Thesis (Ed.D.)--Boston University / PLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you. / 172 college basketball players (56 males, 116 females) from NCAA Divisions I, II, and III were analyzed to determine how mental imagery ability (lA) relates to high and low physical performance. Investigation centered on performance lA (the ability to create, recall, and manipulate images during action) as a potential factor for competitive separation (athletic distinction between high and low performers). More specifically, research examined which of several imagery functions or types were the best predictors of successful basketball game performance. It was hypothesized that kinesthetic imagery and cognitive imagery would be the most important imagery functions. The Basketball Background Questionnaire (BBQ; Eslinger, 2002), Movement Imagery Questionnaire-Revised (MIQ-R; Hall & Martin, 1997), and the Sport Imagery Questionnaire (SIQ; Hall, Mack, Paivio, & Hausenblas, 1998) were utilized as measures of lA while physical performance was calculated using the Basketball-Performance Statistic Rating (B-PSR; Eslinger, 2002). Additional data was collected from selected athletes to identify characteristics related to imagery use and development. Results from correlation, multiple regression, t-tests, ANOVA, and discriminant function analyses suggest that, in general, basketball performance is best enhanced through kinesthetic imagery and motivational specific imagery. Elite players are able to perform consistently at a high level because they have an ability to feel the action and increase their internal drive for success before and during games. Surprisingly, cognitive general imagery scores were higher in low-level players, suggesting these athletes think "too much" during competition. In addition, depending on gender, playing position, and NCAA division, other types of imagery may be important influences of performance. Differences and associations between high and low performers and imagers as they relate to the B-PSR and seven types of imagery ability are discussed. A new model of performance imagery is highlighted based on previous theories and current results. Directions for future research are covered that shape sport psychology research, application, and possible imagery training techniques for basketball players and coaches. / 2031-01-01

The purpose of this study was to exam the possible differences in the experienced self-confidence and motivation among the elite players in bandy and amateur players in bandy. In addition, any differences between boys and girls within the same area to be studied. A total of 112 athletes participated of whom 52 of them classified as elite players and 60 amateur players, with 62 boys and 50 girls. The athletes filled at one point in the questionnaires The Sport Motivation Scale, Harter’s (1980) “competence scale” and The Sport Confidence Inventory. The results demonstrated differences between elite players and amateur players in the variables perceived motivation and perceived self-confidence. The results showed that the amateur players had a higher perceived amotivation than elite players experienced in this study. Furthermore, results showed that elite players feel they have a higher sport-confidence than amateur players had. Furthermore, it shows also the result of a significant difference between boys and girls perceived motivation and sport-confidence in this study. The boys show a higher result in motivation and sport-confidence.

The name of work: Tactic analysis of elite tennis players at grass court The aim: The aim of this work was to find what is the conception of tennis tactic by elite players on grass surface by quantitative analysis of tactical ways of selected players during tournament Wimbledon 2014. Method: The analysis was based on indirect monitoring of video records from Wimbledon 2014. It was used a quantitative investigation using line method in folios. Own analysis was made through a descriptive method. Results: It underlines the tactical methods of elite players on grass surface. Key words: tactic, tennis, grass, elite players

