M.Phil. (Sport Management) / This study is strengthened by several studies that have indicated that the dualist nature of student-athletes is problematic, as well as the management thereof. The study aimed to identify the sociological implications of the main aspects affecting the optimal sporting career development in athletics (throwers) at University of Johannesburg Sport, and offers recommendations for managing student-athletes. The methods utilized for this study included: i) self-designed questionnaires which incorporated information such as biographical data, performance level, satisfaction levels of support services and, ii) a qualitative case-study on the University of Johannesburg athletics club, where interviews were held with representatives selected as part of a purposive sample. Data was collected over a period of one year, with 15 current athletes, 5 retired athletes, and service providers within the University of Johannesburg. The research design allowed for input, throughput and output analyses. To determine the rationale of the input and throughput phases, qualitative and quantitative data were integrated for the identification of trends and major themes. Twelve of the 20 student-athletes participated internationally during their tertiary student-athlete years, whereas 14 out of the 20 student-athletes participated at regional level during their in primary school years, demonstrating a relatively lengthy and intense socialisation process. The qualitative research revealed that the main social agents during the primary and secondary school years are the parents, teacher-coach and peers, where the attention swifts to professional agents (including the coach) and fellow athletes during the tertiary phase. There is an increasing need for scientific and academic support at tertiary level with major issues around time, career and life style management. During the (often) final socialisation or specialization phase, most student-athletes face multiple career challenges without receiving adequate guidance or scientific support towards desocialisation.

The purpose of this study was to determine the degree of self-actualization (SA) as measured by the Personal Orientation Inventory (POI) among various groups of male intercollegiate athletes at the University of the Pacific. The subjects (N = 111) were golf (N = 8), tennis (N = 5), swimming (N = 6), baseball (N = 25), basketball (N = 14), and football (N = 53). The subjects were categorized into three sub-groups: (1) individuals sport members (golf, tennis, swimming) and team sport members (baseball, basketball, football); (2) good players, regular players, and substitutes; and (3) upper-division athletes and lower-division athletes.

Psychobiomotor assessment refers to the use of a combination of psychological, biological, and motor-performance tests to comprehensively analyze the skills, attributes, and performance capabilities of athletes. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that there are significant psychobiomotor differences between successful collegiate football players in the offensive backfield positions and those players who are rates as less successful in these positions. Subjects were 19 male volunteer tryouts (mean age = 20.5) for the positions of quarterback and halfback on the inaugural University of Central Florida football team. They were assessed on the physiological variable anaerobic capacity, they psychological dimensions measure by the Cattell 16PF, and also on four football-playing skills. Football-playing ability (the dependent variable) was assessed by coaches' ratings on 15 sub-variables determined to be important to the offensive backfield positions. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis, utilized to give the best linear composite of the predictor variables to the dependent variable, resulted in a multiple correlation coefficient of .85 (p < .005). The prediction equation included four variables: conservativism, aggressiveness, anaerobic capacity, and pass-receiving ability. Thus, a significant 68% of the variance of football-playing ability was accounted for by the use of these four psychobiomotor variables. By using a validated test battery, team personnel, performance, profits, prestige, and effectiveness could be improved. Also, a better could be used to train current team members on areas of relative skill deficiencies.

Based on bioecological and cultural historical approaches, the aims of this study were to identify and explore ecological factors influencing the environment’s success in developing talented male football players, to identify and explore ecological conditions associated with becoming a professional football player, and to present a qualitatively derived ecological framework of the environmental conditions associated with becoming a professional football player. It followed a shift in research attention from the individual athlete to the environment in which he or she develops. A cultural praxis framework was adopted as a guiding principle and a single case study was used as a methodological approach. A successful talent development environment was the case under study, from which 17 participants were approached for data collection. The participants numbered ten young talented footballers, five of their parents and two of their coaches. Data was collected via individual open-ended and semi-structured interviews which were supplemented through unstructured observations, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis with the focus on positive factors congruent with successful developmental outcomes. The results revealed how the developing players as active participants in their talent development process interacted with contextual factors associated with successful talent development and outline. Based on the data analysis, an empirical conceptual framework of factors playing a role in talent development is proposed. / Psychology of Education / D. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

