Digitized Theses and Dissertations

Permanent URI for this collection

https://hdl.handle.net/1828/20823

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 243

The intergenerational transmission of attitudes towards corporal punishment
(1998) Schwartz, Christine A.; Runtz, Marsha
This study examined the role of past corporal punishment experiences in moderating current attitudes towards corporal punishment among 399 university students. Support was found for the intergenerational transmission of attitudes towards corporal punishment: experiencing past corporal punishment as a child and viewing one's parent's use of corporal punishment as justified were related to greater acceptance of corporal punishment. Participant demographics were also relevant: males and Asian students (versus females and other ethnic groups) were more accepting of corporal punishment. Students who are parents and students who worked with children were less accepting of corporal punishment than those who had no such experience.
Effects of a script-based symbolic play intervention on children with developmental delay
(2000) Neville, Maryann; Bachor, Dan G.
The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of a script-based symbolic play intervention on preschool children with developmental delay. A single-case research design, using an A B A post check format, was implemented in an inclusive classroom setting with five children who exhibited a delay in at least one area of development. Effects of the intervention were examined in two contexts, independent play and playing with peers. The results were analyzed to find (a) the frequency and diversity of symbolic play behaviors exhibited by the child in independent play for 7 minutes immediately following the intervention, (b) the frequency and diversity of symbolic play behaviors exhibited by a child in regular classroom play, (c) the frequency and diversity of words produced by a child during regular classroom play, (d) the type of social interaction with peers exhibited by a child during regular classroom play. Data were analyzed on an individual basis and across participants. Four of the five children exhibited gains in mean performance over baseline levels, in individual play and in shared play, in each phase of the study. Maintenance of treatment effects was observed two months post intervention. The number of symbolic play skills exhibited in independent play exceeded those exhibited in shared play in approximately a 2: I ratio, for four of the participants. The fifth participant exhibited gains in performance in return to baseline and post check sessions only. Findings supported the positive effects of modeling and transition training to promote generalization between contexts. The immediate emergence of sequenced symbolic play behaviors was noted. Parallel performance was found in language production and symbolic play frequency. Diversity of language decreased with increased word production for two participants. Four of the participants exhibited a trend toward more mature social interaction with peers. Recommendations for future research included increasing the number of intervention sessions for specific children, comparing script-based play interventions with non script-based play interventions, exploring alternate interventions for children with special needs that will promote generalization to inclusive classroom settings, and examining the efficacy of using script-based play interventions with older children, to attempt to augment language production and sequencing abilities. Recommendations for practice included paraprofessional involvement in implementing script-based play interventions, providing support to promote generalization of skills learned in an independent context, and implementation of a community-based or school-based program to teach parents play intervention techniques.
Towards a meaning of relationship and school based child and youth care work
(1999) Mazzocchi, Judith I.; Artz, Sibylle
This is a qualitative autobiographical study that focuses on a series of epiphanies or critical incidents involving inter-professional relationships in school based child and youth care work. The hermeneutic phenomenological inquiry process explicates the meaning of the essence of the lived experience and in doing so uncovers the nature of the experience for the individual employing this approach. While the understanding and the meaning are specific to the experiences of the researcher, the knowledge can illuminate and generate relevance for others in similar circumstances. Based on the analysis of a collection of letters, notes, journal entries and conversations recorded by the researcher during the school based experience, the study revealed the current focus on relationship in child and youth care research and literature does not speak to the inter-professional relationships that impact the practitioner and the work. This study found the lived experience of the researcher was vastly different from the expected experience.
Interplay of online & onground realities: internet research on youth experiences online
(1999) Maczewski, Mechthild; Riecken, Ted
The interconnected, interactive medium of the Internet makes visible the realities and multiple voices associated with western, post-modern societies. This study explores through online conversations with eight adolescents how onground social and cultural constructs of research practices, age, gender, self and relationships are transformed by frequent participation within an online space in which parameters of interaction and communication can be re-defined. In an online ethnographic research context, onground concepts such as ownership of data, researcher-participant relationship as well as confidentiality and consent are re-negotiated online. In the contexts of youth experiences online, research participants are able to explore their interests and themselves through challenging activities and supportive online relationships in addition to the opportunities available for them onground. Both online and onground experiences are considered real by youth, are interconnected and influence their development of self. Findings are presented through use of multiple voices and writing styles.
