No description available.

No description available.

Doctorat en Sciences / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

This research focuses on the function of sport fan identity in seeking optimal psychological distinctiveness. The purpose of the study was to investigate the mechanisms through which sport fans balance the psychological needs for distinctiveness and assimilation through the expression of their team identity, thereby contributing to a stronger explanation of how these psychological needs function within the attachment process towards stronger fan loyalty. Although a growing body of knowledge has addressed the internalisation of a sport object into the self-concept, existing theoretical frameworks provide limited explanation of the mechanisms through which these needs are met. Literature on team identity and psychological distinctiveness was reviewed in order to derive a set of research questions to investigate the use of the structural reality mechanism and perceptual framing mechanism at an individual and group level for sport fans at different levels of psychological connection to their chosen team. A two-phase mixed method research design allowed a purposeful stage-based investigation of psychological distinctiveness. The findings provide evidence of the use of both the structural reality mechanism and the perceptual framing mechanism as fans use their team identity to balance their needs for belonging and distinctiveness. The results of the study found that the mechanisms were involved at both higher stages of iii psychological connection to their chosen team, as well as at both individual level and group level. The study contributes the optimal distinctiveness mechanisms of structural reality and perceptual framing to the revised Psychological Continuum Model theoretical framework, thus examining sport fan identity motives beyond selfesteem. The study also contributes to the limited research undertaken within the sport of rugby and in South Africa, while providing additional mixed method and qualitative analysis guidance for researching sport fandom. The findings of this research are relevant to sport marketers, sponsorship managers, and sport broadcasters who wish to facilitate stronger and more positive relationships between fans, as well as with the sport object. Marketers are able to use the mechanisms and strategies examined in this study to create additional opportunities for attached and allegiant fans to express their distinctiveness within the attachment process towards stronger fan loyalty. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / pagibs2014 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / PhD / Unrestricted

Transformation is one the most talked about topics within the cricket circles in South Africa and will continue to remain so until all the imbalance are addressed. Even today, more than twelve years after unity there are still worrying aspects of resistance. There exists an opinion in some clubs, schools and even corridors of white opinion, a notion that there was no past culture of cricket in previously disadvantaged communities. The transformation process, devised to regulate for speedier redress and access to higher levels of participation, is often regarded as reverse discrimination and violates the rights and diminishes opportunities for selection of players from previously advantaged communities. As time goes by more questions will be asked about the successes and failures of the United Cricket Board of South Africa’s development programmes in their quest to close the gap between black and white cricket players. The main objective of this study is to establish if the transformation agenda as outlined in the National Transformation Charter and the policies designed by the United Cricket Board has made an impact with its efforts to reshape the game and build a new national cricket culture in a new democracy. Within this study the aim is to evaluate the impact transformation has made on cricket since unification in 1991. To understand why transformation is fundamentally important to cricket an outline is given on the current status of South African sport and a brief introduction is given as to the goals and objectives of the study. The literature review gives an overall view of sport under Apartheid in South Africa, and how sport in particular contributed to culture creation and nation building. The role of sponsors and their duel purpose in the promotion of sport and seeking future business is also touched on in the literature review. The literature review also reflects on the National Transformation Charter which includes the ten thrusts. The transformation challenges faced by the United Cricket Board is included in the literature review, but one must discuss transformation taking into consideration the controversial decision by the United Cricket Board to scrap the “quota” system so early into the new democracy. This is discussed at length as it had far reaching effects on the transformation policies of the United Cricket Board and all its affiliates. Chapter three focuses on the various methods applied during the study. Given the nature of the study a qualitative approach is preferred as the intentional focus is on personal perceptions, attitudes, conceptual understandings and objectives of the research participants. A brief outline is also given in this chapter on the sampling method used, gaining access and the use of a structured questionnaire during formal interviews. Mention is also made of the documentary research, observational studies and the challenges and constraints faced during the course of the study. Chapter four highlights the views of the government on cricket transformation and also explains the United Cricket Board’s transformation perspective. The overall development plan of the United Cricket Board is discussed. This is followed by the evaluation of the successes and failures of the various development programs within cricket. The study aims to highlight the role played by the United Cricket Board and all its administrative structures as well as contributions made by the private sector in their attempts to address the imbalances of the past. The study of the cricket development with specific reference made to certain programmes that were designed to make a significant contribution to transformation is discussed and evaluated. The question concerning transformation and nation building is questioned and answered. Practical examples are given on how players benefited and failed as a result of some the programmes that were designed to give them opportunities to succeed as cricketers. The perception of parents, teachers, players and administrators relating to transformation is highlighted in this project. A short statistical summary is given in this chapter to highlight the responses to certain questions pertaining to transformation. The concluding chapter gives an account of the contributions made by the cricket development programmes as well as the failures in trying to transform the game. It gives an account of the opinions expresses by current as well as former national players on the issues surrounding transformation and the inclusion of black player in the national team. This chapter also highlights the mentality and perceptions that still exist within certain sectors of the cricket establishments. It attempts to highlight possible reasons as to why transformation has been such a contentious issue and the reasons why it will take a while before the true impact of the National Transformation Charter can be measured. It also makes mention that development is an ongoing process and the United Cricket Board together with all its stakeholder should continue to promote and encourage cricket at all levels as it is the second most popular sport in South Africa. / Prof. W.M. Conradie

