Sports Studies Commons^™

Cultivating Gratitude In Christian Sport Professionals, Julie Powell

CSKLS Annual Conference

Using the framework of the eight dimensions of wellness and the five habits of a flourishing life, this presentation will focus on how to cultivate the virtue of gratitude and thanksgiving in order to combat the undesirable vice of entitlement. This presentation will outline what gratitude is, how we express it, and how to embody it as a part of our character. Cultivating a grateful disposition can be the result of practicing spiritual disciplines and the session will brainstorm ideas of how this might look in our current profession and in our personal lives.

Tough Conversations In The Classroom, Dale Connally, David Waddell

CSKLS Annual Conference

There are quite a few topics of discussion that can be difficult within the curricula for Recreation and Leisure, Health Professions, Sport and other disciplines within CSKLS. These might include environmental stewardship, immigration, political funding for programs, LGTBQ matters, racial discrimination, and DEI. We will explore some approaches gleaned from secular pedagogy sources. We will present useful techniques for planning discussions, facilitating, and following up after discussion. We will discuss differences between teaching at a public institution and a faith-based institution. The presenters will give a couple of examples from their classes for discussion. Attendees will be encouraged to engage …

Investigating The Instagram Comments Of Professional Soccer Players: The Impact Of Social Media On Athletic Performance, Samuel Carlson Winchester

Quantitative Social Science Undergraduate Senior Theses

Since the rise of social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, many celebrities have spoken out about the influence social media has on their mental health. Among the most vocal have been professional athletes, who have highlighted the hateful comments and direct messages they receive from fans on social media platforms. In some cases, athletes have even chosen to step away from social media to avoid the toxicity of their timeline. Accordingly, researchers have studied the impact social media has on professional athletes’ mental health, in some cases focusing on how social media can negatively impact professional athletes’ athletic …

Bridge The Gap: Using Advocacy To Bridge The Gender Wage Gap In Sports - A Comparative Analysis Of Venus Williams And The Us Women’S National Team, William E. Mitchell

Student Theses and Dissertations

For decades sports and activism have been synonymous. Many remember Jesse Owens and Tommie Smith’s Olympic protests, Mohammed Ali’s anti-war protest and Collin Kaepernick kneeling to bring attention to racial injustices. More recently many joined in celebration and applauded when the US Women’s National Team secured equal pay. However, many women in sports remain invisible. Activism is a viable form of seeking change, but can the route taken by Venus Williams work in team sports? This project will seek to examine if activism is a viable change agent in sports especially in closing the gender pay gap. While several female …

Baseball Decision-Making: Optimizing At-Bat Simulations, Varun Gopal, Krithika Kondakindi, Nibhrat Lohia, Morgan Williams

SMU Data Science Review

Pitch selection in baseball plays a crucial role, involving pitchers, catchers, and batters working together. This practice, dating back to early baseball, has seen teams try various methods to gain an advantage. This research aims to use reinforcement learning and pitch-by-pitch Statcast data to improve batting strategies. It also builds on previous statistical work (sabermetrics) to make better choices in pitch selection and plate discipline. The dataset used, including over 700,000 pitches for each full season and 200,000 pitches for the COVID-shortened 2020 season, encompasses a wealth of crucial metrics including pitch release point, velocity, and launch angle. This study …

Scoping Review On The Use And Meaning Of Sport In Prison And After Detention, Marie-Lou Libbrecht, Pascal Delheye, Rosie Meek, Rudi Roose

Journal of Prison Education Research

The aim of this study was to provide knowledge on existing literature and research regarding the use and meaning of sports during and after incarceration. To achieve this, a scoping review was conducted, entering one hundred and seventeen combinations of search terms related to sports and incarceration into Google Scholar and Web of Science, focusing on titles and/or key terms. Ultimately, one hundred and fifty-two publications were included in the scoping review. The identified literature and research on 'the meaning of sports during and after detention' discuss the outcomes related to physical and mental health, behaviour, and the rehabilitation of …

