This thesis attempted to develop a clearer understanding of the pre-competition achievement goal perspectives that are held by young performers. The programme of research moves through three transitional stages incorporating three different methodologies. Specifically, the first two investigations which comprised Study 1 adopted a quantitative research methodology; Study 2 incorporated qualitative techniques; and the final investigation addressed the research question on an idiographic basis via a single subject design study. Firstly, an attempt is made to identify the major antecedents or precursors to states of goal involvement prior to a specific competitive situation. The first study examined the antecedents of pre-competition state goals within adolescent swimmers from an interactionist perspective. Results showed how levels of task and ego involvement prior to a specific race were related to both dispositional tendencies and situational factors within the race context. However, task orientation appeared to play a more powerful role than ego orientation in predicting their respective goal states. Furthermore, ego involvement was more strongly predicted by situational factors. The second investigation extended this question by investigating a sample of elite junior tennis players prior to a competitive match at the National Championships. In this way, the nature of the competitive context, with respect to goal or reward structure, changed from being more task-involving (individualistic-focused) to being more ego-involving (competitive-focused). Results showed how the players' goal states were related much more to perceptions of the context than to their reported goal orientation. Furthermore, task orientation did not emerge as a significant predictor of goal involvement. With these results in mind, the second stage of the thesis involved investigating, to a much greater depth, the motivational criteria which appeared to contribute to the development of goal orientation and the activation of goal involvement in the context of competition. For this purpose, qualitative interview techniques and an inductive content analysis were applied to a sample of seventeen elite junior tennis players. The findings suggested that the development of goal orientation and activation of pre-competition goal involvement rested on a complex interaction of internal and environmental factors. Specific general dimensions of influence included cognitive-developmental skills and experience, the motivational climate conveyed by significant others, the social and structural nature of tennis, and the match context. The information gathered from this study provided the impetus, rationale and theoretical foundation for the final study in this thesis. Employing a single subject multiple baseline across subjects design, the study investigated the effects of a structured environmental and task-based intervention programme which sought to influence precompetition goal involvement and related competitive cognitions within a small sample of adolescent national standard tennis players. Following a three month intervention period, the three targeted players reported pre-competition goal states which showed increased activation of the self-referent conception of achievement. Furthermore, each player fostered an attitude which valued the challenge of winning matches for internal reasons, as opposed to reasons associated with favourable social approval. These findings reinforced the practicability of educationlaction-based interventions designed to develop more adaptive motivational responses to competitive situations. The programme of research conducted in this thesis, therefore, highlights how precompetition achievement goal perspectives within young performers may be influenced, provided that one has a detailed understanding of the antecedents of this process. In so doing, this thesis alerts future research to the importance of working within an interactionist paradigm and with a measurement technology which can accurately assess goal states in a diverse number of sporting situations. In this way, our understanding of goal involvement, as an important achievement-related attentional state, may be greatly facilitated.

Thesis (M. S.)--Florida State University, 2005. / Advisor: Dr. Gershon Tenenbaum, Florida State University, College of Education, Dept. of Educational Psychology and Learning Systems. Title and description from dissertation home page (viewed June 24, 2005). Document formatted into pages; contains vii, 40 pages. Includes bibliographical references.

