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Title: The effect of growth-restriction on voluntary physical activity engagement in mice
Creator: Leszczynski, Eric
Date: 2019
Collection: Electronic Theses & Dissertations
Description: INTRODUCTION. Current evidence suggests that early life growth restriction reduces physical activity engagement. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of early life growth-restriction on levels of wheel running in mice, and determine if known biological mechanisms regulate physical activity engagement. METHODS. Using a cross-fostering, protein-restricted nutritive model, mice were growth-restricted during either gestation (GUN; N = 3 litters) or postnatal...
Show moreINTRODUCTION. Current evidence suggests that early life growth restriction reduces physical activity engagement. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of early life growth-restriction on levels of wheel running in mice, and determine if known biological mechanisms regulate physical activity engagement. METHODS. Using a cross-fostering, protein-restricted nutritive model, mice were growth-restricted during either gestation (GUN; N = 3 litters) or postnatal life (PUN; N = 3 litters), along with a well fed control group (CON; N = 3 litters). At 21 days of age, all mice pups were weaned and fed a non-restrictive healthy diet for the remainder of the study. At 45 days of age mice were individually housed in cages with free moving running wheels to assess physical activity engagement. At day 70, mice were euthanized, and the nucleus accumbens was analyzed for dopamine receptor 1 expression. Skeletal muscle fiber type and cross-sectional area of the soleus, extensor digitorom longus, and diaphragm were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. The soleus from the other hind leg was evaluated for calsequestrin 1 and annexin A6 expression. RESULTS. The PUN female mice had a reduction (P = 0.0221) in wheel revolutions per day as compared to the GUN and CON females. PUN female mice also expressed significantly higher Drd1(P = 0.0247) and Casq1 (P = 0.0398) compared to the other groups. CONCLUSION. Growth-restriction during lactation reduced physical activity in female mice by reducing the central drive to be active and displayed a more fatigable skeletal muscle phenotype.
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Title: Gluteal and hip muscle strength of physically active collegiate students following a six week exercise program
Creator: Scott, Kathleen Marie
Date: 2013
Collection: Electronic Theses & Dissertations
Description: ABSTRACTGLUTEAL AND HIP MUSCLE STRENGTH OF PHYSICALLY ACTIVE COLLEGIATE STUDENTS FOLLOWING A SIX WEEK EXERCISE PROGRAMByKathleen Marie ScottBackground: Research has linked weakness in the hip abduction muscles with emphasis on the gluteus medius muscle to injuries in the lower extremities. Studies completed have shown performing strengthening exercise programs with hip abduction exercises helped with increasing hip abduction strength. However, few studies have been performed that have...
Show moreABSTRACTGLUTEAL AND HIP MUSCLE STRENGTH OF PHYSICALLY ACTIVE COLLEGIATE STUDENTS FOLLOWING A SIX WEEK EXERCISE PROGRAMByKathleen Marie ScottBackground: Research has linked weakness in the hip abduction muscles with emphasis on the gluteus medius muscle to injuries in the lower extremities. Studies completed have shown performing strengthening exercise programs with hip abduction exercises helped with increasing hip abduction strength. However, few studies have been performed that have actually measured the amount of strength gain after performing a program.Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if a 6 week exercise program (clam shells, side lying hip abduction, side lying hip abduction with external rotation) created strength gains in torque values of side lying hip abduction and side lying hip abduction measured with external rotation with a BioDex System 3. Methods: Three side lying exercises were performed over a 6 week period by 60 physically active subjects between the ages of 18-35. Pre and post program peak torque was measured using a Biodex dynamometer. Results: The findings from the current study revealed that even with a significant statistical value (p = .000) for all hypotheses tested, no clinically significant strength gains were noted following the six week program. Conclusion: There were no significant findings to suggest that performing a 6 week program of side lying hip abduction, side lying hip abduction with external rotation, and clam shell exercises would lead to strength gains for the gluteus medius muscle.
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Title: Positive illusory bias in the physical domain and cognitive functioning among children with ADHD symptoms
Creator: Oluyedun, Olufemi Adetokunbo
Date: 2016
Collection: Electronic Theses & Dissertations
Description: Current literature suggests school-aged children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) overestimate their competence in comparison to adult-report or objective performance outcomes, often referred to as positive illusory bias (PIB). PIB research has primarily focused on children’s perceived competence within the academic, social, and behavioral domains with surprisingly limited research in the physical domain. In addition, relatively few studies have examined PIB in relation to...
