Ballet dancers are a unique population of athletes in that, unlike other sports, their success strictly depends on both physical capabilities and aesthetic factors. While the physical demands of the performing sport are strenuous, ballet dancers are often required to exhibit a thin physique, frequently resulting in weights 10-12% below the ideal. These low weights are commonly achieved by low energy intakes which increase dancers' susceptibility to the development of various health conditions. Research investigating the health of dancers, however, is limited and hampered by methodological limitations. To address these issues, we tested the hypothesis that dancers would report a low habitual energy intake and, therefore, be subject to conditions comprising the Female Athlete Triad, including low energy availability, suboptimal bone density and menstrual irregularities. In addition, we hypothesized that elite female dancers would have lower than expected resting metabolic rate (RMR) based upon their fat-free mass, and thus greater energetic efficiency as a result of chronic energy deficiency. As hypothesized, dancers reported a significantly lower energy intake and exhibited a lower RMR as compared to lean, pair-matched controls. Because treatment of these metabolic abnormalities is challenging, prevention of adverse health outcomes among adolescent pre-professional dancers is key in promoting overall health and optimal performance. Through our subsequent 'formative work', we determined that the current availability of nutrition education offered to both professional and pre-professional dancers is minimal and of questionable quality. Thus, we developed, implemented, and evaluated a DVD-based educational program, entitled "Nutrition for Optimal Performance", aimed at improving health knowledge and behaviors of pre-professional adolescent ballet dancers. Our findings indicate that participants increased their knowledge of basic nutrition principles and self-efficacy for adopting healthier dietary habits, as compared to pre-program and control group scores, and that knowledge gains were sustained at a six-week follow-up assessment. Collectively, these studies provide the field of dance medicine with novel findings related to the characteristics and health conditions of professional ballet dancers, and the effectiveness of a low-resource, disseminable nutrition education program which promotes the health and optimal performance of pre-professional adolescent ballet dancers. / Ph. D.

I used structural equation modeling to analyze different models representing the direct and indirect relationships between coach-created motivational climates (i.e., empowering and disempowering) and teamwork behaviors to collegiate women athletes' (N = 592) perceptions of sport enjoyment, satisfaction with team performance, and collective efficacy. The total effects model represented a better fit to the data than did the indirect effects model; empowering and disempowering climates were associated directly with teamwork behaviors (R2 = .50). As expected, teamwork behaviors were related significantly to each outcome: enjoyment, athlete satisfaction with team performance, and collective efficacy. Although only empowering was related to enjoyment, the indirect effects of both motivational climates were significant: (a) empowering climate X teamwork X sport enjoyment, (b) athlete satisfaction with team performance, (c) collective efficacy, (d) disempowering climate X teamwork X sport enjoyment, (e) athlete satisfaction with team performance, and (f) collective efficacy. The total effect of empowering climate, which included the direct and indirect effects, were significant for enjoyment, athlete satisfaction with team performance, and collective efficacy. No total effect for disempowering climate was significant. The results suggest that the types of climates coaches create, particularly ones that are empowering, may help improve their teams' performance through more and better engagement in teamwork behaviors. Sport psychologists should work with coaches to help them develop such environments and help their teams thrive.

The injury recovery process is a tumultuous journey many athletes experience in their playing careers. Previous research highlights the importance of injury recovery for collegiate athletes, as a lack of social support leads to mental illness, decreases academic performance, and low levels of self-esteem. Utilizing the theoretical lenses of social support, memorable messages, and the sport ethic, the current study investigated how injuries affect athletic identity, the role that coaches, trainers, teammates, and family members play in the social support process, how injury affects athletes' experience with burnout, and the memorable messages that athletes received during their recovery. Themes emerged from data analysis, including (1) athletic injury affects identity, (2) coaches, trainers, teammates, and family members have a significant effect on the social support process, (3) injuries, long-term involvement in sports, and negative coach interactions are potential causes for athletic burnout, and (4) athletes remember positive feelings related to messages but are more likely to remember the specifics of negative messages. These findings suggest that multiple factors work in tandem to affect the overall injury recovery process for female college soccer players. The paper closes with theoretical implications and real-world practical applications for athletes.