Du Undergraduate Showcase Abstracts: Research, Scholarship, And Creative Works, August Alexander, Kevin Summers, E. Paige Lloyd, Alyssa Aragon, Lauren Wols, Erica Larson, Colton Arciniaga, Lily Baeza, Ellie Barnett-Cashman, Sidney Barbier, Maverick Bartholomew, Ryan Bell, Trevor Briggs, Amanda Brown, Cory Marchi, Maddy Pontius, Jennifer Gallagher, Claire Kwok, Channing Bullock, Alex Mccollister, Kim Gorgens, Daniela Chavez, Yamilet Espinoza Nuñez, Giovanni Valladares Giron, William Christensen, Olivia Kachulis, Daniel Cierasynski, Brandon Cohen, Spenser Dobbs, Lindsay Goolsby, Noah Craver, Nyah Cubbison, Liam Doherty, Nicole Doris, Yan Qin, Alexander Nguyen, Lily Harmon, Shubh Todi, Naichen Zhao, Noah Fagello, Stacia Fritz, Paola Gascot-Chinea, Alex Volkova, Janelyn Geronimo, Elsie Harrington, Shane Simmons, Clarice Hise, Laura Moreno Palmer, Henry Xu, Yesu Leela Pasupula, Emily Fisher, Zachary Hogan, Colin Kleckner, Alyssa Knaus, Erin Kubat, Sam Werkema, Katie Lamberton, Lilliya Larson, Allie Leary, Vanessa Leon-Gamez, James H. Gallagher, E. Dale Broder, Robin M. Tinghitella, Emma Loeber, Alina Mali, Ixchel Marquez, Lauren Mcgrath, Ella Matthews, Grace Naegelen, Audrey Ng, Megan Lucyshyn, Rachel Brough, Alexandra Norman, Joe Ontiveros Rodriguez, Ben Dossett, Ori Miller, Janamejay Sharma, Christopher Reardon, Vincent Pandey, Regan Parish, Ren Pratt, Alisha Pravasi, Sanchari Das, Cari Reichel, Emma Robson, Victoria Rockwell, Jayce Rumsey, Steven Said, Norah Schroder, Alaina Smith, Shannon Murphy, Shujan A. Sharafeldeen, Stanley M. Kanai, James T. Nichols, David E. Clouthier, Macalia R. Augustus, Daniel Silva Rios, Scott Simpson, Anna Sparling, Chase Spurbeck, Kimberly Chiew, Christine Stadnik-Poteroba, Jacqueline Stephenson, Evelyn Stovin, Mia Supan, Lauren Tapper, Will Thrush, Anna Vogt, Michaela Walheim, Jon Weber, Hunter Whitehouse, Kansas Wood, Hayley Sayre, Lydia Mccann, Maread Mclaughlin, Kelly Krumrie, Olivia Wuttke

DU Undergraduate Research Journal Archive

Abstracts from the DU Undergraduate Research Showcase.

The Extent Of The Effectiveness Of Sports Activity In Centers Designated For People With Disabilities From The Point Of View Of The Directors Of The Centers, Ra'fat Al'dily, Qutiba Al-Harahsha, Khaled Al-Reqeb, Musa'ab Al-Abdallat, Hamzah Al-Mobiden

Jordan Journal of Applied Science-Humanities Series

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of sports activities in centers designated for people with disabilities from the perspective of the centers' directors, considering variables such as gender (male, female), years of experience, and educational qualifications. The researchers used a descriptive approach, which is suited to the study's objectives. Data were collected using a questionnaire comprising 26 items. The study population included 120 principals and directors of centers for people with disabilities across all governorates of the Kingdom, with a sample of 60 principals and directors chosen randomly. To achieve the study's objectives, data were collected through an electronic …

The Effect Of Grip Strength On The Attack Accuracy Of The Three Weapons For Fencing Players In Jordan, Anas Al-Kayeed, Khaled Atiyat, Yaqoub Al-Qahwaji, Odeh El-Fauri, Mohammad Mosameh

Jordan Journal of Applied Science-Humanities Series

This study aimed to examine the effect of grip strength on the attack accuracy of the three weapons for fencing players in Jordan. The descriptive method was employed due to its suitability for the nature and objectives of the study. The study population comprised 50 fencers from the Jordan Fencing Federation national team, and the study sample consisted of 20 fencers from the same federation. After conducting the study tests and processing the results using the SPSS program, it was found that there are statistically significant differences in the effect of grip strength on attack accuracy. The researchers concluded that …

Sport As A Means Of Emancipation: A Global Feminist Perspective, Exploring The Case Study Of Sahrawi Athlete Inma Zanoguera, Olivia Alexandre

Master's Theses

This thesis explores how sport can serve as an effective means of emancipation against intersecting forms of oppression, framed in the colonial context of Western Sahara. Through the case study of Sahrawi athlete and activist Inma Zanoguera, this research examines the emancipatory potential of athletics at the intersection of feminism, decolonization and the pursuit of self-determination.

