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The purpose of this dissertation is to shed light on the physical demands of women’s soccer at the NCAA division I college level. Though research does exists describing the physical demands of women’s soccer, the vast majority seeks to explain the physical demands association with the professional and international level. This dissertation sought to: 1) examine the physical demands of NCAA division I women’s soccer and 2) observe changes in physical demands of two NCAA division I women’s soccer players over a four-year career using a case study approach. Study 1 examined the physical demands of twenty-three athlete from a single NCAA division I team using Global Positioning System devices during four competitive seasons. Total distance, high-speed running distance and sprinting distances were analyzed for comparison against previously established physical demands associated with higher standards of play as well as for positional differences. Differences were found regarding total distance covered between standards of play. However, more pronounced differences were identified between high-speed running activities and standard of play, with higher standards requiring greater demands for high-intensity activities. Additionally, attacking players were demonstrated to cover greater total distance and high-intensity distance compared to the other position groups. Study 2 was a case study, observing seasonal variation in match physical demands of two high-level collegiate players during their 4-four college careers. Each player was tracked using GPS devices to record total distance, high-speed running distance and sprint distance. Seasonal variation in physical demands were found for each player, however, no consistent trends were found for both players. Interestingly, lower physical demands were identified during each player’s final season of play in comparison to all previous seasons, possibly demonstrating an increased tactical awareness resulting in improved playing efficiency. Nevertheless, future examination including additional data such as fitness testing results, tactical formations, and technical skill assessment are warranted. With little research available detailing the physical demands of women’s soccer at the division I collegiate level, our findings will provide further insight into the physical demands required for division I female players. By understanding the specific physical demands associated with competitive matches, as well as various positions, coaches and sports scientists can be equipped with objective data unique to women’s college soccer at the NCAA division I level. Our findings will empower practitioners with valuable information necessary to guide more informed decision making with regard to training structure and prescription, to enhance performance and minimize injury risks.

This study sought to explore the leadership styles and theories employed throughout the existence of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR). The research examines the decision process and subsequent outcomes, exploring how they ultimately affected the business and trajectory of the sport. NASCAR is the product of unique and specific characteristics of racing enthusiasts who turned their passion into an international empire. This illustrates how leadership styles, specifically dictatorial leadership, successfully managed decisions of the business. Through the use of qualitative research to review historical accounts of events, this study strives to explain how leadership guided the business from small beginnings to a worldwide phenomenon. Data collected included document review, observations, and an interview. Synthesis of the data showed that each of the four primary leaders (Bill France Sr., Bill France Jr., Brain France, and Jim France) used the autocratic/dictatorial leadership style as they directed the sport. Historical evidence shows that this style of leadership was required to build the sport and move it to its current recognized level. Recommendation for further study encourage future scholars to revisit the long-term impact of Brian France’s leadership once more time has passed since his negatively charged removal from the leadership position. Researchers would need to also examine the leadership of Jim France because at the time of this study he has been in his leadership position for less than two years.

In the novel The Stringer, Perla Coughlin has evacuated Pittsburgh following a biological attack. Now, at a Red Cross Shelter in Ohio, she slowly strings a racket as she tells a volunteer about her past, Pittsburgh's past, and what might lay ahead for both. Characters grapple with their ignorance toward environmental warning signs, the hidden costs of technology, and the disquieting ways in which apocalypses reveal "who we really are." The first-person novel relies heavily on the epistolary tradition as well as Oulipean conventions of form and structure. Tennis serves as a unifying force amongst the four main characters, and the 2010 U.S. Census provides the vehicle through which terrorists launch their plot. The novel aims at a return toward Pittsburgh, but returning home is easier said that done. The city and its industries have been fundamentally changed. Personal secrets have been brought to light. Perla's fierce loyalty to her city makes forgiveness as tall as task as clawing her way back to Pittsburgh.

In recent decades skateboarding has expanded from recreation into a form of transportation. Skateboarders appear to use roadways much as other non‐motorized modes do. However, there is little academic research on the needs and characteristics of the skateboard as a mode. This research reports demographics, multi‐modal and travel behavior findings, and other data from an exploratory mixed‐methods study of skateboarding as a mode of transportation.

