This study explored the negotiation of masculine identities among male adolescent rugby players within South Africa, using the brief of "What it means to be a young man in South Africa today". Of particular interest was the way in which young men engaged with concepts of hegemonic masculinity and how they positioned their own and others' gender identities in relation to this. A total of 14 adolescent boys participated in two focus groups with the topic of masculinity as a discussion point. The research was situated within a qualitative research paradigm which allowed for the exploration, description and interpretation of the data generated during the focus groups. Two focus groups were held, with 10 and 4 participants in each group respectively. The focus group discussions were recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data was analysed using a critical thematic analysis, in order to establish central themes within the data. Four prominent themes were indentified: the male body; aspirational role models; engagement and interaction with the feminine; and negotiation of alternative masculinities. Each theme was discussed and expanded on using appropriate theory. The study highlights how the young men actively engaged with the negotiation of their gendered identities, raising critical questions regarding the acceptance of many hegemonic or dominant forms of expression of masculinity. It was also noted that while there was engagement and debate surrounding the construction of gender identities, a rather conventional hegemonic form of masculinity was still largely regarded as the ideal. An interesting finding in the study was that while many of the young men prized a more hegemonic conception of masculinity, alternative forms were engaged and identified with, and at times were incorporated into a more fluid understanding and expression of gender identity.

The objectives of this study were to investigate: (1) elite Swedish football players use of coping strategies, (2) their goal orientations, and (3) the relationship between their goal orientation profiles and use of coping strategies. Participants were 83 male elite Swedish football players. The Perception of Success Questionnaire and COPE inventory were administered to meet the objectives. Results showed a significant interaction effect between athletes’ task and ego goal orientations and their use of planning. Athletes’ with a HT/LE profile (3.06 ± 0.36; M ± SD) used frequently more planning than athletes’ with a LT/LE profile (2.59 ± 0.51). Moreover, athletes’ high in task (2.71 ± 0.37) used more problem-focused strategies than athletes low in task (2.54 ± 0.33), and athletes’ low in ego (2.31 ± 0.24) used more emotion-focused strategies than athletes’ high in ego (2.17 ± 0.27). Results are discussed in relation to previous research of achievement motivation and athletes’ use of coping strategies. / Syftet med föreliggande studie var att undersöka: (1) svenska elitfotbollsspelares användande av coping strategier, (2) deras målorienteringar, och (3) relationen mellan deras målorienteringsprofiler och användande av coping strategier. Urvalet bestod av 83 manliga svenska elitfotbollsspelare. Studiens syften undersöktes med hjälp av The Perception of Success Questionnaire och COPE inventory. Resultaten visade en signifikant interaktionseffekt mellan idrottarnas task och ego orienteringar och användande av planering. Idrottare med en HT/LE profil (3.06 ± 0.36; M ± SD) använde sig av mer planering än idrottare med en LT/LE profil (2.59 ± 0.51). Vidare använde idrottare med en hög task-orientering (2.71 ± 0.37) sig av mer problem-fokuserade strategier än idrottare med en låg task-orientering (2.54 ± 0.33) och idrottare med en låg ego-orientering (2.31 ± 0.24) använde mer emotions-fokuserade strategier än idrottare med en hög ego-orientering (2.17 ± 0.27). Resultaten har diskuterats i relation till tidigare forskning inom prestationsmotivation och idrottares coping strategier.