Chronicling the multidimensional journey of Inma Zanoguera, her narrative becomes the vehicle of a bigger message : How athletic pursuits provide a platform for subverting entrenched systems of patriarchal, racial and political oppression. As Zanoguera states, "I believe in the power of sports to …

Factors Influencing Fans To Attend Matches Amid Pandemic: Exploring The Role Of Trio Of Team Affiliation, Sportscape, And Team Quality, Shani Bashiru, Ahmed Jamal Iddrisu, Cyracus B. Bapuuroh, George Anane Takyi, Alhassan Bunyaminu, Zakari Bukari

The Qualitative Report

Football is a sport that has attracted global attention. Individuals who attend competitive football associate with teams and athletes to a point where they become ardent attendees. Post-pandemic, fans have returned in droves to watch live matches at stadiums following the relaxation of strict observance of safety protocols. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to determine the factors that prompt fans to attend matches during games by focusing on three main factors including team affiliation, sportscape and star players. We used a qualitative phenomenological approach to obtain deeper comprehension regarding factors that influence fans to crowd at stadiums to …

Examination Of Sex-Differences In Neuromuscular Function Following Acute Bouts Of High- Vs Low-Load Resistance Exercise, Avery S. King

Poster Presentations

High-load resistance training (>70% 1 repetition maximum (RM)) is commonly believed to be the superior method for producing neuromuscular adaptation with a resistance exercise program. Recent research has shown that lower-load resistance training (

Manque De Réussite : Le Préjudice Dans Le Football Français, Will Bedell

World Languages and Cultures Senior Capstones

Despite being called The Beautiful Game, soccer in France has a few issues that take away from its beauty. This presentation aims to identify the causes and reasons behind the issues of racism, homophobia, and sexism which plague the French soccer scene. By looking at the causes of these from within French culture, history, and their society we can hope to understand why they exist as well as to establish the sources from which these issues arise.

Social Identity Theory In Emergency Response Organizations, Erik J. Litzenberg

Health, Exercise, and Sports Sciences ETDs

Emergency response organizations operate in an increasingly complex environment and could benefit from further understanding of culture. While there is not a single measure of culture, Social Identity Theory (SIT) examines the effect of group informed identities on individual perceptions and group participation. The purpose of this study was to explore SIT as it relates to emergency response organizations. A survey was shared with responders across the United States; a total of 397 responses were collected and analyzed. Social identification and groupness scores were relatively high (Mean = 5.40 on a scale of 1-7; Mean = 7.29 on a scale …

The Relationship Between Social Cognition And Team Cohesion In Collegiate Athletes, Jessica Pegg

Master's Theses

Thesis Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between social cognition and team cohesion in Division III collegiate athletes. Methods: A total of 103 athletes from SUNY Cortland participated. Two questionnaires were used: social cognition was assessed via the Tromsø Social Intelligence Scale (TSIS), and team cohesion was assessed via the Group Environment Questionnaire (GEQ). The two questionnaires, along with demographics, were completed online. Analysis: Pearson’s bivariate correlations were analyzed to assess the relationships among TSIS total score, GEQ total score, and GEQ social cohesion for the total sample and separately by sports season and sports type. Linear …

Greening The Green: Examining The Resource Use Of Golf Courses With Suggestions On How To Improve Their Sustainability, Kaelan Addison Lestock '24

Honor Scholar Theses

Golf is a journey full of challenges, requiring each player to strive for precision, rather than merely a game of getting a small, dimpled ball in a cup hundreds of yards away in the fewest strokes possible The game is both physical and mental; it tests one’s focus, decision making, and resilience. Those who play competitively rarely feel as though they are competing against another player, instead their opponent is the course. And for those who play recreationally, the game can be a time to reconnect with nature, foster both old and new friendships, or enjoy the pursuit for perfection. …

Change In Academic Self-Efficacy Across Gender And Year In School For Undergraduate Sport Management Students, Jarid Morton

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Academic self-efficacy (ASE) is a construct derived from social cognitive theory developed to assess an individuals perceived competence in academia. It has been found to significantly relate to academic achievement. Students scoring higher in ASE are more likely to obtain higher cumulative grade point averages and higher test scores. Studies assessing ASE have examined degree programs such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (i.e., STEM), business, and the humanities. Despite the wide scope of fields studied, sport management programs have yet to be assessed. This study aims to fill this gap. Part of the study aimed to construct a valid …

