Mental Skills Usage Among Collegiate Track and Field Throwers

The purpose of this study was to examine how often collegiate track and field throwers use goal setting, imagery, and arousal management. The second purpose was to determine if there was a significant difference between mental skills usage in practice and competition. The Test of Performance Strategies was administered to 50 collegiate track and field throwers. First, it was hypothesized that less than 20% of the participants would use mental skills very often and that the majority would report using mental skills in either moderate or low amounts. Results indicated goal setting and relaxation in practice were the only two skills highly used by less than 20% of the sample. Therefore, results do not fully support the first hypothesis. Secondly, it was hypothesized that collegiate track and field throwers would report using each mental skill more often during competition than during practice. Paired samples t-tests revealed a significantly greater use of goal setting, imagery, and relaxation more often in competition than in practice

The Effects of a Goal-Setting Program on Cognitive and Somatic State Anxiety, State Self-Confidence, and Performance of High School Swimmers

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a staggered approach, season long goal-setting training program on the state self-confidence, cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety, and performance of high school female swimmers. It was hypothesized that the use of a goal-setting training program would result in the swimmers having higher state self-confidence, lower cognitive state anxiety, lower somatic state anxiety, and improved performance. Results indicated that participation in a ten week goal-setting training program successfully helped high school female swimmers achieve higher state self- confidence, lower cognitive state anxiety, lower somatic state anxiety, and improved performance

The Effects of the T2 Active Ankle Brace on a Series of Vertical Jumps

Ankle bracing and taping have become widely used in recreation and athletics. Various studies have examined the effects of ankle bracing and taping on athletic performance, with mixed results. The T2 Active Ankle was created with the idea of providing a less binding external support system allowing dorsiflexion and plantarflexion, while discouraging inversion and eversion pathomechanics. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the T2 Active Ankle upon a series of vertical jumps. The series include the stationary jump, 2-step approach and the facing perpendicular 2-step approach. This series is unique to the researcher; each jump was chosen due to its similarity to the mechanics of the game of volleyball. The study included 13 female collegiate volleyball athletes that volunteered from St. Edward\u27s. A mean vertical jump score was taken from three trials. A t-test with p\u3c0.05was completed to determine the significance with and without the brace. The study researched the effects on the brace users in comparison to the brace non-users. In this population sample, there was a decrease in jumping ability in the stationary and facing perpendicular jumps. No difference was noted in the jumps of the brace users and non-users. Users of the T2 Active Ankle should be informed about the possible changes in their jumping performance along with its capability of prevention ankle injuries, so a logical decision can be made by the user

A Study of Running Injury Rates in College Age Track Athletes

Emerson S.E. A Study of Running Injury Rates in College Age Track Athlete’s. 2006. One hundred and twenty college age track athletes filled out a questionnaire on running and injuries. A 4-page questionnaire consisting of 33 questions divided in four sections: personal, activity, presence of a current injury, and injury history. Of the 120 athletes, 43 claimed they were currently injured, while 56 had suffered an injury within the previous 12 months. The most significant factors associated with a current running injury was having a previous injury within the past 12 months (.004) and running mileage (.027). The knee was the most common injury site reported in the study. This finding was similar to that of other reported studies

The Role of Intercollegiate Athletics on an Athlete\u27s Decision to Attend College

The purpose of the study was to determine if California community college athletes would attend college if intercollegiate athletics were not offered and to examine differences in gender, races/ethnicities, socioeconomic statuses, and sports. The goal of the study was to provide useful information to college administrators that are considering initiating, adding, or eliminating intercollegiate athletic programs. Participants in the study include student-athletes attending California community colleges that participate in one of three sports: basketball, soccer, or tennis. A survey questionnaire was the method for collecting data

Attitudes. Do They Really Make a Difference?

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between maintenance of physical fitness, over a two-year period, and attitudes toward physical education and fitness testing among elementary students. Participants in this study consisted of 199 elementary school children. Differences in Fitnessgram scores between Hispanic and Caucasian boys and girls at various ages were compared. A 2 (gender) by 2 (ethnicity) by 5 (birth year) by 4 (testing session, repeated measure) analysis of variance (ANOVA) was computed for the Mile Run and BMI scores. The hypothesis that those students who had high positive attitudes toward physical education, or high positive attitudes toward fitness testing, would be more likely to maintain or improve their fitness levels was not supported

A Manual to Improve the Health-Related Quality of Life and Self-Efficacy for Older Adult Females Engaged in Physical Activity

Health related quality of life and self-efficacy are two areas that decrease in older adulthood. Females experience numerous physical and mental changes through later adulthood and exercise can help ease this transition. This manual focuses on the positive effects of exercise on women\u27s health related quality of life and self-efficacy. Older adult women can experience benefits from a regular exercise routine that incorporates cardio, strength training, flexibility and balance training

Manual of suggested Best Practices for Recovery in the 3 hour Post-Exercise Window

No abstract provided

A Procedure for the Assessment and Interpretation of Final Approach Velocity in the Pole Vault

In the highly competitive event of pole vaulting, athletes must possess great gymnastic skills and they must also be great runners. For many years scientific research has demonstrated that final approach velocity in the pole vault is a significant component of vaulting success. The purpose of this study was threefold. First, a research-based procedure for the quantification and assessment of final approach velocity in the pole vault was developed. Second, a set of coaching guidelines describing the set-up and implementation of the procedure was presented. Thirds the coaching guidelines were presented to five active coaches to be used in everyday coaching situations and then their attitudes and beliefs about the usefulness of the procedure were surveyed. The coaches implemented the recommended procedure, used it for four weeks, and then reported their attitudes and beliefs about the procedure. The coaches reported the procedure was easy to implement and to understand. They also reported it was an effective training aid for their program and their athletes. They stated they would recommend the procedure to other coaches

Can Wearing Headgear Decrease Symptoms of Concussions Among Soccer Players?

No abstract was provided