A produção científica referente ao treinamento técnico de tenistas adultos não tem sido realizada na mesma proporção em que cresce a dedicação destes sujeitos pela modalidade. O presente trabalho tem por objetivo central descrever e explorar a freqüência de execução dos Golpes de Preparação (GP) e dos Golpes de Definição (GD) durante o treinamento técnico-desportivo de tenistas adultos federados em três categorias da mesma faixa etária: "Livre; Maiores A; e Maiores B". Mais especificamente, o estudo procura verificar se há diferenças estatisticamente significativas na freqüência de execução de GP e GD segundo as variáveis controladas: Categorias (Livre, Maiores A e Maiores B) e Ranking (Posição entre 10 e 150 (R1) e 160 e 330 (R2) oferecendo à comunidade tenística informações sobre os treinos dos tenistas com maior destaque desta amostra. Para tanto, aplicou-se o Inventário do Treino Técnico-desportivo do Tenista (ITTT-12; Balbinotti, 2003). O ITTT-12 é respondido numa escala do tipo Likert de cinco pontos (1 - pouquíssima freqüência a 5 - muitíssima freqüência) para verificar, em valores nominais, a dimensão com maior freqüência de prática pelos tenistas. O ITTT-12 foi aplicado em 99 tenistas do sexo masculino. Todos os tenistas participam das competições promovidas pela Federação Gaúcha de Tênis. Constatou-se que a dimensão praticada com maior freqüência foi os GP. Avaliando as freqüências de treino técnico dos tenistas com as variáveis controladas, percebe-se que os GP são mais praticados em todas as análises, com a exceção da comparação dos tenistas R1 e R2 da categoria "Maiores B". Os tenistas R2 desta categoria revelaram praticar com maior freqüência os GD. Os resultados deste estudo sugerem a importância da prática dos GP na busca pela evolução técnica dos tenistas participantes das referidas categorias. Recomendamos que novos estudos com tenistas de outras categorias sejam realizados para aprofundar os conhecimentos sobre o treinamento técnico nesta modalidade. / Researches about technical practice of adult tennis players have not been performed in the same proportion that increases their dedication to this sport modality. The present thesis has as central aim to describe and explore the frequency of Preparation Strokes (PS) and Definition Strokes (DS) execution, during the technical training of adult tennis players, associated to the related sport federation into three categories embracing the same age group: "Free , Adults A and Adults B". More specifically, the study looked forward to verify potential significant statistical differences in the execution frequency of PS and DS, according controlled variables: Categories (Free, Adults A and Adults B) and Ranking (Ranked 1º to 15º - R1 ; Ranked 16º to 33º - R2 ) offering to the tennis community information regarding practices of the higher level tennis players, out of this universe. In order to do that, the "Inventário do Treino Técnico-desportivo do Tenista (ITTT-12; Balbinotti, 2003)", was applied. The ITTT-12 is a test that rates the answers in a Likert scale form of 5 points (1 - hardly frequent to 5 - highest frequent) verifying in nominal values, the dimension most practiced by the tennis players. The ITTT-12 surveyed a sample of 99 adult male tennis players. All participants compete in events promoted by the Gaucha Tennis Federation (Rio Grande do Sul State Tennis Federation, Brazil). The research appointed that the most frequent practiced dimension was the PS. Evaluating the frequency of player's practice training with controlled variables, it is perceived that PS, in all analysis, are most practiced, except when comparing tennis players R1 and R2 , of "Adults B" category. R2 tennis players of this category performed most frequently DS. The results of this study suggest the importance of PS practice on searching higher technical level for the participants of these categories. We recommend that additional studies are directed with participants of other categories in order to deep the knowledge about tennis technical training.

A produção científica referente ao treinamento técnico de tenistas adultos não tem sido realizada na mesma proporção em que cresce a dedicação destes sujeitos pela modalidade. O presente trabalho tem por objetivo central descrever e explorar a freqüência de execução dos Golpes de Preparação (GP) e dos Golpes de Definição (GD) durante o treinamento técnico-desportivo de tenistas adultos federados em três categorias da mesma faixa etária: "Livre; Maiores A; e Maiores B". Mais especificamente, o estudo procura verificar se há diferenças estatisticamente significativas na freqüência de execução de GP e GD segundo as variáveis controladas: Categorias (Livre, Maiores A e Maiores B) e Ranking (Posição entre 10 e 150 (R1) e 160 e 330 (R2) oferecendo à comunidade tenística informações sobre os treinos dos tenistas com maior destaque desta amostra. Para tanto, aplicou-se o Inventário do Treino Técnico-desportivo do Tenista (ITTT-12; Balbinotti, 2003). O ITTT-12 é respondido numa escala do tipo Likert de cinco pontos (1 - pouquíssima freqüência a 5 - muitíssima freqüência) para verificar, em valores nominais, a dimensão com maior freqüência de prática pelos tenistas. O ITTT-12 foi aplicado em 99 tenistas do sexo masculino. Todos os tenistas participam das competições promovidas pela Federação Gaúcha de Tênis. Constatou-se que a dimensão praticada com maior freqüência foi os GP. Avaliando as freqüências de treino técnico dos tenistas com as variáveis controladas, percebe-se que os GP são mais praticados em todas as análises, com a exceção da comparação dos tenistas R1 e R2 da categoria "Maiores B". Os tenistas R2 desta categoria revelaram praticar com maior freqüência os GD. Os resultados deste estudo sugerem a importância da prática dos GP na busca pela evolução técnica dos tenistas participantes das referidas categorias. Recomendamos que novos estudos com tenistas de outras categorias sejam realizados para aprofundar os conhecimentos sobre o treinamento técnico nesta modalidade. / Researches about technical practice of adult tennis players have not been performed in the same proportion that increases their dedication to this sport modality. The present thesis has as central aim to describe and explore the frequency of Preparation Strokes (PS) and Definition Strokes (DS) execution, during the technical training of adult tennis players, associated to the related sport federation into three categories embracing the same age group: "Free , Adults A and Adults B". More specifically, the study looked forward to verify potential significant statistical differences in the execution frequency of PS and DS, according controlled variables: Categories (Free, Adults A and Adults B) and Ranking (Ranked 1º to 15º - R1 ; Ranked 16º to 33º - R2 ) offering to the tennis community information regarding practices of the higher level tennis players, out of this universe. In order to do that, the "Inventário do Treino Técnico-desportivo do Tenista (ITTT-12; Balbinotti, 2003)", was applied. The ITTT-12 is a test that rates the answers in a Likert scale form of 5 points (1 - hardly frequent to 5 - highest frequent) verifying in nominal values, the dimension most practiced by the tennis players. The ITTT-12 surveyed a sample of 99 adult male tennis players. All participants compete in events promoted by the Gaucha Tennis Federation (Rio Grande do Sul State Tennis Federation, Brazil). The research appointed that the most frequent practiced dimension was the PS. Evaluating the frequency of player's practice training with controlled variables, it is perceived that PS, in all analysis, are most practiced, except when comparing tennis players R1 and R2 , of "Adults B" category. R2 tennis players of this category performed most frequently DS. The results of this study suggest the importance of PS practice on searching higher technical level for the participants of these categories. We recommend that additional studies are directed with participants of other categories in order to deep the knowledge about tennis technical training.

