Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Utah, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves [131]-137).

Performers of physical skills develop knowledge structures in which the content, structure and process of special skills as well as context information are represented (Allard & Burnett, 1985; Gardner, 1985; Vickers, 1986). In the teaching of sports and physical education we deal with complexly organized knowledge structures and mental operations and changes occur as one (students, athletes, teachers and coaches) progresses from the novice to expert levels. The differences between the knowledge representation of experts and novices were documented in many areas, such as chess (Chase & Simon, 1973), physics (Chi, Feltovich & Glaser, 1981), mathematics teaching (Leinhardt& Smith, 1985) and gymnastics (Vickers, 1986). The basic purpose of this study was, for pedagogical reasons, to better understand the development of the novice performers' knowledge structure by exploring their thought processes in action. The focus was upon novice tennis players during the game situation. Four novice level volunteer students from a physical education tennis performance class were the subjects of this study. A multiple case study method utilizing both qualitative and quantitative data was employed. The qualitative method and procedure of stimulated recall (Grimmett, 1982; Housner & Griffey, 1985; Peterson, 1982; Tuckwell, 1980) was used to obtain verbal reports disclosing the novices' thought processes when reviewing the video tape segments of their play. Quantitative performance data using the CompuTennis scoring system were analyzed in order to verify the accuracy of the subject's comments during the analysis of their interview transcriptions. Moreover, field notes and two questionnaires completed multiple source data base in order to permit the analysis of a subject in all dimensions. A description of what the players thought and felt during the interview in relation to their tennis performance was presented and the players' thought processes and knowledge structures were analyzed and interpreted in relation to the complex internal and external cues reported in particular game situations. Diagrammatical summary of each case was presented as a representation of a player's thought processes and knowledge structures. As well, a novice player's thought processes and knowledge structures were discussed with a comparative view in relation to selected stage theories (Anderson,1982; Dreyfus & Dreyfus, 1986; Jewett & Mullan, 1977). The present multiple cases revealed common themes across the cases of the novices as well as distinct individual differences in terms of the breadth, depth, organization and accessibility of the knowledges, working memory capacity and information processing efficiency (Kyllonen & Christal, 1989). Moreover, from the results of the study, developmental processes of compilation, composition and proceduralization of knowledges of action (Anderson, 1982) in the tennis game situation were discussed. Finally, the implications were discussed for the designs of instruction of skill performance. / Education, Faculty of / Curriculum and Pedagogy (EDCP), Department of / Graduate

The problem of this study was to investigate the resilient effects of selected string tensions in various types of tennis rackets. The rackets selected were the Wilson T-2000, Head Professional, Head Master, Dunlop Fort, Dunlop Austral, and Yamaha Composite. Each racket was randomly strung and tested at 45, 52.5, and 60 pounds of string tension. The testing involved dropping a tennis ball 100 inches onto the racket face, which was stationary, and measuring the height of the ball bounce. The data collected from the rackets and string tensions were analyzed by the analysis of variance and the .05 level of confidence was used to determine significance. A significant difference occurred between the Head Professional and Wilson T-2000 and the Head Professional and Yamaha Composite. Significant differences occurred between all three string tensions.

Thesis (M.Tech.: Chiropractic)- Dept. of Chiropractic, Durban Institute of Technology, 2002. 113 leaves / Lateral epicondylitis is the most common cause of chronic lateral elbow pain in adults (Bowen et al. 2001:642). No uniform treatment regime is available for lateral epicondylitis, although most authors do agree that treatment should begin with a conservative approach before progressing to more complex and invasive therapies (Kamien 1990:174). The purpose of this study was to investigate the relative effectiveness of dry needling myofascial trigger points of the forearm extensor muscles as an adjunct to cross friction massage, in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis.