The present study sought to determine the influence of environmental conditions and protective clothing on physiological, perceptual and performance responses during batting activity. The investigation examined mean skin temperature, average heart rate, estimated sweat rate, rating of perceived exertion, thermal sensation rating, average sprint time and pre-post choice reaction time. Twenty-five cricketers (18-22 yr, 73.1 ± 9.6 kg, 1768 ± 75 mm, 12.6 ± 3.1% body fat, 1.89 ± 0.16 m2) performed a work-bout consisting of a seven-Over batting period, during which time they faced deliveries from a bowling machine and performed two shuttle runs every third ball to total four sprints per Over. Trials were carried out under High-stress (23.8 ± 2.2 °C) and Low-stress (13.3 ± 1.9 °C) environmental conditions (WBGT). Within each environmental condition subjects performed the test wearing full protective batting gear and no protective gear. Thus, four specific conditions were examined; high full-gear (HFG), high no-gear (HNG), low full-gear (LFG) and low no-gear (LNG). Two-way ANOVAs were calculated to determine whether there were differences between environmental conditions and whether differences existed between the clothing conditions. One-way ANOVAs were utilised to compute differences between the four specific conditions combining clothing and environment. High environmental stress and wearing protective clothing caused batsmen to experience significant physiological strain. The environment was the greatest stressor, with the protective gear exacerbating these effects. However, when padding covered skin areas directly, this was the primary skin temperature stressor, particularly later in the activity. For skin temperature and heart rate, the strain was the most pronounced at the end of the trials. Perceptual responses indicated that the protective gear had no influence on effort sense, thermal sensation or thermal comfort. However, environmental conditions had an effect, and High-stress conditions resulted in significantly higher perceptions of effort, elevated sensations of heat and greater thermal discomfort. Effort was perceived to be greatest towards the end of the trial. There were mixed findings for performance factors. In general sprint performance was not hindered by environmental stress, but protective clothing caused a reduction in several sprint times. Choice reaction times were for the most part unaffected by either environment or clothing and few differences were observed between pre and post times. It is contended that intense short duration batting activity, likely encountered during one-day participation, imposes a stress on batsmen. The stress is greater when conditions are warmer and protective padding is worn, although it is not sufficient to impede choice reaction time. However, protective gear did have a deleterious effect on sprint performance.

The number of South African endurance athletes is increasing yearly. However, very little research has been done on non-elite South African endurance athletes. Due to the length and nature of endurance sport and especially extreme endurance sport, athletes have to employ more self-motivating strategies for longer periods to perform well. One factor that increases athletes’ stress levels is the environment within which they are participating. These environments can and usually are very harsh, such as extreme heat or cold. However, the motivational- and coping strategies used by athletes specifically in extreme endurance events have not been studied to a great extent (Weinberg&Gould, 2003). The aim of this study is to determine the coping- and motivational strategies that non-elite athletes use to overcome environmental factors during endurance events. A qualitative approach was used where 53 non-elite endurance athletes completed a questionnaire and interviews. Through analysis of the data it emerged that environmental factors are perceived to have a physical and mental impact on performance. The perception of this impact differs and can be positive, negative or neutral depending on situational factors. Motivational strategies that are employed during endurance events are the result of two factors: focus of motivation and source of motivation. By combining these two factors, four motivational strategies were identified: positive-internal, positive-external, negative-internal and negative-external of which positive-internal was most frequently used, followed by negative-internal, positive-external and negative-external. Endurance athletes used all three coping strategies that were identified in the literature. The most frequently used strategy was to remove the source of the stress, followed by strategies that changes the athlete’s perception of the stressor, and lastly strategies that focuses on the symptoms of the stress. Endurance athletes perceive themselves able to overcome the challenges of endurance events. However, this ability must constantly be tested by participation in endurance sport or other stressful situations. Previous successful participation in endurance events or other stressful situations leads to an increase in positive self-perception of own abilities, as well as an increase in performance in endurance events. / Thesis (DPhil (Human Movement Science))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Biokinetics, Sport and Leisure Sciences / DPhil / unrestricted