Show moreCurrent literature suggests school-aged children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) overestimate their competence in comparison to adult-report or objective performance outcomes, often referred to as positive illusory bias (PIB). PIB research has primarily focused on children’s perceived competence within the academic, social, and behavioral domains with surprisingly limited research in the physical domain. In addition, relatively few studies have examined PIB in relation to cognitive dysfunction and whether higher order cognition may underlie both motor deficits and PIB in children with ADHD. Accordingly, the aim of this study was two-fold: (a) to assess whether children with ADHD overestimate their competence in the physical domain, and (b) to investigate whether PIB is more pronounced with greater cognitive dysfunction. Using a cross-sectional design, participants (N = 28, Mage = 9.6  1.3 years) were assessed on self-report measures of competence, interference and working memory tasks, and motor skill ability. Findings showed child report of competence for the athletic domain to be higher than, but not significantly different from, parent report, t(27) = 1.52, p < .05. However, hierarchical regression analyses showed flanker incongruent reaction time (F(1, 23) = 5.34, p < .05) to explain 18% of PIB variance beyond covariates. Based on this finding, future work is recommended that examines the intersection of cognitive dysfunction, motor performance, and ADHD in children.
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Title: Girls' perceptions of tailored messages in a physical activity intervention : associations with psychological characteristics and physical activity
Creator: Heltne, Taylor
Date: 2015
Collection: Electronic Theses & Dissertations
Description: Physical activity (PA) declines dramatically with age, especially in adolescent girls. Many different types of interventions have been employed to determine the best way to increase adolescent girls’ PA behaviors. The overall purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between perceptions of tailoring and physical activity behavior in the Girls on the Move (GOTM) PA intervention. Adolescent girls (n=510) between the ages of 10-15 years, from two subsequent cohorts, completed 17...
Show morePhysical activity (PA) declines dramatically with age, especially in adolescent girls. Many different types of interventions have been employed to determine the best way to increase adolescent girls’ PA behaviors. The overall purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between perceptions of tailoring and physical activity behavior in the Girls on the Move (GOTM) PA intervention. Adolescent girls (n=510) between the ages of 10-15 years, from two subsequent cohorts, completed 17 weeks of an intervention and were included in the study’s analysis. Girls completed the Perceptions of Tailoring Survey (with two subscales, PA Evaluation and Computer Program) at the mid-point of the intervention (~9 weeks) where they received tailored messages based on their individual answers to questions regarding psychosocial characteristics related to physical activity, including benefits of PA, barriers to PA, self-efficacy, and social support. Multiple linear regression analyses indicated that benefits (p<.001), self-efficacy (p<.001), and barriers (p=.035) significantly predicted answers to the PA Evaluation subscale when controlling for SES (p=.008). The PA Evaluation subscale (p=0.005) significantly predicted post-intervention MPA when controlling for ethnicity (p=0.01). Perceptions of tailoring mediated the relationship between perceived barriers of PA and post-intervention MPA. Since girls who had fewer barriers to PA had more positive perceptions of the tailored messages and higher levels of post-intervention MPA, the web-based tailored message component may have moderately influenced change in girls’ PA behaviors.
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Title: Adaptation to visual perturbations while learning a novel virtual reaching task
Creator: Narayanan, Sachin Devnathan
Date: 2019
Collection: Electronic Theses & Dissertations
Description: "Introduction and Purpose: The movements we do to perform our day-to-day activities have always been riddled with perturbations, to which we adapt and learn. The studies looking at this aspect of motor learning should consider, the biomechanical differences that exist between individuals and create a novel task that can test every individual without any bias. This was achieved in our study by using a virtual environment to perform a novel motor skill in order to investigate how people learn...
