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2014

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Articles 361 - 390 of 430

Full-Text Articles in Kinesiology

The Benefits Of Motor Imagery On Upper Limb Strength, Janet Pacheco Jan 2014

The Benefits Of Motor Imagery On Upper Limb Strength, Janet Pacheco

Kinesiology Student Research - Archive

Motor Imagery (MI) is a dynamic state in which an individual mentally stimulates a given action, without an actual motor output. The primary function is to allow the individual to generate a specific predetermined and possible outcome based on past experiences. A generous portion of MI research is primarily focused on rehabilitation rather than a strength training setting. In many cases when a patient is unable to execute a physical movement, the next most relevant scenario is to visualize the execution of that specific movement. Research suggests an increase in strength may be due to an improvement of the motor …


Effects Of Caffeine On Athletic Performance, Natasha Hernandez Jan 2014

Effects Of Caffeine On Athletic Performance, Natasha Hernandez

Kinesiology Student Research - Archive

INTRODUCTION: Caffeine is considered the most widely used stimulant in the world. According to the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) the average consumption of caffeine in the USA is approximately 2 cups of coffee per day (200 mg). Caffeine is often referred to as a nutritional ergogenic aid, but it has no nutritional value. Caffeine that is ingested is rapidly absorbed from the stomach and peaks in the blood within the first two hours. Caffeine has the potential to affect all systems of the body, as it is absorbed by most tissue. The remaining caffeine is broken down in …


Pre-Cooling Interventions And The Physiological Effects With Intermittent-Sprinting, Josue Flores Jan 2014

Pre-Cooling Interventions And The Physiological Effects With Intermittent-Sprinting, Josue Flores

Kinesiology Student Research - Archive

BACKGROUND: Thermoregulation is stated as the potential of an organism to sustain a core body temperature within parameters, as external and internal temperatures are constantly fluctuating from day to day. Exercise, illnesses or intense external conditions are factors that cause elevated core body temperature that can disrupt cellular activity. Literature has shown that in order for the body to allow for physiological processes to occur efficiently it is necessary to be in a homeothermic state. The hypothalamus is the prime mechanism that regulates the core body temperature to maintain it within a normal resting range of 97.0-100.0 ˚F. Hence, the …


The Effects Of Chocolate Milk On Recovery From Exercise, David Salib Jan 2014

The Effects Of Chocolate Milk On Recovery From Exercise, David Salib

Kinesiology Student Research - Archive

Introduction: Exercise is commonly followed by fatigue which an athlete usually tries to minimize with the intake of protein supplements and high protein diets. The fatigue felt by the athlete can have an effect on his or her ability to perform at the same level while focusing on similar muscle groups. Increasing protein intake speeds up the recovery process of the muscles used during exercise, and measurements such as maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) can be used to determine whether or not the athlete can perform exercise at the same level of intensity while targeting the same muscle groups. The VO2max …


Effects Of Patterned Electrical Neuromuscular Stimulation On Knee Joint Stabilization, Marian Abowd Jan 2014

Effects Of Patterned Electrical Neuromuscular Stimulation On Knee Joint Stabilization, Marian Abowd

Kinesiology Student Research - Archive

INTRODUCTION: Electrical stimulation has traditionally been used in rehabilitation settings for neuromuscular reeducation and to reverse the adverse effects of muscle atrophy. However a more functional form of stimulation, known as patterned electrical neuromuscular stimulation (PENS), has recently been developed to replicate typical firing patterns of muscles. There has been evidence to suggest that receiving this treatment while performing exercises may have the potential to improve functional performance in healthy individuals. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of patterned electrical nerve stimulation (PENS) treatment applied during a step-up exercise on knee stabilization during resisted strength …


The “Pre-Workout” Effect, Mario Arciniega Jan 2014

The “Pre-Workout” Effect, Mario Arciniega

Kinesiology Student Research - Archive

INTRODUCTION: The consumption of Jack3D along with various other pre-workout supplements before a workout has become more than just the norm in the fitness world. However, are the products as effective as they are marketed to be? A one repetition max test can easily measure the strength of an individual and can be used as a tool in exercise prescription for resistance training. A one repetition max test is performed in three to four lifts and allows the individual to view their maximum load capability for a particular muscle group. The use of these measurement scales, perceived rate of focus …


