Kinesiology Theses and Dissertations
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Item A Study of Intercollegiate Soccer Data In The United States From 1905 to 1961(1962) Cochrane, Cornelius R.P. Jr; Eyler, Marvin H.; Kinesiology; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md)While there have been several studies completed on the history of soccer in this country, the absence of complete and accurate records was frequently noted when attempting to trace various coaching and collegiate achievements in the sport. Therefore the general purpose of this study was: (1) to compile and record from the existing sources) as accurately and completely as was possible, an inclusive record of Intercollegiate soccer statistics in this country; (2) to study and analyze this data and to ascertain what implications, trends and conclusions) if any, could be drawn from this information. The desired information was gathered essentially from the NCAA Soccer Guides, the North American Soccer Guides) Soccer Journal, various newspaper articles and from correspondence and interviews with retired coaches and charter members of the National Soccer Coaches Association. The assembled information was presented in tabular form, leaving blank the years and areas where data was unobtainable. The first thirteen tables showed the specific findings of the study and the final three tables illustrated certain comparisons and conclusions. The specific findings of the study were: (1) A complete list of National Championship teams for the years 1905 to 1961 was reconstructed. (2) A list of annual champions and the year of organization for twenty-one collegiate soccer conferences was compiled. (3) All-American teams from 1909-1910 to 1961 were obtained with the exception of the 1919 team list. There was no All-American team in 1918. (4) The names of the officers of the three national college soccer organizations that existed during the period 1905 to 1961 were reconstructed. The names of the officers of the Intercollegiate Association Football League for 1905 through 1913 and 1918 through 1920 were not obtainable. (5) A list of Honor Award recipients of the National Soccer Coaches Association from 1942 through 1961 was compiled. (6) There were thirty college coaches who had coached soccer for twenty years or longer during the period from 1905 to 1961. (7) There were eighteen winstreaks of twenty or more consecutive soccer victories or ties during the years 1905 to 1961. (8) Eleven Olympic berths were earned by college players during the years 1924 to 1960.Item A Comparison of the Personality Characteristics of Highly Successful, Moderately Successful, and Unsuccessful High School Basketball Coaches as Measured by the Cattell Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire(1973) McCarthy, Eugene F. Jr.; Steel, Donald H.; Kinesiology; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md)This study compared the personality characteristics of successful, moderately successful, and unsuccessful high school basketball coaches. Winning percentage was the criterion chosen to measure success. The subjects were 52 varsity high school basketball coaches from Anna Arundel, Baltimore, Montgomery and Prince Georges Counties public schools. Each coach was administered individually the Cattell Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire Form A at their respective schools. The coaches were grouped into highly successful, moderately successful, and unsuccessful categories according to their cumulative winning percentage in their last three years of varsity high school basketball coaching. To be highly successful, the coaches needed a winning percentage of .60 or greater, for moderately successful .41-.59, and for unsuccessful .40 or lass. A one-way analysis of variance was computed to determine if any significant differences existed between the three groups on any of the twenty personality factors measured. The results indicated that there are no significant differences on any of the twenty personality factors measured for the three groups. Within the limitations of this study, it would appear reasonable to conclude that there is no difference between the personalities of the highly successful, moderately successful, or the unsuccessful coaches.Item The Effect of Variability of Practice on the Performance of the Layout Squat Vault(1989) Khayat-Mofid, Fariborz; Church, Kenneth; Physical Education; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, MD)This study focuses on Schema Theory which maintains that the practice of motor skiIIs store a set of general memory of movements. This memory guides the performance of demands specifically made from the environment as well as the objective or goal of the performer. The layout squat vault was selected as the motor task to be studied, since it