Context: Concussion is a major sports medicine concern that is currently under scrutinisation worldwide. Well-publicised cases of careers ending due to multiple concussions, and the potential for permanent, disabling neurocognitive deficits have raised concerns and encouraged further research to take place. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate subjects exposed to mild head injuries with the aim of determining if neuro logical sequelae are detectable. The objectives of this study were to evaluate changes in neuropsychological performance over a period of playing rugby for one full season, which extended over nine months. This study investigated the relationship between concussion history and neuropsychological performance relating to the possible cumulative effects of concussion. Neuropsychological functioning in recently concussed athletes was compared with that of non-injured (control) athletes to detect whether neurological sequelae were present. Investigation into the relationship between post-concussion symptoms and neuropsychological performance was evaluated. The position of play was analysed to see if there were any measurable differences m neuropsychological performance present between forward and backline players. Design, Setting, and Participants: 35 club rugby players and 35 non-contact sports athletes were assessed over a period of 9 months. Both groups underwent pre-season baseline testing and post-season testing. A comprehensive battery of reliable and valid neuropsychological tests was used to assess these subjects, with particular focus on the following 5 areas of cognition: planning, visuo spatial and constructional ability; attention and concentration; memory; verbal fluency and speed of information processing. Results: The data showed that significant differences occurred in rugby players participating regularly in the sport over one full season in terms of changes in neuropsychological test performance in a range of cognitive domains, including planning, visual spatial and constructional ability, attention and concentration, memory and verbal fluency. Numerous significant relationships were found between certain Post Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS) scores and poor neuropsychological performance, which were considered indicative of subtle effects of sub-concussive injuries and mild head injury (MHI). Surprisingly, following the assessment of concussed players during the season, the data did not show any reliable significant declines in cognitive performance compared to their baseline testing. However, mean scores of the concussed group did show a trend of decreased neuropsychological performance in almost every cognitive domain following the concussive injury. The data did not show any significant relationship between a history of three or more previous concussions and neuropsychological performance. Furthermore, no significant differences in neuropsychological performance between backline and forward players were evident. Conclusion: This research demonstrates that concussion can present serious consequences for athletes and warrants the attention it has received. This present study gives a clear description of the potential negative consequences of playing rugby, which are evident by looking at the change in scores between pre- and post-season testing and poorer performance in most neuropsychological measures following a concussive injury. Although this study dealt mainly with 'normal' players, the results shown here are a cause for concern. What has become evident is that the player need not be exposed to severe concussion in order to experience some form of cognitive impairments. Even if these impairments are minimal, they are however still present and have the potential of accumulating, which could lead to disastrous permanent deficits. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2008

Svarbu išsiaiškinti, kokią įtaką jaunųjų futbolininkų veiklos aktyvumui bei jų asmenybės raidai turi savęs vertinimas ir pasitikėjimas savimi ir kaip glaudžiai susijęs su žmogaus pretenzijų lygiu, t. y. tikslų, kuriuos jis sau kelia, sudėtingumui. Tyrimo tikslas - nustatyti 12 - 13 metų jaunųjų futbolininkų ir 14 - 15 metų jaunųjų futbolininkų teigiamo savęs vertinimo ir pasitikėjimo savimi ugdymo ypatumus. Tyrimo uždaviniai: 1. Nustatyti 12 – 13 metų jaunųjų futbolininkų ir 14 – 15 metų jaunųjų futbolininkų savęs vertinimo ypatumus prieš ugdymo programą ir po jos. 2. Atskleisti pasitikėjimo savimi ypatumus prieš ugdymo programą ir po jos. Tyrimo metu kėlėme hipotezę, kad po ugdymo programos 12 – 13 metų jaunųjų futbolininkų pasitikėjimas savimi bus didesnis ir savęs vertinimas palankesnis. Išvados: 1. Nustatyta, kad jaunųjų futbolininkų savęs vertinimas po ugdymo programos tapo palankesnis. Prieš ugdymo programą futbolininkų savęs vertinimas 5,11 steno, po ugdymo programos – 5,95 steno (skirtumas statistiškai patikimas (t=14,75; p<0,05). Be to, ir kiekvienos amžiaus grupės futbolininkų (ir 12 – 13 metų jaunųjų futbolininkų, ir 14 – 15 metų jaunųjų futbolininkų) savęs vertinimas po ugdymo programos taip pat tapo palankesnis (p<0,05). 2. Jaunųjų futbolininkų pasitikėjimas savimi po ugdymo programos padidėjo. Prieš ugdymo programą pasitikėjimas savimi buvo 6,65 balo, o po ugdymo programos – 7,44 balo (skirtumas statistiškai patikimas – t=5,05; p<0,05). Be to, ir kiekvienos... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / It is important to examine the impact of business activity for young footballers and their personal development is self-evaluation and self-confidence and how closely related to the human level of claims, Ie the goals that he himself raises the complexity. Purpose of the survey - a 12 - 13 years young soccer players and 14 - 15 years young footballers a positive self-evaluation and self-confidence building features. The tasks were: 1. In theory analysis of self-evaluation and self-confidence features. 2. 12 - 13 years young soccer players and 14 - 15 years young footballers Self-assessment features before and after school program for her. 3. Reveal assertiveness specificities before curriculum and after. The study Kelem the hypothesis that the education program for young football players will be more self-confidence and self-esteem more favorable. Conclusion: 1. Young football players self-evaluation of education programs has increased. Before school football program in self-evaluation 5.11 Sten, after school programs - 5.95 Steno (difference statistically significant (t=14,75; p<0,05). 2. Young football players self confidence after the educational program as well as increased: before the curriculum is self-confidence score of 6.65, after school programs - 7.44 points (difference statistically significant – t=5,05; p<0,05).