The Effect Of Warm-Up Techniques On Foot, Ankle And Lower Leg Stability In A College-Age Population, S Laine Jan 2014

The Effect Of Warm-Up Techniques On Foot, Ankle And Lower Leg Stability In A College-Age Population, S Laine

Kinesiology Student Research - Archive

Common warm-up techniques attempt to prepare the body for tasks that may require higher physiological response. The increase in temperature with warm-ups tends to speed nerve conduction velocity, attenuate muscle spindle sensitivity, and decrease tissue stiffness. Passive (hot pack or massage) or active (low intensity aerobic) warm ups that target the specific joint or muscle may be more effective than general body warm-ups. Localized hot pack application and joint mobilizations may better stimulate musculotendinous tissue thereby allowing more effective preparation for tasks that require a high neurological response.


Evaluation Of Static And Dynamic Postural Control In Athletes With Concussions During Recovery, Nicholas Murray Jan 2014

Evaluation Of Static And Dynamic Postural Control In Athletes With Concussions During Recovery, Nicholas Murray

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Approximately seventy-six percent of individuals with a sport-related concussion present with reduced balance. Current Return-to-Play (RTP) protocols rely heavily on measures of static balance that are not environmentally relevant. However, due to the variable nature of symptom presentation, research has not clearly defined a requisite time for balance recovery following a sport-related concussion. The use of novel procedures such as monitoring postural control during an environmentally relevant dynamic balance tasks could refine the timeline for recovery of postural control and aid in mitigating the potential severe consequences of Second Impact Syndrome. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate …


Effect Of An Herbal/Botanical Supplement On Strength, Balance, And Muscle Function Following 12-Weeks Of Resistance Training: A Placebo Controlled Study, Jonathan Furlong, Corey A. Rynders, Mark Sutherlin, James Patrie, Frank I. Katch, Jay Hertel Jan 2014

Effect Of An Herbal/Botanical Supplement On Strength, Balance, And Muscle Function Following 12-Weeks Of Resistance Training: A Placebo Controlled Study, Jonathan Furlong, Corey A. Rynders, Mark Sutherlin, James Patrie, Frank I. Katch, Jay Hertel

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Background: StemSport (SS; StemTech International, Inc. San Clemente, CA) contains a proprietary blend of the botanical Aphanizomenon flos-aquae and several herbal antioxidant and anti-inflammatory substances. SS has been purported to accelerate tissue repair and restore muscle function following resistance exercise. Here, we examine the effects of SS supplementation on strength adaptations resulting from a 12-week resistance training program in healthy young adults.

Methods: Twenty-four young adults (16 males, 8 females, mean age = 20.5 ± 1.9 years, mass = 70.9 ± 11.9 kg, stature = 176.6 ± 9.9 cm) completed the twelve week training program. The study design …


High-Intensity Tasks With External Load In Military Applications: A Review, Eric K. O'Neal, Jared H. Hornsby, Kyle J. Kelleran Jan 2014

High-Intensity Tasks With External Load In Military Applications: A Review, Eric K. O'Neal, Jared H. Hornsby, Kyle J. Kelleran

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

This article provides a synopsis of the limited investigations examining the impact of external load (EL) on performance of high-intensity tasks under load (HITL), EL training intervention effects on HITL performance, and injuries from EL training. Repetitive lifting tasks and initiation of locomotion, such as rapidly moving from a prone position to sprinting appear to be more hindered by EL than maximal sprinting velocity and may explain why training with EL does not improve obstacle course or prolonged (200-300 yard shuttle) drills. EL training appears to offer very little if any benefit for HITL in lesser trained populations. This contrast …


Isokinetic Fatigue Characteristics For The Leg Extensors Versus Flexors, Elias M. Carrillo, Matt S. Stock, Jacob A. Mota, Kendra D. Olinghouse, Alexander S. Drusch, Brennan J. Thompson Jan 2014

Isokinetic Fatigue Characteristics For The Leg Extensors Versus Flexors, Elias M. Carrillo, Matt S. Stock, Jacob A. Mota, Kendra D. Olinghouse, Alexander S. Drusch, Brennan J. Thompson

