Kinesiology Commons^™

Muscular Christian Edmonton: The Story Of The Edmonton Young Men's Christian Association 1898-1920, Courtney Hope Van Waas

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

From its initial conception as the EYMI in 1898 to its emergence as the Edmonton YMCA through 1920, the institution always had a distinct purpose. The absence of a Muscular Christian agenda in the EYMI, coupled with a purposive refocusing of programming within the YMCA towards what was directed towards the public interest, religion within this institution waned following World War I. Newspapers and executive minute notes demonstrate the EYMI focus on producing the next generation of respectable businessmen. The Edmonton YMCA attempted to fulfill the task of ‘saving’ young men by distracting them from social vices. As a result …

Neuromuscular Adaptations To Voluntary Contraction Following Postactivation Potentiation, Cameron B. Smith

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Muscle contractile properties are history-dependent, and following a conditioning contraction, muscle tissue may be fatigued (slower, weaker) or potentiated (faster, stronger). Postactivation potentiation of evoked contractions, such as the electrically stimulated twitch, has been thoroughly studied. However, the effects of potentiation on voluntary contraction are not well understood, and prior study is largely equivocal.

The following studies propose to determine the effects of potentiation during 1) submaximal contractions at different muscle lengths 2) ballistic contractions following tetanic and voluntary conditioning, and 3) motor evoked potentials following tetanic and voluntary conditioning contractions. Evoked twitch potentiation was assessed with all of the …

Biosteel High Performance Sports Drink Improves Exercise Performance Following A Simulated Hockey Game, Kolten C. Abbott

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

INTRODUCTION: BioSteel High Performance Sports Drink (BioSteel) is one of the most popular sports supplements consumed by professional and amateur athletes. BioSteel Inc^® claims that consumption of BioSteel before and during exercise will result in “enhanced energy while delaying the onset of muscular and mental fatigue”. PURPOSE: Assess the efficacy of BioSteel supplementation on anaerobic and aerobic exercise performance as well as sport-specific cognition throughout exercise. METHODS: Eleven exercise-trained men completed a simulated hockey game on a cycle ergometer under two experimental conditions: BioSteel and isoenergetic placebo. Measures of exercise performance and cognition were assessed before, throughout and after …

A Philosophical Analysis Of Ethics Education In The Canadian National Coaching Certification Program For Rowing, Mark M. Williams

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

This dissertation applies a conception of rationality from the philosophy of science to the coaching education context. The purpose of this dissertation is to present an account of how the exercise of judgment by coaches facing ethical dilemmas can be rational. The discussion in this dissertation begins with a traditional account of rationality that has long been a staple of moral philosophy. Next, the influence of this model in the current Canadian rowing coach education program are highlighted, as are its limitations in providing a complete account of rational ethical-decision making in the coaching context. After establishing these limitations, an …

Boxing In The Union Blue: A Social History Of American Boxing In The Union States During The Late Antebellum And Civil War Years, Greggory M. Ross

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

This study explores the social history of boxing in the Civil War era Union States in both the martial and civilian contexts, focusing on issues of masculinity, ethnicity, race, and class. This dissertation is divided into four sections, each emphasizing a different boxing scene. First, boxing in is explained in the context of the Union Army, drawing upon accounts of military life from diaries, letters, official army correspondence, and newspapers to examine how soldiers used: gloved sparring for physical and mental exercise and camaraderie; bare-knuckle prizefighting for dispute resolution, entertainment, and gambling; and both forms of boxing to exhibit masculine …

An Autoethnographical Tapestry Of Feminist Reflection On My Journey Of A Fitness Model Physique, Stephanie A. Paplinskie

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Weight training and fitness competitions are increasingly popular activities for many women seeking an aesthetically fit body. This thesis entails a critical reflection of the various factors surrounding my personal decision to partake in body sculpting, examining how these factors parallel the experience of other women in the fitness industry. Using a feminist theoretical framework and autoethnography, a history of feminist theory is incorporated to demonstrate some of the various perspectives surrounding women bodies. Two challenges for women are discussed in this paper: i) the fear of fat, and how it is connected to a woman’s initial decision to attend …

The Effect Of Exercise On Cravings And Ad Libitum Smoking Following Concurrent Stressors, Angela J. Fong

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Quitting smoking itself is a stressor; it is likely that other stressors occur concurrently and deplete self-regulatory resources. Failure to cope leads to smoking relapse. Exercise has been shown to attenuate cravings and withdrawal symptoms in previous research and has yet to be examined following concurrent stressors. This study examined the effect of an acute bout of moderate intensity exercise on psychological withdrawal symptoms (PWS), cravings and ad lib smoking after concurrent stressors (i.e., temporary abstinence and depletion). Twenty-five smokers were randomized into exercise or passive conditions. Results showed PWS were significantly exacerbated after temporary abstinence and again after depletion …

The Philosophy Of ‘Playing’ Games: A Lusory Introspection Of The Sincere Player And The Meaning Of Play Amidst The Moral Morass Of Contemporary Sport, Justin M. Rhoden