is a basic vault of gymnastics. The most important factor of a good vault is the angle of the hips and shoulders to the horse at the moment of contact by the hands. It was hypothesized that if Schema Theory is applicable, subjects who practice vaulting at varying heights will achieve a better angle of contact with the horse than wiII subjects who practice when the vault remains at a constant height. The investigation examined the effects of varied heights of the vault during practice to the transfer of new tasks. The study specifically studied the Schema Theory in the performance of the layout squat vault at the time of contact with the horse. Subjects were 38 females, aged 9 to 11 years, who were randomly assigned to two groups. One group practiced at a single height; the other group practiced vaulting at varying heights for 36 practice trails over a period of two days. When this was completed, three consecutive vaults were assigned at a new height for each subject of both groups. At the same time, the subjects were video-taped. Using the tape, four qualified judges scored each of the subjects. The highest and lowest scores for each vault were eliminated. The two remaining scores were averaged to produce the final score. The Students t test for the difference of means was used to determine the differences between the groups. The results showed that the high variability practice group was superior to the non variability practice group. It was concluded that Schema Theory could be applied to closed skills such as vaulting in gymnastics and that there was support for the Schema Theory.Item LEARNED RESOURCEFULNESS, SELF-MOTIVATION, AND COMMITMENT AS PREDICTORS OF AEROBIC EXERCISE ADHERENCE IN COLLEGE STUDENTS(1990) Mahoney, Colleen Anna; Allen, Roger; Kinesiology; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md)In this study of exercise adherence among traditional-age college students, a number of variables were used to discriminate between those who adhere to regular aerobic exercise, those who adhere to regular non-aerobic exercise, and those who do not exercise regularly but intend to do so. The relative importance of learned resourcefulness, self-motivation, commitment to aerobic exercise, and various demographic variables to predict exercise adherence was assessed. The instruments employed in this study were a demographic questionnaire, the Self-Control Schedule, the Self-Motivation Inventory, and the Commitment to Aerobic Exercise scale. In order to test the hypotheses in this study, one-way analyses of variance and a multiple discriminant function analysis were conducted. Chi-square analyses were used to assess the relationship between demographic variables and exercise group membership. Furthermore, a two-way analysis of variance (group x gender) was performed on the Self-Control Schedule, Self-Motivation Inventory, and Commitment to Exercise scale. Hypotheses were generated for the following variables: weekly time commitments, learned resourcefulness, self-motivation, and commitment to aerobic exercise. Three of these were fully supported and one was partially supported by the data. In order of their relative importance, the following three psychological variables distinguished between the three exercise groups: commitment to aerobic exercise, self-motivation, and learned resourcefulness. Among the demographic variables examined in this study, only gender discriminated significantly between the three exercise adherence groups. Males were much more likely to be non-aerobic exercise adherers than females, and females were much more likely to be non-exercisers than males. weekly time commitments, class standing, and place of residence explained little of the variance among the three groups. The analyses of this study indicated that psychological variables were the strongest discriminators among exercise adherence behavior patterns. Moreover, these findings dispute the notion that barriers, such as time commitments, prevent college students from engaging in regular, Physical exercise. Implications of these findings and strategies for enhancing exercise adherence among College students are discussed. Specifically, it appears that interventions need to emphasize affective strategies in order to modify attitudes toward regular exercise.Item The Evolution of the Baltimore City Bureau of Recreation: 1940-1988(1993) Jordan, Cheryl L.; Churchill, John; Recreation; Recreation; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md)The purpose of this study was to examine the evolution of the Baltimore City Bureau of Recreation from its inception in the 1940, as the Department of Public Recreation to the beginning of 1988. Research focused on major policies that were developed in the areas of administration, budget, staff, facilities, and programs. Social, political