Cette thèse s’adresse aussi bien aux scientifiques, aux entraîneurs, aux préparateurs physiques et aux sportifs souhaitant approfondir leurs connaissances de l’activité football. Les aspects scientifiques abordés ainsi que leur transposition en outils de terrain pourront être utilisés comme moyen d’évaluation et d’orientation des séances d’entraînement. Ainsi, au travers de ce travail, nous avons abordé le ratio entre le temps de travail et le temps de récupération réalisés en matches de très haut niveau dans le Championnat de Première Division Italienne au cours de la saison 2004/2005. Ce ratio moyen de compétition est de 1/8, à savoir 2.2 secondes d’effort et 18 secondes de récupération. La deuxième partie de ce travail consistait à analyser l’évolution du profil d’effort et la possession de balle collective de footballeurs de très haut niveau au cours de trois saisons consécutives avec un effectif et un staff technique stables. L’étude a permis de mettre en avant une diminution de la quantité d’effort produite par les joueurs de l’ordre de 5% sans altération de la performance ainsi que l’augmentation de la possession de balle collective. La troisième et dernière partie a été de créer et d’analyser un test d’agilité spécifique à l’activité football. Après, une analyse complète des différents éléments liés à la reproductibilité et à la validité du test, il s’avère que ce test semble rendre compte de l’activité motrice du footballeur. De plus, les mesures réalisées dans le cadre de ce travail ont permis de fournir les premières normes de performance qui peuvent être attendues en fonction de l’âge du joueur et de son niveau de jeu. Au terme de notre travail, nous pouvons conclure que cette thèse a apporté des résultats spécifiques pour orienter l’entraînement athlétique du footballeur moderne et à proposer un nouvel outil de détection des jeunes footballeurs. / This work is dedicated to scientists, coaches and physical trainers as well as athletes involved in elite soccer activity. The scientific results and their practical applications could be used as a basis for the work of scientists as well as football professionals. The first part of this thesis showed that playing positions significantly influence activity profile. Moreover, this study demonstrated that the work/rest ratio observed in elite soccer Italian Serie A championship attained 1/8 and represented a mean work time of 2.2 seconds for an averaged recovery time of 18 seconds. The second part of this thesis, explored the evolution of activity profile and total ball possession during 3 consecutive seasons in the same elite team. This study has showed how for three consecutive seasons the players of successful Serie-A team reduced their distances performed at submaximal speeds, and increased ball possession while maintaining the distances covered at high/maximal speeds. It is suggested that this is due to a better understanding of tactical roles and team organization. The third part of the thesis tended to develop and to valid a specific agility soccer test composed with fundamental soccer tasks which has to be performed as quickly as possible. The validity and repeatability of the test has been demonstrated and it has been applied on a large population of different ages, positions and levels. As a conclusion, this thesis provided new specific results and perspectives that would influence professional soccer athletic conditioning and that provided a new specific test to detect young soccer players.

SyfteSyftet med studien var att undersöka komplexitetsnivåns (stillastående handledsskott och handledsskott i rörelse) och träffpunktsplaceringens inverkan på skottsprecisionen hos damelitinnebandyspelare på seniornivå. Vidare syftade studien till att undersöka om det fanns någon inlärningseffekt vid upprepade skott mot samma träffpunkt.MetodÅtta testdeltagare deltog där två test med olika komplexitetsnivåer utfördes. Första testet utfördes som ett stillastående handledsskott (SH) medan det andra testet utfördes som handledsskott i rörelse (HR). Varje deltagare utförde 40 skott per test fördelat på fyra träffpunkter (Tp). Dessa befann sig i målets övre och nedre del. Testerna filmades och analyserades där skottens x- och y-koordinat fastställdes. Testvärdena analyserades sedan i SPSS där Paired-Sample t-test användes samt Pearsons korrelationsanalys.ResultatDet fanns en signifikant skillnad i skottprecision avseende avstånd från träffpunkterna mellan SH och HR (t = -6,68, p = 0,0068). Det förekom en signifikant skillnad i skottprecision vid HR mellan den närmaste och den bortre övre Tp (t = 3,58, p = 0,0090), övriga Tp i närmaste och bortre hörn i de vardera testen uppvisade inga signifikanta skillnader (alla p > 0,05). Inget signifikant samband fanns avseende inlärningseffekt vid SH eller HR (p > 0,05).SlutsatserSkottprecisionen påverkades av komplexitetsnivåerna som fanns mellan SH och HR. Resultatet kan användas av spelare och tränare då spelarna kan utveckla skottprecisionen i rörelsemoment och att skjuta i målets närmaste övre del. Det inträffade ingen inlärning genom att utföra 10 skott mot samma Tp vilket gör att spelarna kan behöva fler rörelseupprepningar för att få en kortvarig inlärning. / Purpose The purpose of the study was to investigate the level of complexity in stationary wrist shot and wrist shot in motion at female elite floorball players. Furthermore, the study aimed to investigate the impact of the placement of the target and investigate whether there was any learning effect in repeated shots at the same target.Methods Eight participants took part of the study were two tests was performed with different complexity level. The first test was performed as a stationary wrist shot (SH) while test two was performed as a wrist shot in motion (HR). In total, each participant performed 40 shots per test divided in four hit targets (Tp). These were placed in the upper and lower part of the goal. The tests were recorded and analyzed afterwards where the x- and y-coordinates of the shots were determined. The test values were then analyzed in SPSS where Paired-Sample t-test was used and Pearsons correlation analysis.Results There was a significant difference in shot precision between HR and SH (t = -6,68, p = 0,0068). There was a significant difference in shot precision in HR between the nearest upper target and the far upper target (t = 3,58, p = 0,0090). The other nearest and farther targets in each test showed no significant difference (p > 0,05). There was no significant learning effect in SH or HR (p > 0,05).Conclusions Shot accuracy was affected by the complexity levels that existed between SH and HR. The result can be used by players and coaches as players can develop shot precision in movement moments and to shoot in the nearest upper target. No learning occurred by performing 10 shots at the same target which means that players may need more movement repetitions to achieve a short learning effect.

