The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between task cohesion and social cohesion and performance of women's intercollegiate Division I field hockey teams. Twenty-six teams (n=26) from the 1989 season participated in this study, representing 32% of the total number of NCAA Division I teams. Specifically, team task cohesion and social cohesion measures from mid-season were compared to performance measures at the end of the season. The Group Environment Questionnaire (GEQ) developed by Widmeyer, Brawley, and Carron (1985) was used to measure cohesion. Performance was measured by percentage of games won, and also by a power rating developed by the NCAA field hockey committee. The GEQ consists of four cohesion constructs, two task and two social. Each of the four scales was compared to each of the performance measures, as well as both task scales combined and both social scales combined. Median values for each teams' cohesion measures were correlated with performance measures using the Pearson Product Moment coefficient of correlation. The results indicated that task cohesion was significantly related to team performance. Social cohesion variables when compared to power rating, and the Group Integration-Social construct when compared to win/loss percentage were significantly related to performance. Although significant, the social cohesion results were considerably lower than the task cohesion results.

No description available.

Note:

No description available.

Thesis (MScSportSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: There is a lack of research in the sport of field hockey, specifically where monitoring of fatigue and recovery is concerned. The primary aim of the study was thus to monitor the accumulative fatigue and recovery state of elite field hockey players during the different phases of a competitive season. The specific objectives of the study were to determine the changes in heart rate recovery of elite hockey players; to determine the changes in perceptual fatigue; to determine the relationship between players’ perceptions of recovery and stress; and to determine the relationship between the objective and subjective measures of recovery and fatigue over different phases during a competitive season. Elite female hockey players (n = 15) from Stellenbosch University were monitored over 23 weeks. This group comprised of players from the first team (Maties) and second team (VICS) of the club. The following tests were administered: the Heart rate Interval Monitoring System (HIMS) test with the use of SUUNTO heart rate monitors and SUUNTO Team Manager, the Perceptual Fatigue questionnaire (on a weekly basis), and the Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes (RESTQ-Sport 76) (during each phase of their normal competition cycle). There were a number of significant findings (p<0.05) relating to the aim and objectives of the study. One of the main findings was that there were significant differences between the phases with regard to the measured variables. Players experienced significantly more Fatigue, Lack of Energy and Pressure during the first Competition phase. With regard to the HIMS, players performed the best during the second Competition phase, following the university holidays. Even though not all the differences were statistically significant, collectively the results indicate that these monitoring tools can be used for teams. An added advantage with all three monitoring tools is that each person can be used as their own baseline. In a team setting it gives the coach and support team the opportunity to individualise training programmes and recovery methods. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Daar is ‘n tekort aan navorsing in hokkie, en spesifiek in die monitering van vermoeienis en herstel by spelers. Die hoofdoel van die studie was dus om akkumulerende vermoeienis en die hersteltoestand van elite hokkiespelers gedurende verskillende fases van die kompetisie seisoen te monitor. Die spesifieke doelwitte van die studie was om die verandering in hartspoed herstel van die hoë vlak spelers te bepaal; om veranderinge in perseptuele vermoeienis te bepaal; om die verwantskap tussen die spelers se persepsies van herstel en stress te bepaal; om die verwantskap tussen die objektiewe en subjektiewe van herstel en vermoeienis oor die verskillende fases tydens die kompetisie seisoen te bepaal. Elite vroue hokkie spelers (n = 15) van Stellenbosch was oor 23 weke gemonitor. Hierdie groep het uit spelers van die eerste span (Maties) en die tweede span (VICS) van die klub bestaan. Die volgende toetse was uitgevoer: Die Hartspoed Interval Monitering Sisteem (HIMS) toets met behulp van die SUUNTO hartspoed monitors en die SUUNTO span administrasie sisteem; en die Perseptuele Vermoeienis vraelys was op ‘n weeklikse basis voltooi, terwyl die Herstel Stres vraelys vir Sportmense (RESTQ-Sport 76) gedurende elke fase van hul oefensiklus voltooi is. Daar was ‘n aantal betekenisvolle bevindings (p<0.05) wat verband hou met die doel en doelwitte van die studie. Een van die hoof bevindings was dat daar betekenisvolle verskille tussen die fases was met betrekking tot die veranderlikes. Spelers het beduidend meer Vermoeienis, Gebrek aan Energie en Druk gedurende die eerste Kompetisie fase ervaar. Met betrekking tot die HIMS het spelers die beste presteer gedurende die tweede Kompetisie fase, na afloop van ‘n rus periode gedurende die universiteitsvakansie. Hoewel al die verskille nie statisties beduidend was nie, is daar aangedui dat die moniterings instrumente geskik is vir gebruik by spanne. ‘n Verdere voordeel by al drie moniterings instrumente is dat elke persoon as sy eie basislyn kan dien. In ‘n spanopset bied dit aan die afrigter en ondersteuningspan die geleentheid om oefening en herstelmetodes te individualiseer.