an economic factors were examined to determine the effect each had on the formation of these policies. The historical method research was used to examine the artifacts and documents gathered for this study. The data were ordered utilizing the following chronological eras: 1) World War II and the Post-War Era of the 1940s; 2) Desegregation and the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s; 3) Urban Renewal of the 1970s and the Changing Social Climate of the 1980s. Changes in the policies of the Bureau of Recreation were quantified to measure increases and decreases in budget, staff, facilities and programs. Decisions of the Board of Recreation and Parks, the policy-making body of the Department of Recreation and Parks until 1987, were examined in light of the three factors mentioned above. The research showed that the policies of the Bureau of Recreation changed significantly over the years, most dramatically with the desegregation of the Department after the landmark Brown vs. the Board of Education of Topeka Supreme Court decision, and the influx of Federal funds for the City of Baltimore after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Board of Recreation and Parks focused much of its attention on the "showcase" areas of the Department, like the Baltimore Zoo, Memorial Stadium and the five public golf courses. In 1984, when most of these units were privatized, a power struggle ensued eventually leading to a 1987 referendum that stripped the Board of its policy-making powers. The conclusions of this study indicated that while economic and social factors had obvious influence over policy decisions in the Bureau of Recreation out of necessity, the political factors had the most dramatic effects.Item The Interrelationships of Leisure Attitude, Leisure Satisfaction, Leisure Behavior, Intrinsic Motivation and Burnout Among Clergy(1995) Stanton-Rich, Howard Michael; Iso-Ahola, Seppo; Kinesiology; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md)This study focused on the interrelationships of leisure behavior, leisure attitude, leisure satisfaction, intrinsic motivation, and burnout among clergy in The United Methodist Church in Western North Carolina. Responses were obtained from the clergy by a questionnaire that operationalized the primary variables (i.e., leisure behavior, leisure attitude, leisure satisfaction, intrinsic motivation), demographic variables (i.e., gender, age, marital status, education, years in ministry, years in present church), and burnout with its three components (i .e., emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, personal accomplishment). A systematic random sample, further stratified to include no less than one-half of all women clergy in their geographic districts, was taken. A final sample of 438 was obtained representing a 55% return rate. Hypothesized relationships among study variables were tested using path analytic techniques. Also, tests of reliability were run on each of the instruments to compare them with prior studies. Significant relationships among several variables were detected, with the entire pool of independent variables accounting for about 27% of the variance in emotional exhaustion, 22% in depersonalization and 27% in personal accomplishment. Variables with significant relationships with emotional exhaustion included age, years in ministry, years in present church, leisure behavior, and leisure satisfaction. In each of these cases, the relationships were direct and inverse. Variables with significant relationships (all direct and inverse) with depersonalization included age, years in ministry, leisure behavior, leisure satisfaction and intrinsic motivation. Variables found to have significant relationships to personal accomplishment were leisure behavior, leisure satisfaction, and intrinsic motivation. In each of these cases, the relationships were found to be direct and positive. Further, significant relationships existed among the independent variables that confirmed earlier studies highlighting the positive relationship between intrinsic motivation, leisure attitude and leisure satisfaction.Item MOTIVATION FOR AND SOURCES OF ENJOYMENT FROM PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ACROSS THE ADULT LIFESPAN(1996) Hyman, Dorothy C.; Steel, Donald H.; Kinesiology; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md)This research describes the development and validation of measures designed to assess physical activity motivation and physical activity enjoyment across the adult lifespan. Two stages were used with samples of 259 and 275 adults respectively counterbalanced for age and sex. All respondents were currently engaged in a variety of sport and exercise activities and settings appropriate for all age groups. Stage one respondents completed an initial 50 - item physical