Sports fans often scrutinise the team selection strategies employed by their favourite team's coach or selection panel. Many of these fans believe that they can perform the selection process far better than those tasked with the responsibility. Fantasy leagues, provide a platform for fans to test their hand at this selection procedure. Twenty20 cricket is a new and exciting form of cricket and has become very popular in recent years. This research focuses on bringing these concepts together by proposing a binary integer program to determine a team selection strategy for fantasy league cricket. This is done in a Twenty20 setting. The approach used in this study focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of previously developed performance measures in a fantasy league setting. Adjustments to these measures are made and new measures are proposed. These measures are then used to select a fantasy league team using a prospective approach. This is done to provide fantasy league participants with a mathematical procedure for fantasy league team selection.

Running has become the sport of the 1980s. Men and women of all ages are regularly seen running throughout the community. The recent Canada Fitness Survey (1983) indicated that jogging is the first choice of activities which people wish to begin. Most adults who begin running programs take responsibility for the selection, planning, and implementing of personalized exercise programs which represent an important change in their lives. Instead of participating in formal running programs under the supervision of a running or fitness instructor, these individuals engage in self-directed learning experiences to attain knowledge and skills relevant to running. The purpose of the study was to investigate the reasons why adults, at a particular time in their lives, decided to begin to run. Tough's (1982) concept of intentional change and a lifespan developmental perspective provided a theoretical framework. Rather than regarding adulthood as a period of stability or decline, this perspective emphasizes the potential for growth and self-improvement. Inherent in this approach, is the view that adult lives are characterized by transitions defined by life events. In addition to a consideration of life events and environmental influences, relationships between sex and age and reasons for beginning to run were also investigated. Three instruments were developed. The Initial Reasons For Running Scale identified a wide range of reasons for beginning to run and the relative importance of each to the individual. The Life Event Scale identified events experienced by adults and the relative effect of each. The External Influence Scale identified seventeen environmental factors which may have influenced a man or woman to begin running. The 205 subjects were selected while running in various locations throughout the Greater Vancouver area. All data was collected on a self-administered questionnaire. Data from the IRFRS was factor analyzed. Orthogonal rotation yielded six factors--SOLITUDE, PERSONAL CHALLENGE, SOCIALIZATION, PREVENTION, REMEDIAL, and HEALTH. Orthogonal rotation of data from the EIS yielded four factors--MODEL, MEDIA, MOVIE, and PARTICIPACTION. An analysis of variance was performed to help explain the variance between the interaction of sex and age with IRFRS scores. This two-way analysis indicated interesting differences in IRFRS factor scores among men and women of different age groups. In several instances, important distinctions appeared between total populations of males and females and specific sex-cohort groups. Results of bivariate and multivariate analyses indicated that sex and age were not as useful in predicting motives for beginning to run as were variables concerned with life events and external influences. However, men were more likely than women to be motivated by PERSONAL CHALLENGE, PREVENTION, and REMEDIAL. In terms of age, younger adults were more likely than older adults to begin running for PERSONAL CHALLENGE and less likely to begin running for PREVENTION. A series of regression equations were performed to help explain variance in IRFRS factor scores. The most significant variables, the only ones which met the criterion for entry in all regression equations, were those concerned with specific life events. The experience of Health events was especially important. Although statistical significance was found between certain variables and IRFRS factors, most variance in motives for running was unexplained. But of the variance that was explained it was clear that life events were more influential predictors of reasons for beginning running than age or sex, considered separately or together. This study represents a beginning step in the explanation and prediction of reasons why adults begin exercise programs. / Education, Faculty of / Educational Studies (EDST), Department of / Graduate

The general problem was to determine if there was a significant relationship among collegiate swim team training methods, final team standings and individual team member’s placement by event in the 1976 NCAA Division I Swimming Championship Meet.