L’objectif de cette étude était d’obtenir une meilleure compréhension du concept de force mentale appliqué dans un contexte sportif. Pour se faire, des entrevues ont été réalisées avec dix athlètes québécois francophones de niveau universitaire. L’analyse des données s’est effectuée en suivant les principes de la version abrégée de la théorisation ancrée. Les résultats appuient globalement la littérature scientifique. En somme, la force mentale serait composée de caractéristiques de base interreliées, telles que la motivation internalisée, la confiance en soi, la maturité et la détermination. La force mentale serait sollicitée non seulement lorsque l’athlète fait face à des situations difficiles comme l’adversité, mais également lorsque le contexte dans lequel il évolue est exempt de complications (à l’entraînement ou lors de victoire). Les résultats des entrevues indiquent que face à ces deux types de situation, les athlètes forts mentalement possèderaient un mode réactionnel tridimensionnel (dimension cognitive, affective et comportementale) se caractérisant par la gestion et le contrôle de l’attention, l’interprétation optimiste des situations, le contrôle de l’activation et du langage corporel, la gestion des émotions et la résilience. Contrairement à la littérature, les résultats suggèrent que la force mentale ne serait pas nécessairement liée aux athlètes performants au plus haut niveau de leur sport, mais à la capacité des athlètes à donner de bonnes performances en fonction de leur potentiel individuel. Cette étude constitue le premier pas vers le développement d’un instrument de mesure permettant d’évaluer le niveau de force mentale chez les athlètes francophones. / The objective of the study was to obtain a clearer understanding of the concept of mental toughness as applied to a sport context. To do so, interviews were conducted with ten university-level Francophone Quebec athletes. The data analysis was conducted by following the principles of the abridged grounded theory. The results are in general agreement with the scientific literature as mental toughness was made up of interrelated basic characteristics such as internalized motivation, self-confidence, maturity and determination. Mental toughness was solicited when the athlete faced difficult situations such as adversity, but also when the context the athletes faced was free from complications (e.g. during training or victory). In the two classes of situations, adversity and freedom from adversity, mentally tough athletes exhibited a tridimensional reaction mode (cognitive, affective and behavioural dimensions) characterized by a management and control of attention, optimistic interpretation, activation control and body language control, consciousness, management of emotions and resilience. Contrary to the existing literature, the results suggest that mental toughness would not necessarily be linked to athletes performing at the top of their game; it would instead be connected to the capacity of athletes to produce good performances relative to their individual potential. This study can be viewed as a first step in the development of an instrument that would permit the evaluation of the level of mental toughness in Francophone athletes.

Title of the thesis: Training on rowing machine. Aims of the thesis The aim of this work is to prove the influence of training on a rowing machine on the performance and body composition of a performance rower and two recreational athletes. Method of work The method of direct observation (participation in training sessions) and indirect observation method (training diaries) were used in this thesis. The training took place both on the rowing machine and in the gym and it also included additional sports. It lasted for two months with the focus on improving the riding technique and improving performance. Each subject underwent training at the specified doses. VZ also had a larger number of training units in the gym where he focused on strength training to ride a rowing machine. The MV had training activities evenly distributed among the rowing machine, gym and complementary sports. The TŠ subject was more of a complementary sport and devoted the rowing trainer to the least of the involved subjects. The training on the rowing machine was expertly controlled by the trainer and the trainings including the training plan set by him. The technique was evaluated expertly by the trainer. The Concept II rowing machine was used for training as well as all measurements. Endurance, speed and power were evaluated...