activity motivation inventory and an initial 39-item physical activity enjoyment inventory. Results were used to identify factors and items for physical activity motivation and enjoyment that appeared consistent and stable across the adult lifespan in order to develop the Physical Activity Motivation Scale (PAMS) and the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PAES). Alpha reliabilities were calculated for each sub -scale of the PAMS and PAES, and a convenience sample (n=40) completed the PAMS and PAES two weeks apart to determine test~retest reliabilities. Stage two respondents completed the PAMS, PAES, the short form of the Leisure Motivation Scale, the short form of the Leisure Satisfaction Scale, and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale in order to confirm PAMS and PAES stage one factor structures, determine the convergent and divergent validity of the PAMS and PAES, and describe adult patterns of physical activity motivation and enjoyment across the lifespan. Additionally, results from stage two were used to distinguish between motivation for and enjoyment from physical activity. The Physical Activity Motivation Scale (PAMS) consists of 22 items and five sub-scales: Mastery and Autonomy, Social Recognition and Rewards, Affiliation, Family, and Self-Control. The Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PAES) consists of 14 items and sub-scales: Self Rewards, Social Recognition and Rewards, and Responsibility/Family. The PAMS and PAES sub-scales have acceptable internal consistency and testretest reliability, share expected variance with related constructs, and appear relatively stable and consistent across the adult lifespan. In stage two, the relationship between motivation and enjoyment in the physical activity setting was explored and preliminary support found for their cyclic, yet distinguishable natures. Directions for further research are proposed.Item Soccer Fields of Cultural [Re]-Production?: An Ethnographic Explication of the "Soccer Mom"(2003-11-17) Swanson, Lisa; Andrews, David; Silk, Michael; King, Samantha; Vander Velden, Lee; KinesiologyABSTRACT Title of dissertation: SOCCER FIELDS OF CULTURAL [RE]- PRODUCTION?: AN ETHNOGRAPHIC EXPLICATION OF THE "SOCCER MOM" Lisa Swanson, Doctor of Philosophy, 2003 Dissertation directed by: Professor David Andrews Department of Kinesiology As noted by Zwick and Andrews, the "suburban soccer field represents a transparent window into the workings and experiences of power and privilege within contemporary America" (1999, p. 222). The purpose of this study was to examine the cultural practices of "soccer moms" as a segment of America's privileged, suburban, upper-middle class. According to Vavrus (2000), current depictions and understandings of "soccer moms" simplify maternal experience and homogenize women; therefore, a more complete picture of this phenomenon needed to be produced. A multifaceted ethnographic approach was employed in order to generate a substantial body of empirical data. Data collection procedures included fieldwork, participant observation, survey, and both structured and unstructured interviews. The results of this research shed light on the complexities of the "soccer mom" role by problematizing the taken for granted assumptions about upper-middle class women. In analyzing specific class practices, the researcher relied on Pierre Bourdieu's sociological theories related to the interplay between "habitus" and several forms of capital (economic, cultural, and social) within various cultural fields. The researcher provides an analysis of the ways in which the subjects reproduce their class status in and through the cultural experiences of their children. Ultimately, the results of this research contribute to an understanding of "how systems of domination co-construct one another, and how we are 'enlisted', materially and ideologically in their continued operation" (Frankenberg, 1994, p. 75).Item Exercise and the Aging Brain: A Neuroimaging Study of Frontal Lobe Function During Executive Challenge in Older Men and Women Who Varied in Physical Activity Participation(2003-12-10) Stover, Holly Sue; Hatfield, Brad; KinesiologyPhysical activity preserves neurocognitive functioning in older adults by increasing brain blood flow and preserving neurotransmitter activity. Because the frontal lobes show the greatest decline, the most apparent difference was expected between physically inactive versus active individuals when performing tasks that challenge frontal lobes. Adults (66-92 years) with varied physical activity levels were administered binaural auditory oddball and go-nogo tasks. The nogo trials challenged executive processes through response inhibition. Physical activity was indexed with the Yale Physical Activity Survey. EEG was recorded from frontal, central, and parietal sites. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the overall relationship of P300 amplitude to age and physical activity was significant during nogo trials at site F3, F (2, 75) = 3.61, p = .032 and at site FZ, F (2, 75) = 6.26, p = .003. In summary, physical activity is associated with a specific effect on the aging brain revealed during executive challenge.Item The influence of fitness on age-related changes in cortical activation associated with cognitive function(2004-01-08) Walden, Tamara Tashiko; Hatfield, Bradley; KinesiologyBrain function generally declines with age after the fifth decade. EEG Studies generally report that low- frequency EEG activity decreases with age while high-frequency EEG increases, the latter possibly for compensatory reasons. Because exercise has been reported to improve brain neurobiology such as cerebral metabolism and neurotransmitter function, it was expected that exercise would attenuate the age-related changes in EEG activity. Participants were men and women aged 18-35 and 60-75 years that were screened on health and indexed on the basis of physical fitness. Continuous EEG was recorded during each of four cognitive task conditions (eyes-closed, eyes-open, analytical, and spatial) using standardized electrode placements (Fz, Pz, Cz, O1, O2, C3, C4, T3, and T4) and referenced to the average of two ear electrodes (A1 and A2). To examine the relationship of physical fitness, age, and task to spectral power, multivariate analyses of variance were employed (2 x 3 x 2 x 9; Age x Fitness x Task x Site). It was predicted that both young and old participants would have a positive relationship between fitness and low-frequency power. However, the elderly group alone was expected to have a negative relationship between fitness and high-frequency power. Results of the study indicated that aging was associated with substantial changes in cortical dynamics. Furthermore, although the elderly brain appeared to be working in a more effortful manner, fitness did not seem to substantially alter cortical dynamics in relation to fitness level.Item A Qualitative Description of the Physical Education-Based Lived Experiences of Non-Aggressive Socially Isolated Students(2004-02-04) Bencal, Carl Robert; Ennis, Catherine D; Andrews, David; Chen, Ang; KinesiologyTeachers perceive non-aggressive socially isolated (NASI) students to be socially estranged from a majority of their peers. Unfortunately, these students are often actively or passively removed from the social aspects of school because they demonstrate self-isolating behaviors or face the exclusionary behaviors of peers. This qualitative research examined four, fifth grade NASI students' physical education-based lived experiences. Participants were the researcher, who was also the physical education teacher, two fifth grade teachers, and 51 fifth grade students with varying degrees of peer-related social acceptance. Data were collected over an 11 week period using interviews, journal entries, and observations and analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding. Results indicated that NASI students seemed to experience elements of social estrangement while participating in collaborative learning tasks. Although NASI students, at times, appeared to be socially estranged, they chose to connect with a select few close friends who helped them to feel included.Item INFLUENCE OF LIPOPROTEIN LIPIDS AND APOLIPOPROTEIN E GENE POLYMORPHISMS ON COAGULATION FACTOR VIII CHANGES WITH SIX MONTHS OF AEROBIC EXERCISE TRAINING(2004-02-17) Gopinathannair, Rakesh; Hagberg, James M; Brown, Michael D; Phares, Dana A; KinesiologyTitle of Thesis : INFLUENCE OF LIPOPROTEIN LIPIDS AND APOLIPOPROTEIN E GENE POLYMORPHISMS ON COAGULATION FACTOR VIII CHANGES WITH SIX MONTHS OF AEROBIC EXERCISE TRAINING. Rakesh Gopinathannair, Master of Arts, 2004. Thesis directed by: Professor James M. Hagberg, Ph.D., Dept. of Kinesiology Elevated plasma factor VIII antigen (FVIII:Ag) level is an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease. Aerobic training improves cardiovascular risk and improvement in coagulation profile might be a potential contributory mechanism. Available evidence suggests that plasma lipoprotein-lipid levels and lipid-related genotypes might have a regulatory effect on plasma FVIII:Ag levels. We assessed the effects of APO E gene polymorphisms and plasma lipoprotein-lipid changes on plasma FVIII:Ag changes with 6 mo of standardized aerobic training in 44 sedentary, 50-75 year old men and women with different APO E genotypes. Plasma FVIII:Ag levels, lipoprotein-lipid levels, VO2 max, and intra-abdominal fat (CTIA) were estimated before and after 6 mo of training . Plasma FVIII:Ag levels showed an increase of 3.5% (152.5±6.7% to 156.0±6.1%, P=0.290) with exercise