Kinesiology and Health Science Faculty Publications

Maximal isokinetic muscle actions are often used in research studies to examine fatigability and even estimate muscle fiber-type. However, the majority of previous investigations have examined these topics for the leg extensors (i.e., quadriceps), and we are unaware of investigations that have specifically assessed the fatigue characteristics for the flexors (i.e., hamstrings). The purpose of this study was to compare the percent decline values for the leg extensors versus flexors for 50 and 100 repeated, maximal concentric isokinetic muscle actions. Fifteen healthy men (mean ± SD age = 23 ± 3 years; body mass = 94.1 ± 11.9 kg) with …


The Effects Of Aerobic And Muscular Endurance Based Resistance Exercises On The Cardiorespiratory System In College Age Females, Victoria Streif Jan 2014

The Effects Of Aerobic And Muscular Endurance Based Resistance Exercises On The Cardiorespiratory System In College Age Females, Victoria Streif

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cardiorespiratory response in college age females, between the ages of 19 and 24, before and after participating in a six week moderate-vigorous aerobic exercise program compared to a six week moderate-vigorous aerobic exercise program combined with a muscular endurance based resistance training program. Specifically, which mode of exercise has the most significant effect on cardiorespiratory fitness? Methods: Twelve sedentary college age females between the ages of 19 to 24 years, with a mean age of 20.9 years, participated in the study. Eligible participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: …


A Qualitative Study Exploring Women’S Beliefs About Physical Activity After Stillbirth, Jennifer Huberty, Jason Coleman, Katherine Rolfsmeyer, Serena Wu Jan 2014

A Qualitative Study Exploring Women’S Beliefs About Physical Activity After Stillbirth, Jennifer Huberty, Jason Coleman, Katherine Rolfsmeyer, Serena Wu

Health and Kinesiology Faculty Publications

Background: Research provides strong evidence for improvements in depressive symptoms as a result of physical activity participation in many populations including pregnant and post-partum women. Little is known about how women who have experienced stillbirth (defined as fetal death at 20 or more weeks of gestation) feel about physical activity or use physical activity following this experience. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively explore women’s beliefs about physical activity following a stillbirth.

Methods: This was an exploratory qualitative research study. Participants were English-speaking women between the ages of 19 and 44 years who experienced a stillbirth …


Comparing Distance-Based Vs. Time-Based Exercise Prescriptions Of Walking And Running For Improvement Of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors, Cody Edward Morris Jan 2014

Comparing Distance-Based Vs. Time-Based Exercise Prescriptions Of Walking And Running For Improvement Of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors, Cody Edward Morris

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The many benefits of participation in a regular physical activity program are well-documented (Haskell et al., 2007; Pate et al., 1995). Brisk walking and jogging are commodes of exercise that is easily measured and evaluated by a self-report method that is comin both clinical and research settings. Some research has suggested that walking for distance as opposed to walking for time may be a stronger predictor of overall amount of accumulated exercise or physical activity (Williams, 2012a). To our knowledge, research has not been conducted directly comparing a distance-based versus time-based brisk walking prescription for the improvement of cardiovascular risk …


Planned Missing Data Designs & Small Sample Size: How Small Is Too Small?, Fan Jia, E. Whitney G. Moore, Richard Kinai, Kelly S. Crowe, Alexander M. Schoemann, Todd D. Little Jan 2014

Planned Missing Data Designs & Small Sample Size: How Small Is Too Small?, Fan Jia, E. Whitney G. Moore, Richard Kinai, Kelly S. Crowe, Alexander M. Schoemann, Todd D. Little

Kinesiology, Health and Sport Studies

Utilizing planned missing data (PMD) designs (ex. 3-form surveys) enables researchers to ask participants fewer questions during the data collection process. An important question, however, is just how few participants are needed to effectively employ planned missing data designs in research studies. This paper explores this question by using simulated three-form planned missing data to assess analytic model convergence, parameter estimate bias, standard error bias, mean squared error (MSE), and relative efficiency (RE).Three models were examined: a one-time point, cross-sectional model with 3 constructs; a two-time point model with 3 constructs at each time point; and a three-time point, mediation …


Psychometric Support For The Ownership In Exercise And Empowerment In Exercise Scales, E. Whitney G. Moore, Mary D. Fry Jan 2014

Psychometric Support For The Ownership In Exercise And Empowerment In Exercise Scales, E. Whitney G. Moore, Mary D. Fry

