Thesis (M.Ed.)--Texas State University--San Marcos, 2008. / Vita. Appendix: leaves 48-56. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 57-65). Also available on microfilm.

M.Tech. / Purpose: To determine the effect of Chiropractic spinal adjustive therapy (SAT) of the lumbar spine and Sacroiliac joints on performance utilising indicators such as vertical jump height and T-test time of moderate to highly active sport participants. It has been suggested that a dysfunctional vertebral subluxation complex can cause a decrease in performance. The decreased performance may be due to dysfunctional biomechanics and altered neurological functioning of the lumbar spine and Sacroiliac joints. Methods: A randomised study design with thirty asymptomatic male subjects, which were moderate to highly active as indicated by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), participated in this study. Participants were divided into two equal groups, group A (n=15) received Chiropractic SAT of the lumbar spine and Sacroiliac joints, group B (n=15) were rested for five minutes. The study design consisted of six consultations, with intervention being applied at each consultation between objective measurements. Objective data was obtained by the vertical jump test and T-test which determined participant’s explosive power and agility respectively. Objective data was obtained before and after intervention on each of the six consultations. The immediate effect of intervention was represented by the before versus the after measurements of consultations. The short term effect was represented by comparing the before values of consultation one (baseline) to consultation six. Results: The objective results showed that there was a short term and immediate improvement in vertical jump height and T-test time of both groups. With vertical jump height group A showed an immediate mean improvement of 3.845 cm (7%) and a short term mean improvement of 0.74 cm (1%); group B showed an immediate mean improvement of 1.6 cm (3%) and a short term mean improvement of 1.47 cm (3%). With the T-test time group A showed an immediate mean improvement of 0.433 s (4%) and a short term mean improvement v of 0.673 (6%); group B showed a immediate mean improvement of 0.1745 s (2%) and a short term mean improvement of 0.6 s (5%). Conclusion: Although results obtained were not statistically significant (p>0.05), it demonstrated from a clinical perspective that interventions caused an improvement in jump height and T-test time in both groups. Group A showed a greater improvement in every aspect, except in the short term effect of Chiropractic SAT on vertical jump height. It is therefore postulated that improvements noted were as a result of the adjustment providing an enhanced biomechanical and neurological advantage, and therefore in performance indicators such as the vertical jump test and T-test in the participants.

The aim of this study was to identify indictors of performance in surfing. Therefore the objectives of the study were to determine the following: {u100085} Anthropometric measures such as: height, weight, body proportions; {u100085} Flexibility measures such as: back extension, hip flexion, ankle plantarflexion and dorsiflexion; {u100085} Core stability; {u100085} Dynamic balance; {u100085} Explosive leg power; {u100085} Which of the physical characteristics measured discriminate between elite and non-elite surfers. To achieve the aim and objectives of this study, the literature pertaining to excellence in surfing, and the theory surrounding talent identification and the many factors that can contribute to success in sport, were reviewed. Potential criteria important for performance in surfing were identified and appropriate tests to assess these criteria were selected. An ex post facto quasi experimental design was used to assess which of the identified criteria best discriminated between elite and non-elite surfboard riders. The test battery included a personal information questionnaire and the assessment of: anthropometric variables, flexibility, core stability, dynamic balance and explosive leg power. These abovementioned physical characteristics were identified from the literature as the factors most important to success in surfing. Fifty five (55) surfers were assessed of which 28 were elite surfers and 27 were non-elite surfers. The results obtained from the evaluation of the samples were compared in terms of their descriptive statistics and the differences tested for statistical and practical significance. The variables of height, age started surfing, core stability, dynamic balance, number of days surfed per week and number of hours surfed per day were found to most discriminate between the elite and non-elite participants. Finally, a stepwise discriminant analysis was used to determine classification functions that could be used for future prediction purposes. The variables included in the discriminant analyses included height, age started surfing, number of years surfing, core stability and dynamic balance. To verify the prediction model a jack-knife procedure was performed. The results from the jack-knife procedure indicated that 85.5 perecent of the entire sample was correctly classified while 92.9 percent of the elite sample and 77.8 percent of the non-elite sample were correctly classified. Thus, the discriminant functions obtained can be used for predictive purposes.

The general problem was to determine personality differences among a hierarchy of high school female athletes in various socio-economic groups. The specific problems were: (1) To determine if there were any significant personality trait differences among three socio-economic groupings of superior athletes.; (2) To determine if there were any significant personality trait differences among three socio-economic groupings of average athletes.; (3) To determine if there were any significant personality trait differences among three socio-economic groupings of nonathletes.; and (4) To determine if there were any significant personality trait differences among superior, average, and nonathletes.

This study dealt with the effect on various athletic parameters, of small alcoholic dosages (.2cc of 95% alcohol per lb. of body weight, consumed nightly over a period of ten days. Adult, male athletes (ten runners and one swimmer with a mean age of 31 (SD±3.9)) who trained regularly were used as subjects. The subjects performed a battery of five tests: pull-ups, jump reach, reaction time, hand grip strength, and six minute bicycle ergometer test (1206 kpm). Heart rate response during the first and second minutes and during the fifth and sixth minutes were used as indicators of physiological response to submaximal exercise. Each subject served as his own control. Six of the subjects were tested under the control and then the experimental condition; the other five were tested in the reverse order. Pre and post-tests were administered before and after-each ten day period (experimental and control) to examine the magnitude of change. In the experimental condition each subject consumed .2cc of 95% alcohol/lb. of body weight in a 20% solution each night. Otherwise, the subjects did not alter their daily routine. During the control condition, each subject continued his daily routine for ten days without including alcohol in his diet. The post-test following the experimental condition was administered 15-24 hours after the last alcohol dosage. This delay period was chosen because it was long enough to ensure that the effects of the last drink were eliminated, but soon enough to allow any possible accumulative effect to still be present. To determine whether physical training resulted in a change in performance the magnitude of change during the control was evaluated and found to be non-significant for ail parameters except, hand grip. To determine Whether repeated testing resulted in a change in performance due to learning or other factors, the difference between pre-test scores (tests one and three) was evaluated and again found to be non-significant for all parameters except hand grip. To evaluate the possible accumulative effect on performance of ten days of alcohol consumption, the magnitude of difference between change scores (post-test minus pretest) in the experimental and control periods was analyzed. No significant differences were found in any of the performances. It was concluded that within the limits maintained in this study, the daily consumption of small doses of alcohol has no accumulative effect on physical performance as measured by reaction time, pull-ups, jump reach, hand grip strength, and heart rate response to submaximal exercise.

The improvement of physical performance has long been a problem of great importance to athletes, coaches, and physical educators. Many different methods and techniques of coaching, conditioning, and motivation have been utilized in an effort to push the participant to his top or ultimate performance. There is much conjecture as to whether this optimum or top level of performance can be raised by artificial stimulation after peak condition has been reached and the skills involved in the performance have been mastered. According to Boke, stimulants are widely used today by athletes in all types of competition. He groups the substances used into four classes: (a Food preparations, including the sugars, vitamins, phosphates, and salts; (b) Oxygen; (c) Artificial sunshine; and (d) Pharmaceutical substances, including the ‘dopes’ which influence the nervous system, heart, and circulation.

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