Sports Studies Commons^™

Examination Of Mental Health And Family Relationship In Collegiate Athletes, Julia Hussey

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Athletes at the collegiate level frequently experience unique stressors that cause them to be at risk for a number of mental health difficulties, including depression, anxiety, and substance use. Current research in the field suggests that athletes are not as likely as their non-athlete peers to seek out psychological services for mental health difficulties. Social supports have been shown to impact athletes’ mental health and sport performance. Specifically, family relationships appear to have an influence on athletes’ level of stress and motivation, with positive family relationships showing decreases in athletes’ worry as well as faster recovery following injury. Surprisingly, there …

One Team: A Historical Analysis Of Inequalities Between Men's And Women's Professional Soccer, Allyson O. Braciska

Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies Student Scholarship

The United States Soccer Federation (U.S.S.F.) governs the sport of soccer at the youth recreational, teen elite, and adult professional levels, and is one of the few organizations in the country that governs both the men’s and women’s sides of the respective sport. This paper examines differences between U.S. men's and women's soccer at the adult professional and identifies areas of discrimination based on gender. Inequalities experienced by women coaches and players include wage disparity, a lack of television broadcasting space, differences in sponsorships and media portrayal of players, unequal playing and living conditions, a shortage of women in positions …

Coaching Basketball Is Bigger Than X'S And O'S, Ayana Mcwilliams

Title III Professional Development Reports

There are many instances, as part of general conversation and interactions with others, the question “What do you do?” is asked. On the surface, this seems like a very simple question. However, for myself and coaches alike, this question is one that is very loaded. Yet, we simply reply, we coach. The typical response is, “Oh, okay. That’s pretty awesome and sounds like fun.” Most people tend to think that the job consist of hanging around the gym all day, encouraging, yelling, and instructing players on how to put the ball in the basket. Again, on the surface that’s a …

Student-Athletes’ Experiences With Racial Microaggressions In Sport: A Foucauldian Discourse Analysis, Sae-Mi Lee, Malayna B. Bernstein, Edward F. Etzel, Brian T. Gearity, Clayton R. Kuklick

The Qualitative Report

Despite growing research on racial microaggressions as a subtle but prevalent form of racial discrimination, research on microaggressions in sport and their effects on the psychosocial wellbeing of athletes is scarce. Moreover, some researchers question the legitimacy of microaggressions due to their subtle nature and inconsistency in how they are experienced (Lilienfeld, 2017). The purpose of this study was to examine U.S. collegiate student-athletes-of-color experiences with racial microaggressions in sport through a new theoretical lens, Foucauldian poststructuralist theory. We theorized microaggressions as an example of the daily panoptic gaze that leads to self-surveillance and the production of normalized individuals (Foucault, …

Gender Differences Associated With The Evolution Of Attributes Sought In Sports Apparel, Jami Adler

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Since the turn of the century, many things have changed around the world, with a focus on the athletic apparel and fashion industries. Using Fowler’s (1999) research regarding the attributes sought in sports apparel, this study serves as a replication to determine how attributes sought in sports apparel have evolved. Online surveying through Qualtrics was utilized for data collection. The research explored the trend of Athleisure and the rising demand for versatile clothing. The role of gender and its associated differences significantly influenced the attributes sought in sports apparel. In addition, this study explored three additional attributes that consumers evaluate …

Factors Contributing Towards Mental Toughness In Collegiate Athletes, Hannah Lucy Dunderdale

Student Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of four factors on mental toughness in collegiate athletes: sport type, psychological intervention use, competitive experience and competition level. 235 Arkansas State University athletes from a variety of sports, competition levels, and years of competitive experience participated in the study. Each participant completed a demographic questionnaire about their sporting background and use of psychological interventions, followed by the MTQ48 to measure mental toughness. The MANOVA found athletes who competed at the highest competition level, had significantly greater mental toughness scores overall and on every subscale of mental toughness. There was …

The Effects Of Dietary Nitrate Supplementation On Swimming Performance In Collegiate Swimmers 2018, Christopher Daniel Mosconi

Master's Theses

The desire for performance enhancement is a common goal amongst athletes. Recently a number of studies have reported various performance enhancing effects of dietary nitrate (NO3-) via beetroot juice (BRJ) supplementation. Research has indicated that the various performance enhancing effects of BRJ can be attributed to a decrease resting systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and submaximal volume of oxygen consumption (VO2), while increasing vasodilation and mitochondrial efficiency. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether BRJ supplementation improves swimming performance in collegiate level swimmers. Methods: Eight collegiate trained swimmers underwent a double-blind 5-day chronic supplementation …

Aspects Of Weight Management In Ncaa Division Iii Collegiate Wrestlers 2018, Matthew Martone B.S., Cscs

