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Nineteen elite (E) gymnasts (>15hours/week gymnastic training), 14 high recreation (HR) gymnasts (8-15hours/week), and 15 low recreation (LR) gymnasts (1-7. 9 hours/week) were investigated to determine the effects of varying volumes of gymnastic training on bone mineral density (BMD) in prepubescent girls. Two normoactive control groups were additionally investigated to determine whether there was a magnitude effect of mechanical loading on BMD: 16 controls (C) and 15 height-and weight-matched controls (M). The mother of each daughter was measured in order to control and investigate the familial component of bone mass. Areal bone mineral density at the left proximal femur, lumbar spine (LS), and whole body (WB) and % body fat were measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and volumetric BMD was measured at the distal radius by peripheral QCT (pQCT). DXA BMD measures were corrected for bone size and expressed as bone mineral apparent density (BMAD). The HR group was significantly younger (8.68 ± 0.844 y, mean± SD) than both the E (10.02 ± 0.776 y) and C (9.96 ± 0.898 y) groups. The C group was significantly heavier (38.88 ± 4.868 kg) than the E (27.15 ± 2.819 kg), HR. (25.44 ± 3.564 kg), LR (32.98 ± 5.786 kg), and M (26.95 ± 3.301 kg) groups. Additionally, the LR group was significantly heavier than all other groups, with the exception of the C group. Femoral neck (FN) BMD was only significantly different between the E (0.706 ± 0.051 g•cm⁻²) and LR (0.649 ± 0.069 g•cm⁻²) groups. FNBMAD was only greater in the E (0.232 ± 0.048 g•cm⁻³) group compared to the C (0.191 ± 0.052 g•cm⁻³) group. LSBMAD and WBBMAD were significantly greater in both E (0.233 ± 0.019 and 0.100 ± 0.008 g•cm⁻³) and HR (0.239 ± 0.038 and 0.100 ± 0.006 g•cm⁻³) groups when compared to the LR (0.212 ± 0.022 and 0.090 ± 0.008 g•cm⁻³) and C (0.219 ± 0.020 and 0.085 ± 0.004 g•cm⁻³) groups, respectively. Total radial and cortical radial BMD was greater in both E (360.50 ± 51.569 and 484.28 ± 70.179 mg•cm⁻³) and HR (373.10 ± 45.318 and 480.66 ± 46.720 mg•cm⁻³) groups compared to the C (296.61 ± 29.677 and 426.144 ± 37.652 mg•cm⁻³) and M (306.42 ± 24.430 and 414.571 ± 25.194 mg•cm⁻³) groups, respectively. Radial trabecular BMD was greater in both E (211. 19 ± 38. 202 mg•cm⁻³) and HR (212. 61 ± 44.299 mg•cm⁻³) groups compared to the LR (175.89 ± 29.191 mg•cm⁻³), C (162.68 ± 27.304 mg•cm⁻³), and M (171.05 ± 30.639 mg•cm⁻³) groups. There were no significant differences for any bone measure among the groups of mothers. Mother-daughter correlations were relatively weak, and often insignificant, for BMD measures (r = 0.10-0.37), but strong for radial morphometric measures (r = 0.43-0.55). Radial trabecular BMD (r = 0.37; p<0.01) was more significantly correlated with gymnastic training volume (hours/week) than radial cortical BMD (0.30; p<0.05). These results suggest that there is a volume of training effect on BMD and a magnitude effect of mechanical loading on BMD. It appears that trabecular bone at the distal radius may adapt more rapidly or be more sensitive than cortical BMD to the strains imposed by impact loading. Additionally, it appears that, during prepubescence in females, bone morphometric properties may be more genetically regulated than bone mineralization. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

Yes / Combining Mikhail Bakhtin's (1990) theoretical position on Architectonics and Erving Goffman's (1979) writings on visual content analysis, the aim of this paper is to explore how female athletes are caught in a complex matrix of power, post - feminist neoliberalism, and self - presentation. The visual images they choose to portray are, therefore, perfect for determining how this cohort of women negotiates social discourses around identity and femininity. Appropriating the Bakhtinian notion of architectonic unity, not only provides an alternative theoretical lens for enquiries concerning the body, identity, and selfhood, but also initiates some thought provoking questions around neoliberal feminism and 'new femininity.' This paper advances on previous research by exemplifying how Serena Williams (considered the greatest female tennis player of all time) combines both her femininity and strong physicality to self - shape a myth - like persona, setting her apart from traditional stereotypes of femininity and 'femaleness.'