Show more"Introduction and Purpose: The movements we do to perform our day-to-day activities have always been riddled with perturbations, to which we adapt and learn. The studies looking at this aspect of motor learning should consider, the biomechanical differences that exist between individuals and create a novel task that can test every individual without any bias. This was achieved in our study by using a virtual environment to perform a novel motor skill in order to investigate how people learn to adapt to perturbations. Methods: 13 college-age participants (females = 7, Mean = 21.74 +/- 2.55) performed upper body movements to control a computer cursor. Visual rotation of the cursor position was introduced as a perturbation for one-half of the practice trials. Movement time and normalized path length were calculated. One way repeated measures ANOVA was performed to analyze significance between the performance at different times of the task. Results: Significant learning seen while learning the initial baseline task (p<0.0001) and a significant drop in performance upon immediate exposure to the perturbation (p =0.005). No significant adaptation over practice with the perturbation (p = 0.103) or significant after-effects on removal of the perturbation (p = 0.383). Conclusions: Results suggests differences in adaptation when the task is novel when compared to other adaptation studies and such novel tasks trigger a different type of learning mechanism when compared to adaptation."--Page ii.
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Title: "Off the field" : a mixed methods study exploring identity status and its relationship to psychosocial factors
Creator: Payne, Taylor
Date: 2017
Collection: Electronic Theses & Dissertations
Description: "Many athletes have difficulty transitioning out of sport. Identity foreclosure (high commitment to an ideology or vocation with little exploration of other roles and options) has been shown to have a negative relationship with career transition. This study investigated the identity status of former Division I football players and its relationship salient psychosocial factors (athletic identity, stereotype threat, and social support). A concurrent embedded mixed methods design was used with...
Show more"Many athletes have difficulty transitioning out of sport. Identity foreclosure (high commitment to an ideology or vocation with little exploration of other roles and options) has been shown to have a negative relationship with career transition. This study investigated the identity status of former Division I football players and its relationship salient psychosocial factors (athletic identity, stereotype threat, and social support). A concurrent embedded mixed methods design was used with priority given to the qualitative data. Using Marcia's (1966) identity development theory and the scoring guide of Marcia and Archer (1993), this study also ascertained the current identity status of the participants and examined their career transition out of sport. Six former Division I athletes from the university were recruited. It was found that social support had a strong relationship with identity status. Those in Identity Achievement (high commitment/presence of exploration) had the smoothest transition, while those in Moratorium (low commitment/high exploration) had a more challenging path. Those in Diffusion (low commitment/low exploration) experienced a passive transition out of sport. Management styles of role conflict had a strong relationship with identity status, and lastly, stereotype threat had a small relationship with role conflict by means of attachment to athletic identity."--Page ii.
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Title: The effects of base layer clothing designed for cold weather environments on athlete core temperature
Creator: Kane, Timothy John, author
Date: 2014
Collection: Electronic Theses & Dissertations
Description: Synthetic material clothing has become an extremely large market for athletes and athletic departments alike. While these materials were originally designed to keep an athlete cool and dry in hot conditions, there have also been products designed to keep athletes warm and dry in cold conditions. While numerous studies have examined the effect of synthetic material clothing on individuals in warm climates, very few have examined the effects in cold environments. Of those few, virtually none...
Show moreSynthetic material clothing has become an extremely large market for athletes and athletic departments alike. While these materials were originally designed to keep an athlete cool and dry in hot conditions, there have also been products designed to keep athletes warm and dry in cold conditions. While numerous studies have examined the effect of synthetic material clothing on individuals in warm climates, very few have examined the effects in cold environments. Of those few, virtually none have examined strictly the effect of specific base layers on body temperature without additional clothing. The purpose of this study was to determine to what extent these materials affected body temperature in cold weather environments without additional clothing to aid in the maintenance of body temperature.
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Title: Exploring individualized consideration of athletes in coaching practice
Creator: Matthews, Alysha
Date: 2019
Collection: Electronic Theses & Dissertations
Description: Previous research demonstrates the connection between sport and positive youth development (Fraser-Thomas, Cote & Deakin, 2005), noting that coaches can play a pivotal role in athletes' lives. Researchers have studied transformational leadership in coaching literature along with its relationship to athlete development (Price & Weiss, 2011). One component to this concept is individualized consideration, where leaders show care through supporting their followers' individual needs (Turnnidge &...