The Effect Of Mindfulness Training On Muscular Endurance Exercise Performance, Mindfulness, And Mental Toughness, Donte Mcgee

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

INTRODUCTION: Mindfulness training is a method of mental training becoming increasingly popular and has been positively associated with mental toughness, which may be valuable in highly fatiguing and stressful activities, like endurance exercise. Mindfulness training has resulted in increased endurance performance, but limited literature exists on a similar modality, muscular endurance exercise. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of an acute bout of mindfulness meditation on muscular endurance performance, mindfulness, and mental toughness. METHODS: Participants (n=24) completed two sessions, a week apart, of three planks until fatigue, with one-minute rest intervals. Immediately following each plank, RPE …

Division-I Student-Athletes’ Socialization Out Of Sports: The Role Of Exit Circumstances And Interpersonal Support On Wellness, Hannah J. Gertz

All Theses

Student-athletes who compete at the Division-I level typically receive much public exposure and attention during their athletic careers, often leading them to form a high athletic identity. As such, they often need help transitioning away from the athletic competitor role following their retirement. This process, known as socialization out of sport (SOS), is characterized by a loss of purpose and identity for student-athletes and can harm their overall well-being and quality of life. Establishing the empirical associations between SOS's proposed characteristics/features (e.g., the impetus of SOS, educational status, athletic identity, and sense of closure) and former student-athletes’ subsequent life experiences …

Ncaa And Gender Equity: A Comparison Of The Men's And Women's Ncaa March Madness Tournament, Margarita E. Moreno

Whittier Scholars Program

This literature review examines how female athletes were treated during the NCAA March Madness Tournament in 2021 and examines the overall inequalities of female athletes within the NCAA. In 2021 Women's basketball was under the spotlight when female athletes started to shed light on these trends via social media apps like TikTok, sharing the inequalities they experienced during the March Madness tournament. This article conducts a comparative analysis of the men's and women's tournaments from 2021 while exploring the Gender Equity Review Phase I report conducted by Kaplan Hecker & Fink LLP. The gender equity review revealed that the planning …

The Influence Of Injury On Athlete's Confidence, Emily Faith Adkison

Whittier Scholars Program

Traumatic injuries such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears, shoulder dislocations, and concussions influence athletes' confidence. There are various emotional responses to injury and the rehabilitation process which can influence recovery and the athlete’s ability to confidently succeed at the collegiate level. The two purposes of this study are to assess how traumatic injuries in high school affects an athlete’s confidence as they transition to collegiate athletics and to assess how a traumatic injury influences athlete’s recruitment process. The average confidence to succeed at the collegiate level before suffering a traumatic injury was 8.2 ± 1.92 and significantly decreased to …

The Tripartite Influence Model Of Body Image And Disordered Eating Among Female Athletes: Testing An Expanded Model, Emma Nyrup Tonsberg

Honors Theses

The aim of the study was to investigate how different sources of sociocultural pressure (family, media, peers) described in the Tripartite Influence Model, and additions of teammate- and coach pressures, were associated with thinness-and muscularity internalization and appearance comparisons among athletes. Subsequently, these potential mechanisms were explored as predictors of disordered eating among athletes. Analyses included 71 female athletes. Athletes were recruited through a student subject pool recruitment portal, as well as with local and regional flyers and emails. Participants completed a series of self-report measures in Qualtrics. Hierarchical linear regression analysis was utilized to test the hypotheses. Partial support …

Beyond The Field: Exploring Identity, Spiritual Growth, And Community Through The Fellowship Of Christian Athletes, Kyle Barileau

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

For this Capstone Project, the researchers investigated Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) representatives’ views on bringing student-athletes to have a relationship with Christ and why they think it is important. Based on an analysis of the data and the relevant research literature, the researchers used what they have learned to formulate an action that responds to improving FCA in a way that inspires, informs, or involves a particular audience. This is important because student-athletes need a sense of community and safe space to express their relationship with God. It is argued that having a relationship with Christ is important, especially …

Tripartite Influence Model Of Body Image And Disordered Eating Among Female Athletes: Testing An Expanded Model, Emma Nyrup Tonsberg