Thesis (PhDSportwet)--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of participation in a special squad-based talent development programme on selected physical variables and skills in adolescent girls. This investigation was initiated in the team sport of netball in order to determine if participation in a talent development programme of this kind can be successful in the South African context. A second purpose was to consider the effectiveness of the squad-based model in relation to the traditional school-based model that is commonly implemented for talent development in South African netball. This study followed a static group design in a field setting. The squad-based group (N=22) was composed of netball players ages 14 – 18 years old from two senior high schools in a previously disadvantaged community. The school-based group (N=45) was composed of netball players from the first and second teams at three schools in the same region, that maintained a good standard of netball and had qualified coaches. The subjects in the squad-based group participated in a special eight-month training programme, which consisted out of 2 training sessions (90minutes) and 1 match per week. The subjects in the school-based group participated in their normal pattern of netball practices and school matches. The results of this study lead to some general conclusions about the squadbased training model: • Four components of skill development improved significantly • Significant changes were found in four of the physical variables associated with netball performance. • The squad-based model appeared to have been significantly more effective than the school-based model in the development of the physical variables of flexibility, speed, throwing velocity and aerobic fitness.Based on the results the squad-based model is proposed as an approach to talent development that can make a significant contribution to the development of skill. Continuous refinement of current models and even the creation of new models, may one day create systems where every child can reach toward his or her own sporting potential. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie behels die deelname van ‘n geselekteerde oefengroep adollessente meisies aan ‘n talentontwikkelingsprogram. Die doel van die studie was om die invloed van deelname aan sodanige program op gekose fisiek- en vaardigheidskomponente na te gaan. Netbal, as ‘n spansport, is gebruik om te bepaal of hierdie tipe talentontwikkelingsprogramme suksesvol in die huidige Suid- Afrikaanse konteks kan wees. ‘n Verdere doelwit was om die effektiwiteit van hierdie oefengroepmodel teenoor die meer tradisionele skoolgebaseerde-model, wat tans algemeen in Suid-Afrikaanse netbal toegepas word, na te gaan. Die studie het ‘n statiese-groepontwerp gevolg in ‘n veldtoetsing omgewing. Die oefengroep (N=22) het bestaan uit netbalspeelsters tussen die ouderdomme 14-18 jaar, van twee senior hoërskole vanuit die agtergeblewe gemeenskappe. Die skoolgebaseerde groep (N=45) het bestaan uit speelsters van die eerste en tweede netbalspanne van drie skole in dieselfde streek. Hierdie drie skole beskik oor gekwalifiseerde afrigters en handhaaf ‘n hoë speelstandaard. Die speelsters van die oefengroep het aan ‘n spesiale agtmaande oefenprogram deelgeneem, met twee oefensessies per week (90 minute) asook een wedstryd per week. Die netbalspeelsters in die skoolgebaseerde-program het hulle normale oefenpatroon gevolg en aan skoolwedstryde deelgeneem. Die resultate van hierdie studie het gelei tot sekere algemene gevolgtrekkings omtrent die geselekteerde oefengroepmodel: • Vier komponente van die spelvaardighede het statisties beduidend verbeter. • Beduidende statistiese veranderinge is waargeneem in vier van die fisieke komponente wat met netbal geassosieer word. • Dit blyk dat die oefengroepmodel statisties meer effektief was in die onwikkeling van fisieke komponente soos lenigheid, spoed, aerobiese fiksheid en spoed van gooie, as die skoolgebaseerde oefengroep.Gebaseer op die resultate van die oefengroepmodel, kan hierdie benadering tot ontwikkeling ‘n beduidende verskil maak in die ontwikkeling van netbalvaardighede. Verdere verfyning van huidige talentontwikkelinsgmodelle, mag in die toekoms aanleiding gee tot bruikbare sisteme waar elke deelnemer die kans gegun sal word om sy sportpotensiaal te bereik.