A produção científica referente ao treinamento técnico de tenistas adultos não tem sido realizada na mesma proporção em que cresce a dedicação destes sujeitos pela modalidade. O presente trabalho tem por objetivo central descrever e explorar a freqüência de execução dos Golpes de Preparação (GP) e dos Golpes de Definição (GD) durante o treinamento técnico-desportivo de tenistas adultos federados em três categorias da mesma faixa etária: "Livre; Maiores A; e Maiores B". Mais especificamente, o estudo procura verificar se há diferenças estatisticamente significativas na freqüência de execução de GP e GD segundo as variáveis controladas: Categorias (Livre, Maiores A e Maiores B) e Ranking (Posição entre 10 e 150 (R1) e 160 e 330 (R2) oferecendo à comunidade tenística informações sobre os treinos dos tenistas com maior destaque desta amostra. Para tanto, aplicou-se o Inventário do Treino Técnico-desportivo do Tenista (ITTT-12; Balbinotti, 2003). O ITTT-12 é respondido numa escala do tipo Likert de cinco pontos (1 - pouquíssima freqüência a 5 - muitíssima freqüência) para verificar, em valores nominais, a dimensão com maior freqüência de prática pelos tenistas. O ITTT-12 foi aplicado em 99 tenistas do sexo masculino. Todos os tenistas participam das competições promovidas pela Federação Gaúcha de Tênis. Constatou-se que a dimensão praticada com maior freqüência foi os GP. Avaliando as freqüências de treino técnico dos tenistas com as variáveis controladas, percebe-se que os GP são mais praticados em todas as análises, com a exceção da comparação dos tenistas R1 e R2 da categoria "Maiores B". Os tenistas R2 desta categoria revelaram praticar com maior freqüência os GD. Os resultados deste estudo sugerem a importância da prática dos GP na busca pela evolução técnica dos tenistas participantes das referidas categorias. Recomendamos que novos estudos com tenistas de outras categorias sejam realizados para aprofundar os conhecimentos sobre o treinamento técnico nesta modalidade. / Researches about technical practice of adult tennis players have not been performed in the same proportion that increases their dedication to this sport modality. The present thesis has as central aim to describe and explore the frequency of Preparation Strokes (PS) and Definition Strokes (DS) execution, during the technical training of adult tennis players, associated to the related sport federation into three categories embracing the same age group: "Free , Adults A and Adults B". More specifically, the study looked forward to verify potential significant statistical differences in the execution frequency of PS and DS, according controlled variables: Categories (Free, Adults A and Adults B) and Ranking (Ranked 1º to 15º - R1 ; Ranked 16º to 33º - R2 ) offering to the tennis community information regarding practices of the higher level tennis players, out of this universe. In order to do that, the "Inventário do Treino Técnico-desportivo do Tenista (ITTT-12; Balbinotti, 2003)", was applied. The ITTT-12 is a test that rates the answers in a Likert scale form of 5 points (1 - hardly frequent to 5 - highest frequent) verifying in nominal values, the dimension most practiced by the tennis players. The ITTT-12 surveyed a sample of 99 adult male tennis players. All participants compete in events promoted by the Gaucha Tennis Federation (Rio Grande do Sul State Tennis Federation, Brazil). The research appointed that the most frequent practiced dimension was the PS. Evaluating the frequency of player's practice training with controlled variables, it is perceived that PS, in all analysis, are most practiced, except when comparing tennis players R1 and R2 , of "Adults B" category. R2 tennis players of this category performed most frequently DS. The results of this study suggest the importance of PS practice on searching higher technical level for the participants of these categories. We recommend that additional studies are directed with participants of other categories in order to deep the knowledge about tennis technical training.