Poster Presentations

The aim of the study was to investigate how different sources of sociocultural pressure (family, media, peers) described in the Tripartite Influence Model, and additions of teammate- and coach pressures, were associated with thinness-and muscularity internalization and appearance comparisons among athletes. Subsequently, these potential mechanisms were explored as predictors of disordered eating among athletes. Analyses included 71 female athletes. Athletes were recruited through a student subject pool recruitment portal, as well as with local and regional flyers and emails. Participants completed a series of self-report measures in Qualtrics. Hierarchical linear regression analysis was utilized to test the hypotheses. Partial support …

Concussions In Paralympic Sports: A Systematic Review, B. Singh, R. Gemmerich, T. Ziegler, I. Helmich

Exercise and Sport Studies: Faculty Publications

› Introduction: The Paralympic movement has grown rapidly over the last few years. As participation in Para sports increases, so do its sport-related injuries. A particular injury constitutes sport-related concussions (SRC). However, the data regarding its epidemiology in Para sports has been inadequately researched. Therefore, this review aimed to investigate the occurrence of SRC in Para sports. › Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. › Results: 13 articles were included in this review. Wheelchair Basketball, Sledge Hockey, Blind Football, Para Swimming, Para Judo, and Para Skiing are most commonly affected by SRC. Sledge hockey reported …

Psychology Of Athletes: Impact Of Injuries On Mental Health, Caitlin Rainey

Whittier Scholars Program

This article aims to contextualize the importance of understanding injuries in athletics and how those injuries impact mental health. With such a high prevalence of injuries in athletics, most studies analyze the physical implications on the athlete. It is vital that mental well being is studied as much as physical health throughout the injury and rehabilitation process. This study reviewed previous literature on the social impacts of team sports, psychological and social implications of injury, the impact of residual pain, and finally the process of retirement. A survey was also conducted at a small liberal arts college in Southern California …

Positive Psychology In The Ncaa: Amplifying The Power And Uplifting The Voices Of Student Athletes In Multiple Mental Health Studies, Ashley C. Green

Dissertations

Mental health resources and programming in the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) continues to expand in research and implementation in collegiate athletic departments of all institutions. This study sought to respond to and expand on dissertation research conducted by Dr. Heather Ryan (2021), an administrator in the athletic department at Duke University, and Dr. Chelsi Day (2011) previously the sport psychologist from Ohio State University athletics, and currently for the National Basketball Association (NBA) team, the Memphis Grizzlies. Both are identified as experts regarding student-athlete research regarding mental health needs and accessibility within the NCAA. Topics of research evaluated for …

“Playing The Blame Game”: How Social Media Users Make Sense Of Coach-Athlete Sexual Violence And Institutional Betrayal, Claire Waddell

All Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to explore how users of the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) responded to and assigned responsibility in two cases of coach-athlete sexual violence in elite North American sport. The cases of Kyle Beach, formerly of the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League, and Mana Shim and Sinead Farrelly, both formerly of the Portland Thorns of the National Women’s Soccer League, were chosen for analysis because they represent the blending of (masculinized) sports culture and (feminized) sexual violence within the unique context of professional North American sports. A convenience sample of …

Understanding The Experiences Of Para-Collegiate Student- Athletes: A Mixed Methods Study, Derek Whaley

All Dissertations

Experiences are the impressions developed through gaining, using, fostering, and sometimes disposing of a service or product. Recent years have shown an ongoing emphasis placed on experiences and their impacts; one of particular interest for this study are the experiences of para-collegiate student-athletes. Using the Experience Type Framework (ETF) and the Extraordinary Impact Scale (EIS), the purpose of this study was to understand the experience of involvement in intercollegiate sports among adaptive student-athletes. This study employed an explanatory sequential mixed methods design, using quantitative and qualitative data to understand the adaptive student-athlete experience. Phase I (n = 30) used the …

Breathpro: Monitoring Breathing Mode During Running With Earables, Changshuo Hu, Thivya Kandappu, Yang Liu, Cecilia Mascolo, Dong Ma

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Running is a popular and accessible form of aerobic exercise, significantly benefiting our health and wellness. By monitoring a range of running parameters with wearable devices, runners can gain a deep understanding of their running behavior, facilitating performance improvement in future runs. Among these parameters, breathing, which fuels our bodies with oxygen and expels carbon dioxide, is crucial to improving the efficiency of running. While previous studies have made substantial progress in measuring breathing rate, exploration of additional breathing monitoring during running is still lacking. In this work, we fill this gap by presenting BreathPro, the first breathing mode monitoring …