Show morePrevious research demonstrates the connection between sport and positive youth development (Fraser-Thomas, Cote & Deakin, 2005), noting that coaches can play a pivotal role in athletes' lives. Researchers have studied transformational leadership in coaching literature along with its relationship to athlete development (Price & Weiss, 2011). One component to this concept is individualized consideration, where leaders show care through supporting their followers' individual needs (Turnnidge & Cote, 2018). This study explored what the process of individualized consideration for youth sport coaches looks like and how consideration differs for each of the individuals they coach. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 10 male minor hockey coaches whose teams consisted of 9-13 year old male athletes. Further, with personal characteristics of coaches influencing the use of effective coaching practices (Horn, 2008), this study looked to explore the individual skills and tendencies of participants. Surveys were completed to provide description of the context and characteristics of each individual coach. This exploratory mixed-methods design allowed for an in-depth look into the experiences of individual coaches, which proved to expand on the aims of the study and provide richer results of the environment of minor hockey. Findings show that participants are attempting to focus on development with individual athletes, however they are constrained by contextual and structural factors of their sport environment.
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Title: Sport passion realization in collegiate athletes : "How fish find water"
Creator: Sturges, Alexander John
Date: 2014
Collection: Electronic Theses & Dissertations
Description: This study was designed to identify how individuals come in contact with their passion, to uncover what an individual experiences within their passion, and to discuss factors associated with passion realization.

Title: The Köhler effect : intergroup competition using software-generated partners
Creator: Moss, Omotayo Micheal
Date: 2015
Collection: Electronic Theses & Dissertations
Description: Past research has examined the Köhler motivation gain effect (i.e., when an inferior team member performs better when paired with a more capable partner, from knowledge of his/her individual performance) in an active video game (AVG) using a superior, software-generated partner (SGP). The present investigation examined how incorporating a superior SGP into an AVG would affect an individual’s motivation when competing against one other human/virtual-partner team in an planking competition....
Show morePast research has examined the Köhler motivation gain effect (i.e., when an inferior team member performs better when paired with a more capable partner, from knowledge of his/her individual performance) in an active video game (AVG) using a superior, software-generated partner (SGP). The present investigation examined how incorporating a superior SGP into an AVG would affect an individual’s motivation when competing against one other human/virtual-partner team in an planking competition. Participants (N = 90 college-aged students) were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: individual control, conjunctive partner no competition (PNC), or conjunctive partner with opposing-team competition (PWT) in a 3 (conditions) x 2 (gender) factorial design. Participants performed the first series of five exercises alone, and after a rest period those in the partner conditions were told that they would do the remaining trials with a same-sex SGP whom they could observe during their performance. The partner’s performance was always superior to the participant’s. Participants were also told that they would work with their SGP as a team, and that the team’s score would be defined as the score of the person who stops holding the exercise first. Those in the opposing-team competition condition were also told that they and their virtual partner would be competing against one other human-virtual partner team. A significant motivation gain was observed in all partnered conditions compared to the control, F(2,89) = 15.63, p < .001, but the PNC and PWT groups were not significantly different from each other (p = 0.35). These findings suggest that competing against an opposing team does not ultimately boost the Köhler effect in AVGs.
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Title: Self-efficacy and performance in volleyball referees
Creator: Spencer, Benjamin D.
Date: 2015
Collection: Electronic Theses & Dissertations
Description: ABSTRACTSport officials are an under-researched subpopulation in the sport psychology literature. Particularly little is known about psychological factors that may predict officiating performance. Feltz and Guillen (2011) suggested that self-efficacy may influence performance in the refereeing context, as it does in many others. Myers, Feltz, Guillen, and Dithurbide (2012) indicated that referee self-efficacy is composed of four dimensions: Game Knowledge, Decision-Making, Pressure, and...
Show moreABSTRACTSport officials are an under-researched subpopulation in the sport psychology literature. Particularly little is known about psychological factors that may predict officiating performance. Feltz and Guillen (2011) suggested that self-efficacy may influence performance in the refereeing context, as it does in many others. Myers, Feltz, Guillen, and Dithurbide (2012) indicated that referee self-efficacy is composed of four dimensions: Game Knowledge, Decision-Making, Pressure, and Communication. The current study sought to evaluate the relationship of these various dimensions to performance in several aspects of officiating. A secondary purpose was to evaluate proposed sources of referee efficacy as predictors of referee efficacy dimensions and performance. Volleyball referees (N = 76) who were candidates for USA Volleyball (USAV) National or Junior National badges completed a survey which measured experience as an official, experience playing and coaching volleyball, referee self-efficacy, and sources of referee self-efficacy. Following administration of the survey, participants completed the USAV referee performance evaluation protocol. No relationship was found between self-efficacy and performance in high-level volleyball officials. Little was found relating referees’ level of experience and performance in their evaluations, and few connections were identified between previously established sources of referee confidence and dimensions of referee self-efficacy. These null findings may be due to lack of variance in ability and confidence on the part of the referees, or produced by an evaluation system which is designed to teach candidates, and pass most of them, rather than explicitly evaluate their performance.
