The way in which an athlete responds to the injury--emotionally, behaviorally, and cognitively--can significantly affect the athlete's mental health in a negative way if not handled appropriately. There are different forms of social support that are known to be helpful with coping during specific stages of injury. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between perceived levels of social support and depression symptomatology post injury in Division 1 collegiate athletes at Portland State University (PSU). Participants were PSU student athletes (n=115). Variables: social support amount (SSQN), social support satisfaction (SSQS), and depression symptomatology (CESD-R) score. Selected injured participants (n=3) completed a 20-minute interview regarding their injury, their social support, and how each affected their mental health. Females reported more social support sources (SSQN) as well as a higher satisfaction of their social support (SSQS) than males. Non-injured student athletes appeared to have fewer social support sources as well as less social support satisfaction than injured student athletes. Of the total study sample, 27.8 percent met the criteria for some kind of depressive symptom concern. The study confirmed gender characteristics regarding help-seeking behavior, trends of depression symptomatology, and social support preferences. Overall the current study's findings indicate a need for further research regarding social support and depression symptomatology, examining injured and non-injured student athletes.

The purpose of this study was to determine to what extent a coach’s coaching style is associated with the athlete’s basic psychological needs fulfillment of autonomy, competence and relatedness. A survey was distributed to 204 varsity student-athletes at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo representing 13 teams. The data were used to determine the impact of coaching style on the athlete’s fulfillment of autonomy, competence and relatedness. An authoritative head coaching style was found to have a positive impact on an athlete’s fulfillment of autonomy, competence and relatedness. A similar result was found for assistant coaches. Overall, these findings can help coaches and athletic departments.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different strength training modes on joint range of motion. The problem of the study was to compare Nautilus to free-weight training modes in terms of selected joints' ranges of motion before and after an eight-week strength training program. The hypothesis asserted was that there was no difference between pre-test and post-test scores when comparing Nautilus to free-weight training modes. Subjects were thirty college-age students enrolled in beginning weight-training classes at the University of the Pacific. The subjects were acquired from intact classes and comprised two groups of 9 males and 6 females each. Pre-test and post-test flexibility measures were acquired by use of a Leighton Flex-o-meter and sit-and-reach protocols. Single joint measures of shoulder flexion, extension and abduction, hip flexion, extension and abduction, elbow flexion, knee flexion, and low back flexion were acquired. For eight weeks, two times per week, each class completed an 8 to 12 repetitions per each exercise protocol following the principles of training asserted by Nautilus. Pre-test data for all bilateral joints were statistically analyzed with paired t-tests in order to determine any differences. No significant bilateral differences were found; consequently, these data were converted to eight single measures of average range of motion of the joints respectively. Pretest data then were analyzed with two-factor ANOV A (group x gender) in order to determine if the two intact classes initially represented the same population. The only measure in which a group difference was found was shoulder extension (p

Repeat sprint ability has been investigated thoroughly, however optimal training methodology to improve RSA remains elusive. Both kinetic and physiological viewpoints have been used to scrutinize aspects of RSA including, initial sprint performance (anaerobic power), maximal cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max), lactate threshold, anaerobic capacity (mean power), muscle activation (EMG), and local muscle oxygenation kinetics. To our knowledge no study has utilized maximal strength levels as a separate factor among a homogenous group of cardiorespiratory fitness individuals (as determined by peak VO2 during RSA). The purpose of this study was to better understand the relationship between maximal strength, muscular characteristics, and cycling RSA- respective to muscle oxygenation responses. Fifteen participants completed fifteen 10-second maximal effort sprints on a cycle ergometer interspersed with 30-seconds passive recovery. Respiratory, muscle oxygenation, and kinetic responses were monitored continuously and evaluated relationships with maximal strength and muscular architecture as determined by isometric mid-thigh pull and ultrasonography respectively. A series of 2 x 15 mixed design, group x time, ANOVA’s were used to evaluate the effects of group and or sprint on muscle oxygenation kinetics. Strong individuals were found to have significantly greater levels of muscle oxygenation usage, recovery and the respective rates; p = 0.01, p = 0.02, p

The following executive summary provides high level findings of a student-athlete mental health program (SAMHP) at a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I mid-major university. Various elements of the SAMHP were evaluated to create a well-rounded understanding of the program to determine sustainability, goals, and stakeholder expectations. Findings from this study provided insight on stakeholder needs, program successes, and implications for program improvements.

This descriptive study examines whether high school counselors are equipped to advise potential recruits on new NCAA academic eligibility regulations. It highlights the NCAA’s new Division I academic eligibility regulations in effect for current seniors in high school (entering collegiate class of 2016) and gives an overview of academic rule changes within the national governing body. The enhanced academic eligibility rules increase minimum GPA and test score as well as mandates strict core course requirements, prioritizing the role of a high school counselor in the entire process. The study will seek to examine the knowledge of high school counselors on new NCAA academic eligibility rules, the resources available to them and those needed to better assist potential recruits from underserved backgrounds. This study will focus on high school counselors employed in California at underserved schools characterized by those receiving Title I wide funding from the federal government. The majority of students at Title I wide institutions are minorities and first generation students and these populations rely heavily on their high school counselors for college knowledge. In many cases, athletic scholarships are these student’s only means of obtaining a collegiate degree; highlighting the need to examine the knowledge and resources high school counselors have and need to properly advise potential NCAA student-athletes. High school counselors need information and resources specific to NCAA academic eligibility regulations to help student-athletes from underserved backgrounds keep their collegiate dreams alive.