The purpose of this study was to examine the distribution of males and females in line and staff positions in central offices in selected school districts in Virginia and to explore factors which may have contributed to this distribution. Answers to the following questions provided data for the study: What is the gender distribution in central office positions? What is the percentage of central office positions by gender based upon the total office gender representation in line and staff positions? What is the gender distribution in line and staff positions? In what way do the selected case study subjects portray their aspirations, their perceived barriers to promotion, their mentors, and their perceptions of gender in central offices? First, 56 out of 65 school superintendents responded to a survey requesting the number and title of central office positions, the name and gender of person holding each position, and the designation of each central office position as line or staff. Student population and region were used in the analysis. The findings revealed that males outnumber females in central office positions and in line positions. Fifteen school districts had no women in line positions. Second, six interviews with line and staff representatives from three school districts were conducted to examine how they portray their aspirations, their perceived barriers to promotion, their mentors, and their perceptions of gender in central offices. The interviewees revealed that the line position representatives followed a different career path than those in staff positions; the females and the staff representatives did not aspire to be superintendent; the line position representatives had doctorates while those in staff positions did not; those in staff positions discussed their accomplishments in programs; those in line positions talked about the responsibilities of their jobs. All had mentors and guidance in their careers. Recommendations for future studies include more study on the culture of a school system, a continuation of this study on women in line and staff positions in central offices, more inclusion of the perspectives of the female educator in training programs,and the requirement of states and school districts to record gender as part of the statistics. / Ed. D.

The purpose of this study was to compare the relationship of body attitude to both dietary intake and selected personality characteristics. The study focused on the relationship between dietary intake and both body attitude and personality characteristics as well as differences in body attitude and personality characteristics between female college age lacrosse athletes, dance team members and controls. The subjects were 27 lacrosse players (mean age = 19.4 ± 1.1 y), 20 dance team members (mean age = 19.5 ± 1.4 y) and 64 non- athlete controls (mean age = 20.6 ± 1.5 y). Participants were administered the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 (EDI-2), the Ben-Tovim Walker Body Attitude Questionnaire, the Cognitive Behavioral Dieting Scale and a Silhouette Scale to assess body attitude and selected personality traits. Participants completed a 5-day diet record including 3 consecutive weekdays and 2 weekend days Group mean differences on body attitude and personality traits were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance. Post-hoc analyses were performed using the Tukey procedure and the Kruskal-Wallis Test. Relationships were determined between dietary intake, body attitude and personality traits utilizing the Pearson Product Moment Correlation procedures. Stepwise multiple regression techniques were utilized in the attempt to develop a valid and reliable prediction equation for dietary intake using body attitude and selected personality characteristics. Significant differences did exist between the athletic groups and the control group on interoceptive awareness, maturity fears, social insecurity, feelings of attractiveness, body dissatisfaction, perfectionism, bulimia, interpersonal distrust, dietary protein (g) intake, dietary fat (g) intake, dietary fiber (g) intake, and vitamin C (mg) intake. No significant differences were found between the lacrosse and dance team on dietary intake, body attitude or personality traits. Significant relationships did exist between dietary intake and body attitude measures in all three groups. In addition, significant relationships were also found to exist between body attitude measures and personality traits in all three groups. Five different prediction equations were generated using relationships from each individual group and then combined groups. The results of this study indicate that female athletes involved in both aesthetic and non-aesthetic sports, may be purposefully restricting total caloric intake as well as fat intake due to body image dissatisfaction during the competitive season. / Ph. D.