Syfte: Syftet med denna studie är att med hjälp av multivariata parametrar undersöka skillnader i fysisk extern belastning under den mest intensiva perioden (MIP) av match för spelare på ungdomselit och seniornivå samt att identifiera eventuella skillnader mellan positioner och halvlekar.Metod: En kvantitativ retrospektiv studie tillämpades, där spelare från ett seniorlag (SEN)spelandes i högsta divisionen i Sverige samt fotbollsspelare från ett ungdomselitlag (U19)från samma klubb spelades i näst högsta divisionen för åldersgruppen deltog i studien. Fysisk extern belastning mättes med hjälp av Global Positioning System (GPS). MIP analyserades utifrån spelares taktiska utgångsposition och med hjälp av multivariata parametrar. Rullande medelvärden användes för analys av 1-min MIP.Resultat: SEN täckte signifikant längre distans under den mest intensiva 1-mintusperioden av match jämfört med U19 (SEN 140 ± 22,3 m; U19 120 ± 24,1 m, p < 0.001). Vid jämförelse mellan positioner täcker SEN-Lateral längre distanser än U19-Lateral under mest intensiva 1-mintusperioden av MIP-kinematik (135 ± 23.5 m vs 104 ± 40.3 m, p = 0.015).Slutsats: Sammanfattningsvis konfirmerar denna studie en skillnad av den mest intensiva 1-minuters perioden för senior- och ungdomsspelare för MIPk. Studien visar att seniorspelare positionerade lateral på planen täcker längre distanser under MIPk jämfört med U19 på samma position. Praktiker bör beakta dessa skillnader i sina träningsupplägg för att kunna förbereda ungdomsspelare för de fysiska krav som ses i seniormiljön / Aim: The present study aimed to investigate differences in physical external load during the most intense period (MIP) of match play for youth and senior player and to indentify possible differences between positions and halves, with multivariate parameters. Method: A quantitative retrospective study was applied, players from a senior team playing in the highest division in Sweden participated in the study as well as football players from a youth elite team from the same club playing in the second highest division for the age group. Physical external load was measured using Global Positioning System (GPS). MIP was analyzed based on players' initial tactical position and using multivariate parameters. Rolling averages were used to analyze 1-min MIP.Results: SEN covered significantly longer distances during the most intense 1-min period of the match compared to U19 (SEN 140 ± 22,3 m; U19 120 ± 24,1 m, p < 0.001). When comparing between positions, SEN-Lateral covers longer distances than U19-Lateral during the most intense 1-minute period of the MIPk (135 ± 23.5 m vs 104 ± 40.3 m, p = 0.015).Conclusions: In conclusion, this study confirms a difference in the most intense 1-minute period for senior and youth players for MIPk. The study shows that senior players positioned laterally on the pitch cover longer distances during MIPk compared to U19-Lateral. Practitioners should consider these differences in their training programmes in order to prepare youth players for the physical demands seen in the senior environment.