Thesis (M Sport Sc (Sport Science))--Stellenbosch University, 2005. / Talent identification has been defined as the process by which children are measured on a number of physical and performance variables that are perceived to be a requisite for success within a given sport (Abbott & Collins, 2002:158). One important element in talent identification testing is the capacity to interpret scores. This requires the development of relevant norms for the populations groups who will be involved. The purpose of this study was to generate norms for the interpretation of scores earned by children with disabilities on a basic talent identification screening test battery. The study was focused only on children with intellectual impairments, children with hearing impairments and children with visual impairments. The Talent Search test battery as prescribed by DISSA (Disability Sport South Africa, 2002) found in their screening manual for basic sporting ability of persons with disabilities was used to assess subjects on performance variables. This included body height, sitting height, arm span, body mass, eye-hand coordination, sound localization and eye- hand coordination (for the those with VI), upper body power, leg power, agility, running speed and aerobic fitness (cardiovascular endurance). The group of 140 subjects included 49 children with intellectual impairments (N=27 males and N=22 females), 58 children with hearing impairments (N=35 males and N=23 females) and 33 children with a visual impairment of which 11 (N=7 males and N=4 females) needed to run with a guide and 22 (N=17 males and N=5 females) where independent runners. The descriptive data was processed to produce percentile tables. One problem area was found with testing the eye-hand coordination of children with intellectual impairment, where more than 50% of the children were not able to obtain a score at all. It was also found that some children with hearing impairments had slow running times for the agility run test item, which led to the conclusion that vestibular etiology must be identified prior to the interpretation of test scores.

[Truncated astract] Talent Identification (TI) in sports begins by mass screening individuals' motor abilities. du Randt (2000) wrote that, as test items from one country might not necessarily suit another, appropriate basic motor skill test items are important for developing a TI mass screening instrument. Three hundred and thirty Malaysian adolescents aged from 12-15 years were tested on three motor skill test batteries: the McCarron Assessment of Neuromuscular Development (MAND, McCarron, 1982); the Australian Talent Identification Test (AIS, Australian Sports Commission, 1998); and a Balance and Movement Coordination Test which was specifically developed for this project. In the current research, the motor performance data recorded from the adolescents underwent several types of analyses. Principal Component analyses were conducted on the MAND, AIS and BMC motor skill instruments to understand what the three motor skill instruments were assessing globally in the Malaysian adolescents. Then, first-order and higher-order factor analyses were conducted on the 13 parameters making up the AIS+BMC motor skill instrument to examine the concept of general motor ability (GMA). After descriptive analyses of the adolescents' motor skill performances, age and gender differences were examined using two (gender) by four (age) ANOVAs. Finally, stepwise discriminant function analyses were conducted on a combined AIS+BMC motor skill instrument to determine the best sub-set of motor skills that reliably classified the Malaysian adolescents into three levels of motor performance.... Two stepwise discriminant analyses were undertaken to find the best set of motor skills for classifying Malaysian adolescents into three motor coordination groups based on scores on the MAND and three motor ability groups derived from scores on the motoric 'g'. The ability of a combined AIS+BMC motor skill instrument to classify Malaysian adolescents into the three groups was good for those classified as Normal, not so great for those adolescents classified as High, and poor for those adolescents classified as Low. The motor skills consistently reported across both sets of analyses were Balance-Eyes-Open, Balance-Eyes-Closed, Dynamic Balance, Hopping Speed, Quadrant Jump, Hopping-in-Square, Basketball Throw and Shuttle-Run-with-Object. Hence, motor skills assessing static balance, dynamic balance and postural control appeared to reliably discriminate the Malaysian adolescents into three motor performance groups. Finally, an examination of the misclassifications found in the discriminant analyses revealed two things. Those individuals being predicted into a lower group performed a large number of the motor skills to a lesser standard when compared with their correctly classified cohorts. Conversely, those predicted into a higher group performed a number of motor skills to a standard higher than their correctly classified cohorts. Thus, at a global level, certain individuals could be overlooked for further athletic development and is a concern when developing a rigorous TI program. Therefore, practitioners need to be cautious of any single ability score, and how that represents an individual's athletic potential. These results are discussed, limitations noted, and directions for future research provided.

