Thesis (M.A.)--University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 100-106). Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 100-106).

Thesis (M.S.)--Ball State University, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 63-67).

Thesis (MNutr)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Background: Very little data exists regarding the nutritional status of adolescent soccer players and there is no national data regarding this population. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the dietary intake and anthropometric profile of N=39 male, high-performance, adolescent soccer players who are of mixed race (14 -18 years of age), during the competitive season. Methods: The study design was a descriptive, observational study with an analytical component. A quantified food frequency questionnaire (QFFQ), which has been validated for athletes, was used to characterise their nutritional intake in terms of energy (kCal), macronutrient as well as micronutrient intake. Interpretation of anthropometric data included plotting and interpreting growth indicators such as height-for-age, body mass index (BMI)-for-age, tricep skinfold-for-age, subscapular skinfold-for-age, sum of skinfolds-for-age, arm muscle area (AMA)–for-age, arm muscle circumference (AMC)-for-age, arm fat area (AFA)-for-age and percentage body fat. Results: The anthropometric data showed that most of the players had an adequate height-for-age (100%, N=39) and BMI-for-age (87.2%, N=34). The mean percentage body fat was 10.9±3.5%. The majority of players’ skinfold thickness measurements were above the 85th percentile for triceps (56.4%, N=22), subscapular (59.0%, N=23) as well as the sum of two skinfolds (triceps and subscapular), (72.0%, N=28), AMA (82.1%, N=32), AMC (56.4%, N=22) and AFA (56.4%, N=22). Daily minimum and maximum mean energy expenditure was between 3146.9±213.4 and 3686.4±250.0 kcal while daily mean energy intake was 4374.0±1462.4 kcal. Protein (156±53 g/day), carbohydrate (CHO) (557±172 g/day), total fat (149±67.8 g/day) and cholesterol (546±230 mg/day) intake were all above levels recommended for athletes. The mean micronutrient intake met the estimated average requirement (EAR) or adequate intake (AI) for all nutrients. Players who were more physically active displayed more favourable anthropometric indices which included body weight, BMI, body fat indices as well as muscle mass indices, despite having a greater total energy intake (TEI). This difference did however not reach statistical significance. Supper was the most regularly consumed meal (97.4%, N=38). The majority of players (61.5%, N=24) ate breakfast daily with only 5.1% (N=2) who never ate breakfast. However, 20.5% (N=8) of the players only ate breakfast 3 days a week. Conclusion: Although most of the players had a normal body weight and BMI, they were predominantly categorised as above average according to indices of body fat. Body muscle indices was categorised as above average for most players suggesting a beneficial finding in terms of sporting performance. The mean TEI, CHO, protein intake and fat intake were all above the recommended levels for athletes. The mean intake of all vitamins and minerals met the EAR/AI. Players who were more physically active displayed more favourable anthropometric indices, despite having a higher TEI. Although this study population exhibited no evidence of stunting, indicating that the players were well nourished (in terms of sufficient macronutrients and micronutrients), they are at risk of being over-nourished which may negatively impact sporting performance as well as overall health. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Agtergrond: Daar is baie min studies wat die dieetinname van adolosent-sokkerspelers ondersoek het en daar is sover die navorser se kennis strek, geen nasionale data rakende dieetinname in hierdie studie populasie nie. Doel: Die doel van die studie was om die dieetinname en antropometriese profiel van N=39 manlike hoë-prestasie adolosent-sokkerspelers van gemengde ras (14-18 jaar) gedurende die kompeterende seisoen te bepaal. Metodes: ‘n Kwantitatiewe voedselfrekwensie vraelys was gebruik om die totale energie (kcal), makronutriënt- en mikronutrientinname te bepaal. Die antropometriese data was geïnterpreteer met behulp van die volgende groei indikatore; lengte-vir-ouderdom, liggaamsmassa indeks (LMI)-vir-ouderdom, trisep velvou-vir-ouderdom, subskapulêre velvou-vir-ouderdom, som van velvoue-vir-ouderdom, arm spier area (ASA)-vir-ouderdom, arm spier omtrek (ASO)-vir-ouderdom, arm vet area (AVA)-vir-ouderdom en persentasie liggaamsvet. Resultate: Die antropometriese data het getoon dat meeste van die spelers toepaslike lengte-vir ouderdom (100%, N=39) en LMI-vir-ouderdom (87.2%, N=34) het. Die gemiddelde persentasie liggaamsvet was 10.9±3.5%. Die meerderheid van die spelers se velvou metings was bo die 85ste persentiel vir die trisep (56.4%, N=22), subskapulêr (59.0%, N=23) sowel as die som van twee velvoue (trisep en subscapulêr), (72.0%, N=28), ASA (82.1%, N=32), ASO (56.4%, N=22) en AVA (56.4%, N=22). Die daaglikse maksimum en minimum gemiddelde energie verbruik was 3146.9±213.4 tot 3686.4±250.0 kcal en daaglikse energie inname was 4757.9±2121.2 kcal. Proteïen (155.6±53.3 g/day), koolhidraat (556.8±172.1 g/day), totale vet (148.8±67.8 g/day) en cholesterol (545.5±230.1 mg/day) inname was bo die aanbevelings. Die gemiddelde mikronutriënt inname was binne die geskatte gemiddelde aanbeveling of toereikende inname vir al die mikronutriënte. Die gemiddelde vloeistof inname gedurende ‘n sokker wedstryd en ‘n twee uur oefen sessie was 479.1±163 ml en 597.7±281 ml, onderskeidelik. Die meer aktief spelers het ‘n meer geskikte antropometriese profiel, soos laer gewig, LMI en liggaamsvet waardes en hoër spiermassa waardes beskik, ten spite van ‘n hoër energie inname. Die maal wat die mees gereeld geëet was is aandeete (97.4%, N=38). Meeste (61.5%, N=24) van die spelers het ontbyt daagliks geëet met net 5.1% (N=2) wat nooit ontbyt geëet. Alhoevel daar nogsteeds 20.5% (N=8) van spelers was wat net ontbyt 3 keer per week geëet het. Die maaltyd wat die minste ingeneem was, was ontbyt, met net 20.5% (N=8) wat onybyt 3 dae per week eet. Slot: Alhoewel meeste van die spelers ‘n normale gewig en LMI getoon het, is die meeste spelers gekatogoriseerd as bo gemiddeld in terme van liggaamlike vet waarde. Die meeste van die spelers kan ook gekatogoriseer word as bo gemiddeld in term van spiermassa, wat voordelig is vir sport prestasie. Die gemiddlede energie, koolhidraat, proteïen, en vet innames was bo die aanbevole reikwydtes. Die gemiddelde mikronutriënt inname was binne die geskatte gemiddelde aanbeveling of toereikende inname vir al die mikronutriënte. Meer aktief spelers het ‘n meer geskikte antropometriese profiel getoon, ten spite van ‘n hoër energie inname. Alhoewel hierdie populasie wel gevoed is, in terme van makronutriënt en micronutrient, draar hulle ‘n risiko om oor gevoed to wees. Dit mag hulle sport prestasie en algehele gesondheid negatief beïnvloed.