Concussions are diffuse injuries that affect areas of the brain responsible for a person's physical, cognitive, and emotional health. Although concussions were once thought only to present transient symptoms, mounting evidence suggests potential for long-term neurological impairments. The deleterious effects of concussion can be from a single, high severity impact event or the accumulation of lower severity impacts. Clinical changes that can result from concussion include an elevated symptom presentation and changes in gait, or an individual's walking pattern. It is not well understood if similar deficits result after an accumulation of subconcussive impacts. The majority of research on human tolerance to head injury has been based on American football, using helmet-mounted sensors in male athletes. Limited studies have attempted to quantify biomechanical tolerance in women, despite the sex-specific nature of presentation and outcome of concussion. Biomechanical, physiologic, and psychosocial factors differ between males and females, likely contributing to this difference. The research presented in this dissertation was aimed at describing sex-specific outcomes of subconcussion in a matched cohort of male and female athletes to gain a better sense of unhelmeted, sex-specific tolerance to head impacts. On-field data were collected from collegiate rugby players using instrumented mouthguards. Rugby involves high energy, frequent head impacts, does not require protective headgear, and is played the same for both men and women. The females in our study sustained fewer impacts per session than the males, but their impacts had similar linear acceleration magnitudes. The kinematics of the concussive male impacts were higher than the kinematics of the concussive female impacts. Both sexes reported concussion-like symptoms in the absence of diagnosed concussion during a season. Females reported more symptoms with a higher severity in-season compared to males after subconcussive and concussive impacts. Female athletes saw deficits in cadence, double support time, gait speed, and stride length post-concussion. The majority of athletes improved in their dual-task gait assessment by the end of the season, suggesting there may not be a negative effect on gait after an accumulation of subconcussive impacts. This work assessed the biomechanics of head impacts and concussions of this population, and evaluated changes in symptom presentation through weekly graded symptom surveys and dual-task gait assessments both after a concussion and as an effect of subconcussive impacts. Understanding the sex-specific clinical effects of head impacts is critical, and can provide insight into concussion diagnostic, management, and prevention tools that are appropriate and effective. / Doctor of Philosophy / Concussions are injuries that affect many areas of the brain, including those responsible for a person's physical, cognitive, and emotional health. Although concussions were once thought only to present transient symptoms, mounting evidence suggests potential for long-term neurological impairments. The harmful effects of concussion can be from a single, high intensity impact event or the build-up of lower intensity impacts. Clinical changes that can result from concussion include an elevated symptom presentation and changes in gait, or an individual's walking pattern. It is not well understood if similar side effects result after an accumulation of subconcussive impacts. The majority of research on human tolerance to head injury has been based on American football, using helmet-mounted sensors in male athletes. Limited studies have attempted to quantify concussion tolerance in women, despite the differences in men and women's symptoms and recovery time after a concussion. Female's neck strength, hormones, and increased honesty in reporting concussion differ from males, likely contributing to this difference. The research presented in this dissertation was aimed at describing how sex affects the results of subconcussion in a group of male and female athletes to gain a better sense of unhelmeted, sex-specific tolerance to head impacts. On-field data were collected from collegiate rugby players using sensor-embedded mouthguards. Rugby involves high energy, frequent head impacts, does not require protective headgear, and is played the same by both men and women. The females in our study sustained fewer impacts per session than the males, but their impacts were similar in magnitude. The impact energies of the concussive male impacts were higher than those of the concussive female impacts. Both sexes reported concussion-like symptoms in the absence of diagnosed concussion during a season. Females reported more symptoms with a higher severity in-season compared to males after subconcussive and concussive impacts. Female athletes had a slower walking pace and walking speed, a shorter stride length, and spent more time with both feet on the ground post-concussion. The majority of athletes improved in their dual-task gait assessment by the end of the season, suggesting there may not be a negative effect on gait after an accumulation of subconcussive impacts. This work assessed the biomechanics of head impacts and concussions of this population, and evaluated changes in symptom presentation through weekly graded symptom surveys and dual-task gait assessments both after a concussion and as an effect of subconcussive impacts. Understanding the sex-specific clinical effects of head impacts is critical, and can provide insight into concussion diagnostic, management, and prevention tools that are appropriate and effective.

This study investigated management positions for women in the apparel manufacturing industry of Virginia in regard to ownership and size of firm, type of production, products produced, incidence of females employed, and criteria for employment of managerial personnel. The sample consisted of 33 management employees from different garment production plants in the state. The questionnaire, developed for collection of data through personal interviews, was pretested with three plant managers and with faculty and graduate students. Interviews were completed in March, 1977. The chi-square test of independence tested possible relationships between the total number of females in management positions in relation to gross sales of firms, type of apparel manufactured, and total number of men having managerial responsibilities. There was a significant difference at the .05 level, between the number of women in management positions in relation to gross sales of the plants surveyed and type of garments produced; more females had managerial responsibilities in firms with annual sales over $5,000,000; and manufactured apparel for women, misses, and juniors. There also was a significant difference between the total number of females in relation to the total number of males in management positions. Men held a larger proportion of the top and middle level positions than women; females had a majority of the lower management and production worker jobs. A large proportion of managers who responded seemed to believe the fallacies about females in management which suggested that this may b~ one reason why few women held upper level roles. Garment production firms in Virginia tended to be closed corporations; employed less than 300 people; had gross annual sales over $1,000,000; had only one production plant; and were classified as manufacturers. Some respondents recommended that individuals aspiring to top and middle management positions have a college education and that supervisory personnel have a high school diploma. Many firms preferred that all employees have previous work experience in the same type of garment production. / Master of Science