training. FVIII:Ag levels were positively correlated to CTIA at baseline (r= 0.30) and after training (r=0.37). There was no significant association between FVIII:Ag levels and APO E genotype, before and after covarying for training-induced changes in plasma lipoprotein-lipids. In conclusion, the effect of regular aerobic exercise training on plasma FVIII:Ag levels appears small and clinically insignificant when compared to the clear and beneficial effects on lipoprotein-lipid profile and body composition. Truncal obesity may be a significant factor modulating baseline plasma FVIII:Ag levels and their response to training.Item The Relationship Between Psychosocial Resources, Stress, and Task C ompletion in Elite Military Training(2004-03-30) Gruber, Kerry Ann; Iso-Ahola, Seppo; KinesiologyABSTRACT Title of Dissertation: THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PSYCHOSOCIAL RESOURCES, STRESS, AND TASK COMPLETION IN ELITE MILITARY TRAINING Kerry A. Gruber, Doctor of Philosophy, 2004 Dissertation directed by: Professor Seppo Iso-Ahola Department of Kinesiology The purpose of this study was to test the ability of three psychosocial factors (social support, mattering, and self-efficacy) to protect soldiers from stress (expected and cognitive), injury, illness, and assist them in graduating from a physically challenging military program. Three hundred and eighty voluntary male Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS) soldiers served as the subjects. Questionnaires were given to measure soldiers' psychosocial resources, expected stress, cognitive stress, and injuries/illnesses they may have acquired throughout the SFAS training. The outcome measures were injury and illness (physical outcome) and the soldiers' graduation, voluntary withdrawal, medical withdrawal, or "other" outcome (program outcome) from the SFAS program. It was hypothesized that soldiers with high psychosocial resources were less likely to become injured or ill than soldiers with low psychosocial resources, and therefore be more likely to graduate from the SFAS program and less likely to withdraw (voluntarily or medically) than soldiers with low psychosocial resources. It was also hypothesized that soldiers with high psychosocial resources would perceive the SFAS training to be less stressful and have a lower expected stress and cognitive stress response than soldiers with low psychosocial resources. Expected stress was hypothesized to predict the soldiers' cognitive stress experienced during the SFAS program. Linear and multinomial regression analyses were employed to test these hypotheses. Physical fitness level and social desirability were controlled throughout the analyses. Consistent with the research hypothesis, psychosocial resources were significantly related to the program completion. Expected stress also significantly predicted the level of cognitive stress soldiers experienced during training. Contrary to the research hypotheses, there was no significant relationship between psychosocial resources and expected stress or cognitive stress. The hypothesis related to psychosocial resources and physical outcome was not supported, but the indirect relationship between psychosocial resources, expected stress, cognitive stress, and physical outcome was partially confirmed. No significant relationship was found between expected stress and physical outcome or program outcome. In conclusion, psychosocial resources seem to increase the soldiers' likelihood of graduating from the SFAS program, but do not protect them from injuries/illnesses.Item THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TOUCH AND INFANTS' UPRIGHT POSTURE DURING THE FIRST YEAR OF WALKING(2004-04-29) Chang, Tzu-Yun; Clark, Jane E; KinesiologyMuch of the research on postural development has focused on changes in trunk and lower limb control. However, the hands may also play an integral role as young infants learn to stand and walk. In this study, we examine the hypothesis that with increasing walking experience infants improve their ability to use the hand adaptively for postural control. Six infants were studied longitudinally from 1-month pre-walking to 9-months post-walking while they stood touching a static contact surface. Touch forces (TF) were examined across 10 confidence ellipses each containing 10% of the infants' postural sway. The results indicated that as infants gained walking experience they applied more TF the farther they were away from their postural center. With development, infants gain an understanding of their body position and use touch differently depending on their current position relative to their "functional boundaries."Item GAMES FOR UNDERSTANDING : A CONSTRUCTIVIST CURRICULUM THAT PROMOTES GENDER EMPOWERMENT(2004-05-03) Bradley, AnneMarie Egtved; Ennis, Catherine D; KinesiologyAccording