Thesis (M.S.)--Springfield College, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.

M.Phil. / This study examined the relationship between perceived and observed body image of female Comrades Marathon athletes. To address this issue, 49 female Comrades Marathon athletes (mean age = 38.4) completed the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire, a standardised instrument assessing affective, cognitive, and behavioural components of appearance-related body image. Anthropometry measured body height, body weight and body fat percentage and was calculated on the basis of six skinfolds as stipulated at the Montreal Olympic Games Anthropological Project. Two groups were established and subjects were classified as underweight or normal/overweight. General findings revealed that the two groups differed only according to three variables of the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire, being fitness orientation (p-value = 0.005<0.05), health orientation (p-value = 0.029< 0.05) and self-classified weight (p-value < 0.0005). Discussion focuses on factors that could influence perceived and observed body image and the role that exercise and sport play in the formation of an athlete’s body image. Practical implications for sport psychologists and coaches who work with athletes are addressed.

To determine whether running imposes an additional iron cost on the female athlete, the response to an identical iron supplementation regime (200 mg elemental iron/day for 12-13.5 weeks) was assessed in two groups of iron deficient females classified as either runners (n=11) or non-runners (n=11). Criteria for selection was iron deficiency (serum ferritin ≤ 20 ng/ml) with an absence of anaemia (haemoglobin ≥12 g/dl). The response to therapy was evaluated on the basis of changes in serum ferritin and haemoglobin levels. Dietary intakes, physical activity and menstruation were monitored by all subjects. Runners averaged 32±8 miles running/week while the non-runners remained relatively sedentary during the supplementation period. Menstrual losses were similar in both groups. There was no significant difference in absorbable iron intake between the groups (p=0.10) and intakes ranged from 0.4-2.6 mg absorbable iron /day. Inadequate iron intakes were clearly demonstrated in 62% of the dietary records. As expected, there was a significant improvement in iron status over the period of oral iron therapy. Although the average overall change in serum ferritin for non-runners was 37.1 ng/ml compared to 26.6 ng/ml for the runners, this was not statistically significant (p=0.29) due to the very large interindividual variability in the change scores. Similarly, there was no significant difference in haemoglobin between the groups when averaged over time (p=0.81) and runners and non-runners demonstrated a similar pattern of change in haemoglobin over the course of supplementation. Regardless of their athletic practices, all females in their reproductive years appear to be at high risk of iron deficiency, primarily due to inadequate nutrition. Regular blood donation was also recognized as a potential contributing factor to the observed iron deficiency in these females, particularly in the non-runners. Because iron deficiency is undesirable for optimal health and well-being, recognition and prevention is highly recommended. Regular monitoring of iron status is particularly important in high performance athletes since a minor deficiency can potentially hinder peak performance and/or lead to the development of anaemia. / Education, Faculty of / Curriculum and Pedagogy (EDCP), Department of / Graduate

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Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1999. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 482-495). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1999. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 482-495). Also available on the Internet.

All-College Honors thesis - - State University of New York College at Cortland, 2008 - - Department of Physical Education. / Includes bibliographical references (p.[25-6]).

Specific dietary intakes were compared by menstrual status among endurance-trained athletes categorized as either eumenorrheic (EU) (N = 11), oligomenorrheic (OL) (N = 4) or amenorrheic (AM) (N = 5). It was hypothesized that nutrient intakes among endurance-trained women would be significantly different based on menstrual status. No significant differences in nutrient intakes were found among groups. The OL and the AM groups were significantly (p ≤ .05) younger than the EU group and the AM group had a significantly higher percent body fat when estimated by hydrostatic weighing (PFHW) than the EU group. Further comparisons of nutrient intakes were made between EU (N = 10) and AM (N = 4) runners. Zinc intake was significantly lower in the AM runners as compared to the EU runners. The AM runners were also significantly younger and had significantly higher PFHW than the EU runners. In conclusion, energy nutrient intakes appeared to not be significant factors in menstrual status. However, zinc intake was significantly lower (p ≤ .05) in AM runners as compared to EU runners.

Dietary intake for female college students representing both athletic and nonathletic groups was studied using 3-day food records to determine whether there was difference in nutrient intake between groups. Body composition and nutritional beliefs were evaluated. Groups included: repertory dance (n = 4), gymnastics (n = 6), basketball (n = 6), cross-country runners (n = 5), volleyball (n = 4), and softball (n = 8). All groups had adequate calorie, high protein, low iron, zinc intake. All groups except volleyball had high vitamin C intake. Body composition ranged from 13.6%-21.7% fat. Eighty-six percent considered themselves over their optimal weight. A majority wanted more information on nutrition (75%) and on weight control (82%). I conclude there is no significant difference between dietary intake of athletic college women as compared to a nonathletic group, there is no significant difference in dietary intake among groups of athletic women, and athletic women consider dietary intake and nutrition knowledge to be important factors in training and competition.

Thesis (Ed.D.)--University of Delaware, 2007. / Principal faculty advisor: Frank B. Murray, School of Education. Includes bibliographical references.