Factors that Influence the Academic Success of College Athletes Participating in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics

The purpose of this research is to conduct an exploratory study examining factors that influence the academic success of college athletes participating in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), a subject that has not been empirically studied. For this study, academic success defined as retention and graduation, represents the dependent variables of interest. Additionally, this study examines actors influencing academic success including institutional financial aid, background characteristics (race, gender), college experience (GPA, residential housing), athletic characteristics (sport, athletic expenses), organizational structure, and participation as a varsity or non-varsity athlete. This study uses institutional data from 2019-2020 NAIA’s Return on Athletics (ROA) initiative, and data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Logistic regression is used to answer two research questions exploring the factors that influence NAIA college athlete success. Findings indicate athletes are retained at a high rate in comparison to available NAIA data, but certain sub-groups may be at risk for attrition. Specifically, non-varsity athletes, athletes with a grade point average below 3.0, or those who have been enrolled less than two years

Factors that Influence the Academic Success of College Athletes Participating in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics

The purpose of this research is to conduct an exploratory study examining factors that influence the academic success of college athletes participating in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), a subject that has not been empirically studied. For this study, academic success defined as retention and graduation, represents the dependent variables of interest. Additionally, this study examines actors influencing academic success including institutional financial aid, background characteristics (race, gender), college experience (GPA, residential housing), athletic characteristics (sport, athletic expenses), organizational structure, and participation as a varsity or non-varsity athlete. This study uses institutional data from 2019-2020 NAIA’s Return on Athletics (ROA) initiative, and data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Logistic regression is used to answer two research questions exploring the factors that influence NAIA college athlete success. Findings indicate athletes are retained at a high rate in comparison to available NAIA data, but certain sub-groups may be at risk for attrition. Specifically, non-varsity athletes, athletes with a grade point average below 3.0, or those who have been enrolled less than two years

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE KINEMATICS AND KINETICS OF FORWARD AND BACKWARD HUMAN LOCOMOTION

Although common in occurrence one of the least studied modes of human motion is backward locomotion. Backward walking and jogging are currently being used as components of physical therapy for persons who have suffered trauma or submitted to surgery on the lower extremity or back as well as stroke patients. (Gray, 1985, Bates and McCaw, 1986; Kramer and Reid, 1981; Bates, Morrison, Hamill, 1984). Anecdotal reports of reduced noxious stress and beneficial proprioceptive stimulation have perpetuated the use of this form of physical therapy. Position specific sport training necessitates backward locomotion to engender efficient game performances. In numerous sport activities the defensive techniques employed entail retreating or "jockeying" maneuvers. Evasive offensive techniques likewise include backward travel. Some coaches and athletes are supplementing their conventional fitness training regimens with backwards running claiming enhanced hip extensor overloading with the resulting strength adaptation (Morton, 1985)