to constructivist theories, learning must be meaningful and actively engage students in decision-making and understanding. This study examined how the games for understanding (GFU) curriculum created a social constructivist learning environment that influenced eighth grade girls' levels of engagement within a sport based physical education program and identified pedagogical methods that assisted boys to value girls as participants and work to facilitate girls' engagement. Data consisted of teacher journal entries, student questionnaires, focus group interviews, co-teacher interview, and independent observations. Data were analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding. The findings suggested that cognitive aspects of the GFU environment actively engaged both boys and girls through small team activities. Shared responsibilities for team selection and peer coaching enabled students to become decisions-makers. Providing students with choices and minimizing competition helped girls feel supported. Likewise, modified games and ability groups helped boys value girls as participants and facilitate their engagement.Item A DESCRIPTION OF MOVEMENT-BASED PROGRAMS FOR PRESCHOOL CHILDREN AGES 3-5(2004-05-05) Robertson, Martha Bratton; Ennis, Catherine D; KinesiologyThis research examined how movement companies serving children ages 3-5 implemented critical pedagogical components suggested in the NASPE Standards for Preschool programs. The participants were directors and teachers of three companies who traveled to daycare settings. Three data collection methods, observation, documentation analysis, and interviews, were used to describe program philosophy and content scope and sequence as implemented and compare them with current best practices for this age group. Data were analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding. Findings suggested that none of the program directors or teachers was aware of the NASPE Standards. Programs varied according to type and degree of teacher training and beliefs. These two factors influenced teachers’ ability to provide effective programs and empower students to make decisions and solve problems creatively. Although all teachers reported feelings of empowerment, they varied in their willingness and ability to empower preschool children.Item Treatment Acceptability of NCAA Division I Student-Athletes(2004-05-25) Hamberger, Michael; Iso-Ahola, Seppo; KinesiologyConsultations with sport psychologists can be a result of a coach implementing a sport psychology intervention for an athlete or team, or athletes personally choosing to utilize such services. The present study attempted to identify factors that could best predict an athlete's attitudes toward sport psychology consultants (SPCs). It was reasoned, following the Theory of Planned Behavior (Ajzen, 1988), that positive attitudes toward SPCs would create more of an incentive for an athlete to utilize the services of a sport psychologist. Student-athletes (N = 204) from a large university participated in the study. Results from multiple regression analyses indicated that gender, sport type, and knowledge about sport psychology were the significant predictors of athletes' attitudes. Implications for the applied field of sport psychology are made, specifically, that SPCs should discover ways to increase treatment acceptability in male and team-sport athletes, as well as increase athletes' knowledge about the benefits and services of sport psychologists.Item Interleukin-6 (IL6) Genotype, Plasma Lipoprotein Lipids, and Their Response To Exercise Training(2004-06-08) Halverstadt, Amy; Hagberg, James M; Kinesiology; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Substantial evidence indicates that plasma lipoprotein-lipid levels are related to cardiovascular disease, are highly variable among individuals, and have a strong genetic component. They are also modifiable with exercise training, and these responses are heritable. A small body of literature suggests an association between the interleukin-6 (IL6) 174G/C gene polymorphism and plasma lipoprotein-lipid levels such that the G allele may be associated with a more pro-atherogenic lipid profile than the C allele. We hypothesized that the IL6 174G/C gene polymorphism would be associated with variation in plasma lipoprotein-lipid profiles at baseline and with their response to exercise training. Sixty-five sedentary, healthy 50- to 75-year-old Caucasians were studied before and after 24 weeks of aerobic exercise training. Significant differences existed among genotype groups for change with exercise training in high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-C, HDL3-C, HDL5NMR-C, HDL4NMR-C, integrated HDL4,5NMR -C, and HDLsize. For HDL-C, the CC group increased significantly more than both the GG (7.0 ± 1.3 