Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Barriers And Facilitators Shaping The Career Progression Of Women In Collegiate Athletics Administration, Carissa Miller

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

Few studies have explored the experiences of women in collegiate athletics administration. The underrepresentation of women in administration positions continues to raise concern with a growing need to understand the career progression and experiences of women. The purpose of this study was to explore perceived barriers inhibiting and facilitators shaping the career progression of women in collegiate athletics administration. Participants identified for the study were located in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States and currently employed by Division I institutions.

The type of qualitative research conducted in this study was a descriptive case study. Data were collected through standard …

How Successful High School Boys Soccer Coaches Perceive And Develop Cultural Competency: A Grounded Theory Approach, Lauren Jefferson

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

The purpose of this study was to examine how high school athletics coaches conceptualize the knowledge, values, and skills of cultural competence, with specific attention to learning processes and influences. In order to serve the increasingly diverse U.S. student population equitably and to the full holistic potential of extracurricular programming, high school coaches must develop a greater comfort with and capacity for exercising cultural competency. A qualitative approach using a grounded theory was applied. Seven coaches and one athletic director were recruited by purposive sampling. The research suggests a process-oriented, chronological model of how experienced coaches begin to work with …

Exploring Rehabilitation Adherence And The Motivational Climate Created By Athletic Trainers: A Mixed Methods Approach, Kaleb W. Cusack

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

The purpose of the study was to explore the relationship between the athletic trainer created motivational climate and rehabilitation adherence displayed by their athletes. Four certified athletic trainers from one National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I institution participated. The study implemented a convergent mixed methods design, using the Rehabilitation Adherence Measure for Athletic Training as a quantitative measure of adherence and a semi-structured interview to establish the strategies athletic trainers use to organize the rehabilitation process, provide feedback to athletes, and evaluate rehabilitation progress. The semi-structured interview also allowed for other emerging themes during analysis. Results indicated that high-adhering athletes …

Academic Support Of Student-Athletes: A Cross-Conference Comparison, Rachel F. Simon

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

A study was conducted to examine the type of academic support provided to student-athletes at the Division 1 level. Although the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) requires all academic institutions to provide academic advising services to student-athletes, universities have a great deal of autonomy in deciding how to provide these services. At the present, little research exists on how universities provide academic support to student-athletes. A mixed-methods online survey was sent to academic support staff members at 47 institutions affiliated with the American Athletic Conference (AAC), Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), Big South Conference, and the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). This …

The Psychological Response To A Low Carbohydrate Ketogenic Diet In Combination With A Six-Week Strength Training Protocol, Matthew T. Thorp

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

The aim of the present study was to determine whether or not long-term adherence to a Low-Carbohydrate Ketogenic Diet (LCKD) combined with a powerlifting strength training protocol could produce a positive psychological response. This six-week randomized control trial consisted of a treatment (LCKD) group (7% carbohydrates, 50% fat and 45% protein) and a control (CON) group (ad libitum). Both groups completed a validated powerlifting training protocol, as well as the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Profile of Mood States. Multivariate testing and general linear modeling statistical analyses were used to compare psychological response between groups (p < 0.05) and found that there was a significant decrease in anxiety over the duration of six-weeks among both groups. No other psychological responses, including negative responses, were found to be significant. All participants significantly improved one-repetition max bench press, back squat, and deadlift (p < 0.05). The main findings of this study suggest that some positive psychological responses exist from long-term LCKD adherence, as well as potential increases in strength performance.