This thesis examined the relationships of the conceptions of sport ability, achievement goals, and intrinsic motivation in Physical Education. Studies 1 and 2 investigated the psychometric properties of the Conceptions of the Nature of Athletic Ability Questionnaire (CNAAQ), a measure of sport ability beliefs. Results showed that the revised version of the scale possesses sound psychometric properties in assessing sport ability beliefs among children and youth. In addition, the relationships between ability beliefs, goal orientations, perceived competence, and behavioural indicators (intentions and amotivation) were also examined in the first two studies. An incremental belief predicted task orientation, whereas an entity belief predicted ego orientation. Intentions to be physically active were predicted by goal orientations indirectly through perceived competence, and directly by task orientation. In addition, amotivation was predicted directly and indirectly by ability beliefs and directly by achievement goals. Specifically, entity beliefs directly predicted amotivation, task orientation negatively predicted amotivation. Study 3 examined the interrelationships between ability beliefs, achievement goals, perceived competence, behavioural regulation, and arnotivation using cluster analysis. Five distinct clusters were identified based on these motivational constructs and these profiles were found to be related to perceived physical self-worth and levels of sport participation. Study 4 experimentally manipulated sport ability beliefs and examined their causal influence on achievement goals and motivation patterns when faced with failure. The causal link between ability beliefs and goals was supported. Ability attributions for failure were stronger for entity theorists compared to incremental theorists. However, hypotheses predicting differences on effort attributions, affective reactions, and behavioural markers were not supported. Study 5 examined the effects of goal involvement on enjoyment and intrinsic motivation under positive feedback. The results suggested that task-involved and ego-involved participants did not differ in self-reported enjoyment and free-choice behaviour measure. However, the free-choice behaviour of the ego-involved participants may not be fully intrinsically motivated. In addition, autonomous communication increased the positive effects of task and ego involvement on intrinsic motivation and enjoyment, whereas controlling communication had an undermining effect. Overall, results show that high incremental beliefs and high task orientation facilitate adaptive motivational patterns. Autonomy-supportive contexts also enhanced students' task motivation compared to controlling contexts.

Introdução: A capacidade física humana é influenciada por fatores ambientais e genéticos. Ao associar à genética e o esporte existe a possibilidade de se identificar os indivíduos com a maior capacidade de responder ou adaptar-se ao treinamento com menores chances de sofrerem lesões. Objetivo: Avaliar a frequência dos genes, ACTN3 e da ACE I/D, em lutadores de domínio. Metodologia: Fizeram parte da presente pesquisa 23 atletas, sendo 11 lutadores de Judô, 4 lutadores de Wrestling e 8 lutadores de Jiu Jitsu, todos do sexo masculino com idade média de 27,3±6,9 anos, com experiência nacional e internacional em suas respectivas modalidades e categorias de peso. A genotipagem dos polimorfismos do ACTN3 e ACE I/D foi realizada por reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) a partir do DNA genômico. As frequências genotípicas e alélicas foram comparadas com populações controle e de atletas pelos testes do Qui-Quadrado e exato de Fisher, para todas as análises foi adotado p˂0,05. Resultados: As frequências genotípicas e alélicas do ACTN3 (RR=52,2%,RX=26,1% e XX=21,7%; R=65,2% e X=34,8%) e do ACE I/D (DD=50%, ID=25% e II=25%; D=65,2% e I=34,8%) não diferiram significativamente da população controle, porém quando comparado aos atletas de luta foi encontrada um diferença significativa. Conclusão: Em conclusão os dados da presente pesquisa indicam uma associação do gene da ACTN3 e da ACE I/D com lutadores de domínio. / Introduction: The human physical capacity is in influenced by environmental and genetic factors. The associate to genetics and the sport has the possibility to identify individuals with the greater capacity to respond or adapt to for training with lower chances of suffering from lesions. Objective: evaluate the frequency of the genes, ACTN and the ACE I/D, in fighters of dominion. Methodology: Were part of the present research 23 athletes, with 11 fighters of judo, 4 fighters of wrestling and 8 fighters of jiu jitsu, all male with a mean age 27.3±6,9 years. With national and international experience into their respective weight categories and modalities. Genotyping of the polymorphism in the ACTN3 and ACE I/D was performed by reaction polymerase chain (PCR) from DNA genomic. The frequencies genotypic and allelic were compared with control populations and athletes by the tests of chi-square and fishers exact, for all analyzes was adopted p˂0.05. Results: the frequencies genotypic and allelic of ACTN3 (RR=52.2%,RX=26.1% e XX=21.7%; R=65.2% e X=34.8%) and the ACE I/D (DD=50%, ID=25% of II=25%; D=65,2% e I=34,8% did not differ significantly on the population control. However when compared the athletes of struggle was found a meaningful difference. Conclusion: In conclusion the data of the data of the present survey indicate an associate of the gene of ACTN3 and the ACE I/D with fighter‟s domain.

