No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--McMaster University, 2005. / Supervisor: Timothy D. Lee. Includes bibliographical references. Also available online.

Stress is one of the most critical influences on behavior, performance and disease. Recent findings from our laboratory have shown that stress represents a major modulator of motor function in the intact and damaged brain. The mechanisms by which stress and stress hormones affect motor system function, however, have not yet been determined. The objective of this thesis was to determine the route of action of stress and stress hormones on the motor system in a rat model. The first experiment investigates whether corticosterone is involved in mediating stress-induced motor impairments. The second experiment compares the role of glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors in regard to modulating the motor response to stress. The third experiment determines the differential effects of stress on motor function in males and females. The final experiment systematically describes changes in neuronal cell signaling that affect normal function of motor areas. The results indicate that disturbance of fine motor control by stress is not associated with stress hormone increases. Furthermore, it is modulated through the glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors. Stress differentially impairs motor function in males and females. These changes in motor behaviour could possibly be the result of changes in neuronal cell signaling within the motor system. This research provides new insights into physiological influences in motor system function and disorders of the motor system. / ix, 128 leaves : ill. (some col.) ; 29 cm.

Thesis (M. Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 1990. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 82-91).

Thesis (M.Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 1990. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 82-91). Also available in print.

Cricket has evolved from a traditional and conservative sport to a fast-paced, vigorous game. As a result of this the physical conditioning programmes of players have changed drastically with regular fitness tests that are now an integral part of these programmes. In spite of this, no studies have made an attempt to determine the exact relationship between the physical and motor ability parameters of batsmen and their performance. The purpose of this study was, therefore, firstly to determine which physical and motor ability parameters discriminate between successful and less successful provincial academy batsmen and secondly, to determine how much these parameters contribute to the batting performance of provincial academy batsmen. Twenty-two batsmen from the Gauteng and North-West cricket academies in South Africa were used in this study. Thirteen batsmen (20.15 +- 1.41 years) participated during the 2004 season whilst nine batsmen (21.11 +- 1.83 years) took part during the 2005 season. The players were subjected to 23 physical and motor ability tests, whilst 72 isokinetic measurements were also taken. The data was analysed by means of descriptive statistics, cluster analyses, forward stepwise discriminant analyses and finally forward stepwise multiple regression analyses. The discriminant analyses showed that right (RKEPT) and left knee extensor peak torque (LKEPT), right knee extensor average power (RKEAP), left knee extensor total work (LKETW) and left knee flexor peak torque (LKFPT) (all at 30°/sec), as well as LKEPT, RKEPT and L.KEAP (all at 24O°/sec ), left (LIRAP) and right shoulder internal rotator average power (RIRAP). right shoulder external/internal rotator peak torque ratio (REIRPTR) and right shoulder internal rotator peak torque (RIRPTJ (all at 24O°/sec) as well as left shoulder internal rotator total work (LIRTW) (60°/sec) discriminated non-significantly between the successfu1 (top 5 ranked batsmen of both seasons) and less successful academy batsmen. The physical and motor ability parameters which were identified as discriminators were left 505 agility, shuttle run aerobic endurance and IRM (repetition-maximum) hack squat strength (all significant) (p 5<= 0.05) whilst left grip strength and abdominal muscle strength discriminated non-significantly. The forward stepwise multiple regression analyses indicated that RKEPT 30' (16%). LKEPT 30' (7%), RKEAP 30' (7%), LKFPT 30' (7%), LKEAP 240" (6%), RKFPT 240" (5%). LKETW 30" (5%) and LKEPT240° (4%) were the isokinetic knee strength parameters which contributed non-significantly to batting performance. The isokinetic shoulder strength parameters which also contributed non-significantly to batting performance were: RIRPT240° (28%). LIRAP 240' (16%), REZRPTR 240' (8%). LIRTW 60° (5%) and RIRAP 240' (4%). Vertical jumping power (13%) (p 50.05), left 505 agility (9%) (p 50.05), abdominal muscle strength (5%) (p 50.05), aerobic capacity (10%). IRM bench press strength (7%), IRM hack squat strength as well as left shoulder internal rotation flexibility (4% each) were the physical and motor ability parameters which contributed to batting performance. The conclusion that can, therefore, be drawn is that physical and motor ability parameters contribute to the performance of provincial academy batsmen and that these components should be included in the physical conditioning programmes of batsmen / Thesis (M.Sc. (Human Movement Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

Yu, Jie. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2013. / Includes bibliographical references. / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese; appendixes includes Chinese.