Within the last decade a lack of evidence discourse (Nichols et al, 2010) has emerged raising issues around limited Monitoring and Evaluation (M and E) practice and capacity of Sport For Development (SFD) programmes to elicit change. Critics (Coalter, 2013; Harris and Adams, 2016) have argued that a deeper understanding of what works for whom and why (Pawson and Tilley, 1997) is required when evaluating SFD interventions. This thesis explored practitioner involvement in M and E, and drew upon a realist participatory M and E framework (delivered in two phases), developed to train student sport development practitioners (SSDPs) to make sense of how and why their SFD interventions worked. The framework was evaluated at each phase, utilizing Realist Evaluation (RE) to ascertain if, how, and why the framework worked for SSDPs. The evaluation at phase one (involving interviews, blogs, and questionnaires) led to a series of context mechanism and outcome (CMO) configurations explaining how and why the framework worked for SSDPs. This led to refinements of the framework at phase two embedding Schula et al’s (2016) collaborative principles of evaluation. Evaluation of phase two embedded Q factor analysis (Watts and Stenner, 2012), interviews and reflective blogs. Findings emerged surrounding the value of RE for SSDPs. Schula et al’s (2016) principles enabled practical and transformational characteristics to unfold for SSDPs within the framework. Four sub groups of practitioners emerged depicting how the framework worked. These sub groups were made up of ‘travelling far in M and E competency’, ‘polished problem solvers’, ‘passive passengers’, and ‘proficient yet skeptical practitioners’. These were underpinned by holistic narratives demonstrating subjective views about the framework. A new compilation of CMO configurations informing refinements to the framework followed. In conclusion, participatory approaches of M and E can work with practitioners and should be embedded to enable application of RE.

The thesis evaluated the positional physical demands of sub-elite youth football using acceleration/deceleration profiles, and accelerometer derived metrics, which were used to inform the derivation of a field based testing protocol.

No description available.

Strain within the hoof capsule is unknown and difficult to estimate and limited information is available on motion of all the distal joints of the forelimb. Consequently, how impact is attenuated in the hoof, distal joints and suspensory system is still not fully understood. This study aims to develop instrumentation capable of measuring internal hoof strain in conjunction with a method of recording the three dimensional (31)) kinematics of the joints of the distal. forelimb. Instrumented plugs were developed and validated and radial strain was measured in equine hooves at the dorsum together with lower forelimb kinernatics and kinetics during in vitro simulations of walking. 3D kinematics were recorded from the lower forelimb of 4 ponies at the walk using non-invasive cluster markers and the Calibrated Anatomical Systems Technique. Soft tissue artefacts using this method were assessed in vitro. Relationships between radial strain and locomotion were investigated. Tensile radial strain is predominant in normal hooves at the dorsum with magnitudes in the region of 500 pE in the stratum medium at midstance during simulated walking. Compression was recorded in the hoof strata of limbs with chronic laminitis. Radial strain was moderately correlated with proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ) flexion (r = -. 519). Large reductions in radial strain were found in simulated impact and heel lift positions. As the PIPJ flexes at impact passive loading of the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) due to weight bearing is more gradual, so direct radial stress in the stratum me&m is reduced. Radial stress in the stratum medium is also reduced as a proportion of the ground reaction forces are redirected through the heels. This vital role needs further investigation in vivo with improved non-invasive techniques.

Within the past two decades, the snowboard and freeski disciplines of halfpipe, slopestyle and big air (collectively Park & Pipe) have progressed dramatically in objective performance levels while transitioning into Olympic sports. This thesis investigates the nature and impact of this transition, with a focus on athlete performance and coaching. A general overview of the sport from a biopsychosocial perspective is followed by a more specific investigation into skill acquisition and the role of the coach in Park and Pipe as an action sport. A retrospective analysis of trick progression amongst eight elite performers at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics is complemented by interviews with ten current elite Park and Pipe coaches and an athlete survey to achieve triangulated perspectives exploring approaches to training and associated coaching methods. The inherent risk of injury in action sports is considered throughout, along with approaches to managing this risk at an athlete, coach and systemic level. A suite of both formal and informal tools is presented including the application and use of professional judgment and decision making (PJDM, Collins & Collins, 2014). This thesis provides insight for the action sports athlete, coach, high performance support team and management, exploring theory and application, examining change, success, failure, and providing a number of solutions to the optimal performance challenge. By establishing what current Park and Pipe best coaching practice looks like and comparing this to athlete preference, this research provides a picture of where the sport is currently at, proposes direction for the future, and highlights potential transfer to other action sports. Specific areas of focus and contribution to existing knowledge include sport progression modelling, holistic long-term athlete development, the use of motor imagery in skill acquisition, risk management, decision-making, and the periodisation of risk.