A análise da concentração de metabólitos no sangue pode refletir o comportamento metabólico durante o exercício físico. O presente estudo teve por objetivo analisar o comportamento eletroquímico e do distúrbio ácido-básico de praticantes de Parkour, durante a realização de um percurso que utilizou movimentos fundamentais desta modalidade. Foram avaliados 23 praticantes de Parkour do sexo masculino, com idade média de 21,4±2,7 anos, com no mínimo dois anos de experiência na modalidade. Foram realizadas cinco coletas de sangue capilar da polpa digital dos dedos da mão, em diferentes momentos: (1) repouso, (2) após aquecimento, (3) logo após o esforço, (4) após cinco minutos e (5) após dez minutos. Foi realizado um percurso usando movimentos fundamentais da modalidade para caracterizar o esforço. A amostra foi analisada utilizando o aparelho de gasometria GEM Premier 3000, utilizando os parâmetros pH, Na+, K+, pH, lactato e HCO3−. Os valores de pH, lactato e HCO3− apresentaram diferença significativa (p<0,05) na maioria dos momentos analisados. Os valores de Ca2+, Na+, K+ apresentaram diferença significativa após o esforço, e uma rápida recuperação após cinco e dez minutos, quando comparados com os valores de referência. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram uma adaptação fisiológica dos eletrólitos, com rápida recuperação aos valores de referência. As alterações dos valores do pH, lactato e HCO3− identificam a utilização de vias anaeróbias para a produção de energia, assim como uma evidente acidose metabólica após o esforço. Os valores obtidos são similares a atletas de alto rendimento, principalmente de modalidades de força e velocidade. O presente estudo contribuiu para o entendimento do comportamento eletroquímico e do equilíbrio ácido-básico da modalidade Parkour, preenchendo assim uma lacuna na literatura. / The analysis of the blood metabolites can show the metabolic behavior during physical exercises. This study aimed to analyze the electrochemical and acid base disorders behavior in Parkour athlets, during an exercise routine that used basic movements of this particular sport. Twenty three male athletes (average of 21,4±2,7 years old) with a minimum of two years of experience in Parkour were evaluated. The capillary blood was collected through the fingers in five diferent moments: (1) rest, (2) after warm-up, (3) after exercise, (4) five minutes later and (5) ten minutes later. A course using basic Parkour movements was used as reference. The samples were analyzed by the gasometric equipment GEM Premier 3000. The variables pH, sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), calcium (Ca2+), lactate and bicarbonate (HCO3−) were used. The pH, lactate and HCO3− showed significant variation (p<0,05) in most of the analyzed moments. Ca2+, Na+ and K+ values showed significant difference right after the exercise and a fast recovery after five and ten minutes when compared to the reference values. Results showed a physiological adaptation of electrolytes with a fast recovery back to the reference values. The values of pH, lactate e HCO3− present an anaerobic system usage, as well as a clear metabolic acidosis post exercise. The values obtained in this study are similar to high performance athletes values, mostly in strength and speed modalities. This study contributes to the understanding of the eletrochemical and acid-basic disorders behavior of Parkour athletes, filling a gap in the literature.