Kinesiology, Health and Sport Studies

This study’s purpose was to examine the psychometric properties of two new scales developed to quantitatively measure participants’ ownership in exercise classes and empowerment with respect to exercise. These two outcome measures will compliment Achievement Goal Perspective Theory (AGPT) grounded research to better understand participants’ exercise experiences. College exercise class participants (N = 414; Mage = 21.25 years; 67% female) completed the survey during the last two weeks of a semester. Measurement invariance was assessed by a two-group (i.e., male and female) confirmatory factor analysis and used Mplus’ cluster option to account for the data’s nested nature. Strong …


Biomechanics Of Slips In Alternative Footwear, Harish Chander Jan 2014

Biomechanics Of Slips In Alternative Footwear, Harish Chander

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Injuries in the workplace pose a significant burden to the health of human beings as well as financial or economic losses to occupational organizations. Slips, trips and an induced loss of balance have been identified as the major causative factor for workplace injuries involving falls (Courtney et al, 2001; Redfern et al, 2001). The bureau of labor statistics reported 15% of a total of 4,693 workplace fatalities and a total of 299,090 cases of non-fatal workplace injuries that were due to slips, trips and falls (BLS, 2011). The purpose of the study was to analyze the biomechanics of human locomotion …


Greater Polar Moment Of Inertia At The Tibia In Athletes Who Develop Stress Fractures, Lee A. Weidauer, Teresa Binkley, Matthew Vukovich, Bonny Specker Jan 2014

Greater Polar Moment Of Inertia At The Tibia In Athletes Who Develop Stress Fractures, Lee A. Weidauer, Teresa Binkley, Matthew Vukovich, Bonny Specker

Health and Nutritional Sciences Faculty Publications

Background: Several previous investigations have determined potential risk factors for stress fractures in athletes and military personnel.
Purpose: To determine factors associated with the development of stress fractures in female athletes.
Study Design:
Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3.
Methods: A total of 88 female athletes (cross-country, n ¼ 29; soccer, n ¼ 15; swimming, n ¼ 9; track and field, n ¼ 14; volleyball, n ¼ 12; and basketball, n ¼ 9) aged 18 to 24 years were recruited to participate in a longitudinal bone study and had their left distal tibia at the 4%, 20%, and 66% sites …


Alterations And Specifications Of Excess Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption: A Review, Genevieve Kocoloski, Anne R. Crecelius Jan 2014

Alterations And Specifications Of Excess Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption: A Review, Genevieve Kocoloski, Anne R. Crecelius

Health and Sport Science Faculty Publications

This review describes oxygen consumption, both in terms of a goal of weight management and aerobic training. It introduces excess postexercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) and the benefits that can come from it. EPOC can aid in weight management as a means to continue to expend energy even after exercise has ceased. This review also discusses the many determinants of EPOC and analyzes the effects of various conditions on the elevated consumption. Such conditions include duration and intensity of exercise, training status, and supplementation. Later discussed are the possible underlying mechanisms and how they are responsible for EPOC. Although they have …


Effects Of Imagery On Effort Perception And Cycling Endurance, Selen Razon, Kyle Mandler, Guler Arsal, Umit Tokac, Gershon Tenenbaum Jan 2014

Effects Of Imagery On Effort Perception And Cycling Endurance, Selen Razon, Kyle Mandler, Guler Arsal, Umit Tokac, Gershon Tenenbaum

Kinesiology Faculty Publications

The effect of associative and dissociative imagery was tested on a range of psychological-, physiological-, and performance-related variables during a progressive cycling task using a quantitative approach. Participants (n ¼ 45) were randomly assigned to dissociative imagery, associative imagery, and no imagery conditions and performed a progressive cycling task at 10% above anaerobic threshold up to the point of volitional fatigue. Rate of perceived exertion (RPE), attention focus, and heart rate were monitored and assessed at 1-min intervals. Lactic acid (LA) accumulation was recorded at RPE ¼ 5 (i.e. “strong effort”) and at the point of volitional fatigue. A series …


Influence Of Whole-Body Vibration On Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness, Cecilia Drennen Jan 2014

Influence Of Whole-Body Vibration On Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness, Cecilia Drennen

Honors Theses

Exercise induced muscle damage (EIMD) results in delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Whole body vibration (WBV) may be a method that can be implemented to allow a subject suffering from DOMS to recover more quickly. The purpose of this study was to determine if WBV aids in managing symptoms of EIMD over a recovery period of 72 hours and to determine the effects of WBV on jumping performance following exercise-induced muscle damage. Measurements of performance like vertical jump height, peak-Z force, and pain pressure threshold were recorded. Twenty-seven recreationally trained females participated, and were damaged by performance of the eccentric …