Research on lesbian athletes’ experiences is dated, with the majority being conducted in the 1980s and early 1990s. However, the 1980s represent a unique socio-cultural period, one Anderson (2009b) describes as homohysteric. Thus, as society has become more inclusive in previous generations, including within women’s sport (Fink et al 2012; Anderson & Bullingham 2013) and men’s sport (Anderson 2000, 2002, 2005a, 2005b, 2009b, 2011a; Adams & Anderson 2011) there is a need to reconsider the relationship between homophobia and sport. Semi-structured interviews from 31 lesbian athletes (from beginner to international standard players) were analysed using the coding procedures within Charmaz’ approach to grounded theory (Charmaz 2006). Results were subsequently applied to the adapted model of homohysteria (Anderson 2009b; Worthen 2014). Memos were used throughout the coding procedure to aid reflexivity and to ensure that results were grounded in data. Results show athletes competing in a positive environment, gaining support from teammates and coaches. Social situations were fully inclusive, including attending socials in LGBT friendly bars, demonstrating that fear surrounding the lesbian label has declined. Language has helped to develop this inclusive atmosphere; talking about sexuality has been shown to negate the environment of silence formerly experienced by lesbian athletes. This change in environment has changed how athletes ‘come out’. No longer do athletes need to prepare a statement; in fact coming out has become something of a non-event. Some athletes were even able to demonstrate an improvement in their professional lives, due to the diminished requirement to conceal their (homo)sexuality. However, some athletes still shunned the lesbian label, not through fear but by deeming it an unimportant facet of their individuality. Additionally, players’ athletic capital had no effect on their acceptance within the team, with the exception of international athletes. Participants faced very limited incidence of homophobia, but in those cases where homophobia was experienced, they would actively challenge the negative behaviour or language, as would their teammates. The supportive environment extended to providing advice and comfort to any athletes struggling with the process of coming out. In addition, participants in some cases became role models for their teammates. While the majority of the results were positive, there remained room for improvement in certain areas. There is still clear evidence that the environment has not changed for all athletes and there remain some areas to be addressed by sporting administrations. Old stereotypes of the predatory lesbian or the affective nature of sport on sexuality were raised by participants but tended to refer to historic events (over 10 years old).

The Munich Air Disaster claimed the lives of 23 people in a plane crash in Munich in 1958. It is a significant event within modern England’s cultural history as a number of Manchester United footballers, known as the Busby Babes were amongst the dead. The players who died have continued to be extensively commemorated, especially Duncan Edwards. This research considers the commemorative activity associated with Edwards since his death and was initiated when the researcher pondered the extensive commemorative activity by strangers that she encountered at the family grave of her cousin Edwards. The commemoration of the Disaster and of Edwards has been persistent and various with new acts of commemoration continuing conspicuously even after fifty years since the event. Such unique activity particularly demonstrated at Edwards’ grave was considered worthy of further investigation to ascertain why such activity was occurring at such a volume. Although general historical and biographical accounts of the Disaster and Edwards are apparent, specific research concerning the commemoration of the event was not evident. The researcher set out to identify who the commemorators were, why they were undertaking dedicatory acts and what those acts manifest as. At Edwards’ grave the offerings left upon it were regularly documented from 2010-2014 and analysed. Interviews with identified significant commemorators were undertaken including Edwards’ family members and fans. A comprehensive literature review was undertaken and relevant online sources and data were also examined in order to inform a distinct social and cultural analysis of the event within the context of its commemoration. The study focussed upon the researcher’s connection to the subject, commemorators, memorials, commemorative objects and sites. Although there was a distinct personal element to the research, the data collected was analysed in the wider context of commemoration, the perception of heroes and attitudes towards the dead, death and dying. This research specifically considers the commemoration of Disaster victim Duncan Edwards as a local sporting hero. The unique contribution to the knowledge and understanding of this research topic is principally through the generation and interrogation of new research data, created from fieldwork undertaken at Edwards’ grave and from interviews with significant commemorators. The interview-generated research data from certain Edwards’ family members was only possible to attain because of the researcher’s particular ancestral link to the interviewees.

