SPEED AND AGILITY TRAINING THE MUSTANG WAY: THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INSTRUCTIONAL DVD FOR CAL POLY ATHLETES’ SUMMER TRAINING Gary Douglas Heron The purpose of this project was to create an instructional DVD of speed and agility training for Cal Poly student-athletes. The DVD is for athletes’ use when they are away from campus during summer break and contains information about the same drills and information the strength and conditioning coaches provided while athletes were on campus. The project was filmed and edited by the graduate assistant strength and conditioning coach for Cal Poly intercollegiate athletics. The DVD contains 74 drills that encompass speed techniques, acceleration techniques, plyometrics, footwork, and change of direction. Recommendations for further empirical research in the area of speed and agility training are provided.

Major college recruitment of high school athletes is a very competitive process. There are one hundred and seventeen Division I - A NCAA schools for athletes to choose among. Up to this point, coaches and administrators have speculated what is important to the prospective student-athlete in an attempt to improve certain potential factors like facilities, equipment, coaching changes, etc. The purpose of this study was to determine what factors were important in the decision-making process of prospective student-athletes and discover, as freshman, were they satisfied with their ultimate decision. Eighty-Eight freshmen student-athletes responded to the questionnaire in the months May through July of 2005. The questionnaire was grouped into three main areas of content: Team History, Facilities and Equipment, and Departmental Services. These areas were investigated by means of utilizing a Likert scale and analyzing data by scholarship status, by gender and by team affiliation. The results revealed that the most important factors in one's decision-making process are Education, Coaches, Success of the Program, and Facilities. From these factors, besides Education itself, the main area of focus for a prospective student-athlete is related to Team History, followed by Facilities and Equipment, with Departmental Services being the final area of concern. Also revealed by this study is the fact that there are some differences between the factors a scholarship student-athlete considers and the factors a non-scholarship student-athlete considers in their decision-making process. Finally, this study showed that of those polled, they were satisfied with their decision to participate in collegiate athletics. / Ph. D.

High-performance athletes' (HPAs) engagement in proactive retirement preparation has become increasingly important for their well-being and quality of life during and after sport. As researchers continue to highlight the plethora of challenges underprepared HPAs face when retiring from sport, retirement support available to Canadian HPAs through Game Plan continues to be significantly underutilized (Game Plan, 2023). Researchers have identified environmental barriers as an influencing factor determining athletes' ability to access and utilize available forms of retirement support (Brassard et al., 2022). Current literature lacks the use of a holistic lens to identify the organizational factors that act as barriers and facilitators faced by athletes in this regard. An exploration with this lens could enhance our understanding of HPAs' ability to prepare for retirement by providing insights into the organizational interplay sport members have in facilitating a sport environment that enables, restricts, or hinders a HPA's ability to prepare for life after sport. Furthermore, a holistic lens can provide researchers with the necessary information to develop further frameworks and strategies to minimize athlete retirement barriers (Stambulova et al., 2020). The purpose of this doctoral dissertation is to address this gap through the following objectives: (a) examine how active and retired athletes utilized retirement support mechanisms, (b) explore high-performance sport members' perspectives and understanding of retirement support mechanisms, and (c) facilitate co-design sessions to innovate solution-driven prototypes to address sport members' athlete retirement needs. The methodologies of Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems theory and Design Thinking were adopted to guide and facilitate this research. This dissertation is composed of three articles, each correlating with the research objectives. With the first research objective, a secondary data analysis was used to examine how athletes in the Canadian sport system were utilizing Game Plan's resources from 2019-2021. This examination provided insight into athletes' Game Plan usage discrepancies when drawing comparisons to the funding each National Sport Organization (NSO) earned, their league of competition (e.g., Para or Non-Para sport), and repeat uses of Game Plan's resources after an initial interaction. As a result of the findings from this examination, considerations are proposed for sport organizations who seek to improve their athlete engagement with Game Plan's retirement resources. The second objective was investigated through empathy interviews (Kelley & Kelley, 2013) conducted with active athletes, retired athletes, support personnel, and performance partners across the sport system. A total of 19 individuals were interviewed. Empathy interviews were used to create personas for each role. Findings from this exploration add to the literature by outlining the following empirical findings: (a) high-performance sport members have limited knowledge and understanding of accessible retirement resources, (b) sport organizations' cultures can present barriers or facilitators through direct and indirect messages to athletes, and (c) HPAs who proactively sought out support or had a good sport-life balance experienced fewer challenges adapting to life after sport. The third and final objective was supported via the Stanford d. school's five-step Design Thinking model: empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test. This section of research consisted of a co-design session conducted with two groups of participants. In each session, participants were led through brainstorming cluster activities to define, ideate, design, and evaluate athlete retirement solution-driven prototypes. Sport members collaboratively designed the following three evidenced-based prototypes: (a) creating a new funding metrics system, (b) strengthening collaboration between NSOs and Game Plan, and (c) enhancing athlete retirement coach education. The Design Thinking process as well as the insights outlining why and how the adoption of each prototype can advance HPAs' ability to prepare for their lives after sport are discussed. This article is the first to adopt a Design Thinking approach to advance athlete retirement literature and aims to serve as a catalyst for researchers to adopt Design Thinking methods to further the field of sport performance psychology. The results of this doctoral dissertation research add empirical, theoretical, and methodological contributions to both the athlete retirement and Design Thinking literature.