This study investigated how active female hockey players at the high school, university/college, and national/elite levels perceive that the skills acquired in sport transfer to another career or other facets of their lives. One hundred and seventeen athletes were surveyed. The Transferable Skills Survey was comprised of four parts. Athletes provided responses that included general information, identity, career transition, and transferable skills. The findings indicate that there is a need for psychologists to be involved in the athletic career transition and that the best way to help female hockey players represented in this study may be to teach their parents the skills to assist their daughters through the career transition. Further, the findings reveal that transferable skills aid in successful career transition out of sport. / 142 leaves ; 29 cm. --

This thesis aimed to enhance understanding of the nature of knowledge bases possessed by elite sports performers which underpin perceptual-cognitive and decision making skills. Two main theories were considered; Active Control of Thought (ACT*) and Representational Redescription (RR). The purpose of Study 1 was to examine the anticipatory ability of elite and non-elite players in football and hockey. The results indicated that elite players in both sports were quicker and more accurate in their expectation of pass destination. Study 2 aimed to understand the extent to which knowledge is transferable. The results indicated that elite players’ knowledge is relatively domain specific although some elements of underlying task strategy may transfer. The objective of Study 3 was to explore the means by which elite and non-elite players in football and hockey identify and differentiate between possible decisions. Results showed elite players’ rationale was based on deeper theoretical principles whilst non-experts utilised relatively superficial information and naïve theories. Study 4 focussed on problem representations of elite and non-elite football players. Results revealed elite players’ representations were more pertinent, connected and articulated in a more effective manner. Overall, the findings from the current thesis provide advanced understanding of the knowledge bases responsible for perceptual-cognitive and decision making skill, and such understanding may assist attempts to enhance athletes’ performance and support future research.

The aim of this study was to examine leadership styles among head officials in the SHL and how they communicate leadership to ice hockey players in the SHL. The aim of this study was also to examine what type of leadership head officials in the SHL believe is requested from ice hockey players in the SHL. The selection of the study consisted of ten head officials in the SHL from the ice hockey season of 2016/2017, and the data collection was acquired trough semi-structured interviews with the participants. The collected data was subsequently analysed trough a thematic method. The results showed that there is no monolithic leadership style amongst the interviewed head officials in the SHL during the 2016/2017 ice hockey season. To find a leadership style that acts according to yourself is a vital part to be able to lead an individual or individuals. The ten interviewed head officials of the SHL described that body-language is a vital part of their leadership. They also described their way of working with positive feedback in communications with ice hockey players in the SHL as a way to encourage or transform actions of ice hockey players. The results of the study also indicates that the ten interviewed head officials in the SHL believe that a distinct and communicative leadership is the preferred option amongst ice hockey players in the SHL. / Syftet med den här studien var att undersöka ledarskapsstilar bland huvuddomare i SHL (Svenska ishockeyligan) och hur de förmedlar och kommunicerar ledarskap till ishockeyspelare i SHL. Den här studien undersöker även vilket ledarskap huvuddomare i SHL upplever att ishockeyspelare i SHL efterfrågar. Urvalet i studien bestod av tio huvuddomare i SHL under ishockeysäsongen 2016/2017, och datainsamlingen genomfördes genom semistrukturerade intervjuer med deltagarna. Den insamlade datan analyserades sedan genom en tematisk analys. Resultatet från studien visar att det inte finns en enhetlig ledarskapsstil bland de intervjuade huvuddomarna i SHL under ishockeysäsongen 2016/2017. Att hitta ett ledarskap som fungerar för en själv är en essentiell faktor för att kunna leda en individ eller en grupp individer. De tio intervjuade huvuddomarna beskriver att de ser kroppsspråk som en viktig del i deras ledarskap. De flesta av de intervjuade huvuddomarna arbetar även med positiv återkoppling i kommunikationer med ishockeyspelare i SHL för att uppmuntra eller förändra ett beteende hos ishockeyspelare. I resultatet från studien framgår även att de tio intervjuade huvuddomarna i SHL upplever att ett tydligt och kommunikativt ledarskap är efterfrågat från ishockeyspelare i SHL.

The primary purpose of this study was to examine the relationship among levels of trait and state anxiety, self-confidence, arousal and performance of athletes throughout a competition. A secondary purpose was to examine the usefulness of a variety of instruments used to obtain levels of anxiety, self-confidence, arousal, and performance. Trait anxiety was measured by the Sport Competition Anxiety Test (SCAT) (Martens, 1990) and levels of state anxiety and selfconfidence were measured using the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2) (Martens, 1990). Pre-game and game arousal levels were distinguished by monitoring heart rates via heart rate monitors. Performance of each athlete was evaluated by the head coach. An overall rating or score was determined through the use of a Performance Rating Inventory which was developed specifically for this study.Thirteen members of the Ball State Field Hockey Team, ranging in ages from 18-22 years, agreed to participate in this study. Data was collected for 19 competitions from their regular season schedule. The SCAT was administered to the athletes in a non-competitive environment_ to determine trait anxiety levels. Levels of state anxiety (cognitive and somatic), self-confidence, arousal, and performance were obtained for every competition played.Pearson Product-Moment Correlation was used to determine the relationship among levels of trait and state anxiety and arousal to playing performance. Overall, there was no statistically significant relationships found among these levels. A follow-up analysis examined the data by the three most competitive and three least competitive games of the season. Group means were graphed according to pre-game and game arousal and no significant difference was shown between the two levels of competitiveness. Group means of the three subscales of the CSAI-2 (cognitive, somatic and self-confidence) were also graphed. Cognitive and somatic state anxiety levels were at its highest and self-confidence was at its lowest for the more competitive games and cognitive and somatic state anxiety were at its lowest and self-confidence was at its highest for the least competitive games. As a result of these findings, physiologically the athletes approached both types of games similarly. The difference was in the mental approach which ultimately could of been the difference in a win or a loss. / School of Physical Education

No description available.