Thesis (M.A.) -- Central Connecticut State University, 2002. / Thesis advisor: Charles Mate-Kole. "... in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts, Department of Psychology." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 31-32). Also available via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.S.N.)--University of Florida, 2004. / Typescript. Title from title page of source document. Document formatted into pages; contains 73 pages. Includes Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Oregon State University, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 29-39).

Thesis (M.S.)--Springfield College, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Delaware, 2007. / Principal faculty advisor: Irene S. Davis, Dept. of Physical Therapy. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2007. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains viii, 135 p. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Virginia Commonwealth University, 2006. / Prepared for: School of Nursing. Bibliography: leaves 165-183. Also available online via the Internet.

Proefschrift Universiteit van Amsterdam. / Met lit. opg. - Met samenvatting in het Nederlands.

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. / Spinal cord trauma resulting in paraplegia or quadriplegia is one of the most devastating injuries. A frequent complication of spinal cord injury is intractible pain. It compounds a host of personal and social consequences: disruption of personal roles, dysfunctional marital and family relationships, unemployment, financial hardship, depression, anxiety, lowered self-esteem and hopelessness. There is an abundance of research on pain in general, but a dearth of literature on chronic pain in the spinal cord injured population - especially in the South African context. This study examined the psychosocial impact of pain on spinal cord injured patients in a hospital setting. Specifically, it addressed six core research questions, concerned with the physiological components of pain, and the social, affective and rehabilitation consequences of pain for spinal cord injured patients. The effects of etiology and level of lesion, age, gender and culture on the general pain experience were investigated. The purpose of this study was to accurately describe the phenomenon of pain as experienced by spinal cord injured (SCI) patients. The evidence showed that pain was a serious problem for SCI patients. A variety of physical and social modifiers of the pain experience were identified, as were several important temporal features of pain. SCI patients reported high frequencies of social, affective (depression, low selfesteem, suicidal responses and partner relationship problems), and rehabilitation consequences. The etiology of spinal cord injury was found to be related to pain intensity, while the level of the lesion was not associated with pain intensity or frequency. Some effect was found for age, however, gender did not contribute to the variance of any of the dependent variables. The culture of SCI patients plays an important role in both pain perception and the psychosocial and rehabilitation consequences of chronic pain. The results suggest that pain in SCI patients, as in other pain populations, needs to be recognized as a complex, multidimensional phenomena. Successful treatment requires an understanding of the SCI patient's emotional and psychological, as well as his physical requirements. The role of pain assessment is fundamental to any pain management programme.