The purpose of this study was to examine the acute effects of the power snatch exercise at specific intensities on vertical jump performance. 10 weightlifters attended two sessions: a power snatch (PS) and control (CON) condition. Each session was separated with at least 48 hours in between. This study used a 1-group experimental design. During the PS condition, participants performed the power snatch exercise at increasing intensities (40% 1 repetition max [RM], 60% 1RM, and 80% 1RM) after a dynamic warm up. Vertical jump performance was measured prior to the warm up, and after each power snatch exercise in the PS condition. During the CON condition, vertical jump performance was measured at the same times, with the participants substituting the power snatch exercise for a seated position. The results showed no significance ( p > 0.05) in vertical jump performance during each condition, with a trend being seen during the gradual increase in intensities. These results suggest further research is needed utilizing a larger sample size to show significance.

Physical fatigue impairs performance during high power, short duration activities. As technological developments permit new methods of measuring this effect, it is important to validate existing paradigms. The purpose was to determine if kinetic measurements from vertical jump (VJ) tests are influenced by fatigue based on explosive power outputs. A sample of athletes (9 men, 26 women) from a Division I NCAA sports program completed testing. To establish baseline VJ kinetics, athletes performed a controlled warm-up and then completed six jumps using Sparta Science technology, each separated by 15s rest. Sparta software computed three force outputs: Load, Explode and Drive. After baseline VJ calculation, performed an anaerobic fatigue protocol on a cycle ergometer: three 15s sprints separated by 10s rest. Max and average power were recorded from the cycle trials. Subjects then repeated the VJ protocol. This pattern was repeated until six sets of VJ were recorded. Repeated measures ANOVA tested differences between successive VJ performances. Male athletes were 20.8 ± 1.5years old, weighed 175.8 ± 14.0lbs, had a baseline VJ of 46.9 ± 3.6cm, Load of 53.6 ± 13.3, Explode of 49.4 ± 6.6, and Drive of 49.4 ± 11.9. Female athletes were 20.2 ± 1.2years old, weighed 142.3 ± 13.2lbs, had a baseline VJ of 32.7 ± 4.3cm, Load of 49.8 ± 46.1, Explode of 40.7 ± 8.0, and Drive of 63.1 ± 49.7. Differences between sex were weight (p <0.001), VJ (p <0.001), and Explode (p=0.006). ANOVA found VJ height to decrease between baseline and trial 2 (p <0.001), no difference between sex (p=0.210); and between trials 2 and 6 VJ height was consistent (p>0.400). Load was not affected by the fatigue protocol across the total sample (p=0.418) or by sex (p=0.239). Explode was not affected by fatigue across the sample (p=0.233) or by sex (p=0.406). Drive was affected by fatigue (p=0.040), decreasing in successive trials; no interaction with sex (p=0.742). VJ is more sensitive to fatigue than Sparta’s force plate calculations. An initial fatiguing insult was sufficient to compromise performance, whereas accumulated fatigue didn’t have an additive effect. Drive was the only force variable that was affected by fatigue.

The purpose of the study discussed in this thesis was to compile adapted physical education assessment instrument information into a matrix which matches test categories with parameters appropriate to the selection of a specific assessment instrument. From this matrix, a data base software program was developed. Use of the data base software program and thesis will enable the adapted physical educator to select a proper assessment instrument.

There is now and may always be a difference of opinion on the advisability of contact sports for the younger and usually more immature boys. It is said by some that the many and varied experiences and attitudes gained through early participation in team contact sports greatly over-balances any detrimental effects which might occur. The other point of view expresses the opinion that anything which is gained at this younger age can and will be better accepted. when there is less chance or physical, mental, and social strain or damage. The age groups considered ln this study are usually exempted from the above discussion. High school boys, with some limitations, are felt to be mature enough to compete in these activities. However, the maturity of many ninth and tenth grade boys can be questioned. In any case, competitive athletics for all high school boys is a firm part of the school program and continuous effort should be made to improve the conditions which surround it. It was the purpose of this study to show the physical affects of the contact team sport of football on two classes of boys. The comparison was made between ninth and tenth grade boys and eleventh and twelfth grade boys, all of whose injuries were obtained during practice for or actual participation in interscholastic competition in high school football.

The purpose of this study was to understand the media's impact when reporting on high-profile athlete's legal proceedings. Through the use of text analysis, the study examined whether sports journalists gave preferential treatment to "home-town heroes" in the Kobe Bryant case. The study also attempted to find differences and similarities between sports reporters and sports columnists with regard to positive and negative treatment of the case.