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Play is a fundamental experience embedded within human culture. We all play in some perceptible manner that provides our lives with meaning we don’t ordinarily feel from other pursuits that are means-ended. Sport philosophers have depended upon the seminal theories of Huizinga and Caillois to shape their constraints on the play world. Huizinga’s and Caillois’ definition both use formal analysis to protect the play sphere however, their theories fail in providing justifiable reason to protect the play sphere and the meaning it has. I propose that understanding play from the perspective of existentialism provides a better way to understand its …

Understanding The Volunteer Youth Coaching Environment: A Psychological Contract Perspective, Alanna Harman

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The purpose of this dissertation was to explore the volunteer coaching environment using psychological contract theory. Psychological contract posits that volunteers and their organization have implicit and explicit expectations of each other, and the breach and fulfillment of these expectations impact volunteers’ attitude and intended behaviour.

Study 1 explored the content of volunteer coaches’ psychological contract, and influences to the development of it. Interviews with 22 coaches of team sports, representing different demographic factors were included. The results revealed that volunteer coaches possess both transactional and relational expectations. Variation was found by coaching tenure and level of play. Sources external …

Associations Between Heart Rate Variability And Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors, Melanie I. Stuckey

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a clustering of risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) – two major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Heart rate variability (HRV) is a non-invasive measure of cardiac autonomic regulation that predicts mortality and morbidity. Additionally, HRV is reduced in CVD, T2D and MetS. As such, HRV has potential to be a novel cardiometabolic risk factor to be included in clinical risk assessment. Therefore, the purpose of this thesis was to examine the relationships between MetS and HRV. A systematic review of cross-sectional studies examining relationships between HRV and MetS was …

Neuroprotective Effects Of Long-Term Endurance Training On The Cortical Autonomic Network In The Aging Brain, Torri A. Luchyshyn

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

This study tested whether long-term endurance training in older adults (ET; n = 15, 55 ± 4 years, relative VO₂max = 50 ± 8 ml/kg/min) would alter cardiovagal control and preserve the cortical autonomic network compared to age-matched controls (CON; n = 15, 56 ± 4 years, relative VO₂max = 37 ± 9 ml/kg/min). The hypothesis predicts 1) altered deactivation patterns of the ventral medial prefrontal cortex (vMPFC) in response to isometric hand grip (IHG) and 2) greater indices of cardiovagal control; a) increased baroreflex sensitivity at rest, b) greater heart rate change (ΔHR) and c) …

Overweight In Infants Increases The Chance Of Having A Gross Motor Developmental Delay At Six Months, Meredith Parkovnick

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The objective of the present study was to explore the relationship between overweight infants and gross motor development at six months. A secondary purpose was to determine whether gross motor development varied according to sleep position. Eighteen mother-infant pairs participated. Motor development was assessed using the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS). Sleeping position was determined by maternal report based on the position in which the infant awoke. At six months, overweight infants scored lower (worse) on the AIMS test than normal weight infants, even after controlling for sleep position. Infants who slept in the supine position scored lower on the …

Early Child Care And Adiposity At Kindergarten Entry, Jessica D. Mackle

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The association between pre-school child care participation and markers of adiposity at kindergarten entry was examined using parent reported previous child care exposure and directly measured body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) of kindergarten children (N=201; boys=106, girls=95). It was hypothesized that kindergarten children with previous exposure to full-time non-parent child care (FNPC; >20h/week) would have increased risk of overweight/obesity (BMI≥ 85^th percentile) and high central adiposity (WC ≥80^th percentile) compared to parent care (PC). The data suggest that there was no significant relationship between FNPC (n=112) and risk of overweight/obesity (OR=1.17, …

Mmasculinities: Spectacular Narratives Of Masculinity In Mixed Martial Arts, Stephen L. Swain

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This dissertation uses the work of Guy Debord to examine the Ultimate Fighting Championship, or UFC. More specifically, it examines spectacular narratives surrounding the main event of UFC 114, which featured Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson facing ‘Suga’ Rashad Evans. Drawing upon not only the event itself, but also the season of The Ultimate Fighter during which the two combatants coached opposing teams, this study looks at how masculinity is performed and presented, and how those spectacular presentations of masculinity are then used as a means of selling commodities.

Drawing upon the work of Guy Debord, this dissertation examines Mixed Martial Arts …

Experiences Of Embodiment: Analysis Of Muslim Women's Participation In Physical Activity, Natalie V.K Szudy

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This dissertation examines the relationship the „lived body‟ experiences of veiled Muslim females in sport and physical activity. When considering the relationship between religious requirements and participation in sport and physical activity, the discussion of the conflicts that have occurred with some veiled Muslim female athletes can support the examination of the articulation of sport and religion. In this dissertation, I will explore the application of logical and philosophical discussion as an analytic framework in the evaluation of social, cultural and religious discourse. The application of this framework will contribute to the evaluation of epistemological premises that have contributed to …