Digital Commons Network^™

Isometric Exercise Training And Arterial Hypertension: An Updated Review, Jamie J. Edwards, Damian A. Coleman, Raphael M. Ritti-Dias, Breno Farah, David J. Stensel, Sam J.E. Lucas, Philip J. Millar, Ben D.H. Gordon, Veronique Cornelissen, Neil A. Smart, Debra J. Carlson, Cheri Mcgowan

Human Kinetics Publications

Hypertension is recognised as a leading attributable risk factor for cardiovascular disease and premature mortality. Global initiatives towards the prevention and treatment of arterial hypertension are centred around non-pharmacological lifestyle modification. Exercise recommendations differ between professional and scientific organisations, but are generally unanimous on the primary role of traditional aerobic and dynamic resistance exercise. In recent years, isometric exercise training (IET) has emerged as an effective novel exercise intervention with consistent evidence of reductions in blood pressure (BP) superior to that reported from traditional guideline-recommended exercise modes. Despite a wealth of emerging new data and endorsement by select governing bodies, …

On Validating A Generic Camera-Based Blink Detection System For Cognitive Load Assessment, Francesco Biondi, Frida Grad, Prarthana Pillai, Balakumar Balasingam Dr.

Human Kinetics Publications

Detecting the human operator's cognitive state is paramount in settings wherein maintaining optimal workload is necessary for task performance. Blink rate is an established metric of cognitive load, with a higher blink frequency being observed under conditions of greater workload. Measuring blink rate requires the use of eye-trackers which limits the adoption of this metric in the real-world. The authors aim to investigate the effectiveness of using a generic camera-based system as a way to assess the user's cognitive load during a computer task. Participants completed a mental task while sitting in front of a computer. Blink rate was recorded …

Perceptions And Use Of Teaching Strategies For Fundamental Movement Skills In Primary School Physical Education Programs, Danielle Salters, Sara Scharoun Benson

Human Kinetics Publications

Fundamental motor/movement skills (FMS) describe the basic skills necessary to complete physical tasks, and are a key aspect of primary school physical education (PE) programs. Yet, specific teaching styles for FMS development have been relatively unexplored. Through a mixed-methods design, experiences and perceptions of different PE teachers (preservice, specialist, and generalist) were explored. The Spectrum of Teaching Styles (STS) survey was used to quantify self-reported use of teaching styles that may be used by PE teachers (N = 102). Semi-structured, qualitative interviews with a subset of participants (N = 11) were employed to explore how PE teachers perceive …

Instructors’ Perspectives Of Social And Motor Influences On Participation In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Danielle Salters, P. Camila Rios, Sara Scharoun Benson

Human Kinetics Publications

Participation is key to childhood development and is essential for health and well-being; yet children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) participate less in social and physical activities compared to their typically developing peers and little is known about how social and motor challenges impact participation patterns. The current research garnered experiential insights of the quality and quantity of participation, through the lens of instructors (N = 9) working with a child or children with ASD. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted to capture a comprehensive and informative profile of how social and motor functioning of children with ASD influence involvement …

Overloaded And At Work: Investigating The Effect Of Cognitive Workload On Assembly Task Performance, Francesco Biondi, Angela Cacanindin, Caitlin Douglas, Joel Cort

Human Kinetics Publications

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Preferential Reaching And End-State Comfort: How Task Demands Influence Motor Planning., Danielle Salters, P. Camila Rios, Eliza Ramsay, Sara Scharoun Benson

Human Kinetics Publications

No abstract provided.

Response Time And Eye Tracking Datasets For Activities Demanding Varying Cognitive Load, Prarthana Pillai, Prathamesh Ayare, Balakumar Balasingam, Kevin Milne, Francesco Biondi

Human Kinetics Publications

The dataset contains the following three measures that are widely used to determine cognitive load in humans: Detection Response Task - response time, pupil diameter, and eye gaze. These measures were recorded from 28 participants while they underwent tasks that are designed to permeate three different cognitive difficulty levels. The dataset will be useful to those researchers who seek to employ low cost, non-invasive sensors to detect cognitive load in humans and to develop algorithms for human-system automation. One such application is found in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems where eye-trackers are employed to monitor the alertness of the drivers. The …

Coping With Recession In The Ski-Industry: A Suppliers’ And Consumers’ Perspective, Marijke Taks, Jona Ragoen

Human Kinetics Publications

The current study explores the impact of the recession on the ski industry based on interviews with suppliers in two ski resorts (n=10) as well as ski travel agencies (n=8). Subsequently, Flemish ski tourists (n=252) were surveyed about changes in their behavior towards ski vacations from 2008 to 2011, taking into account their socio-cultural background as well their level of ski/snowboard participation. Both studies reveal a decline in ski tourism during the years under investigation. The impact of the recession varies according to the type of sports provider. The impact of the recession on ski vacations is more prevalent for …