v. 1.0 ± 1.1 mg/dL, p=0.001) and the GC group (3.3 ± 0.9 mg/dL, p=0.02). For HDL3-C, the CC group increased significantly more than both the GG (6.1 ± 1.0 v. 0.9 ± 0.9, mg/dL p<0.001) and the GC group (2.5 ± 0.7 mg/dL, p=0.006). For HDL5NMR-C, the GC group increased significantly less than both the CC and GG groups (0.0 ± 0.7 v. 3.4 ± 1.0 mg/dL, p=0.02 and 1.4 ± 0.8 mg/dL, p=0.04). For HDL4NMR-C, the GG group changed significantly differently from both the GC and CC groups with the GG group decreasing and the GC and CC groups increasing HDL4NMR-C (-0.4 ± 1.1 v. 3.1 ± 0.9 mg/dL, p=0.02 and v. 3.2 ± 1.3 mg/dL, p=0.05, respectively). For integrated HDL4,5-C, the CC group increased significantly more than the GG group (6.5 ± 1.6 mg/dL v. 1.0 ± 1.3 mg/dL, p=0.01). For HDLsize, the CC group increased significantly more than both the GG (0.3 ± 0.1 v. 0.1 ± 0.1 nm, p=0.02) and the GC groups (0.0 ± 0.0 nm, p=0.007). These findings suggest that the IL6-174G/C polymorphism influences HDL-C and HDL-C subfraction changes with exercise training.Item The Use of Vision in Children's Postural Control(2004-07-15) Kim, Stephen June; Clark, Jane E; Kinesiology; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)The purpose of the current thesis was to characterize age-related changes in postural control with variations in the properties of a dynamic visual stimulus. In the first study, seven 4-year-olds, seven 6-year-olds, and seven adults were presented with a visual stimulus that oscillated at 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 Hz. Results showed the postural response amplitude and timing depended upon stimulus frequency and a reduction in the amplitude response variability indicated increased response precision with age. In the second study, ten 4-year-olds, ten 6-year-olds, and ten adults were presented with a visual stimulus that oscillated at 0.3 Hz, with amplitudes of 0, 2, 5, and 8 mm. The results characterized the response as a utilization of sensory information for postural control, with increased response precision with age. These findings indicate that the visuomotor coordination needed for postural control shows age-related improvements, consistent with the notion of a response tuning.Item Modeling the Interrelations among Knowledge, Interests, and Learning Strategies in Physical Education(2004-08-05) Shen, Bo; Chen, Ang; Kinesiology; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)In domain-learning theory, learning in a specific knowledge domain is postulated as a progressive process that is characterized by interactions of knowledge, interests, and learning strategies accrued during each of the acclimation, competency, and proficiency learning stages (Alexander, Jetton, & Kulikowich, 1995). The purpose of this study was to examine the interrelations among prior knowledge, individual and situational interest, and learning strategies and their interactive impact on learning in physical education. The Model of Domain Learning (MDL) was used as the theoretical framework to guide this research. Data were collected from 202 sixth-grade learners from three middle schools and consisted of their individual interest in softball, their knowledge and skill levels in softball, their rating of situational interest in their softball classes, and their self-reported learning strategy use during learning. Learners' physical engagement (recorded in total steps using Yamax Digiwalkers) were measured to represent learning process outcome. Learners' knowledge achievement and individual interest change were assessed using arithmetic difference between pretest and posttest scores of the measures. The data were analyzed using correlation and path modeling analysis. Findings suggest that the learners brought various prior knowledge and skill to the learning process with different individual interest in the content. The learners at the acclimation stage demonstrated fragmented and incoherent interrelations of knowledge, interests, and learning strategies, while those at the competency stage showed a coherent pattern of the interrelations. During learning, situational interest played a role as a primary motivator for the learners at the acclimation stage and facilitated the learners at the competency stage. Knowledge acquisition and individual interest development were found occurring simultaneously as a result of interactions among prior knowledge, individual interest, situational interest, and learning strategies. Results also indicate that situational interest was internalized into individual interest for the learners at the acclimation stage when they were acquiring new knowledge. The findings suggest that the MDL is tenable model to explain the effect of the interactive relationships among knowledge, interests, and learning strategies on learning in physical education.