Altitude training has been the subject of much research over the past forty year. However, research has focused on endurance performance and prolonged exposures to hypoxia have generally been employed to bring about improvements in performance. Few studies have investigated the responses to very short duration altitude exposures and its effects on performance. Moreover, research into the benefits of altitude training for improving the restoration of sprint performance during high intensity intermittent sports remains scarce. Therefore, this thesis aimed to determine the very acute responses to hypoxic exposure and the efficacy of repeated very short duration hypoxic exercise on recovery of sprint performance during intermittent activity. In addition, the thesis also aimed to determine the effect of such a training modality on oxidative stress levels and cellular damage during repeated sprint activity. Study one investigated the acute cerebral and skeletal oxygenation and cardiorespiratory responses to a single bout of very short duration (15 mm) hypoxic exposure (3048 m; F102 = 0.143) at rest and during exercise, and compared these to normoxic values. Both exercise conditions were performed at 65% of AP4lR max. The results of the study found that very short duration, hypoxic training stimulated significantly greater decreases in cerebral TOl over normoxic exercise (55.73 ± 2.77 and 64.02 ± 7.28%, respectively). Cerebral AHHb (31.07 ± 14.20 pmoFL 1 ) was also found to be significantly greater during hypoxic exercise than normoxic exercise (6.42 ± 8.04 pmoFLj and resting hypoxia (19.06 ± 7.40 pmohL 1 ). Skeletal TOI was not significantly different across all test conditions. However, skeletal AHH b (32.22 ± 20.81 pmolL 1 ) was significantly greater during hypoxic exercise than during resting hypoxia (10.23 ± 6.97 pmolL 1 ). Oxygen uptake and respiratory rate were not significantly different between normoxic and hypoxic exercise conditions, with mean V02 being 1.89 ± 0.03 and 1.83 ± 0.34 Lmin 1 for normoxic exercise and hypoxic exercise, respectively. Mean respiratory rates were 27.32 ± 6.27 and 24.63 ± 5.24 breaths.min for normoxic exercise and hypoxic exercise, respectively. These significant differences between conditions suggest greater 02 extraction rates during very short duration hypoxic exercise than during normoxic exercise or resting hypoxia. It was therefore proposed that a short course of very short duration hypoxic exposure may elicit improvements in the efficiency of 02 uptake and utilisation during intermittent exercise and subsequently lead to a reduction in oxidative stress during such activities. Resulting from the findings of study one, study two investigated the cerebral and skeletal oxygenation, cardiorespiratory and haematological changes in response to very short duration (15 mm) hypoxic training (HT) 3 times per week for three weeks compared to comparable normoxic training (NT). In addition, the study also evaluated the effectiveness of the hypoxic training programme on restoring sprint performance during an intermittent performance test (IPT) and the effects this protocol had on oxidative stress levels, as determined by MDA analysis. The results found that very short duration HT significantly increased RBC and F -id postintervention by 8.39% and 5.89% respectively, whilst Hb increase by 5.38% postintervention, though this was not to a level of significance. In contrast the NT group reported non-significant decreases post-intervention for Hb (3.36%) and RBC (0.61%), whilst Hd decreases significantly (5.31%). No significant differences were reported for MDA either pre or post-intervention or between groups. No significant differences were reported between the HT and NT groups or pre and post-intervention for any cerebral or skeletal tissue oxygenation variables. However, the HT showed greater increases in skeletal AHHb over the NT group during the sprint efforts of the IPT (79.99 ± 30.17 and 55.46 ± 29.00 pmolL 1 , respectively). Similar observations were also reported during the IPT's recovery periods, with mean AHHb being 64.53 ± 23.04 and 48.29 ± 28.31 pmoFL 1 , for the HI and NT groups, respectively. Additionally, no significant differences were found for sprint Wmean and Wak between the groups post-intervention. However, the HT group increased Wmean by 11.99% post-intervention compared to the 3.75% increase by the NT group. Comparable increases were also noted for W 3k, with the HT group improving 11.82% post —intervention and the NT group improving only 3.45%. No significant differences were found between the HI and NT groups or pre and post-intervention for V02 or respiratory rate during both sprint and recovery periods. However, the HI group generally showed non-significant decreases in both parameters, whilst the NT group showed no change from pre-intervention levels. This thesis found that despite significant improvements in haematological variables in the HT group over the NT group, very short duration hypoxic training does not improve the restoration of sprint performance during intermittent activity significantly more than comparable normoxic training. However, in general, the hypoxic training group did elicit greater levels of improvement. Thus, the results of this thesis may reflect more, the relatively low number of participants in the studies, and not that the changes reported were meaningless. Improvements of approximately 5% in blood parameters and almost 12% in power output are still likely to be of interest to the intermittent sports performer, as such improvements may make a difference during critical periods of a match or race.