Master's Theses

Objective: The purpose of this study was to observe the weight management habits of division III collegiate wrestlers during the week leading up to a competition. Methods: Subjects reported to the lab on Monday morning after an overnight fast. Subjects were measured for height and weight and were asked to provide urine and blood samples for analysis of hydration and creatine kinase activity, respectively. Throughout the week, subjects were weighed in and out of practice to monitor daily weight fluctuations. Subjects also self-recorded all food and drink consumption throughout the 5-day period. On Saturday morning, approximately 1 hour before weigh-ins …

Name Of The Game: A Media Analysis Of Concussion Terminology In Documentary Film, Kaitlyn Graham

Honors Projects in Communication

This project explores the way concussions are communicated to us through the use of documentary film. By examining the use of concussion related terms, as well as the tone and general word choice, it can be seen that there are certain words and phrases that are commonly left out, and others that are used too much. The differences in the usage of these words and tones reflects the current concussion crisis occurring in many contact sports around the world. This media analysis was conducted with the goal of finding trends in how concussions are discussed depending on the sport and …

Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 93, No. 40, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

WKU campus newspaper reporting campus, athletic and Bowling Green, Kentucky news. This issue contains articles:

• Eiler, Olivia. Parking & Transportation Services Announces Zone Changes, Price Increases, New Services
• Kast, Monica & Andrew Henderson. Funds & Roses – Floral Shop, Agriculture
• Smith, Camryn. Kentucky Mesonet Releases New Weather App
• Ziege, Nicole. Timothy Caboni, Student Government Association President Respond to Harassment
• Marsupial Awards
• Austin, Emma. Exploring the Beauty of Las Catararatas del Iguazu
• Blackshire, Michael. Lost to the Streets – Gun Violence
• Zambrano, Max. Shop Campus is the New Buy Local
• Eaton, Tyler. Board of Regents Approves Greg Collins’ New Contract – …

The Effectiveness Of Men's Lacrosse Shoulder Pads In The Attenuation Of Linear Impact Forces 2018, Ryan S. Dambach

Master's Theses

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Men’s lacrosse is a sport that is growing in popularity. The mandatory shoulder pads have no limit of use standards and are rarely studied. The purpose of the study was to measure peak impact force (IF) of new and used lacrosse shoulder pads. METHODS: Six lacrosse shoulder pads, three new models (Warrior MPG 8.0 shoulder pad, STX Jolt shoulder pad and Warrior Player’s Club Hitlyte shoulder pad) and three used models of the same shoulder pads with at least four seasons of use (Warrior MPG shoulder pad, STX Jolt shoulder pad and Warrior Player’s Club Hitlyte shoulder pad) were …

The Effects Of A Low Dose Of Caffeine On Bat Swing Performance In Fatigued And Non-Fatigued Female Softball Athletes 2018, Brianna Ferchen

Master's Theses

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine if caffeine ingestion decreased time to contact (TTC), and increased peak hand speed (HS), peak bat barrel speed (BS), and power (P) during a softball bat swing by fatigued and non-fatigued female athletes from an NCAA Division III varsity softball team. Methods: A randomized, single blind counterbalanced design was used to determine if 200 mg of caffeinated gum produced an ergogenic effect on nine female softball players (mean ± SD; age: 19.4 ± 0.7 yrs; height: 169 ± 6 cm; weight: 76.85 ± 10.82 kg) during a softball swing after chewing …

Effects Of Competition Variables And Prior Attempts On Approach Run Velocity During A Pole Vaulter's Final Clearance 2018, Nathaniel S. Ashton

Master's Theses

Approach run velocity of a vaulter is strongly correlated to the highest height a vaulter clears in pole vault competition and the number of attempts taken throughout a competition influences pole vault strategy. Since approach run velocity greatly affects the crossbar height cleared and number of attempts affects time spent in the competition, perhaps a better approach to determine optimal competition strategy is to first identify how competition variables influence approach run velocity. The purpose of this study was to determine if the approach run velocity during a pole vaulter’s last clearance can be predicted by: (1) the number of …

The Relationship Between Stryd Power And Running Economy In Well-Trained Distance Runners 2018, Casey Austin

Master's Theses

A novel running wearable called the Stryd Summit footpod attaches to a runner’s right or left shoe and measures running power output. The developers of the product purport that the footpod’s power and form power measures may correlate with metabolic data gathered in a lab. PURPOSE: Explore the relationship between power output and running economy at threshold pace. METHODS: Seventeen well-trained distance runners, 9 males and 8 females, completed a running protocol at threshold pace. Participants ran two discontinuous four-minute stages: one with their self-selected cadence (SS), and one with cadence lowered by 10% (LC). Metabolic data, power, and form …