The purpose of this study was to determine the importance recent recruits of football programs placed on athletic facilities (specifically football facilities) in the selection of a NCAA Division I-A football team. Specifically, the opinions of recruited freshman at selected NCAA Division I-A football programs in the Big Ten Conference were examined.Participants completed a 21 item questionnaire that ascertained the football players opinions of how football facilities influenced their decisions to play football at the institution, their opinions on how the university and the football program influenced their decision to play football at that institution, and a ranking of 11 facility factors. Athletes (N = 88) representing three schools in the Big Ten Conference completed the questionnaire. The most influential factors in the recruiting process were coaching staff (M = 1.65, SD = .98) and the strength and conditioning facilities (1Vi = 2.02, SD = 1.06). Furthermore, this study found that the top five facility factors that NCAA Division I-A football players rank are strength and conditioning facilities, an academic lab, location of facilities, stand-alone facilities, and an indoor turf field. / School of Physical Education

Thesis (Ed. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 210-236). / Microfiche. / ix, 236 leaves, bound 29 cm

Bakgrund: Fotbollsspelare är en fotbollsklubbs viktigaste tillgång. Sporten skiljer sig mot många andra idrotter då det finns en marknad där spelarkontrakt kan köpas och säljas. För att spelarkontrakt ska kunna förvärvas behövs en värdering av kontraktet för att fastställa ett ekonomiskt värde. Under början av 1900-talet fick fotbollsklubbar möjligheten att förvärva spelarkontrakt vilket senare utvecklades till en global marknad. Köp och försäljning av spelarkontrakt har blivit en viktig del inom fotbollen vilket medfört att klubbarna behöver kunna värdera sina spelarkontrakt för att få rätt ersättning vid en eventuell spelarförsäljning. Syfte: Syftet med studien är att beskriva problematiken angående fotbollsklubbars värdering av egna spelarkontrakt och hur deras tillvägagångssätt vid värdering kan förklaras. Följande frågeställning har ställts: Hur värderar svenska fotbollsklubbar egna spelarkontrakt och hur kan deras tillvägagångssätt förklaras? Metod: Denna studie har utförts via en kvalitativ forskningsmetod i form av intervjuer. Totalt har sex intervjuer utförts med representanter inom de allsvenska klubbarna samt en intervju med en ekonomichef för Svenska Fotbollsförbundet. Slutsats: I studiens slutsats konstaterar vi att det inte finns någon specifik värderingsmodell som klubbarna använder sig av. Detta beror främst att det finns väldigt många faktorer som påverkar ett spelarkontrakts värde samt att fotbollsspelare är människor som besitter olika egenskaper och kvalifikationer. Däremot har vi sett tendenser att klubbarna använder sig av en form av relativ värdering men att det enbart används som ett hjälpmedel till att förenkla värderingen. Det krävs istället att klubben utför en individuell bedömning utifrån spelarens egenskaper och klubbens nuvarande situation. Klubben tar därför hänsyn till de faktorer som anses har störst påverkan för det specifika spelarkontraktet. Vi har kommit fram till att klubbarnas värderingsprocess består av tre olika steg, processen är till för att tydliggöra hur klubbarna värderar sina egna spelarkontrakt. / Background: Football players are the most valuable assets in a football club. Football is different compared to other sports and industries because of the global market that exists where player contracts can exchange owners. In order for a player contract to be exchanged it needs an economic value on the contract. Transfer of players contracts are an important part in football which forces the clubs to valuate the players to ensure that they will get the right amount of payment of a potential transfer. Purpose: The purpose of the study is to describe the problems when football clubs valuate their own player contracts and how their approach can be explained. Following question has been asked: How does Swedish football clubs valuate their own player contracts and how can their approach be explained? Method: The study has been using a qualitative method based on six interviews. We conducted the interviews with respondents that work in the different clubs and one interview that works as a CFO for Swedish Football Association. Conclusion: In the conclusion we found out that the football clubs don’t use any specific valuation model to valuate their player contracts. The reason is because the value of a player contract is affected by a variety of different factors and football players are humans that possess different characteristics and qualifications. We have noticed that the clubs use a kind of multiple valuation but it`s only used as a tool to make the valuation easier. Instead it is required that the clubs makes an individual estimation from the player’s characteristics and qualifications. The clubs consider which factors that are most important for the specific player contract. We have concluded that the football club’s valuation processes are divided into three different steps. The process will clarify how football clubs valuate their own player contracts.