No description available.

Thesis (MScSportSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Talent identification and early selection into a professional soccer academy has been reported to be very important for the long term development of footballing expertise (Le Gall et al., 2010). This awareness of the need for early identification of gifted youngsters has led to an increased number of soccer centres of excellence and academies throughout the world. Traditionally, identification and selection of promising individuals into youth soccer academies has been linked to a coach’s subjectivity and preconceived image of the player. Once this method is used in isolation it can result in tedious misjudgements in talent identification - hence the emphasis on science-based approaches. Through soccer-specific research, a number of anthropometric and physical parameters have been linked to successful performance in soccer. The primary aims of the study were to explore the anthropometric, somatotype and functional fitness characteristics of young academy soccer in South Africa and Zimbabwe and to distinguish variables that can be relevant for Talent Identification. The study followed a quantitative non-intervention design with a sample of convenience. A total of 74 young soccer players (Age 15.9±0.81) from South African (n = 41) and Zimbabwean (n = 33) soccer academies were purposively sampled. The following anthropometric variables were measured following the International Society of the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK) protocol: body mass and height; skinfolds – (triceps, subscapular, biceps, iliac crest, supraspinale, abdominal, front thigh, medial calf); Girths – (arm relaxed, arm flexed and tensed, waist, gluteal, and calf); bone breadths – (biepicondylar humerus and biepicondylar femur). Functional fitness variables that were measured include: lower back muscle flexibility (sit and reach test), upper body flexibility (shoulder flexibility), leg power using (vertical and horizontal jumps), overhead throw (2kg medicine ball throw), speed tests (10, 20, and 40m sprint tests), agility (Illinois test) and aerobic fitness (Hoff test). There were no statistically significant differences in age, body mass, height, fat mass, body mass index, lower back flexibility, right shoulder flexibility, 20m sprint, and endurance capacity (p>0.05). Statistically significant differences were found in percentage body fat (p>0.05), sum of 8 skinfolds, fat free mass, somatotype, left shoulder flexibility, upper and lower body power, 10m and 40m sprints (p<0.01). South African players were found to have higher %BF and sum of skinfolds and then Zimbabwean players. It was concluded that Zimbabwean players performed significantly better than South Africans in agility, 10m, 40m sprints, vertical jump, horizontal jump and overhead throw and had better future chances of success in soccer. Goalkeepers were taller and heavier, while midfielders and defenders were found to be lighter and shorter. Goalkeepers were the most agile group, while forwards were the fastest group. Agility, power and speed were the most important variables that can be used during talent selection and coaches should purposefully work to develop these characteristic during training sessions. Height and weight are relevant in allocating positional roles to players and not in Talent Identification. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Talentidentifisering en vroeë seleksie in ʼn professionele sokkerakademie blyk baie belangrik te wees vir die langtermyn ontwikkeling van sokker vaardighede (Le Gall et al., 2010). Hierdie behoefte vir die vroeë identifisering van talentvolle jong spelers het aanleiding gegee tot ʼn toename in sokker sentra van uitnemendheid en akademies wêreldwyd. Tradisioneel is die identifisering en seleksie van belowende individue vir toelating tot ʼn jeug sokker akademie aan ʼn afrigter se subjektiwiteit en voorafopgestelde idees van die speler gekoppel. Wanneer die metode in isolasie gebruik word kan dit dodelike mistastings in talent identifisering teweeg bring – daarom die klem op wetenskaplik gebaseerde benaderings. Deur sokker spesifieke navorsing is daar alreeds ʼn aantal antropometriese en fisieke parameters aan suksesvolle prestasie in sokker gekoppel. Die primêre doelwitte van die studie was om die antropometrie, somatotipe en funksionele fiksheidskenmerke van jong sokker akademie spelers in Suid-Afrika en Zimbabwe te ondersoek en om veranderlikes wat relevant vir talentidentifisering kan wees te onderskei. Die studie het ʼn kwantitatiewe, nie-intervensie ontwerp met ʼn gerieflikheidsteekproef gevolg. ʼn Totaal van 74 jong sokkerspelers van Suid-Afrika (n = 41) en Zimbabwe (n = 33) sokker akademies is doelgerig geselekteer (ouderdom 15.9 ± 0.81 jaar). Die volgende antropometriese veranderlikes is ooreenkomstig met die International Society of the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK) protokol gemeet: liggaamsmassa en -lengte; velvoue (triseps, subskapulêr, biseps, iliokristale vou, supraspinalis, abdominale, quadriseps, mediale gastroknemius); omtrekke (arm ontspanne, arm in fleksie en gespanne, middel, gluteale, en kuit); been breedtes (biepikondelêre humerus en biepikondelêre femur). Funksionele fiksheidsveranderlikes wat gemeet is was: laerug spierlenigheid (sit en reik toets), boonste ekstremiteit lenigheid (skouer lenigheid), beenkrag (vertikale en horisontale spronge), oorhoofse gooi (2kg medisyne balgooi), spoedtoets (10, 20, en 40m spoedtoetse), ratsheid (Illinois toets) en aërobiese fiksheid (Hoff toets). Geen statisties betekenisvolle verskille is in ouderdom, liggaamsmassa, -lengte, vetmassa, liggaamsmassa indeks, laerug lenigheid, regterskouer lenigheid, 20 meter spoed en uithouvermoë kapasiteit (p>0.05) tussen SA en Zimbabwe spelers gevind nie. Statisties betekenisvolle verskille is wel in persentasie liggaamsvet (p<0.05), som van agt velvoue, vetvrye massa, somatotipe, linkerskouer lenigheid, boonste en onderste ekstremiteit liggaamskrag, 10m en 40m spoed (p<0.01) gevind. Suid-Afrikaanse spelers het ʼn hoër persentasie liggaamvet en som van velvoue as die Zimbabwiese spelers gehad. Daar is tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat Zimbabwiese spelers betekenisvol beter as Suid-Afrikaanse spelers in die meeste fiksheidstoetse gevaar het en waarskynlik beter kanse vir sukses in sokker het. Doelwagters was groter en swaarder, terwyl middelveld spelers en verdedigers ligter en korter was. Doelwagters was die ratste groep, terwyl voorspelers die vinnigste groep was. Ratsheid, krag en spoed is as die belangrikste veranderlikes geïdentifiseer wat tydens talentidentifisering gebruik kan word en afrigters moet doelbewus daaraan werk om hierdie eienskappe tydens oefensessies te ontwikkel. Lengte en gewig is relevant in die toekenning van posisionele rolle aan spelers en nie in talentidentifisering nie. Hierdie is die eerste studie waarin die antropometriese en funksionele fiksheidsprofiele van jong sokkerspelers in Suid-Afrika en Zimbabwe met mekaar vergelyk word. Dit baan die weg vir ander navorsers om hierop uit te brei deur sokkerspelers van ander lande in Afrika te toets en by te dra tot die kennis van sokkerspelers in Afrika. Hierdie navorsing skep ook die basis vir afrigters en oefenkundiges in Afrika om die bydrae wat die wetenskap maak ten opsigte van liggaamsamestelling en funksionele fiksheid beter te verstaan om talentidentifisering in sokker te verbeter.

