Recognising the importance of sport as a major political and economic tool as well as a lucrative avenue for boosting its international sporting image, the government of Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) has increased its interest in elite sport over the past 20 years. This has ranged from the enactment of policies at the parliamentary level to the establishment of state agencies geared towards promoting and enhancing the delivery of sport. While this has positively impacted the performance of athletes at the Olympics and other international events there exists considerable room for improvement so as to maintain and improve the country’s competitiveness. This would prove a challenge in the long run given T&T’s limited available resources. Current research has suggested that investment into state–run elite sporting structures (NTIDs) can help maximise state resources and reduce costly errors by effectively identifying and developing talent. Considering the above, the aim of this thesis was to construct an NTID system capable of being successfully introduced in T&T. To achieve this, a multipronged approach involving a mixture of empirical research and secondary data analysis was used. Firstly, a novel anthropometric and physiological testing battery was used to develop reference data and discriminate between junior male cricketers of differing playing abilities. This was followed by a retrospective analysis of the career histories of successful athletes in an effort to identify a suitable development pathway for nurturing future players. Considering that research has suggested that culture has a major impact on the structure of NTIDs, the last study compared the architecture of NTIDs in cultural context. The results of the above tests were successfully used to generate a hypothetical NTIDs for T&T. It is important to note that this thesis only represented the initial stages of the construction of the NTIDs and further research is required to test its efficacy.

Prohibited performance enhancing drugs (PPD) are nutritional supplements which are prohibited from use during competition and training. UK anti-doping projects ensures that UK professional and recreational athletes do not accidently, or intentionally, use PPD's, thus gaining an unfair advantage over their competitors. A study by Winard, (2015) utilised interviews to idetify problems with current UK anti-doping strategies. Allocation of funds, relevant information, efficacy of programmes and quantifiable measures, were all areas that required attention. This thesis conducted five studies in order to inform anti-doping programs. Study 1 compared two indirect prevalence methods which offer protection beyond anonymity. This study highlighted the skewing effect that strategic responding causes when utilising the 'Unrelated Question Model'. Study 2 utilised the search engine 'Google' to identify key areas where anti-doping education would most be useful. The study showed 'Google' efficacy in finding key areas where anti-doping programmes could be effective. Study 3 looked to profile individuals that were thinking about using (TU) PPD's and compared said profiles to current/past users and non-users. After twelve months, TU were contacted to see if they had initiated PPU use. The number of users in the respondents gym social group, and the belief that they couldn't achieve performance goals without using PPD's were both predictors of future use. Study 4 assessed the order of supplements prior to PPD use in an attempt to map key stages of supplementation. Creatine and prohormones were identified as key supplements in the process towards PPD use. Study 5 looked at positional and social circle influences on PPD use. Positions which involve explosive power were identified as high risk, and social circles within a team, were shown to have varying attitudes towards other social circles within a team.

The studies described in this thesis examine the effect of environmental and nutritional factors on cycling time trail (TT) performance. The first investigation determined the effect of ambient temperature (T[sub]a) on 1-h TT performance and physiological responses. A curvilinear relationship was found between T[sub]a and performance, with the optimal distance covered at 18.6[degrees]C. A linear increase in physiological parameters (heart rate, core temperature, mean body temperature, sweat loss and self-selected fluid intake) was found with increasing T[sub]a. During the second study fluid intake and sweat loss were recorded during 40.2-km TT under competitive conditions. Whilst 43 of 75 riders consumed a pre-ride bolus, few chose to drink during racing. A significant relationship was found between pre-ride bolus volume and race speed (speed increase by 0.3km h[sup]-1 for each 100ml of fluid consumed). Despite moderate environmental conditions sweat losses were high (1.5[plus or minus]0.5 and 1.2[plus or minus]0.3 L h[sup]-1). As the actual type and beverage volume was not controlled in this study, and there is clear evidence to suggest that carbohydrate (CHO) consumption will assist performance, an investigation to determine whether different volumes of fluid, with identical CHO content, consumed before and during exercise, had an effect of 1-h TT performance under thermoneutral conditions was conducted. Although differences in stomach fullness ratings were found, there were no differences in either performance parameters or physiological variables (heart rate or sweat loss) between trails. These results suggest that when a pre-exercise CHO bolus is consumed there is no effect of subsequent consumption of different CHO beverages. Further, due to abdominal discomfort associated with high fluid consumption it might be neither advisable nor practical to consume high volumes of fluid during 1-h TT performance. The last investigation examined alterations in TT performance within a simulated three-day stage race when a moderate and high dietary CHO intake was consumed, observations were of any alterations in metabolism and immune function. Despite being well trained and ingesting more than 6 g kg[sup]-1 of CHO per day two subjects did not manage to complete the performance trials on the third day with the moderate CHO diet. There was a trend for a larger reduction in mean distance covered and mean power output when the moderate was compared to the high CHO trial. A shift in substrate use was detected during both treatments with a greater reliance on fat as a fuel towards the end of the trial. This shift appeared to occur earlier with moderate CHO ingestion.