Despite an array of research focusing on elite sport in the UK, less attention has been afforded towards academy football within these elite environments, particularly in relation to the educational programmes that the players aged 16-18 are required to undertake. Little is known about the perspectives of these players and therefore the aim of this thesis was to explore their attitudes towards education and identify the factors that influenced them. A relativist ontological position was adopted in fitting with the constructivist paradigm in an attempt to understand the phenomenon from the perspective of the scholars focusing on one specific Premier League club. A phenomenological case study approach was adopted to understand the shared meanings created by the scholars in relation to their educational programme at the club. After undertaking eight focus groups and a further six in-depth interviews six main themes emerged in relation to the scholars’ attitudes and the factors that influenced them. It was clear from this research that the scholars at this club were diverse by way of past educational attainment and levels of engagement, they had mixed views of their educational programme at the club and their attitudes towards education were influenced to varying degrees by parents, peers and experiences with teachers. The scholars were focused more on their football ambitions and their intentions were to pursue careers in elite football with education being perceived as a back-up. Staff changes at the club resulted in a renewed focus on education, yet this was still set against the backdrop of the ambiguous and uncertain world of professional football. Due to the methodological approach that underpins this study, the findings are not expected to be regarded as generalisations across all elite level football clubs. They are intended to serve as a starting point for practitioners in these settings to develop practice accordingly.

On August 4, 2012, white American swimmer Michael Phelps was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the international swimming federation in recognition of his Olympic achievements. The unprecedented award – a specially commissioned sculpture – proclaimed Phelps as “the greatest Olympian of All Time.” This title may, at one level, be perceived as a benign honorific bestowed upon an extra-ordinary athlete. On another level, the title should be viewed as a result of the hidden ideological work done by and through discourses of swimming in America, discourses that are always racialized, classed, nationalized, and gendered. Michael Phelps is the point of entry to unpack how modern sport and the Olympics reproduce these dominant views and processes that lead to contemporary social inequalities. My focus is an examination of the power relations that enabled and produced him as the Greatest Olympian of All-Time. Phelps’s phenomenal performance in the pool is undeniable, but I argue that the ensuing adulation and recognition results as much from his privileged position as a white American man as from his hard work, skill, and determination. This dissertation unpacks and explains how these processes work in the contemporary sporting world. Scholars have long argued that sport is a site for understanding how race, class, gender, and nationalisms are performed and/or constructed. In this dissertation, I take a critical cultural studies approach to demonstrate that, from an ideological and cultural point of view, Michael Phelps is the greatest Olympian of all time because he is the physical and symbolic embodiment of the modern Olympic movement, a movement founded upon 19th century ideals of humanism, liberalism, and modernity that continues to stabilize and reinforce dominant views of race, gender, class, nationalism and sexuality. To make this argument, I first historicize the sport of swimming itself. As one of the sports at the first Modern Olympics in 1896, swimming is an ideal site for understanding the modernization process through sport. Swimming has long been dominated by white athletes, and I deploy the recent concept of the sporting racial project to grasp how modernization is a racialized project fundamental to constructions of institutional racism. Next, I examine media representations of Michael Phelps in the early 21st century. These representations reveal the role of sport in popular imaginations of the nation and, specifically, the importance of the white male sporting hero in constructions of America in the post-9/11 world. Then, I explore and contextualize notions and meanings of “amateur” and “eligibility” within late 20th and early 21st century structures of Olympic swimming, including the complex and contradictory relationships between inter/national governing bodies. Finally, I show how these three seemingly independent processes involving race, class, gender, and nation are interdependent and fundamental to modern sport and the Olympics.