This study utilized a nationwide survey of collegiate female athletic directors in the three NCAA divisions to ask about their perceptions about organizational barriers, pathways, and mentorship. The following research questions guided the thesis, with a feminist Standpoint Theory focus: (1) What are some of the organizational barriers that keep women from becoming ADs? (2)What are some of the pathways that women take to become an AD? (3)What are the roles of mentoring in advancing through collegiate athletic administration? The 93 respondents provided responses suggesting that women seeking leadership positions are still outsiders within athletic administrations. They still have to push through the glass ceiling and maneuver through the old boys' club in order to have success. Women are the outsiders within the athletic director role and are working together through mentoring to gain access to the position. / Master of Arts

A disproportionality exists between the percentage of females in the role of public school superintendent and the percentage of female public school teachers. The National Center for Education Statistics (2020) survey indicated that 76.5% of the public school teachers were female; while AASA (2015) survey of superintendents indicated that only 26.9% of the respondents were female in 2015 and 26.7% were female in 2020 (Domenech, 2020). The Virginia Department of Education (2019) reported that at the start of the 2019-2020 school year in Virginia, 34% of the superintendents were female which is disproportionate to the percentage of females who are teaching. This research study compared the career paths of female participants of the Virginia Tech Aspiring Superintendents Program and the decisions they made about their career advancement in public education. Additionally, the study gathered data regarding the factors that influenced the career decisions of the participants. A researcher-designed survey was utilized to gather initial data, and interviews using a protocol adapted from Catlett's 2017 study were conducted with volunteer participants from each of the groups that emerged: superintendents, aspiring superintendents and non-aspiring superintendents. The study participants were females who completed the Virginia Tech Aspiring Superintendents Program (ASP) from 2011-2019. The findings of the study suggest the following: female educational leaders have pursued advanced degrees to advance their career paths; participants followed a typical progression of career positions; participants viewed their career paths as supportive and have purposely sought a variety of positions to gain experience in different roles of education; study participants described people-centered traits to be important in order to create a supportive working environment; participants were influenced by an educational leader or mentor to pursue leadership positions; discriminatory actions and perceptions about female administrators are barriers preventing women from becoming superintendents; family or a woman's role in the family is a personal challenge that faces women who are seeking leadership roles in education; and participants indicated that male and female leaders are viewed differently, and strong female leaders are viewed in a negative way while strong male leaders are viewed positively. / Doctor of Education / The percentage of female public school teachers is disproportionate to the percentage of females in the role of public school superintendent. A survey of teachers that was published in 2020 indicated that 76.5% of the public school teachers were female while a survey of superintendents indicated that only 26.7% were female. In Virginia, at the start of the 2019-2020 school year, 34% of the superintendents were female, and while that is higher than the national average, is it still disproportionate to the percentage of females who are teaching in Virginia. The study compared the career paths of aspiring superintendents and the decisions they made about their career advancement in public education. Data regarding the factors that influenced the career decisions of the participants were also gathered. A survey designed by the researcher was used to gather initial data, and interviews using a protocol adapted from Catlett's 2017 study were conducted with volunteer participants from each of the groups that emerged: superintendents, aspiring superintendents and non-aspiring superintendents. The findings of the study suggest the following: female educational leaders have pursued advanced degrees and have followed a typical progression of career positions. Participants viewed their career paths as supportive and have purposely sought a variety of positions. Interview participants endorsed person-centered traits to be important in creating a supportive working environment. Participants were influenced by an educational leader or mentor to pursue leadership positions. Participants experienced discriminatory actions and perceptions about female administrators, and they felt that family or a woman's role in the family is a personal challenge that faces women who are seeking leadership roles in education. Lastly, participants indicated that male and female leaders are viewed differently, and strong female leaders are viewed in a negative way while strong male leaders are viewed positively.