A Comparison Of Two Diabetic Education Programs Designed To Treat Adult Onset Diabetes Mellitus, Katelyn Dian O'Rear Jan 2014

A Comparison Of Two Diabetic Education Programs Designed To Treat Adult Onset Diabetes Mellitus, Katelyn Dian O'Rear

Kinesiology Theses - Archive

The purpose of this study was to compare the diabetic education programs of two certified diabetic dietitians, one with heavy focus on diet and the other with focus on exercise, over 6 months to determine which program was more successful in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. A total of 40 randomly selected subjects that met the criteria for having type 2 diabetes mellitus were separated into 2 groups (exercise and diet). Participants in each group had an initial evaluation of their body mass index, hemoglobin A1c, morning fasting blood sugar, waist circumference, weight, and blood pressure. These measures were …


Mechanomyographic Parameter Extraction Methods: An Appraisal For Clinical Applications, Morufu Olusola Ibitoye, Nur Azah Hamzaid, Jorge M. Zuniga, Nazirah Hasnan, Ahmad Khairi Abdul Wahab Jan 2014

Mechanomyographic Parameter Extraction Methods: An Appraisal For Clinical Applications, Morufu Olusola Ibitoye, Nur Azah Hamzaid, Jorge M. Zuniga, Nazirah Hasnan, Ahmad Khairi Abdul Wahab

Journal Articles

The research conducted in the last three decades has collectively demonstrated that the skeletal muscle performance can be alternatively assessed by mechanomyographic signal (MMG) parameters. Indices of muscle performance, not limited to force, power, work, endurance and the related physiological processes underlying muscle activities during contraction have been evaluated in the light of the signal features. As a non-stationary signal that reflects several distinctive patterns of muscle actions, the illustrations obtained from the literature support the reliability of MMG in the analysis of muscles under voluntary and stimulus evoked contractions. An appraisal of the standard practice including the measurement theories …


Effects On Oxygen Consumption And Metabolic Gene Expression When Determining Experimental Exercise Intensity Based On Exercise Capacity Tests Conducted In Hypoxic And Normoxic Environments, Dustin Slivka, Matthew Ws Heesch, Charles L. Dumke, John S. Cuddy, Walter S. Hailes, Brent C. Ruby Jan 2014

Effects On Oxygen Consumption And Metabolic Gene Expression When Determining Experimental Exercise Intensity Based On Exercise Capacity Tests Conducted In Hypoxic And Normoxic Environments, Dustin Slivka, Matthew Ws Heesch, Charles L. Dumke, John S. Cuddy, Walter S. Hailes, Brent C. Ruby

Health and Kinesiology Faculty Publications

Abstract: Exercise intensity can be set relative to VO2 max measured during hypoxic or control conditions in studies investigating exercise in hypoxic environments. It currently is not clear which is the most appropriate method.

Objective: The objective of this brief report is to determine the response to 1 hour of cycling at 60% of peak power when measured in either normoxic or hypoxic conditions.

Methods: Eleven recreationally active male participants (24 ± 4 yrs, 173 ± 20 cm, 82 ± 12 kg, 15.2 ± 7.1% fat, 4.0 ± 0.6 L x min-1 VO2 max) completed two 1 …


Training Strategies And Movement Assessments In Athletes And Non-Athletes, Matthew David Lewis Jan 2014

Training Strategies And Movement Assessments In Athletes And Non-Athletes, Matthew David Lewis

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

This dissertation is composed of three manuscripts based on two studies related to training and assessment methods used to evaluate change and overall quality in measures of performance, postural control, and functional movement. Study one evaluated the effect of sand training on athletic performance and postural control. Study two investigated the effect of scoring strata of the deep squat (DS) component of the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) on the weight-bearing lunge test (WBLT), Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT), and Lateral Flexion Test (LFT) in 101 male and female college students.

Study one results included significant overall improvements of the five …


Effect Of Body Mass Index On Post-Exercise Hemodynamic Responses, Stephanie M. Moore Jan 2014

Effect Of Body Mass Index On Post-Exercise Hemodynamic Responses, Stephanie M. Moore

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

To assess the relationships of body mass index (BMI) on arterial stiffness at rest and post-maximal treadmill graded exercise testing (GXT).

