Analytical Research Topics in Sport Management

The field of sport management has grown tremendously as an academic discipline. Researchers have continuously discussed the scope and direction of research and the importance of the diversity of research design. There have been a significant number of studies examining the scope and direction of research over the past few decades such as: the lack of diversity in methodology; the lack of diversity in research focus; the lack of importance of power analysis; and the lack of diversity in topic areas. Embracing a variety of research designs is an absolutely necessary condition for the growth and credibility of sport management as an academic discipline. Therefore, the overarching goal of this dissertation was to provide sport management researchers with the diversity of research designs useful for helping them deal with different types of data. The purpose of three analytical studies outlined in this dissertation was as follows: (1) to examine the influence athletic performance has on the elements of source credibility and the causal relationships among consumers\u27 brand attitude, attitude toward the advertisement, and purchase intentions; (2) to examine whether the hypothesized model, indicating the relationship between the dimensions of service quality and the assessment of service quality, fits the data adequately; (3) to examine whether the variation in athletic giving crowds out academic giving. Researchers in the field of sport management should have a comprehensive understanding of the various research methods to enhance scholarship in sport management as they rely heavily on empirical data based research. It is clear that experimental and longitudinal research is a formidable methodologi¬cal challenge and which is why the current study addresses how scholars can integrate experimental and longitudinal research to examine relationships that have been elusive in past research efforts

Role of Intercollegiate Athletics’ Identification in Student Adjustment to College Life

The study focused on the impact of intercollegiate athletic programs on students’ college adjustment. The purpose of this study was to extend existing theory on whether intercollegiate athletic programs significantly assist college students’ academic adjustment with roles of social and psychological aspects in college life. Using a sample of 320 undergraduate students, students who have higher identification with college sport teams were found to positively evaluate themselves through active interaction with other college fans, and enhance their level of academic adjustment in higher education. Additionally, team identification had a direct function to enhance academic adjustment while personal self-esteem and social adjustment played significant mediating roles between team identification and academic adjustment. Finally, this study suggests college counselors utilize college sport events for students who have faced major adjustment challenges, such as such as a lack of social relationships and academic difficulties in college life in higher education.

Effects of Team Identification on Social and Emotional Adjustment in Higher Education

Students who highly identify with a team are likely to share a personal self-concept with larger groups in higher education. The improved self-worth is positively associated with the adjustment to college life, and is considered one of the significant predictors to achieve students’ educational goals. However, little research has been conducted to scrutinize the effects of team identification on school adjustment. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to examine direct and indirect relationships among team identification, personal self-esteem, and school adjustment. A total of 254 undergraduate students at a FBS institution in the southeastern region of the United States participated in the study. The results revealed that the higher team identification students possess, the higher personal worth they feel. In addition, team identification and personal self-esteem led to social adjustment while personal self-esteem and social adjustment had a positive impact on emotional adjustment. By understanding team identification as an important academic facilitator, administrators in both the academic and athletic fields can develop the most appropriate environment for students to enhance their adjustment to college life

Prolonged Activation of ERK Contributes to the Photorejuvenation Effect in Photodynamic Therapy in Human Dermal Fibroblasts

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is known to be effective in the photorejuvenation of photoaged skin. However, the molecular mechanisms of rejuvenation by PDT remain elusive. In this study, we aimed to understand the molecular events occurring during the photorejuvenation after PDT in dermal fibroblasts in vitro. First, we found that PDT conditions resulted in an increased fibroblast proliferation and motility in vitro. Under this condition, cells had increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Importantly, PDT induced a prolonged activation of extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK) with a corresponding increase in matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3 and collagen type Iα messenger RNA and protein. Moreover, inhibition of PDT-induced ERK activation significantly suppressed fibroblast proliferation and expression of MMP-3 and collagen type Iα following PDT. In addition, NAC (an antioxidant) inhibited PDT-induced fibroblast proliferation and ERK activation indicating that prolonged ERK activation and intracellular ROS contribute to the proliferation of fibroblasts and the dermal remodeling process for skin rejuvenation. We also identified increased collagen volume and decreased elastotic materials that are used as markers of photoaging in human skin samples using histochemical studies. Results from this study suggest that intracellular ROS stimulated by PDT in dermal fibroblasts lead to prolonged activation of ERK and, eventually, fibroblast proliferation and activation. Our data thus reveal a molecular mechanism underlying the skin rejuvenation effect of PDT