The American Dream is founded upon the ideological belief that ‘you can be anything you want to be, regardless of your current class position.’ This belief is contained within the dominant prevailing notion that the U.S. is a meritocracy where power and success are associated with determination and failure with laziness. This thesis challenges whether the American Dream is a relevant, attainable and viable concept for higher education students via the avenue of a soccer scholarship. In so doing, the research presented challenges the perceived wisdom of ‘American exceptionalism’ from a critical theoretical perspective. The research question at the heart of this study is ‘what are the motives of American university students for undertaking a soccer scholarship?’ The adoption of an interpretive paradigm for this study aims to provide an explanation of student decision-making. In the final analysis, this approach reveals what soccer means to the lives of the student-athletes. The central themes of the study were established via a pilot study and categorised as: family, social class, social mobility and career development. Questionnaires were completed by 154 students from two separate Division One universities. Twelve students were then purposively sampled and interviewed using a semi-structured format. To supplement these opinions, interviews were then conducted with a selection of coaches and athletic directors at the respective institutions. Analysis of the responses was contextualised using the framework provided by Csikszentmihayli and Schneider’s (2000) ‘Support/Challenge Questionnaire’. The findings support a common hypothesis that the family is a significant agent in socialising of their children to the cultural values of the American Dream. The findings additionally reveal support for the notion that families are important influences on their child’s sport mobility orientations in the soccer context. An alternative explanation proposed here is that the transmission process is actually a two-way dialogue in which children socialised their parents and vice versa. The family in this study represent a potentially problematic social process for the inculcation of values related to the maintenance of social life. The conclusions presented clearly reveal that the majority of students embarking on a soccer scholarship are motivated by the need to firstly finance their higher education and secondly to take part in a sport they have played since childhood. Students were aware of the uncertainty of the marketplace and the limitations of their own technical ability. As such their participation in the scholarship could be considered to be a pragmatic adaptation of a ‘labour of love.’

Abstract available in the Medicine and Sciences in Sports and Exercise.

published_or_final_version / Sports Science / Master / Master of Science in Sports Science

Previous research has explored the benefits of structured teambuilding interventions in the team sport environment (Voight & Callaghan, 2001). Structured teambuilding has a positive effect on cohesion, and the link between cohesiveness and successful athletic performance has been well documented (Carron, Colman, Wheeler, & Stevens, 2002), but little research has been carried out in terms of student-athlete enjoyment of their athletic experience based on the incorporation of structured teambuilding as part of the training environment. This study was designed to examine the effect of structured teambuilding on athlete satisfaction in NCAA Division III men's and women's soccer. One hundred and eleven student-athletes from six NCAA Division III soccer teams participated. Sixty-five student-athletes played for teams that used structured teambuilding (STB). Forty-six student-athletes played for teams that did not use structured teambuilding (NSTB). Students indicated average playing time per game and completed the Athlete Satisfaction Questionnaire (ASQ) (Riemer & Chelladurai, 1998) at the conclusion of his or her regular season, but prior to any post-season competition. A 2 (use of team building) x 3 (playing status) ANOVA revealed significant main effects for use of team building, F(1, 105) = 9.34,p < .003, and playing status, F(2, 105) = 9.10, p = < .001. Post-hoc analysis revealed significant differences in 8 of the 15 subscales of the ASQ: individual performance, ability utilization, personal treatment, training and instruction, team social contribution, and personal dedication. STB studentathletes recorded significantly higher satisfaction when compared with their NSTB counterparts. Implications for the use of structured teambuilding as a tool for team development, drawing particular attention to the satisfaction of players, are discussed. / School of Physical Education