L’objectif de cette étude était d’obtenir une meilleure compréhension du concept de force mentale appliqué dans un contexte sportif. Pour se faire, des entrevues ont été réalisées avec dix athlètes québécois francophones de niveau universitaire. L’analyse des données s’est effectuée en suivant les principes de la version abrégée de la théorisation ancrée. Les résultats appuient globalement la littérature scientifique. En somme, la force mentale serait composée de caractéristiques de base interreliées, telles que la motivation internalisée, la confiance en soi, la maturité et la détermination. La force mentale serait sollicitée non seulement lorsque l’athlète fait face à des situations difficiles comme l’adversité, mais également lorsque le contexte dans lequel il évolue est exempt de complications (à l’entraînement ou lors de victoire). Les résultats des entrevues indiquent que face à ces deux types de situation, les athlètes forts mentalement possèderaient un mode réactionnel tridimensionnel (dimension cognitive, affective et comportementale) se caractérisant par la gestion et le contrôle de l’attention, l’interprétation optimiste des situations, le contrôle de l’activation et du langage corporel, la gestion des émotions et la résilience. Contrairement à la littérature, les résultats suggèrent que la force mentale ne serait pas nécessairement liée aux athlètes performants au plus haut niveau de leur sport, mais à la capacité des athlètes à donner de bonnes performances en fonction de leur potentiel individuel. Cette étude constitue le premier pas vers le développement d’un instrument de mesure permettant d’évaluer le niveau de force mentale chez les athlètes francophones. / The objective of the study was to obtain a clearer understanding of the concept of mental toughness as applied to a sport context. To do so, interviews were conducted with ten university-level Francophone Quebec athletes. The data analysis was conducted by following the principles of the abridged grounded theory. The results are in general agreement with the scientific literature as mental toughness was made up of interrelated basic characteristics such as internalized motivation, self-confidence, maturity and determination. Mental toughness was solicited when the athlete faced difficult situations such as adversity, but also when the context the athletes faced was free from complications (e.g. during training or victory). In the two classes of situations, adversity and freedom from adversity, mentally tough athletes exhibited a tridimensional reaction mode (cognitive, affective and behavioural dimensions) characterized by a management and control of attention, optimistic interpretation, activation control and body language control, consciousness, management of emotions and resilience. Contrary to the existing literature, the results suggest that mental toughness would not necessarily be linked to athletes performing at the top of their game; it would instead be connected to the capacity of athletes to produce good performances relative to their individual potential. This study can be viewed as a first step in the development of an instrument that would permit the evaluation of the level of mental toughness in Francophone athletes.

The purpose of this project was to examine the factors affecting coaches with stress burnout. This project was intended for all coaches from high school to college level.

Previous research has indicated the majority of athlete alumni do not give charitable donations to their alma mater or athletics department. With over 4 million former National Collegiate Athletic Association student-athletes, these athlete alumni should have an inherent affinity for their athletics department. The purpose of this research study was to examine the relationship between a student-athlete career preparation program (“Career Program”) and athlete alumni affinity for the athletics department. This study uses the theoretical framework of Social Exchange Theory to examine if an athlete alumni’s affinity for their athletics department increases when they receive support for their career launch. The quantitative quasi-experimental study had two groups of athlete alumni, career program varsity athlete alumni and non-career program varsity athlete alumni, who graduated from one large, public university at the Football Championship Subdivision level. The intervention of the Career Program was provided to one group of athlete alumni. An athlete alumni affinity questionnaire was developed and administered to both groups. The questionnaire received a low response rate with 71 respondents. The Pearson chi-squared test did not show a relationship between athlete alumni affinity and the Career Program. There was no statistical difference indicated between the two groups for the five latent variables of (a) career preparedness, (b) communication, (c) connection, (d) student-athlete experience, and (e) undergraduate experience. Two athlete alumni affinity statements did show significance, and they were related to student-athletes developing a LinkedIn profile and professional resume.

Bakgrund: Fotboll är den sport där det uppskattas förekomma allra flest skador. Fysioterapeuter har en väldigt stor roll i rehabiliteringen av skadade fotbollsspelare på grund av den höga skadefrekvensen vilket innebär att de spenderar mycket tid med fotbollsspelarna. Hur situationerna med den skadade fotbollsspelaren ska hanteras under rehabiliteringsperioden blir därför väldigt viktig.   Syfte: Syftet med denna studie var därför att undersöka vilka utmaningar och möjligheter som fysioterapeuter ställs inför vid rehabiliteringen av skadade fotbollsspelare i svenska fotbollslag på elitnivå. Studien undersöker specifikt relationens betydelse och hur den bibehålls samt vad fysioterapeuten gör för att stödja spelarens motivation under rehabiliteringen.   Metod: En kvalitativ metod användes till studien och femfysioterapeuter som arbetade inom ett fotbollslag på elitnivå i Sverige intervjuades. Intervjuerna analyserades enligt kvalitativ innehållsanalys. Resultat: Analysen resulterade i tre kategorier med tillhörande underkategorier: Relationens betydelse för en lyckad rehabilitering, Att stödja motivationen och vikten av att ha en gemensam plan samt Att våga bemöta och hantera känslor. Slutsats: I intervjuerna framkom att en bra relation uppbyggt av tillit, ärlighet och förtroende kan förenkla och leda till en bra rehabiliteringsprocess. Genom en vänskaplig relation, stöd av spelarens motivation och en psykisk delaktighet av fysioterapeuten genom hela rehabiliteringen kan rehabiliteringen bli enklare. Framtida forskning bör innehålla fler deltagande fysioterapeuter och möjligtvis inkludera intervjuer av skadade fotbollsspelare för att få fler perspektiv från de båda parterna i relationen.

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