The intent of this thesis is to explore the reasons why young athletes may conceal their sports injuries. In recent years, there has been much discussion about the long-term health implications that former athletes are dealing with as they live life after sports. Sports injuries including concussions, knee damage, and spinal injuries are all issues that could affect an athlete’s quality of life far beyond their playing days. It is well known around the athletic and medical communities that many athletes withhold information about their injury symptoms just to get back on to the field. Most worrisome about this fact, is the disregard of any long-term damage being done to their body. In this study, we explored the influence of social norms, perceived masculinity, and other external influences on athlete populations in an attempt to understand the reasons why injuries are so often under-reported and masked by athletes. Understanding the logic behind why athletes “play through” injuries and the external influences that may cause this behavior, is essential to athlete safety in the future. Results showed significant findings among highly masculine athletes and injury concealment as well as in athletes who feared losing a performance role and injury concealment. Those athletes who wish to appear tough and masculine as well as those athletes who may be fearful of losing a performance role were more likely to conceal their injuries. Athletes who are a part of a team were also likely to behave in the same way and understanding these reasons can help improve athlete safety in the years to come.

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Dehydration can impact the general population but it is particularly detrimental for athletes, due to their physical performance requirements. Although fluids in general contribute to meeting hydration needs, some beverages aid in the rehydration process more than others. The Beverage Intake Questionnaire (BEVQ-15) is a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) that can rapidly assess habitual beverage intake; this FFQ has been validated in children and adults. However, no beverage consumption questionnaire has been validated in athletes. In addition to monitoring fluid intake, hydration status can be assessed through urinary and blood indices. Urine color (UC) has been utilized as a practical hydration biomarker in several populations. However, this biomarker has not been validated among the general population of collegiate athletes. The first study (n=58): formulated a novel whey-permeate-based beverage to promote hydration and assess its sensory characteristics in the general population. The overall acceptability of the beverage was lower than the control beverage, according to a 9-point Likert scale (x̅ = 4.5 – 4.9 and x̅ = 6.7, respectively). The second study (n=120): evaluated the comparative validity and reliability of the BEVQ-15 and UC within NCAA Division 1 collegiate athletes. Associations were noted between the BEVQ-15 and multiple 24-hr dietary recalls (reference method) for total beverage fl oz and kcal (r=0.41 and r=0.47, p<0.05, respectively). There were associations between athlete's UC and urinary specific gravity (USG; hydration biomarker) rated by athletes and researchers (r=0.67 and 0.88, p<0.05, respectively). Lastly, a systematic review was performed to evaluate original research addressing the validity of UC as a hydration biomarker in the adult population more broadly, including athletes and older adults. Eleven of 424 articles met inclusion criteria, and the available research generally reported significant correlations between UC and other hydration indices (r=0.35-0.93). However, limitations in existing research were evident. Although the BEVQ-15 may be a valid beverage intake assessment method in collegiate athletes, additional modifications were identified which could improve its validity. Future work includes re-evaluating the validity and reliability of the BEVQ-15 specifically modified for athletes, as well as assessing the sensitivity of this FFQ to detect changes in beverage intake. / Doctor of Philosophy / Drinking adequate amounts of fluids is important for maintaining normal bodily functions. When body water losses exceed fluid intake, dehydration may result, which can lead to numerous consequences such as headaches, dizziness, decreased mental focus, and fatigue. An athlete, who has high physical demands, may experience these negative consequences as well as muscle cramps, increased strain on the heart, and decreased athletic performance. Some beverages can replenish lost fluids better than others, due to their electrolyte (i.e. sodium, potassium, magnesium) content. This may include whey-permeate based beverages. In order to prevent dehydration, it is important to monitor fluid consumption and fluid losses. A beverage intake questionnaire (BEVQ-15) can be used to quickly assess usual beverage intake. Studies have shown that this questionnaire is accurate in children, adolescents, and adults. However, there are currently no validated methods for usual habitual beverage intake in athletes. This dissertation evaluated the taste of a new whey-permeate hydration beverage, and the accuracy and test-retest reliability of the BEVQ-15 within NCAA Division 1 collegiate athletes and found positive results. Measurements in urine and blood can be also be used to assess hydration status, but some of these methods are more expensive and less practical for daily use in real-world settings. Urine color (UC) has been studied as a hydration indicator, but this dissertation is the first to evaluate the accuracy and reliability of this method within a diverse group of collegiate athletes, in a real-world setting. Our results suggest that UC is a simple and reasonably accurate hydration assessment method when compared to another urinary assessment method. Nonetheless, there is limited research which has studied this topic. Future work can address methods to improve the effectiveness of these approaches for maintaining and evaluating fluid intake and status in the collegiate athletic population.