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Title: An exploration of the psychological response among NCAA student-athletes returning to sport following a sports-related concussion
Creator: Austgen, Morgan
Date: 2016
Collection: Electronic Theses & Dissertations
Description: The purpose of this retrospective, survey-based study was to explore the psychological response when returning to play in collegiate student-athletes who had sustained a sport-related concussion. The survey was the Anterior Cruciate Ligament-Return to Sport Inventory adapted for use in a sports-related concussion (SRC) demographic. Thirty-three participants completed the survey and demographic and concussion history questionnaires via an online link upon return to full participation after...
Show moreThe purpose of this retrospective, survey-based study was to explore the psychological response when returning to play in collegiate student-athletes who had sustained a sport-related concussion. The survey was the Anterior Cruciate Ligament-Return to Sport Inventory adapted for use in a sports-related concussion (SRC) demographic. Thirty-three participants completed the survey and demographic and concussion history questionnaires via an online link upon return to full participation after sustaining a SRC. Qualtrics® was used to distribute the survey and SPSS software (22.0) was used for statistical analyses. The average scores for the confidence, emotional, and risk components were 7.19 + 2.29, 5.78 + 1.49, and 3.38 + 2.44 respectively. Scores over 5.00 were considered to demonstrate a psychological response to that component. The 33 participants demonstrated a psychological response in both level of confidence and emotional reaction. They failed to show a psychological reaction to risk. These athletes showed an emotional response upon returning to play, but also felt confident in their abilities and lacked any concern for risk of reinjury. This preliminary data suggests that a psychological response exists in the emotional and confidence aspects of returning to play, but not in the risk aspect. If further research continues to show a similar phenomenon, the information could be used to help athletes through the emotional stress of recovery while building their confidence to return to play.
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Title: Connecting to the larger community as a strategy to promote positive youth development through sport : an examination of coaches' practices and perceptions
Creator: Dugan, Jeffrey C.
Date: 2016
Collection: Electronic Theses & Dissertations
Description: Connecting to the Larger Community as a Strategy to Promote Positive Youth Development Through Sport: An Examination of Coaches’ Practices and PerceptionsByJeffrey C. Dugan The extent to which young athletes’ benefit from sport participation depends on numerous factors including the coach, the environment, and different individuals who are involved in the sport experience. More broadly, sport is one context for development, with family, school and youth programs among the many influential...
Show moreConnecting to the Larger Community as a Strategy to Promote Positive Youth Development Through Sport: An Examination of Coaches’ Practices and PerceptionsByJeffrey C. Dugan The extent to which young athletes’ benefit from sport participation depends on numerous factors including the coach, the environment, and different individuals who are involved in the sport experience. More broadly, sport is one context for development, with family, school and youth programs among the many influential contexts and relationships. The current study considers the manner in which coaches interact with the adults in the different youth-supporting contexts as one factor within the sport environment that impacts the development of youth sport participants. Ten current youth sport coaches were interviewed for the purpose of learning how they connect with the other adults surrounding their athletes, along with their thoughts and attitudes towards those connections with other adults. Five specific questions are addressed pertaining to the construct of connection: (1) With which contexts do coaches most often connect?; (2) What factors facilitate these connections?; (3) What factors inhibit these connections?; (4) What are coach’s attitudes and perceptions towards such connections?; and (5) What are the specific ways coaches are fostering connections with their athletes’ families, schools and community adults? Content analysis results indicated that youth sport coaches interact with the adults in different contexts, and generally find such interactions valuable. The demands on everyone’s time require coaches to be particular in choosing the people and reasons to connect. Contextual factors and perspectives of the individual coaches influence the exact nature of connection for each coach interviewed.
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Title: Enhancing motivation to exercise for obese participants in exergames : testing partner characteristics as a moderator of the Kohler effect
Creator: Beckles, Joelle A.