M.Tech. / This study was conducted to determine whether Chiropractic treatment was beneficial in improving a male tennis player’s serve speed. Thirty participants were recruited and placed into a single group. Participants were between the ages of 18 and 40 years and selected based on the inclusion criteria being met. Participants had to be injury-free at the time of the research study and fall within a specified skill level (Provincial colours must have been attained at some stage in the participants tennis career). The participants were treated six times over a 3-week period and fifteen serve speed measurements were taken before the first consultation, and following the third and six consultations. A full case history, full physical examination, cervical spine regional examination and shoulder regional examination were conducted at the first consultation to locate joint restrictions and myofascial trigger points in the associated musculature of these areas. Diversified Chiropractic techniques were employed in the treatment of any restrictions found and trigger points were treated using either dry needling or ischaemic compression techniques. The results were interpreted by an outsourced statistician and the data was analysed using the ANOVA model and a Box Cox transformation was applied to transform the scale to normality. This yielded data onto which a parametric approach could be applied. According to the analysis, the treatment applied to the participants produced significant increases in their serve speed over the three sessions, although some increases were more prominent than others. This study concluded that Chiropractic treatment was effective in increasing the serve speed of a male tennis player and the study provides evidence that the effects of Chiropractic treatment could enhance performance in a sporting environment, perhaps even on a sustainable timeline with maintenance treatment.

No description available.

The dietary status of 40 professional women tennis players was evaluated. The nutrition section of the Health Habits and History Questionnaire was used to collect the data. The analysis of the questionnaires found a mean daily caloric intake of 2020 kcal or 33 kcal/kg. The mean percentage of kcal from carbohydrates of 50% was lower than the recommended range of 60% to 70% for athletes; the percentage of kcal from fat was 31% i and the mean intake of protein was in the recommended range of 1.0 to 1.5 g/kg. The mean intake of vitamins and minerals was over 100% of the RDA; however, some of the individual intakes were below 67% of the RDA for vitamin E, riboflavin, calcium, folacin, and iron. The use of supplements resulted in 200% or higher of the RDA in the daily intakes of vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, thiamin, iron, and calcium. The analysis of the subjects weekly food intake revealed a mean intake of 4.6 servings of chicken and fish compared to 1.0 to 0.3 for beef and pork. The mean intake for fruit was 16.8 servings and vegetables was 23.3 servings. The mean intake for pasta was 5.9 servings and dairy products was 2.6 servings. The nutrient intake of the professional women tennis players was comparable to that of other women athletes of various sports found in the literature. / Master of Science

Title: Reasons for the termination competitive activity of tennis players Objectives: The primary objective of this thesis is to analyze the possible reasons for termination competitive activity of teenage tennis players, which are obtained by qualitative method of data collection. The secondary objective is to create proposal of categorization theoretical model. Methods: In this thesis we used the narrative interview with the elements of the interview and the interview method. Interview method was used in collecting data to create a theoretical model of categorization. The narrative interview method with the elements of the interview was used as the main method of collecting data on probands. Results: We found that the termination of adolescent competitive activity is caused by more reasons. One of the main reasons was the influence by parents (especially the father), the other reasons were performance decrease, lack of motivation, injury, bad training condition in the club. Categorization was split into five main groups: social, psychological, economic, training and health. Keywords: tennis, reasons for the termination competitive activity, motivation, parents of tennis players, adolescents tennis players, competitive activity

This investigation was designed to study coach and self-appraised groupings of intercollegiate tennis players who yield to stress and withstand stress and to determine if personality differences existed between groups. Subjects were 75 intercollegiate tennis players from Texas. A stress inventory and the Cattell Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire were instruments utilized in the study. Data were subjected to hierarchical profile-groupings, three-way analyses of variance, and a correlational analysis. Conclusions of the study were that intercollegiate tennis players and male and female players respond to stress differently; intercollegiate tennis players and male and female players who experience different levels of stress have different personalities; and players and coaches do not evaluate the ability to cope with stress similarly.