The purpose of this programme of research was to investigate the existence and development of shared understanding between football dyads through quantitative and qualitative research methods. Research has considered the importance of shared understanding between team members (Williamson and Cox 2014, Gershgoren et al. 2016) but rarely dyads within teams (i.e. Blickensderfer et al. 2010). Study One attempted to establish the existence of shared understanding between twenty football dyads. Study Two explored the levels of shared understanding displayed by forty-five defensive football dyads in game situations that had either a clear correct course of action or when there was no clear correct course of action. Through an interview-based approach, Study Three investigated potential factors that could contribute to the development of shared understanding between football dyads, based on the suggestions of twelve football players. Through these different methods, the three studies have provided evidence to support the existence and development of shared understanding between football dyads. The main findings of the thesis (a) shared understanding exists between dyads who have experience performing together, (b) when dyads are in a situation where there is a clear and correct option available, they are more likely to choose the same option based on their own individual experience, (c) when dyads are in a situation where there is no clear and correct option available, they are more likely to pick the same option based on their experience performing together, (d) experience performing together, having an efficient relationship with their partner, effective communication methods between one another and the role of the coach facilitated the development of shared understanding between dyads and (e) these factors facilitate an effective shared mental model between dyads.

ABSTRACT TRANSFORMATIONAL AND TRANSACTIONAL LEADERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS OF INTERCOLLAGIATE ATHLETES AND NON-ATHLETES M.S.Physical Education and Sports Supervisor: Assoc.Prof.Dr.Settar KO&Ccedil / AK June 2010, 64 Pages The main purpose of this study was to examine the transformational and transactional leadership characteristics of intercollegiate athletes and non athletes. The second purpose was to compare transformational and transactional leadership characteristics in athletes and non-athletes. In this study, 152 subjects were selected from seven different universities. Data was collected through Turkish version of Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) - Leader Form (Form 5X-Short). Quantitative statistical analyses using SPSS confirmed the study&#039 / s first and second hypothesis through and independent samples t-test that the intercollegiate athletes scored statistically higher on the MLQ (Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire) 5X-Short than the non-athlete university students. MLQ 5X-Short scores were subjected to t-test using the athlete2s gender, sport activity, team membership, weekly exercise days, exercise in yearly based time. The test variables were transformational and transactional leadership behaviors and subscales of them, the grouping variables were intercollegiate athletes and non-athletes. Two out of three Leadership behaviors were statistically significant when comparing intercollegiate athletes and non athletes.

