (R2=0.922-0.999; RMSE=0.047-0.242, p

This thesis examined how cross-country skiers perceive and prepare for winter hazards. A self-completion questionnaire was administered to cross-country skiers in northern Utah. The questions on the questionnaire were designed to explore the relationships that affect how skiers perceive and prepare for winter hazards. Additionally, the situation where skiers put themselves at risk due to lack of information as opposed to skiers placing themselves at risk through the desire to confront nature's dangers was explored. Variables that were contained in these relationships were correlated and the degree of correlation was measured. Those that sought information on the day surveyed were more likely to perceive and prepare for winter hazards than those that didn't seek information. Additionally, experienced skiers were more likely to perceive and prepare for winter hazards. However, experienced skiers were more likely to be involved in other risk recreation activities and to consider risk important in their ski experience than less experienced skiers. Skiers that believed skiing to be central to their life interests were more likely to seek avalanche hazard information and be more prepared than those that didn't seek avalanche information. Results suggest more research is needed to determine the most effective techniques of disseminating hazard information to cross-country skiers. Moreover, different survey techniques, such as naturalistic inquiries, should be used to extract hazard perception and preparation information from skiers.