Construct Validity Of Social Impact Scales For Sport Events, Marijke Taks, Littlejohn Meagan, Laura Wiood, Ryan Snelgrove

Human Kinetics Publications

This study tests the construct validity of two different social impact scales by comparing the perceived social impact of a non-mega sport event for the same group of respondents. To date, several theories have underpinned the development of various social impact scales, and there is a need for more robust and unified measurement tools. Data were collected from 626 residents in the context of the 2014 Ontario Summer Games (OSG). Event attendees (29%) and non-event attendees (71%) completed a questionnaire (electronically or on paper) which included 17 social impact items, reflecting two previously developed social impact scales (SIS-A consisting of …

Multi-Functionality And Occupations Of Sport And Physical Activity Professionals In Spain, Antonio Campos-Izquierdo, María Dolores González-Rivera, Marijke Taks

Human Kinetics Publications

Increased attention to the multiple benefits attributed to sport and physical activity in recent years, has boosted the sport industry and related employment opportunities. Sport and physical activity (SPA) professionals are central in delivering the core services in this sector. This paper analyses the key functions of Spanish SPA professionals in order to reveal the range of opportunities and to strengthen their position in a tapering labour market in Spain.

Face-to-face interviews based on a standardized questionnaire were conducted with 2500 SPA professionals, who were active in 1797 sports facilities across the country. Functions and multi-functionality were analyzed based on …

Impacts And Strategic Outcomes From Non-Mega Sport Events For Local Communities, Marijke Taks, Laurence Chalip, B. Christine Green

Human Kinetics Publications

The staging of sport events directly impacts the quality of life of people living in the host communities. Sport events are temporal and can trigger a variety of short- or long-term, positive or negative impacts, which lead to positive or negative outcomes, and if sustained, these outcomes have been called ‘legacies.’ Impacts may result from strategic planning, but more often than not there is scant strategic planning for event outcomes, so impacts are typically haphazard and unplanned (albeit hoped for). Strategic planning for event outcomes (aka: leveraging) differs from mere legacy planning because it focuses attention on the means to …

A Theoretical Comparison Of The Economic Impact Of Large And Small Events, Nola Agha, Marijke Taks

Human Kinetics Publications

In response to the increasing debate on the relative worth of small events compared to large events, we create a theoretical model to determine whether smaller events are more likely to create positive economic impact. First, event size and city size are redefined as continuums of resources. The concepts of event resource demand (ERD) and city resource supply (CRS) are introduced, allowing for a joint analysis of supply and demand. When local economic conditions are brought into the analysis, the framework determines how a city resource deficiency or surplus affects the economic impact of an event. This resource-based approach assists …

Evaluating Sport Development Outcomes: The Case Of A Medium-Sized International Sport Event, Marijke Taks, B. Christine Green, Laura Misener, Laurence Chalip

Human Kinetics Publications

This study evaluates sport development outcomes of a medium-sized, one-off, international sport event, while also exploring any strategies and tactics that were implemented with the intention to increase participation or other sport development outcomes. The event under investigation is the 2005 Pan American Junior Athletics Championships.

Social Sustainability Of Non-Mega Sport Events In A Global World, Marijke Taks

Human Kinetics Publications

This contribution offers a theoretical perspective on the social impacts of sport events. Most research in this area has focused on global mega sport events (MSEs). However, given the fact that there are many more, smaller non-mega sport events (NMSEs) being organised in this global world, the paper calls for a reflection on how these smaller types of events can potentially contribute to benefit residents of local communities. The paper contrasts and compares social impacts and outcomes of both, MSEs and NMSEs, using four different perspectives: power relations, urban regeneration, socialisation, and human capital. There is reason to believe that …

Leveraging Sport Events For Participation, Marijke Taks, Laura Misener, Laurence Chalip, B. Christine Green

Human Kinetics Publications

It is often claimed that sport events can stimulate interest and consequent participation in sport. The data on this matter are inconclusive. It is known, however, that sport participation is not being raised merely by the fact that an event is being hosted, but rather on the ways that an event is used to render desired effects (i.e., event leveraging). The purpose of this research project was to examine how medium sized sport events can be used to stimulate sport participation in host communities. Using a three-phased study, findings show that: (a) sport events are unlikely in-and-of themselves to generate …

Visitor Composition Andevent-Related Spending, Marijke Taks, B. Christine Green, Laurence Chalip, Stefan Kesenne

Human Kinetics Publications

The purpose of this paper is to examine the spending patterns of non‐local participants and spectators at a medium‐sized international sport event, to segment their spending patterns and consider implications for the quality of each segment's event experience.