Epidemiological studies consistently report that muscular strains are a primary injury type in rugby union with the majority of the strains occurring to the quadricep and hamstring musculature. Recently it has been suggested that poor eccentric muscular strength is a precursor to hamstring and quadriceps strains during intermittent sports that require rapid acceleration and deceleration. Despite the high incidence of these muscle injuries in Rugby Union there has been little research into the possible mechanisms involved. Thus, the purpose of this study was to measure the physiological and perceptual responses during a simulated Rugby Union laboratory protocol and further, to identify changes in muscle recruitment patterns and muscle strength over time by comparing this protocol to a continuous, constant load protocol covering the same distance. The experimental condition (EXP) required university level players to perform 80 minutes of simulated rugby union play in a laboratory setting (on a walkway of 22m) which was compared to that of a control condition (CON) which involved subjects covering the same distance, at a constant speed of 4.2km.h-1 on a treadmill. Physiological, biophysical and perceptual responses were measured pre-, at half-time and post-protocol. Heart rate was significantly (p<0.01) greater as a result of EXP in comparison to the CON. Electromyography (EMG) of the vastus medialis was significantly (p<0.01) greater during the CON protocol. The EXP condition elicited higher iEMG activity in the hamstring musculature at all time intervals. In addition the iEMG of the semitendinosus decreased significantly (p<0.01) as a result of the EXP protocol. Peak eccentric knee extensors (EXT) (-13.19%) and flexors (FLEX) (-12.81%) torque decreased significantly during the experimental protocol. After passive half-time (236.67 + 56.27Nm (EXT) and 173.89 + 33.3NM (FLEX)) and at the end of the protocol (220.39 + 55.16Nm and 162.89 + 30.66Nm) reduced relative to pre protocol (253.89 + 54.54Nm and 186.83 + 33.3Nm). Peak eccentric knee extensors did not change during the control protocol. „Central‟ and ‟Local” Rating of Perceived Exertion values were significantly (P<0.01) greater during the EXP protocol with an increased incidence of hamstring discomfort and perceived pain (5 out of 10). The EXP protocol resulted in significantly (p<0.01) increased incidence of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). In conclusion, a stop-start laboratory protocol elicited increased heart rate, negatively impacted on muscle activity of the hamstrings, decreased eccentric strength in the lower limb musculature, resulted in increased ratings of „Central‟ and „Local‟ exertion and increased pain perception and increased incidence of DOMS. Thus, a stop-start rugby specific laboratory protocol has a negative impact on performance. Due to the specificity of the protocol being designed to match the demands of competitive match play it is expected that these changes in heart rate, muscle activity and strength, particularly eccentric strength, will impact negativity on performance during rugby match play and increase the likelihood of injury

M.A. / South Africans are known for their love of sports and rugby is one of the most popular sports in the country. Due to this nationwide love of rugby children are often exposed to the game from a very young age. However, children’s participation in competitive rugby is a complex matter. It is unclear whether children participate in rugby for the simple love of the game or because of the competitive culture that is dominant within South Africa. Numerous studies have expressed concerns about children’s participation in rugby due to the physical risks, the psychological stress that accompanies competitive sports, the emphasis on winning (pressure to perform) and the resultant disappointment of losing. Research has also demonstrated that elevated anxiety levels are an integral part of competitive sport participation and impact physiological and psychological behavioural responses. However, previous research has not focused on anxiety in relation to competitive sport participation in the South African context or on the impact that participation in competitive rugby has on children in South Africa. This study thus aimed to investigate the anxiety experienced by high school rugby players and determine the extent to which their involvement in competitive rugby contributes to this anxiety. A within-and-between, quasi-experimental design study was conducted to address this primary aim. Twenty (20) children participated in the study; 10 of the participants played high school rugby, while the remaining 10 participants were not involved in any sport.

Sports law in South Africa is a field requiring exciting and intensive research. With so many sporting codes changing their status to professional sport, intensive research on the legal implications pertaining to each professional sporting code has also become necessary. Professional rugby in South Africa has grown into a multimillion rand industry. It is an industry whose role players need specialized legal advice on a multitude of issues. This dissertation addresses the legal issues arising out of the situation where a professional player is injured, during practice or a game, due to the intentional or negligent action of another. The medico-legal aspects of rugby, relating to causation and proof of injuries are an indispensable element of proving liability where rugby injuries are concerned. These aspects are crucial in assessing the criminal and delictual liability of players, coaches, referees, team physicians and even the union concerned. The problem of rugby violence, causing injury, is addressed by both the criminal law and the law of delict with the issue of consent being central to this discussion. Furthermore, the labour law implications can be far-reaching for both the player and the employer union due to the unique features of sport as an industry. All role players in professional rugby will have to cooperate with the legal community to ensure that a practical body of law is established in order to make rugby a safer sport for all concerned and to protect the professional player from unnecessary, incapacitating injury.