Date: 2017
Collection: Electronic Theses & Dissertations
Description: ABSTRACTENHANCING MOTIVATION TO EXERCISE FOR OBESE PARTICIPANTS IN EXERGAMES: TESTING PARTNER CHARACTERISTICS AS A MODERATOR OF THE KÖHLER EFFECTByJoelle A Beckles This thesis examined the effects of playing an exergame that involved abdominal strength exercises (with a virtually-presented partner) on exercise motivational effort. Specifically, this research explored whether exercise duration could be increased using the Köhler motivation gain principles (based on the group dynamics...
Show moreABSTRACTENHANCING MOTIVATION TO EXERCISE FOR OBESE PARTICIPANTS IN EXERGAMES: TESTING PARTNER CHARACTERISTICS AS A MODERATOR OF THE KÖHLER EFFECTByJoelle A Beckles This thesis examined the effects of playing an exergame that involved abdominal strength exercises (with a virtually-presented partner) on exercise motivational effort. Specifically, this research explored whether exercise duration could be increased using the Köhler motivation gain principles (based on the group dynamics principles of upward social comparison and indispensability) with a lighter versus same weight virtually-presented partner in an obese community sample (BMI > 30). Participants were community adults (N = 35; Mage = 46; SD = 17.34 years) who completed the first block of three isometric abdominal exercises alone. After resting, participants completed the second block either alone (Control), with a lighter weight, or with a same weight partner. Partners were actually confederates recorded earlier and presented virtually as live, from another lab. Exercise persistence, self-efficacy beliefs, enjoyment, and perceived exertion were recorded. Results showed that mean persistence was greater for participants in the lighter weight condition (24.45 sec) than for those in the control condition (-9.92 sec), but not for participants in the similar weight condition (15.64 sec). There were no differences across conditions in self-efficacy, enjoyment, or perceived exertion.
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Title: Co-contractile differences during adaptation to abrupt and gradual dynamic perturbations
Creator: Ptashnik, David W.
Date: 2019
Collection: Electronic Theses & Dissertations
Description: "Adaptation to a novel motor task has been shown to be facilitated through co-contraction as well as exposure to a gradual, rather than an abrupt, dynamic perturbation. In this study, participants performed center out reaching movements in a velocity dependent force field. One group was exposed to a perturbing force of 20 N·m-1·s, another group was exposed to 5 N·m-1·s -step increments of perturbing force up to a total force of 20 N·m-1·s. Adaptation measured by randomly interspersed channel...
Show more"Adaptation to a novel motor task has been shown to be facilitated through co-contraction as well as exposure to a gradual, rather than an abrupt, dynamic perturbation. In this study, participants performed center out reaching movements in a velocity dependent force field. One group was exposed to a perturbing force of 20 N·m-1·s, another group was exposed to 5 N·m-1·s -step increments of perturbing force up to a total force of 20 N·m-1·s. Adaptation measured by randomly interspersed channel trials was found to be better in the group exposed to the gradually increasing perturbation. However, no significant differences were observed in levels of muscle activity during the exposure period. These results suggest that despite both co-contraction, and exposure to a gradual perturbation facilitating dynamic motor adaptation, these two mechanisms are independent of one another."--Page ii.
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Title: The relationship between pre-performance routines and first-serve percentage among collegiate tennis players
Creator: Thomas, Rebecca
Date: 2018
Collection: Electronic Theses & Dissertations
Description: Previous research has shown pre-performance routines have the capability of enhancing the abilities of an athlete. When used correctly, a pre-performance routine can heighten one’s concentration and improve performance consistency. Earlier research studies have looked predominantly at the performance enhancing effects of routines in the sports of golf and basketball. Additionally, the majority of these studies were not completed in a competition setting, but instead were conducted in a...
Show morePrevious research has shown pre-performance routines have the capability of enhancing the abilities of an athlete. When used correctly, a pre-performance routine can heighten one’s concentration and improve performance consistency. Earlier research studies have looked predominantly at the performance enhancing effects of routines in the sports of golf and basketball. Additionally, the majority of these studies were not completed in a competition setting, but instead were conducted in a practice or lab setting. The purpose of the current study was to assess the relationship between a pre-performance routine and the first-serve percentage of a tennis serve, specifically among collegiate female tennis players within actual match play. Participants were recruited from the Women’s Team of a large Midwestern university. Video recording was taken during a baseline phase to account for first-serve percentage without an implemented routine and then after players have participated in a routine development intervention. The Competitive State Anxiety Scale 2- Directional (CSAI-2D) was used to examine the potential relationship between pre-performance routines and competitive anxiety. Results revealed introducing a pre-performance routine into competitive match play has the ability to increase first serve percentage; specifically the increase can be seen in the first game, on pressure points, as well as for the overall match, but gains were modest. Additionally, participants also experienced a decrease in their cognitive anxiety, decrease in somatic anxiety and an increase in their self-confidence, although these differences were very small.