The influence of enduring involvement on travel push motives and attraction to destination pull attributes among US and Canadian mountain bike tourists

An increase in mountain bike participation has been accompanied by growth of mountain bike-specific travel. However, little is known about the site preferences of Canadian and US mountain bike tourists or the role that activity involvement might have on travel motives and attraction to destination pull attributes. An online questionnaire consisting of a 21-item scale to measure travel motives, a 41-item scale examining the importance of destination attributes and an adapted Modified Involvement Scale to establish one’s level of activity involvement was completed by 527 Canadian and US mountain bikers. Based on the mean involvement score of each involvement dimension, the sample was segmented into two groups: highly and moderately involved. Exploratory factor analysis revealed the presence of five push factors and seven destination pull factors. Involvement with mountain biking was found to influence one’s travel motives and attraction to destination pull attributes. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed

Myrrh Inhibits LPS-Induced Inflammatory Response and Protects from Cecal Ligation and Puncture-Induced Sepsis

Myrrh has been used as an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agent. However, effect of myrrh on peritoneal macrophages and clinically relevant models of septic shock, such as cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), is not well understood. Here, we investigated the inhibitory effect and mechanism(s) of myrrh on inflammatory responses. Myrrh inhibited LPS-induced productions of inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2, and tumor necrosis factor-α but not of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 in peritoneal macrophages. In addition, Myrrh inhibited LPS-induced activation of c-jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) but not of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38, and nuclear factor-κB. Administration of Myrrh reduced the CLP-induced mortality and bacterial counts and inhibited inflammatory mediators. Furthermore, administration of Myrrh attenuated CLP-induced liver damages, which were mainly evidenced by decreased infiltration of leukocytes and aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase level. Taken together, these results provide the evidence for the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial potential of Myrrh in sepsis

Global patient outcomes after elective surgery: prospective cohort study in 27 low-, middle- and high-income countries.

BACKGROUND: As global initiatives increase patient access to surgical treatments, there remains a need to understand the adverse effects of surgery and define appropriate levels of perioperative care. METHODS: We designed a prospective international 7-day cohort study of outcomes following elective adult inpatient surgery in 27 countries. The primary outcome was in-hospital complications. Secondary outcomes were death following a complication (failure to rescue) and death in hospital. Process measures were admission to critical care immediately after surgery or to treat a complication and duration of hospital stay. A single definition of critical care was used for all countries. RESULTS: A total of 474 hospitals in 19 high-, 7 middle- and 1 low-income country were included in the primary analysis. Data included 44 814 patients with a median hospital stay of 4 (range 2-7) days. A total of 7508 patients (16.8%) developed one or more postoperative complication and 207 died (0.5%). The overall mortality among patients who developed complications was 2.8%. Mortality following complications ranged from 2.4% for pulmonary embolism to 43.9% for cardiac arrest. A total of 4360 (9.7%) patients were admitted to a critical care unit as routine immediately after surgery, of whom 2198 (50.4%) developed a complication, with 105 (2.4%) deaths. A total of 1233 patients (16.4%) were admitted to a critical care unit to treat complications, with 119 (9.7%) deaths. Despite lower baseline risk, outcomes were similar in low- and middle-income compared with high-income countries. CONCLUSIONS: Poor patient outcomes are common after inpatient surgery. Global initiatives to increase access to surgical treatments should also address the need for safe perioperative care. STUDY REGISTRATION: ISRCTN5181700

The effect of the United Nations resolution for Olympic Truce on peace based on functionalism

The purpose of the current study is to identify if the UN resolution for Olympic Truce affects peace around the period of the Olympic Games based on functionalism. Methodologically, this study uses a diverse case technique and compares the two following cases: the first case is the Olympic Games, which did not have the UN resolution for Olympic Truce (The 1988 Seoul Summer Olympics), while the other is the Olympic Games which had the UN resolution for Olympic Truce (The 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics). This study determines, firstly, that functional international organizations can actualize their common values (i.e., peace and human rights) and establish world order by cooperating with multiple international organizations, which is more effective than one organization behaving independently. Secondly, through the results, we have confirmed that sports can be an effective mediator in making the world peaceful with unanimous support from the international society