No description available.

No description available.

Thesis (M.A.)--Miami University, Dept. of Speech Pathology and Audiology, 2004. / Title from first page of PDF document. Includes bibliographical references (p. 54-59).

No description available.

Eccentric biased muscular contractions, when compared to concentric and isometric muscle actions have a number of benefits, which include greater hypertrophy, increased strength and a reduced metabolic cost at any given intensity. The literature has reported the benefits of eccentric contractions in a variety of populations, which include exercisers, athletes, geriatric and chronically diseased communities. However, eccentric contractions can result in temporary exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) that reduces function and causes soreness. Consequently, a number of interventions, such as post-exercise therapies and prior exercise have been used in an attempt to attenuate the negative effects of this muscle action. Therefore, the purpose of this thesis is to provide novel data to expand the existing body of knowledge and investigate a cryotherapeutic intervention that may attenuate the symptoms of exercise-induced muscle damage. Furthermore, this work examines the adaptation to prior exercise (the repeated bout effect) in the ipsilateral and contralateral limbs to provide additional novel data to elucidate the possible mechanisms responsible for adaptation. Study 1: The aims of the first study were to investigate the effects of repeated applications of ice massage on the markers of muscle damage using a within-subject, cross-over design and to examine the effects on muscle function during static and dynamic contractions. The results suggest that ice massage does not reduce any of the signs or symptoms of EIMD after high intensity eccentric exercise, nor does it return the function of static or dynamic muscle actions following a damaging bout of exercise. Study 2: The aims of this investigation were firstly, to determine the reliability of functional testing and the associated surface EMG signal on five consecutive days, and secondly to elucidate the reliability and precision of other dependent measures commonly used in the assessment of muscle damage following a bout of eccentric contractions. All variables displayed good reliability and therefore may be appropriate to examine longitudinal changes as a result of a damaging protocol. Study 3: The purpose of this investigation was to examine the magnitude of the repeated bout effect (RBE) from high and low volume maximal eccentric exercise followed by a high volume bout of maximal eccentric exercise after full recovery from the initial bout (two weeks later). There were no differences in dependent variables between groups in the repeated bout, indicating that the magnitude of the RBE is similar following initial low and high volume bouts of maximal eccentric exercise, which was attributable, at least in part, to changes in electromyographic frequency content. The initial high volume bout did however result in greater EIMD than the initial low volume bout; in addition, the magnitude of change from the initial bout was more profound after high volume exercise. Study 4: The aims of this investigation were to elucidate the existence of a contralateral RBE in the upper limb and to compare the magnitude of change to an ipsilateral model, which had been previously been established in Study 3. Significant differences in some variables provide evidence that a repeated bout effect is evident in the contralateral limb after a single bout of eccentric exercise. This adaptation appears to be mediated by neural mechanisms, as there is no direct stimulus for change from the initial bout to the contralateral homologous muscle group. The magnitude of change between contralateral and ipsilateral models was different for some variables suggesting that the RBE is not as profound in contralateral homologous muscle as in the ipsilateral model. These investigations provide additional novel data on interventions used to combat the negative effects of eccentric contractions and temporary EIMD. In particular, Study 4 has shown that adaptation occurs in the contralateral homologous muscle group, which has implications for a variety of populations and also for future research study design. Further investigations are warranted to elucidate the exact mechanisms responsible for the repeated bout effect.