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Title: An evaluation of the implementation of the USTA 10 and under curriculum : a comparison of two classes
Creator: Nalepa, Jennifer
Date: 2017
Collection: Electronic Theses & Dissertations
Description: A new format for teaching tennis to children ten years of age or younger has been implemented by the United States Tennis Association (USTA) to increase enjoyment and grow the game by helping children achieve success through rally performance. The curriculum for the new format was published by the USTA in a manual titled Quickstart Tennis: A Guide for Parents and Recreational Coaches. Modified equipment and a games model for teaching is used in the new format as opposed to standard "adult"...
Show moreA new format for teaching tennis to children ten years of age or younger has been implemented by the United States Tennis Association (USTA) to increase enjoyment and grow the game by helping children achieve success through rally performance. The curriculum for the new format was published by the USTA in a manual titled Quickstart Tennis: A Guide for Parents and Recreational Coaches. Modified equipment and a games model for teaching is used in the new format as opposed to standard "adult" equipment and a traditional model of teaching. Studies have shown the benefits of using modified equipment in youth sports, including tennis, but no studies have evaluated the implementation of the 10 & Under curriculum produced by the USTA. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the implementation of the USTA 10 & Under curriculum in two already intact 10 & Under Level II classes. Two 10 & Under Level II tennis classes at two tennis clubs will be observed, one class following the USTA 10 & Under Curriculum and one that has deviated from the guidelines within the manual. Sixteen children ages 7-9 completed an enjoyment measure at the end of each lesson and took part in a pre- and post-rally performance test. No significant differences were found between the two classes for sport enjoyment and rally performance. However, observation data supported the hypothesis that the club in which the instructor implemented the 10 & Under manual more closely followed the principles and guidelines offered in the manual. Future research should focus on long-term outcomes of the 10 & Under Quickstart Tennis Format.
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Title: Cognitive effects of ostracism following an acute bout of physical activity
Creator: Delli Paoli, Anthony G.
Date: 2013
Collection: Electronic Theses & Dissertations
Description: Behavioral, psychological, and emotional effects of ostracism are well documented, however little is known about the effects of ostracism on aspects of higher order cognition. Executive functioning is an aspect of higher order cognition that may be temporarily disrupted by ostracism. Therefore, interventions designed to enhance executive functioning, such as an acute bout of physical activity, may counteract cognitive disruption. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to test the effects...
Show moreBehavioral, psychological, and emotional effects of ostracism are well documented, however little is known about the effects of ostracism on aspects of higher order cognition. Executive functioning is an aspect of higher order cognition that may be temporarily disrupted by ostracism. Therefore, interventions designed to enhance executive functioning, such as an acute bout of physical activity, may counteract cognitive disruption. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to test the effects of ostracism on executive functioning following an acute bout of physical activity. Using a within-subjects design, participants (N = 48, 24 female) completed three counterbalanced testing sessions where they received exercise and inclusion, exercise and exclusion, and rest and exclusion. Participants completed a total of three flanker tasks in each session as a measure of executive functioning. Results showed that exercise was beneficial for overall accuracy, t(47) = -3.58, p < .05, d = 0.32, and performance monitoring, t(47) = -2.53, p < .05, d = 0.34. Participants performed the same as baseline following exclusion or inclusion. Thus, despite finding an effect for exercise on executive functioning as well as psychological and emotional effects of ostracism, an effect of ostracism on executive functioning was not observed. It remains unclear if and precisely how ostracism affects executive functioning in college-aged young adults, and the role of exercise in any such relationship. However, the findings of this thesis point to important next research steps for exploring the connection of exercise, ostracism and executive functioning in college-aged young adults.
