The purpose of the study was to examine the physiological components related to the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery level 1 (YYIRL1) test in female adolescent soccer players. Eighteen female soccer players (age 16.3 ± .77 years) were tested for maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) and ventilatory threshold (VT) on a motorized treadmill. Anaerobic power and capacity were assessed by peak power (W) measured during a counter movement jump (CMJ) and performance on an anaerobic speed test (AST), respectively. As well, participants completed the Multistage 20m Shuttle run (Leger). YYIRL1 performance (meters) was significantly correlated to VO2 max (r = .59), VT (r = .42), Peak Power (r = .41), CMJ height (r = .41), AST (r = .52) and the Leger (r = .72, p < .05). Leger performance (m) was significantly correlated to VO2 max (r = .60) and AST (r = .47, p < .05). Multiple stepwise linear regression equations were run with YYIRL1 and Leger as the dependent variables. VO2 max was the only variable that contributed to prediction of YYIRL1 or Leger performance with R2 values of .35 and .36. The results of the study showed that YYIRL1 performance is related to both aerobic and anaerobic variables, although predominantly maximal aerobic power (VO2 max). It is recommended that the YYIRL1 be used when assessing female adolescent soccer players as the results provide evidence that the YYIRL1 is related to anaerobic variables associated with soccer match performance. As well, coaches can efficiently test their athletes in a shorter amount of time compared to the Leger. / Graduate

The overall aim of this thesis was to identify valid, simple, and inexpensive physical tests that can be used for evaluation of firefighters’ physical work capacity. Paper I included fulltime- and part-time firefighters (n = 193), aged 20-60 years. Perceived physical demands of firefighting work tasks were ranked, and comparisons between subject groups rating were done with the Mann Whitney U-test and Binominal test. Papers II and III included male firefighters and civilian men and women (n = 38), aged 24-57 years. Laboratory and field tests of aerobic fitness, muscle strength and endurance, balance, and simulated firefighting work tasks were performed. Physical capacity comparisons between subject groups were done and bivariate correlations between physical tests and work capacity in the simulated firefighting work tasks analyzed. Paper IV included the same subjects as in Paper II-III (training-set), and additional 90 subjects (prediction-set), aged 20-50 years. Laboratory and field tests of aerobic fitness, muscle strength and endurance and balance, and simulated firefighting work tasks were included. Data from the training-set was used to build models for prediction of firefighters’ physical work capacity, using multivariate statistic. The prediction-set was used to externally validate the selected models. Several work tasks were rated as physically demanding and significant differences (p &lt; 0.05) in ratings were found between full-time and part-time firefighters (Paper I). Significant differences were found between subject groups in physical capacity, and work capacity (p &lt; 0.01) (Paper II-IV). Both laboratory and field tests were significantly (p &lt; 0.01) correlated with work capacity time (Paper II-III). The prediction (R2) and predictive power (Q2) of firefighters’ work capacity (Carrying hose baskets upstairs, Hose pulling, Demolition at or after a fire, Victim rescue, and Carrying hose baskets over terrain) was R2 = 0.74 to 0.91, and Q2 = 0.65 to 0.85, and the external validation ranged between R2: 0.38 to 0.80 (Paper IV). In conclusion, rowing 500 m (s), maximal handgrip strength (kg), endurance bench press (n), running 3000 m (s and s scaled to body weight) upright barbell row (n) and standing broad jump (m) together provides valid information about firefighters’ physical work capacity.

This study aims to shed light on practices that jazz dance teachers have incorporated into their teaching in order to enhance development of physiological abilities, as well as examine how these practices have become part of their jazz dance teaching practise.The research was conducted through four semi-structured interviews where jazz dance teachers described how they enhance physiological abilities in their dance teaching practice, and which aspects impact their choices. The transcribed interviews were analysed using thematic analysis, supplemented by the application of selected principles for physical training. The results indicated that physiological abilities were mostly enhanced through conventional jazz dance technique training, within the conventional structural framework, and that the physiological aspect is not addressed in the early planning process, but comes along later following the progression of the dance technique training. Furthermore, the results imply that the social construction of a jazz dance training and convention have significant impact to the practices used to improve physiological abilities in jazz dance training. The conclusion is that jazz dance is recognised as a physically demanding genre, where technique training can enhance most of the physiological abilities.