The Effects Of A Short-Term, Unilateral, Lower-Body Resistance Training Program On Balance In College-Aged Resistance-Trained Participants 2018., Daniel Semprini

Master's Theses

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a short-term, unilateral, lower-body resistance training program would significantly improve static and dynamic balance in experienced college-aged resistance-trained participants when compared to a control group’s regular, bilateral lower-body resistance training program. Participants: A total of twenty-four participants were recruited to participate in the study. Four participants ended up dropping out due to injury and time constraints, leaving the final total sample size at twenty. Methods: Participants completed a series of three questionnaires (International Fitness Scale, International Physical Activity, and Sociodemographic Questionnaire) and the informed consent. The participants were randomly divided …

Learning To Run On An Lbppt: Neuromuscular And Metabolic Adaptations 2018, Jordyn Naylon

Master's Theses

Previous research on lower body positive pressure (LBPP) treadmills have focused primarily on muscle activation (EMG), spatiotemporal variables, and metabolic differences from running on a standard treadmill. The current study aimed to establish the necessary accommodation time needed for runners to display reliable metabolic and neuromuscular responses on the LBPP treadmill. Fifteen habitually trained runners (11 males, 4 females, average± SD VO2Max=62.81 ± 5.43mL.kg-1.min-1) ran a total of 3, 15-minute trials on the AlterG® treadmill during a single testing session. For each trial, the AlterG® was set to support 30% of body weight at 70% of the speed at which …

The Economics Of The World Cup, Victor Matheson

Economics Department Working Papers

The quadrennial World Cup is perhaps the world’s most popular sporting event with millions of live fans and a worldwide television audience in the billions. It is also one of the most costly events to host with recent hosts countries such as Brazil and Russia spending around $12 billion putting on the tournament. This paper examines the costs and the benefits of hosting the World Cup with a focus on historical data and past economic impact studies.

The Effects Of Players’ Salary Level And A Salary Cap On The Revenue Of Professional Soccer Teams In The United States And England, Tyler Watson

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis serves as an examination of the relationship between players’ salaries and teams’ revenues for the American Major League Soccer and English Premier League. Historically, the salary cap imposed on teams playing in Major League Soccer has been heavily criticized of holding the league back. Comparisons have been made to leagues such as the English Premier League which assert that the limitation keeping Major League Soccer from attaining similar success is the presence of the salary cap. Data was gathered from the twenty teams in Major League Soccer and the twenty teams in the English Premier League for each …

Fantasy Football's Impact On Nfl Revenue, Joshua Hamby

Economics Undergraduate Honors Theses

This paper investigates the hypothesis that fantasy football positively influences NFL revenues. While there are many variables that may substantially influence NFL revenues, such as team by team and year by year variation, the estimations in this paper attempt to isolate the effects of fantasy football. Providing evidence of impacts attributable to fantasy football would be important information for parties involved with the NFL and/or fantasy football to better understand what is creating value for the league, players in the league, and the fantasy industry. This paper has results on estimations testing the impacts of both the fantasy participation explosion …

An Analysis Of Time Management As A Collegiate Student-Athlete, Owen Sammarone

Senior Honors Projects

Millions of individuals take the leap after high school to attend a two or four-year university. During the first couple years of college, students are introduced to the challenges and obstacles of balancing their time. This balance may include academics, clubs, sports, social events, and all of the above. Through my project, I focus my lens on the lives of collegiate student-athletes and how they are thrown into a hectic lifestyle, where perfecting your time management skills seems to be the only route to success.

More than 480,000 NCAA student-athletes compete in 24 sports every year (NCAA.org, 2018). Despite their …

Relationships Among Actual Motor Competence, Perceived Motor Competence And Health-Related Fitness In A College-Aged Population 2018, Samantha Moss

Master's Theses

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess relationships among actual motor competence, perceived motor competence, and health-related fitness in a college-aged population. Methods: A total of 76 participants from SUNY Cortland enrolled in an undergraduate Kinesiology course completed an informed consent form. Total data were obtained on 71 participants (male = 53; female = 18). Perceived motor competence (PMC) was assessed via the Physical Self Perception Profile questionnaire, which participants completed one week prior to remaining assessments. Motor competence (MC) was assessed by maximum throw and kick speed as well as maximum distance jumped. Health-related fitness (HRF) was …

Jumping Over The Hurdle : Examining And Overcoming The Barriers For Women In Intercollegiate Athletics Through Mentorship., Emma Mary Cohen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Given the evident underrepresentation of females working intercollegiate athletics at all levels, there is a growing need to understand the types of barriers that limit women and cause these disproportionate representation(Acosta & Carpenter, 2014; Staurowsky & Smith, 2016). There is also a need to explore the impact of meaningful mentorship to combat these apparent obstacles. The purpose of this study was to investigate the barriers women currently face as they enter the intercollegiate athletics workplace in entry-level positions and explore the role of mentors in their career success. Entry-level sport administrators are a demographic of the industry that has not …