A pesquisa analisou os significados culturais que vem sendo atribuídos aos atletas com deficiência física que utilizam como prótese a cadeira de rodas, tentando perceber de que forma potencializam seus usos. O material empírico foi coletado, no período de dezembro de 2004 a janeiro de 2006, em eventos esportivos, nas rotinas de treinamento desses atletas e, também, em alguns encontros sociais com os dirigentes de três instituições que desenvolvem ações de apoio e incentivo ao esporte adaptado na cidade de Porto Alegre, locais onde garimpei informações através da observação participante. O estudo, que se caracteriza metodologicamente como uma análise qualitativa que utiliza estratégias de captação etnográfica, consiste em descrever e analisar alguns acontecimentos carregados de enunciados que atravessam o corpo desses atletas. Para desenvolvê-lo, utilizo-me da perspectiva teórica dos Estudos Culturais e Sócio-históricos do corpo e de autores e autoras que têm problematizado a noção de corpo no pósmodernismo a partir de pressupostos teóricos pós-estruturalistas. Com base nesse procedimento aponto, a partir da relação corpo-tecnologia, possibilidades de perceber esses corpos como híbridos, ciborgues, potencializados tecnologicamente, destacando, ao final, possíveis rupturas nos significados hegemônicos que os interpelam culturalmente. / This search analyzed the cultural meaning that has been attributed to the athletes with physical deficiency that use wheel chair as prosthesis, trying to notice that forms potentiate their use. The empiric material was collected in the routines of those athletes’ training and, also, in some social encounters with the leaders of three institutions that develop support actions and incentive to the sport adapted in the city of Porto Alegre, Brazil, places where I prospected informations through the participant observation. The study that methodologically is characterized as a qualitative analysis that it uses strategies of reception ethnographic, it consists of describe and to analyze some events loaded of statements that cross the athletes’ body. To develop it I use of the theoretical perspective of the Cultural and Partner-historical studies of the body and of authors that have been problematizing the body notion in the powder-modernism from presupposed theoretical powder-structualist. With base in that procedure, I appear starting from the relationship body-technologically, highlighting, at the end, possible ruptures in the hegemonic meanings that they question them culturally.

A pesquisa analisou os significados culturais que vem sendo atribuídos aos atletas com deficiência física que utilizam como prótese a cadeira de rodas, tentando perceber de que forma potencializam seus usos. O material empírico foi coletado, no período de dezembro de 2004 a janeiro de 2006, em eventos esportivos, nas rotinas de treinamento desses atletas e, também, em alguns encontros sociais com os dirigentes de três instituições que desenvolvem ações de apoio e incentivo ao esporte adaptado na cidade de Porto Alegre, locais onde garimpei informações através da observação participante. O estudo, que se caracteriza metodologicamente como uma análise qualitativa que utiliza estratégias de captação etnográfica, consiste em descrever e analisar alguns acontecimentos carregados de enunciados que atravessam o corpo desses atletas. Para desenvolvê-lo, utilizo-me da perspectiva teórica dos Estudos Culturais e Sócio-históricos do corpo e de autores e autoras que têm problematizado a noção de corpo no pósmodernismo a partir de pressupostos teóricos pós-estruturalistas. Com base nesse procedimento aponto, a partir da relação corpo-tecnologia, possibilidades de perceber esses corpos como híbridos, ciborgues, potencializados tecnologicamente, destacando, ao final, possíveis rupturas nos significados hegemônicos que os interpelam culturalmente. / This search analyzed the cultural meaning that has been attributed to the athletes with physical deficiency that use wheel chair as prosthesis, trying to notice that forms potentiate their use. The empiric material was collected in the routines of those athletes’ training and, also, in some social encounters with the leaders of three institutions that develop support actions and incentive to the sport adapted in the city of Porto Alegre, Brazil, places where I prospected informations through the participant observation. The study that methodologically is characterized as a qualitative analysis that it uses strategies of reception ethnographic, it consists of describe and to analyze some events loaded of statements that cross the athletes’ body. To develop it I use of the theoretical perspective of the Cultural and Partner-historical studies of the body and of authors that have been problematizing the body notion in the powder-modernism from presupposed theoretical powder-structualist. With base in that procedure, I appear starting from the relationship body-technologically, highlighting, at the end, possible ruptures in the hegemonic meanings that they question them culturally.