Older Athletes' Perceived Benefits Of Competition, Rylee A. Dionigi, Joseph Baker, Sean Horton

Human Kinetics Publications

Intense sport competition is typically associated with young people. Also, much of the literature on exercise for older adults focuses on benefits derived from regular physical activity, such as walking, dancing and fitness classes, and suggests that one should avoid extremely strenuous exercise. The rising phenomenon of older people competing in sport presents a challenge to these assumptions. In 2009, approximately 28,000 athletes from 95 countries gathered in Sydney, Australia to compete across 28 different sports at the World Masters Games. We interviewed 44 competitors (23 females, 21 males; aged 56-90 years; M=72) about what they gained from competing in …

Relative Age Effects: Implications For Leadership Development, Jess Dixon, Sean Horton, Patricia Weir

Human Kinetics Publications

Relative age effects (RAEs) have been widely studied in the contexts of education and sport over the past 25 years. The RAE phenomenon is concerned with identifying age (dis)advantages relative to other children within a pre-defined age group. While intended to promote equality and fairness through the maintenance of general developmental similarities (e.g., cognitive, physiological), age-based grouping policies common to most educational and sport development systems have had the unintended consequence of advantaging “relatively” older children, while disadvantaging those who are “relatively” younger within the same cohort. Differences in developmental outcomes as a result of relative age have been shown …

Economic Impact Analysis Versus Cost Benefit Analysis: The Case Of A Medium-Sized Sport Event, Marijke Taks, Stefan Kesenne, Laurence Chalip, Christine B. Green

Human Kinetics Publications

This paper empirically illustrates the difference between a standard economic impact analysis (EIA) and a cost-benefit analysis (CBA). The EIA was conducted using an existing (input-output) I-O model (STEAM). The benefit side of the CBA included non-local visitor spending, the revenue of the local organizing committee (LOC), the consumer surplus, and public good value of the sport event for the local residents. The cost side of the CBA was estimated based on the opportunity costs related to the construction of the stadium (including labor costs and the cost of borrowing), imports, and ticket sales to locals. The EIA indicated that …

Participants' Experiences In Two Types Of Sporting Events: A Quest For Evidence Of The Sl-Cl Continuum, Inge Derom, Marijke Taks

Human Kinetics Publications

The dichotomy of serious leisure (SL) and casual leisure (CL) has significant limitations, leaving some leisure experiences unexplained. The SL-CL continuum proposed by Shen and Yarnal (2010) aims at filling this gap by providing a description based on behavioral commitment. We present evidence supporting the SL-CL continuum obtained by comparing participants in two different types of sporting events: an international/major and a national/minor event. Quantitative data on leisure motives and identity, corresponding to four SL and two CL characteristics, were collected from self-administered questionnaires. Both samples reported moderate to high intensities across the characteristics. However, international/major participants were more serious …

Expenditures On Sport Apparel: Creating Consumer Profiles Through Interval Regression Modelling, Jeroen Scheerder, Steven Vos, Marijke Taks

Human Kinetics Publications

Using a heterodox theoretical approach, this article presents sport consumer profiles based on socio-demographic and sport-related lifestyle characteristics. Sport apparel is operationalized as a categorical, hierarchical variable. Given the censored nature of the dependent variable, a two step Heckman-type approach with an interval regression model was used. Data were obtained from a cross-sectional sample of adults in Flanders, Belgium (N=1355). The results indicate that the decision to spend money on sport clothing and shoes is mainly determined by sport-related lifestyle characteristics, confirming the emerging importance of lifestyle in understanding the decision to consume material goods. However, the variability in the …

Economic Impact Analysis Versus Cost Benefit Analysis: The Case Of A Medium-Sized Sport Event, Marijke Taks, Stefan Kesenne, Laurence Chalip, B. Christine Green

Human Kinetics Publications

This paper empirically illustrates the difference between a standard economic impact analysis (EIA) and a cost-benefit analysis (CBA). The EIA was conducted using an existing (input-output) I-O model (STEAM). The benefit side of the CBA included non-local visitor spending, the revenue of the local organizing committee (LOC), the consumer surplus, and public good value of the sport event for the local residents. The cost side of the CBA was estimated based on the opportunity costs related to the construction of the stadium (including labor costs and the cost of borrowing), imports, and ticket sales to locals. The EIA indicated that …

Comparing Methods Of Quantifying Tibial Acceleration Slope, Adriana Duquette, David M. Andrews

Human Kinetics Publications

Considerable variability in tibial acceleration slope (AS) values, and different interpretations of injury risk based on these values, have been reported. Acceleration slope variability may be due in part to variations in the quantification methods used. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to quantify differences in tibial AS values determined using end points at various percentage ranges between impact and peak tibial acceleration, as a function of either amplitude or time. Tibial accelerations were recorded from 20 participants (21.8 ± 2.9 years, 1.7 m ± 0.1 m, 75.1 kg ± 17.0 kg) during 24 unshod heel impacts using a …