A Qualitative Case Study Examination Of Athlete Ally Using Social Movement Theory., Samuel H. Schmidt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The following study answered the call for more social movement related studies in sport (Davis-Delano & Crosset, 2008) and lessened the paucity of literature on athlete activism. The purpose of this study was to examine a sport specific social movement organization, Athlete Ally, using Social Movement Theory. Social Movement Theory is guided by three tenets: Resource Mobilization Theory (Edwards & McCarthy, 2004), Political Process Theory (Kriesi, 2004), and Cultural Theory/Frame Analysis (Williams, 2004). Each of these tenets was used to examine the resources exchanged between Athlete Ally and their athlete constituents, determine the strategies for engaging with various sport (i.e. …

Type 2 Diabetes Impairs The Ability Of Skeletal Muscle Pericytes To Augment Postischemic Neovascularization In Db/Db Mice, Katherine L. Hayes, Louis M. Messina, Lawrence M. Schwartz, Jinglian Yan, Amy S. Burnside, Sarah Witkowski

Exercise and Sport Studies: Faculty Publications

Peripheral artery disease is an atherosclerotic occlusive disease that causes limb ischemia and has few effective noninterventional treatments. Stem cell therapy is promising, but concomitant diabetes may limit its effectiveness. We evaluated the therapeutic potential of skeletal muscle pericytes to augment postischemic neovascularization in wild-type and type 2 diabetic (T2DM) mice. Wild-type C57BL/6J and leptin receptor spontaneous mutation db/db T2DM mice underwent unilateral femoral artery excision to induce limb ischemia. Twenty-four hours after ischemia induction, CD45-CD34-CD146+ skeletal muscle pericytes or vehicle controls were transplanted into ischemic hindlimb muscles. At postoperative day 28, pericyte transplantation augmented blood flow recovery in wild-type …

Levels Of Professional Stress In Missouri State University Sport Coaches, James Edgar Seratt

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Due to the particular nature of collegiate sport coaching, that is, the need to secure victories at all costs in order to ensure job security, collegiate sport coaches are a population that are likely to experience high levels of personal and professional stress. Previous research has indicated that coaches at all levels of competition, experience degrees and levels of stress similar to those experienced by individuals in other high stress professions, including police officers, medical professionals, and teachers. Furthermore, research has indicated that high levels of stress are positively correlated with decreased work performance. For this research, 45 Missouri State …

The Greatest Basketball Player Of All Time: Lebron Vs. Jordan, Austin Jacobson

Senior Honors Theses

LeBron James is one of the greatest athletes of this generation. I am seeking to determine what he needs to do to surpass Michael Jordan as the greatest of all time. Considering individual statistics, team success, and personal achievements as well as factors such as political and racial activism and involvement, media coverage (including social media), and generational difference, I am hoping to show what is left to accomplish for LeBron to reach and surpass Jordan.

Disordered Eating Risk And Body Image Dissatisfaction Of Division I Male And Female Cheerleaders, Christopher Blaszka

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The sport of cheerleading is growing both in the high school and college setting, however there is little research on cheerleaders specifically, both sideline and competitive. It is clear that while this sport does not benefit from being affiliated with the NCAA, the athletes are still at large risk for disordered eating and eating disorders, and are in need of more accurate screening and prevention methods. With the lack of cheerleading studies in general, there is an even larger scarcity of studies that focus on males in cheerleading. The current study aims to fill the gap in the research regarding …

Self-Perception Of Ncaa Division I Student-Athletes, Sean Strehlow

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Self-perception is the level of competency at which individuals evaluate themselves in certain areas or domains (Marsh & Shavelson, 1985). An individual’s self-perceptions contribute to their global self-worth, and even predict performance (Cuellar, 2014; Harter & Neemann, 2012). Self-perception is an increasingly popular area of study, and there is a gap in the research as it pertains to college student-athletes (Harter & Neemann, 2012). This study measures self- perception scores, as well as experiences with racial discrimination, of 306 NCAA Division I student-athletes using the Self-Perception Profile for College Students (Harter & Neemann, 2012). Scores are compared across race/ethnicity and …

Catchings And Petersens' "Catch A Star: Shining Through Adversity To Become A Champion (Book Review), Carrie Beth Lowe

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Cladis's "Finding Finding The Finish Line: Navigating The Race Of Life Through Faith And Fitness" (Book Review), Terri L. Bogan

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.