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Title: Extrinsic factors that influence tummy time bout length and frequency in 6- month-old infants ; a video-coded snapshot
Creator: Adkins, Chelsea
Date: 2018
Collection: Electronic Theses & Dissertations
Description: Introduction and Purpose: Tummy time (TTIME) is position that involves prone placement of an infant to promote motor, social, and cognitive development, as well as provide a feasible physical activity modality. Adequate TTIME is vital for the timely growth and maturity of an infant, but there is limited research into the quantity and quality of TTIME needed for optimal developmental outcomes. The current investigation uses in-home videos to analyze specific environmental characteristics for...
Show moreIntroduction and Purpose: Tummy time (TTIME) is position that involves prone placement of an infant to promote motor, social, and cognitive development, as well as provide a feasible physical activity modality. Adequate TTIME is vital for the timely growth and maturity of an infant, but there is limited research into the quantity and quality of TTIME needed for optimal developmental outcomes. The current investigation uses in-home videos to analyze specific environmental characteristics for their influence on TTIME bout length and frequency.Methods: Two groups of 6-month-old infants (n=11). Instruction (receiving TTIME intervention and advice), and non-instruction groups. Independent samples t-tests and/or Mann Whitney U tests were computed for each stream between groups.Results: Significant group differences in frequencies for Caregiver Actions (CGA) (Physical Touch (PT), t=2.866, p=.034; Reposition (R), t=2.369, p=.042). Significant group differences in durations for CGA (PT, U=.000, p=.004; R, p=.034; CGX, U=3.50, p=.030). Significant group differences in % of total TTIME duration for CGA (CGX, U=3.50, p=.030) and Toys (TM, t=2.464, p=.036).Conclusions: Further research must be done to investigate quality methods of TTIME support that are feasible for families to implement. This study serves as a useful first step in identifying initial environmental constructs that may impact TTIME bout length and frequency in 6-month-olds.
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Title: The use of the Nintendo Wii Fit balance program compared to a traditional balance program in physically active individuals
Creator: Robinson, Kirstin
Date: 2014
Collection: Electronic Theses & Dissertations
Description: CONTEXT: Dynamic balance is a critical aspect of everyday life that can be affected by a variety of factors including age and injury. Three systems work together in order to sustain one's balance. When training to improve balance, each system must be utilized, which can occur by performing traditional (TRAD) balance exercises or the Nintendo Wii Fit balance training exercises. To date, the majority of studies investigating the use of the Nintendo Wii Fit utilize elderly patients, whereas the...
Show moreCONTEXT: Dynamic balance is a critical aspect of everyday life that can be affected by a variety of factors including age and injury. Three systems work together in order to sustain one's balance. When training to improve balance, each system must be utilized, which can occur by performing traditional (TRAD) balance exercises or the Nintendo Wii Fit balance training exercises. To date, the majority of studies investigating the use of the Nintendo Wii Fit utilize elderly patients, whereas the current study utilizes young physically active patients. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to examine if the Nintendo Wii Fit balance training program is more enjoyable and improves dynamic balance to the same degree as a TRAD balance training program. SUBJECTS: A total of 89 (60 females, 29 males) participants began the study with 72 (52 females, 20 males) finishing the study. The control group was made up of 25 participants, the TRAD group comprised 25 participants, and the Wii group included 22 participants. METHODS: The star excursion balance test (SEBT) was utilized in the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions to test dynamic balance before and after intervention. The TRAD and WII groups performed their training three times a week for 12-15 minutes for four weeks. Following each intervention the participants completed a seven item questionnaire regarding their enjoyment of the balance training. RESULTS: There were no significance differences on total SEBT scores on either leg for time by group (right leg p=.518;left leg p=.647), but there was significance on both legs for the main effect of time (right leg p=.00;left leg p=.00). A significant difference was indicated for the right leg between groups with the TRAD group being higher than the control group for the posterior medial direction (p=.013). The only interaction to indicate a significant difference in individual directions was in the posterior lateral direction for the right leg (p=.05). Specifically, the TRAD group was higher than the control group; however, both groups were lower at the post-test compared to the pre-test. A significant difference between groups for both the right (p=.002) and left leg (p=.003) in the posterior lateral direction was indicated. When examining enjoyment the WII group was significantly higher than the TRAD group after 4 weeks (p=.000) of balance training. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that there were similar balance improvements among the WII and TRAD group, therefore, both programs can be used interchangeably for balance training exercises in young physically active adults. The current study found that enjoyment scores were higher in the WII group compared to the TRAD group
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