Introduction: College soccer begins in August and ends in November, allowing athletes less than 4 months to condition and play all regular season matches. A consistent consequence of this condensed season structure is an elevated risk of training distress. In turn, training distress can lead to impaired performance and an increased likelihood of injury. Thus, it is important to identify signs of symptoms of distress early so that appropriate adjustments to training volume can be made. Simple, noninvasive techniques, which can be implemented by coaching staff, are ideal. This study investigated whether heart rate recovery was effective as an indicator of training distress in collegiate soccer players. Methods: 26 women and 17 men were enrolled in the study. Data were collected at 4 time points, measuring shuttle run time, heart rate recovery time, resting heart rate values, and MTDS questionnaire score. Heart rate recovery time was defined as the duration it took an athlete to reach 60% heart rate maximum from peak heart rate following the shuttle run. Results: Shuttle run times were prolonged in the beginning and end of season compared to the two mid-season tests (p < 0.001); heart rate recovery times differed at each time period (p=0.003); freshmen deviation from baseline was greater compared to all other grades (p=0.001). Although not statistically significant, resting heart rate values trended up at the end of the season for both genders. Conclusions: Heart rate recovery did not detect training distress in athletes; shuttle run times and resting heart rate appeared to be possible variables that should be taken in to consideration for further research and possibly assist in tailoring training session for optimal performance.

Although female sports’ participation and popularity has grown significantly since Title IX was enacted in 1972, the fight for gender equality in sport is far from over. Gender stereotypes continue to constrain male and female access and experiences in sport (Endendijk et al., 2013; Daltry, 2012). Given that competitiveness lies at the very heart of the definition of sport, athletes are often asked to act competitively to achieve success. However, behaviors marked as competitive can often contradict the societal norms of femininity resulting in sporting females frequently receiving conflicting messages on how to act. Research indicates that gender stereotypes are well established by the age of 8, however young adolescence is a complex time of change and growth in the performance of gender especially within a sport context (Perry & Pauletti, 2011; Steinfeldt, Zakrajsek, Carter, & Steinfeldt, 2011). Consequently, this study explores whether gender stereotypes exist in perceptions of sporting competitiveness. A purposive convenience sample of 10 young athletes (ages 11–15) from a range of ability levels was selected. Data was generated through using grounded theory and a four-stage coding process. The participants’ narratives revealed several gender stereotypes informed young athletes’ perceptions of sporting competitiveness.

The vestibular system of the human body is responsible for gait control and spatial orientation. Like all human organs, the vestibular system can deteriorate through sickness or aging. Vestibular rehabilitation is aimed at reducing dizziness and imbalance through physical therapy. Patients compensate for their vestibular loss by using visual or proprioceptive cues from their physical therapy. A traditional vestibular rehabilitation protocol includes habituation and adaptation exercises. This observational case study will explore the effectiveness of incorporating lower extremity exercises into a vestibular protocol. The control group consisted of 23 members all diagnosed with a vestibular disorder. The treatment patient was a 72-year-old woman. After 8 visits of physical therapy, the treatment patient made an objective and subjective clinical improvement. She improved on every objective examination and reported her symptom severity as completely absent. She attributes her musculoskeletal exercise as the main factor in her imbalance improvement. The success of this case study bodes well for further research. This study was to explore and provide insight on a new method in treating vestibular disorders. A new exploration can begin on how we can incorporate lower extremity exercises into more vestibular programs.

Small-scale sport events have been argued to be sustainable form of tourism development for communities (Gibson, 1999). The purpose of this study was to analyze four small-scale sport events all operated by NIGSA (Nómadas International Group SA) in the Magallanes region of Chile. The four events at the core of this study were: Patagonian Expedition Race, Patagonian International Marathon, Ultra Trail Torres del Paine, and the Ultra Fiord which operate partially or completely inside the Torres del Paine National Park. As a biosphere reserve established by the United Nations, Torres del Paine National Park requires a sustainable perspective of event sport tourism. A 2011 alteration of biosphere reserve qualification criteria from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has heightened the need for protection, preservation, and responsible management of Torres del Paine National Park and the small-scale sport events being studied. This document includes sustainability and event sport tourism literature, a detailed methodology, findings and discussion from the data collected, and a few suggestions for the industry and event organizers. This study aimed to reveal development potential or lack thereof as a result of small-scale event sport tourism in the Torres del Paine National Park. Thus, this report addressed the main question: are the annual small-scale sport events hosted by the NIGSA a sustainable form of sport event tourism in a biosphere reserve and its extended host community?