Forty-four apparently healthy, young adult males (22.1 ± 0.48 years) were recruited and divided into either a healthy weight (H, ≤24.9 kg/m2), overweight (OV, 24.9-29.9 kg/m2) or obese (OB, ≥29.9 kg/m2) group based on BMI. All subjects underwent arterial stiffness (carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, cfPWV), blood pressure (BP), pulse pressure (PP), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and body composition (bioelectrical impedance analysis, BIA) measurements at rest. Following the GXT, measures of arterial stiffness (cfPWV) …


The Anti-Inflammatory Effects Of Vitamin D And Exercise, Laura Ann Forney Jan 2014

The Anti-Inflammatory Effects Of Vitamin D And Exercise, Laura Ann Forney

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Elevated inflammation is associated with several chronic diseases, including obesity. Exercise is an established effective treatment of this condition by decreasing adiposity and independently regulating inflammatory pathways. The potential for vitamin D to confer anti-inflammatory benefits has been explored in cell culture studies, but few have explored its action at the whole body level. PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between inflammatory markers in trained and untrained individuals with vitamin D levels either above or below a suggested optimal concentration. METHODS: College-aged females (N = 63), both trained and untrained, reported to the lab four times: to assess body size and …


The Effects Of Respiratory Muscle Warm-Up On Exercise Performance And Pulmonary Functions, Dennis Jonathan Guillot Jan 2014

The Effects Of Respiratory Muscle Warm-Up On Exercise Performance And Pulmonary Functions, Dennis Jonathan Guillot

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Effect of a Specific Respiratory Warm-up on Run Performance, Pulmonary Functions, and Rating of Perceived Breathing The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a respiratory warm-up for five minutes using an inspiratory/expiratory (IEC) device on pulmonary function (PFT) (FVC, FEV©û, FEF 25-75%, PEF), rate of perceived exertional (RPE) breathing, and performance time [300 yard shuttle run (300y) and 1.5 mile run (1.5m)] in asthmatics and non-asthmatics. Ten non-asthmatics males (22.6¡¾7.4 years) participated in phase I, twenty non-asthmatic males (24.2¡¾9.8 years) in phase II, and five asthmatics (20.8¡¾3.2 years) in phase III of this study. The Phase …


An Examination Of Behavioral And Temporal Consistency Of Pre-Performance Routines In Ncaa Division I Basketball Free Throw Shooting – A Naturalist Observational Investigation, Jacob Blumberg Jan 2014

An Examination Of Behavioral And Temporal Consistency Of Pre-Performance Routines In Ncaa Division I Basketball Free Throw Shooting – A Naturalist Observational Investigation, Jacob Blumberg

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Research has shown that pre-performance routines positively influence performance of closed and self-paced skills (Boutcher & Crews, 1987; Cohn, 1990; Otto et al., 2011). Boutcher and Crews (1987) suggested that pre-performance routines improve performance by helping reduce anxiety along with helping athletes’ retain mental sharpness and focus. Furthermore, several quantitative studies have examined the influence of both behavioral and temporal consistency of pre-performance routines on the success of a skill, yielding inconsistent results (Boutcher & Crews, 1987; Lobmeyer & Wasserman, 1986; Lonsdale & Tam, 2008; Jackson, 2003). However, research examining this phenomenon from a qualitative and naturalistic observational perspective is …


Parental Pressure, Anxiety, And Performance Among Age Group Swimmers, Timothy Michael Dasinger Jan 2014

Parental Pressure, Anxiety, And Performance Among Age Group Swimmers, Timothy Michael Dasinger

LSU Master's Theses

Background/Purpose: Parents introduce children to youth sport and can increase a child’s level of enjoyment in the sport. However, parents can also place too much pressure on the child, which can lead to increased pre-competition anxiety and decreased performance (Bois, Lalanne, & Delforge, 2008; Scanlan & Lewthwaite, 1984). The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among perceived and desired parental pressure, pre-competition state anxiety, subsequent performance, and intention to continue the sport in youth swimmers ages 9-18. Method: A sample of 43 swimmers (17 male, 26 female; M=12.8±2.6 years) on a United States Swimming (USS) sanctioned club …