Moms, mentors and social support
(2002) Hobbs, Maureen Violet; MacDonald, Marjorie A.
The Moms & Mentors' program is a small group of young moms and experienced moms trained as mentors who created a social support network in the community. Four moms and four mentors were interviewed and three mentors and two moms participated in a focus group. Their interviews were analyzed according to thematic analysis. Findings revealed that building social support with moms and mentors, involved developing their identity by sharing in the experiences of being a mom, learning mothering skills, developing problem solving and decision making skills, and receiving encouragement for pursuing their goals. As a result of their shared experiences, moms and mentors increased self-confidence and self-worth. Moms & Mentors is an experience of empowerment, both for the individuals involved and the community.
Not a 'women's issue': divorce and the family as a political battleground for secularizers and Catholics from 1792 to 1816
(1999) Hartley, Samantha Audrey; Alexander, R. S.
This thesis explores the political ramifications of divorce legislation and its relevance to France's progressive secularization in the nineteenth century, using legislative debates, newspapers, memoirs, and pamphlet literature. In looking at arguments for and against divorce a pattern is evident, tying divorce symbolically to the social and political changes produced by the Revolution. This pattern is illustrated by a chronological examination of France's political history beginning with the introduction of Enlightenment ideas of contract theory, individual liberty, and personal happiness. These arguments pitted Republican ideals against Catholic tradition -- divorce and contractual marriage represented the secularism of the Revolution, and therefore divorce was restricted under conservative regimes such as the Consulate, Empire, and Third Republic and abolished under the Ultraroyalist chombre introuvable. The pattern of republican and liberal support of divorce, overcome by periods of social conservatism, continued w1til divorce's reintroduction under the Third Republic in 1884.
Engendering social policy for single mothers: cross-national comparisons
(2000) Bourhis, Meredith Eve; Benoit, Cecilia
In this thesis, I explore the following questions: Do social policies vary across today's welfare states? What outcomes do variations across social policies have for women, especially single mothers? Finally, is single mothers' labour force participation facilitated by women-friendly social policies? These questions are answered through the examination of select welfare state social policies asserted by feminist scholars as necessary for: a) women's access to secure employment and equitable wages and b) women's economic independence/capacity to maintain an autonomous household. In particular, I examine family leave and benefits and childcare policies and how they might affect the employment outcomes of single mothers in three specified countries: Sweden, the United States and Canada. Chapter One outlines a select range of theoretical perspectives used by sociologists to examine contemporary welfare states. Chapter Two outlines the methodology employed in the study. In Chapter Three, the maternity, paternity, and parental policies of Sweden, the United States and Canada are examined with reference to the last decade and a half, referred to as the post-Fordist era. Chapter Four examines the main childcare policies and services available in each national case example. The purpose of this chapter is to highlight cross-national variation when Sweden, the United States and Canada are compared. Chapter Five pulls together the evidence to answer the three key questions posed in my purpose statement and concludes with a discussion of the study's limitations and lines for further research.
A descriptive survey of family law mediators on influences on outcomes in family law mediation in British Columbia
(1995) Bircher, Robert John; Hett, Geoffrey
A survey of family law mediators in the Province of British Columbia, Canada, revealed outcome rates and reported mediators' attitudes towards numerous factors that influence outcome in family mediation. The survey was restricted to lawyers certified by the Law Society of British Columbia to practice mediation; all 327 lawyer mediators in the Province were surveyed and 85 mediators responded. These mediators reported a 75.38% success rate (defined as a signed separation agreement or a consent order) which was achieved in an average of three to four sessions. Single issue mediations were reported to be more difficult to resolve than multiple issue mediations. The mediators ranked the levels of difficulty of ten common issues in mediation on a Likert scale with access reported to be the easiest to resolve and spousal maintenance reported to be the most difficult. Thirty-five factors that are believed to influence outcome were also ranked in order of significance showing that the clients' commitment to mediation is the most significant factor and whether or not the clients are common-law or married being the least significant. The results indicated that mediators believe men have no particular advantage in mediation due to better negotiating skills, higher income and assets or being more competitive. The results di9 indicate that mediators believe that mediation affords women a greater opportunity to express their views than other forms of dispute resolution and that they tend to be more satisfied with the process than men. Sixteen forms of power commonly seen in mediation were ranked in terms of difficulty to balance, with information and knowledge being the easiest to power balance and assertiveness and self-esteem rated the most difficult. The results of this study will give practicing mediators contextual background data on these factors which will allow them to better predict outcomes in given fact situations.
