Fifty adolescent ice-hockey players, ranging from 13 to 15 years of age, were studied in order to determine whether high performance players differed from non-high performance players on measures of social cognition in the sport context. Two Divisions of Bantam hockey players were studied: (1) Division A or high performance players, and (2) Division B or non-high performance players. Participants were examined for differences on a measure which assessed level of Case's neo-Piagetian Central Social Conceptual Structure (CCS; Case, 1992) and for differences on three measures of elaborations on the basic structure. No differences were found between groups in a Multivariate Analysis of Variance, with participant's weight and Division of play as independent variables, on the four dependent variables. A Hotellings T2 analysis revealed no differences between high and non-high performance players of the same chronological age on Case's CCS. Univariate ANOVAs following the main analysis revealed no differences between the two groups of players in Concentration which is the ability to detect advance cues which would predict opponent's actions. High performance players demonstrated higher levels than non-high performance players in Flexibility, which is the ability to provide adequate solutions to social game problems. High performance players also demonstrated a greater orientation toward Intensity which is an orientation toward achieving Mastery goals (Dweck, 1992) than non-high performance players. Seven factors were obtained in an oblique Principal Components analysis of the Concentration scale. An ANOVA of Division of play on the first principal component revealed no significant differences between high and non-high performers. Number of words used in responding to the problem set assessing CCS were correlated with Structural Level (.56, p <.01) and Flexibility (.47, p <.01). The findings have the following implications for theory and practice in the area of high performance: (1) structural level, which is largely maturational, does not account for differences between high and non-high performers, (2) encapsulated abilities, which appear to have a high learning component, explain differences between high and non-high performers, (3) significant increases in performance will most likely occur as a result of efforts to develop the encapsulated component of development rather than the structural component.

The purpose of this study was to explore changes that occurred in physical education since the introduction of the New York State Standards in 1996 and ways teacher educators perceive related changes in both school and Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) programs. With the release of State and National Standards (NASPE, 1995), associated educational reform, assessment, and accountability have become important in physical education. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with six participants considered experts in state standards. Cote, Salmela, and Russell's (1995) guidelines were used to inductively analyze and interpret the qualitative data. The results of the analysis yielded three categories: (a) reasoning behind standards, which included rationales, developments, and comparisons, (b) impacts of standards, which involved PE effects, PETE reactions, and negative responses, and (c) actions resulting from standards which focused on implementation, leadership, assessments and accountability, and forward directions. Relationships between the properties within each category produced four areas of greatest interest/importance: implementation, PE effects, rationales, and forward directions. The result of this study is a focused look at standards-based reforms in New York State upon which teachers, administrators, PETE professionals, and educational policy makers may reflect.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Australian Catholic University, 2005. / A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Education. Includes bibliographical references (p. 275-296). Also available in an electronic version via the internet.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Wollongong, 2007. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references: p. 302-322.

Thesis (M.Sc.(Human Mvt.))--University of Western Australia, 2007.

Thesis (M.S.P.H.)--University of Michigan, 1932.

Inaug.-Diss.--Munich. / Vita. Bibliography: p. i-xxvi.

Thesis (M.S.P.H.)--University of Michigan, 1932.

Thesis (M. Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 58-63).

Originally presented as the author's thesis (doctoral--Technische Universität Chemnitz) under the title: Die Fitnessbewegung in Deutschland nach dem Zweiten Weltkrieg bis zur Wiedervereinigung. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 415-453).