Despite acceptance that physical activity serves as a protective agent against the burden of non-communicable disease, half of all adults in the developed world remain insufficiently physically active. The promotion of physical activity is therefore of paramount importance to public health researchers and practitioners. Dance, as a leisure or social activity, can play a role in the engagement of adults in physically active pursuits that are not necessarily thought of as traditional exercise per se. This is especially important for those individuals not currently meeting physical activity guidelines and is fully congruent with the current public health message that "some activity is better than none". A holistic exploration of Latin dance was undertaken in this thesis in the context of physical activity and psychosocial health promotion in non-clinical adults. The research encompassed a quantitative assessment of physiological and psychological measures related to dance. Over a 3 yr period, eighty-four women and men were enrolled in a series of four interrelated Latin dance (salsa) and Latin-themed aerobic dance (Zumba fitness) studies. Research grade motion sensing and heart rate monitors were used to evaluate the physiological responses to dance, and a novel activity-specific value calibration method was developed to process the data. The monitors, which are small and unobtrusive to wear, were then utilised for collection of data during performance of dance in naturalistic settings. Psychological measures associated with dance participation were captured using previously validated questionnaires. Results indicate that Latin dance elicits physiological responses representative of moderate to vigorous physical activity when performed primarily for leisure purposes. Modest improvements were observed post-dance in measures of cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition, and inflammatory biomarkers in relation to cardiovascular health. Moreover, participation fostered interest, enjoyment, and a positive psychological outlook, and enhanced well-being, mood, and health-related quality of life with large magnitude effects. The findings of this thesis may be relevant for researchers and practitioners interested in the efficacy of dance as an expressive and creative medium for the promotion of physical and mental health.

BACKGROUND: Concussions are frequent injuries sustained by collegiate athletes. They are often underdiagnosed and may lack adequate treatment due to a lack of standardization in diagnosis and return to play guidelines. Current research suggests that there is an increased risk of subsequent injury after returning to play among previously concussed athletes. Recurrent injuries have a detrimental impact on athletic careers and often result in early retirement from competitive sports. The relationship between sports-related concussions (SRCs) and subsequent musculoskeletal injuries in the NCAA reveals a lack of consensus on return to play (RTP) guidelines and management. Clinical guidelines are evolving with the progressive understanding of SRC pathophysiology. LITERATURE REVIEW FINDINGS: Previous research has found an association between concussion and subsequent acute musculoskeletal injuries, specifically lower extremity injuries. In addition, sports-specific athlete cohorts, such as soccer and football players, have been shown to have a high incidence of SRC. The exact mechanism of action linking SRC and subsequent acute injury is currently unknown. There are numerous etiologic possibilities offered in the literature, including gait alterations, neuromuscular control deficits, and impaired reaction time. However, further research is required to elucidate this relationship—in our review of the current literature we were able to find no studies evaluating the risk of both upper and lower extremity injury following SRC after returning to play in the NCAA population. PROPOSED PROJECT: The goal of the proposed retrospective cohort study of BU athletes is to evaluate the impact of concussion history on recurrent injury after returning to sports. Study inclusion criteria will consist of BU athletes diagnosed with concussions at a single NCAA Division I institution. This cohort will be collected from NCAA injury database and electronic medical records will be matched with controls who have not sustained concussions over the same period. CONCLUSIONS: History of concussion is associated with increased risk of recurrent injury in athletes, specifically at the collegiate level. Further work must be done at all levels of athletics to standardize return to play guidelines to prevent this increased risk of subsequent injury. SIGNIFICANCE: This study will help determine whether a relationship exists between concussion and subsequent sports-related injuries. This information may allow for closer monitoring of return to play and treatment of concussions. Additionally, it may encourage further developments to diagnostic criteria, education, and injury prevention.