Thesis (M.Tech.:Chiropractic)- Dept. of Chiropractic, Durban Institute of Technology, 2006. xiii, 84 leaves, Annexures A-J. / Many studies have been done investigating the role that muscle imbalances play in causing injury to the body, for example the knee and the shoulder. It has been found that keeping muscle balances around a joint play an important role in protecting the soft tissue structures. There is a need to further investigate the effect of muscle imbalances in the upper limb. Additionally, according to the literature, as yet no effective treatment protocol or a specific cause has been found for lateral epicondylitis making it a troubling condition for practitioners to treat and a disabling condition for patients to live with. Therefore, this research aimed at investigating whether muscle imbalances are associated with the aetiology of lateral epicondylitis. If an association was found, people involved in predisposing activities could improve the imbalance to avoid the condition, thereby minimizing time spent away from work and sport. Also, a more effective and efficient management protocol for the painful condition could be attained. The objectives of this study included: 1) assessing the peak torque (using the Cybex Orthotron II) and muscle activity (using surface electromyography) of the wrist flexor and extensor muscle groups of asymptomatic subjects; 2) assessing the peak torque (using the Cybex Orthotron II) and muscle activity (using surface electromyography) of the wrist flexor and extensor muscle groups of symptomatic subjects and 3) to integrate this information, compare the two groups and subgroups and statistically analyse the difference between them.

No description available.

This thesis critically examines and assesses how Talent Identification and Development (TID) programmes for tennis are organised and implemented in four European countries. The thesis is based upon a multi-disciplinary and comparative research design, using both quantitative and qualitative research strategies, and the research methods of literature surveys, documentary research and semi-structured interviews, supplemented by a self-completion questionnaire. The study directly compares the views of key actors (players, coaches, administrators and parents) involved in TID practice in tennis in two of the countries: the Czech Republic and Germany. Two additional European countries, the United Kingdom (but focussing on England) and France, also form part of the research for comparative purposes. Following an original analysis of published and unpublished national and international literature, websites, documents and data in each of these countries, interviews were conducted in English and German with 39 key informants from the Czech Republic and Germany. The results indicated gaps between the theory and practice of TID and that tennis in the countries examined is likely to remain and become an even more socially exclusive sport within the next few years. Talent Development will be funded either by the public sport system, by private initiative, or both, but talent identification and development in tennis will remain limited to children from families with above average financial backgrounds.

A dissertation presented in partial compliance with the requirements of the Masters Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban Institute of Technology, 2006. xiii, 84 leaves, Annexures A-J. / Many studies have been done investigating the role that muscle imbalances play in causing injury to the body, for example the knee and the shoulder. It has been found that keeping muscle balances around a joint play an important role in protecting the soft tissue structures. There is a need to further investigate the effect of muscle imbalances in the upper limb. Additionally, according to the literature, as yet no effective treatment protocol or a specific cause has been found for lateral epicondylitis making it a troubling condition for practitioners to treat and a disabling condition for patients to live with. Therefore, this research aimed at investigating whether muscle imbalances are associated with the aetiology of lateral epicondylitis. If an association was found, people involved in predisposing activities could improve the imbalance to avoid the condition, thereby minimizing time spent away from work and sport. Also, a more effective and efficient management protocol for the painful condition could be attained. The objectives of this study included: 1) assessing the peak torque (using the Cybex Orthotron II) and muscle activity (using surface electromyography) of the wrist flexor and extensor muscle groups of asymptomatic subjects; 2) assessing the peak torque (using the Cybex Orthotron II) and muscle activity (using surface electromyography) of the wrist flexor and extensor muscle groups of symptomatic subjects and 3) to integrate this information, compare the two groups and subgroups and statistically analyse the difference between them. / M

A dissertation proposal presented in the partial fulfilment of the requirement for the Master's Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Technikon Natal, 2001. / The purpose of this investigation was to perform a placebo controlled, randomised clinical study to determine the efficacy of manipulative therapy of the elbow, based on motion palpation findings, in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis . Forty patients participated in the study, all of who underwent a case history, physical examination, and elbow regional examination. They were then randomly assigned to one of the two groups, so that twenty patients received manipulative therapy of the elbow, and the remainder of the patients received detuned ultrasound. All patients received 6 treatments over a 3-week period, with subjective and objective data being collected before the first, third and sixth treatments. The short-form McGill pain questionnaire and the NRS101 questionnaire where used to monitor each patients subjective response, while algometer and dynamometer readings were taken to provide objective data. Motion palpation of the symptomatic elbow was performed on all patients before treatments 1,3, and 6. Examination of the statistical data reveals that there was no significant difference in improvement between the two groups, ie. manipulative therapy of the elbow was found to be no more / M

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the transfer of training would affect the achievement and retention scores of subjects learning selected tennis and badminton skills. This study was intended to establish the most beneficial teaching progression for tennis and badminton skills.