Perceptions Of Cohesion By Youth Sport Participants, Mark Eys, Todd M. Loughead, Steven R. Bray, Albert V. Carron

Human Kinetics Publications

Cohesion is an important small group variable within sport. However, the conceptualization and examination of cohesion have predominately been oriented toward adult populations. The purpose of the current study was to garner an understanding of what cohesion means to youth sport participants. Fifty-six team sport athletes (M age = 15.63 ± 1.01 years) from two secondary schools took part in focus groups designed to understand participants’ perceptions of (a) the definition of cohesion and indicators of cohesive and noncohesive groups and (b) methods used to attempt to develop cohesion in their groups. Overall, the responses to part (a) yielded 10 …

The Effectiveness Of Wrist Guards For Reducing Wrist And Elbow Accelerations Resulting From Simulated Forward Falls, Timothy A. Burkhart, David M. Andrews

Human Kinetics Publications

The effectiveness of wrist guards and modifying elbow posture for reducing impact-induced accelerations at the wrist and elbow, for the purpose of decreasing upper extremity injury risk during forward fall arrest, has not yet been documented in living people. A seated human pendulum was used to simulate the impact conditions consistent with landing on outstretched arms during a forward fall. Accelerometers measured the wrist and elbow response characteristics of 28 subjects following impacts with and without a wrist guard, and with elbows straight or slightly bent. Overall, the wrist guard was very effective, with significant reductions in peak accelerations at …

Full-Court Quest: The Girls From Fort Shaw Indian School, Basketball Champions Of The World, Victoria Paraschak

Human Kinetics Publications

No abstract provided.

The Relationship Among Athlete Leadership Behaviors And Cohesion In Team Sports, Diana Vincer, Todd M. Loughead

Human Kinetics Publications

This study examined the influence of athlete leadership behaviors on perceptions of team cohesion. The participants were 312 athletes from 25 varsity and club level teams. Each participant completed the Group Environment Questionnaire (Carron, Widmeyer, & Brawley, 1985) that assessed cohesion and the Leadership Scale for Sports (Chelladurai & Saleh, 1980) that assessed athlete leadership behaviors. Overall, it was found that individual perceptions of Training and Instruction, and Social Support positively influenced all four dimensions of cohesion (ATG-T, ATG-S, GI–T, GI-S). Furthermore, Autocratic Behavior was negatively associated with the four dimensions of cohesion. Finally, Democratic Behavior was positively related to …

Development Of A Cohesion Questionnaire For Youth: The Youth Sport Environment Questionnaire, Mark Eys, Todd M. Loughead, Steven R. Bray

Human Kinetics Publications

The purpose of the current study was to initiate the development of a psychometrically sound measure of cohesion for youth sport groups. A series of projects were undertaken in a four-phase research program. The initial phase was designed to garner an understanding of how youth sport group members perceived the concept of cohesion through focus groups (n = 56), open-ended questionnaires (n = 280), and a literature review. In Phase 2, information from the initial projects was used in the development of 142 potential items and content validity was assessed. In Phase 3, 227 participants completed a revised 87-item questionnaire. …

Factors Affecting Repeat Visitation And Flow-On Tourism As Sources Of Event Strategy Sustainability, Marijke Taks, Laurence Chalip, B. Christine Green, Stefan Kesenne

Human Kinetics Publications

The sustainability of including medium sized one-time sport events in an event portfolio is examined with reference to the capacity of one such event to stimulate flow-on tourism (i.e. tourism activities beyond the event but around the time of the event), a desire to return to the destination, and positive word-of-mouth. Relationships among four motives (socialising, escape, learning about the destination, and learning about athletics), identification with the event (self and social identity), previous visitation to the host destination, information search, tourism activities, and likelihood of recommending and/or returning to the host destination were examined for four categories of attendees …

Canadian National Sport Organisations’ Use Of The Web For Relationship Marketing In Promoting Sport Participation, Vassil Girginov, Marijke Taks, B. Boucher, M. Holman

Human Kinetics Publications

Sport participation development requires a systematic process which involves knowledge creation, dissemination and interactions between National Sport Organisations, participants, clubs and associations as well as other agencies. Using a relationship marketing approach (Grönroos, 1997, Gummesson, 2002, Olkkonen, 1999), this paper addressed the question ‘How do Canadian NSOs use the Web, in terms of functionality and services offered, to create and maintain relationships with sport participants and their sport delivery partners?’ Ten Canadian NSOs’ websites were examined: functionality was analysed using Burgess and Cooper’s (2000) eMICA model, while NSOs’ utilisation of the Internet to establish and maintain relationships with sport participants …