The purpose of this study is to investigate the difference between athletes and non-athletes by addressing prevalence of disordered eating and eating disorders, the risk factors associated with the disease(s), and health concerns for those suffering with disordered eating.

Eating disorders are prevalent among female athletes, particularly those involved in lean sports, which put greater emphasis on a slim physique. Because of the negative --- physical and emotional consequences associated with disordered eating, it is essential that such behavior be detected and treated early. However, it may be difficult to identify symptoms of disordered eating among female athletes, perhaps due to perfectionism. Individuals scoring high in perfectionism may be more self-critical of mistakes and thus more likely to conceal such behavior. The present study combined the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (FMPS) with the Athletic Mileu Direct Questionnaire (AMDQ), in an effort to determine whether the combined use of a perfectionism and disordered eating inventory would better identify those at risk for disordered eating. Both questionnaires were compared to the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE) and results indicated that both AMDQ and FMPS scores correlated positively with EDE global scores. Type of sport did not result in a significant correlation with disordered eating scores, although potential explanations are discussed.

No description available.

Sixty-two female athletes at Virginia Tech participated in an investigation to compare iron status among those whose primary source of dietary protein was red meat (M), lacto-ovovegetarian (V), or poultry and fish (PF). Subjects' blood was collected three times over the six-month study period and analyzed for hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum iron, transferrin saturation, total iron~binding capacity, serum ferritin, free erythrocyte protoporphyrin, mean corpuscular volume, and red blood cell count. Means for all dietary groups were within normal limits for all blood variables. There were no significant differences among the dietary groups for any of the hematological parameters. Six of the sixty-two subjects were found to be in stage 1 iron deficiency; two from Group M, one from Group V, and three from Group PF. None of the subjects was in stage 2 or 3 iron deficiency. Subjects completed two 3-day dietary recalls which were analyzed for nutrient content. Group M consumed a significantly greater percent of kcals from protein than Group V and significantly more grams of protein than both Groups V and PF. There were no significant differences among the groups for intake of iron; however, only Group H consumed the current RDA for iron for adult women. Three subjects from each dietary group were interviewed to identify factors considered most important in the adoption of their dietary patterns. Primary factors identified were: Group H; habit, taste preference, and health; Group Vi athletic performance and ethical treatment of animals, and Group PF; taste preference and health. Iron status in this population does not appear to be affected by source of dietary protein. / Master of Science

The turn of the millennium has heralded an explosion in the popularity of adventure sports often also referred to as alternative lifestyle sports or extreme sports. These are offering both new avenues and potential challenges to the traditional ways of conceptualising and practicing sport. This thesis analyses the development of adventure sports, in particular climbing and kayaking, as a subculture. It delivers a socio-economic history of climbing, analyses the role of the media in its development, its participation and its lived experience. Further it investigates the impact of globalisation, commercialisation and consumerism on adventure sports, and considers to what extent they are being brought into the mainstream as a result. The economic impact of participation in adventure sports is reviewed along with a study of how the make up of its participants has changed as the activities have become more accessible. Particular focus is placed on the analysis of the gender order, specifically looking at the experiences of women in adventure sports. For this purpose the sports culture found in climbing and kayaking is examined and the implications for the reconstruction of gender relations are considered. This study employs an ethnographic approach including both semi-structured and structured interviews with both adventure sports experts and participants, document and media analysis, participant observation and the more recent nethnography approach. One of the significant contributions of this thesis has been to provide a comprehensive review and analysis of the social, cultural and media environment of arguably one of the most popular lifestyle sports in the UK. It has also shown the strong interrelationship that exists between the media and adventure sports, and has demonstrated how the increased commercialisation and commodification of the activity has resulted in economic development particularly in some remoter parts of the UK through the packaging and provision of the climbing experience. At the same time some participants see this is ‘selling out’. This research has demonstrated how women’s participation in adventure sports has been subject to marginalisation, sexualisation and trivialisation similar to other mainstream sports. However, this work has also highlighted that there is room for optimism as new discourses of femininity contrary to the traditional male hegemony are emerging. Further research opportunities have been identified concerning issues of ethnicity and participation; the social, cultural and economic relationships between adventure sportspeople and rural communities. Emerging feminist discourses also warrant further investigation.

Applied sport psychology consultation is a relatively new phenomenon with limited empirical underpinnings. The purpose of the study was to evaluate three applied sport psychology consultant personal and professional characteristics within Strong's social influence model that have been suggested to impact consultants' effectiveness in working directly with athletes and their performance problems. The three consultant characteristics were academic training, past athletic experience, and interpersonal skill. Division I female athletes (N = 187) read written preconsultation information and watched a 10- minute vignette between a consultant and an athlete. Participants completed the Counselor Rating Form-Short (CRFS), the Sport Psychology Consultant Evaluation Form (CEF), and questions concerning willingness to work with the consultant. The data from the dependent measures were analyzed by a 2 (level of consultant academic training) X 2 (level of consultant past athletic experience) X 2 (level of consultant interpersonal skill) MANOVA. Results indicated that applied sport psychology consultants' academic training and past athletic experience had only limited influence on the participants' perceptions about the consultants. The Division I female athletes unambiguously rated consultants with positive interpersonal skills more favorably on all dependent measures regardless of the consultants' level of academic training or past athletic experience. Directions for future research and implication of the findings on training and certification in applied sport psychology are discussed.

The assessment of strength and power and the relationship of these measures to functional variables such as speed and vertical jump ability are understood poorly. This is particularly the case when dealing with a long-term preparation for a major event in a sport such as women's soccer. The results of this research suggest that a number of isoinertial speed strength measures may be sensitive to aspects of a training program and therefore be useful tools for determining the level of development of various underlying neuromuscular capacities. Further results provide a question mark about the role of maximum strength in the development of high velocity functional movements, as increases in maximum strength did not correlate to changes in measures of functional performance. An important finding from this research is the potential role of specific isoinertial speed strength parameters in the detection of neuromuscular fatigue. Time course analysis of the results in this study suggests that the use of these measures to detect fatigue warrants further investigation.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Florida State University, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references ( p. 133-138). Also available online.

Dissertation (Ph.D.)--The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 2009. / Directed by Thomas Martinek; submitted to the Dept. of Kinesiology. Title from PDF t.p. (viewed Jun. 7, 2010). Includes bibliographical references (p. 249-269).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Florida State University, 2005. / Advisor: Dr. Jerome Quarterman, Florida State University, College of Education, Dept. of Sport Management, Recreation Management, and Physical Education. Title and description from dissertation home page (viewed Sept. 22, 2005). Document formatted into pages; contains xiv, 117 pages. Includes bibliographical references.