The learning of skill diagnosis by coaches in figure skating
(2000) Zackova, Zuzana; Turkington, H. David
This study was designed to investigate the development and current procedures used by coaches in skill diagnosis. Through a 32-item questionnaire and semi-structured interviews experienced figure skating coaches (N = 22) reported that in the beginning of their careers they reflected back on their experiences as an athlete, carried on the knowledge they gained from their own coaches and used trial and error when correcting the jumps. Later phases of their coaching involved learning in structured environments such as NCCP courses, seminars and workshops as well as from other coaches. Observing the whole jump and then focusing on parts of the jump, set up and take off in particular, is an observation routine used by the majority of coaches. The most common factors influencing the characteristics of this routine was the skill's stage of development and skater herself. When analyzing the jump, coaches reported that they reflect on the image of the jump just performed. By replying to questionnaires and interviews coaches provided invaluable information for future educational program for aspiring coaches.
Acute effect of heavy pre-loading on horizontal and vertical jump performance
(2000) Scott, Stefan Lewis; Docherty, David
The purpose of this study was to investigate the acute effect of neural activation via heavy dynamic pre-load, consisting of one set of five repetition maximum (5RM) back squats (to a 90° knee angle), on countermovement vertical jump (VJ) and horizontal standing long jump (HJ) performance. Furthermore, the effects of pre-loading on these two plyometric exercises were examined for learning effects over the course of four separate testing sessions. 19 physically active males (age = 25.0 ± 4.8 yrs; weight= 79.3 ± 6.6 kg) experienced with back squats participated in the study. Each subject took part in eight exercise sessions: four practice and four testing sessions. The four practice sessions were designed to allow learning effects for VJ and HJ to stabilize and to determine 5RM back squat. One practice session consisted of a 10 min standardized warm-up (5 min cycling, 5 min stretching), two sets of VJ and HJ (each VJ and HJ set consisted of four jump repetitions) with a 5 min rest between sets (RBS), progressive 5RM back squat testing, and two final sets of VJ and HJ (5 min RBS). Mean SRM value improved significantly over the four practice sessions (164.2 ± 25.1 kg vs. 196.9 ± 23.0 kg). The four testing sessions each consisted of a standardized warm-up, one set of four VJ and four HJ jumps, a 5 min rest, 5RM back squat, a 5 min rest, and the final set of VJ and HJ jumps. Pre- and post-SRM VJ and HJ order was randomly assigned and counter balanced. Results indicated that no significant differences occurred between mean or maximal VJ and HJ sets performed 5 min prior to and 5 min after SRM back squat for the final practice session (control) or any of the four testing sessions. No linear improvement across time was observed over the course of the five sessions for mean or maximal pre- and post-SRM VJ and HJ performance. Thus, heavy dynamic loading with a SRM back squat performed between sets of VJ and HJ jumps did not significantly change mean or maximal height or distance jumped in an individual session. Additionally, no progressive learning effects or changes in performance occurred from repeated exposure to the heavy pre-loading neural activation protocol.
Training anticipation for advanced and intermediate tennis players: a behavioural approach
(1995) Scott, David; Howe, Bruce L.
The purpose of this study was to: (i) examine the ability of advanced and intermediate tennis players to accurately predict the type, depth, and width or tennis serves. and (ii) to examine the trainability of serve type. depth. and width identification by intermediate tennis players. In Experiment I subjects (N=38) viewed tennis serves, on a video and were asked to identify the type of serve, the depth of serve, and the width of serve. Ninety serves were presented at two different speeds (regular and slow motion) for a total of 180 video presentations. Performance or the advanced and intermediate tennis players, with respect to the three measures previously described were analysed and compared. There was a significant difference (p < .05) in the level of prediction accuracy between the groups for both speed of presentation. Post hoc analysis revealed however that no significant differences in prediction performance existed between the groups for serve depth and serve width at slow speed. Further analysis of prediction performance revealed significant correlations for both advanced and intermediate players at slow and regular speed. The results of the study suggest that differences in serve prediction performance between advanced and intermediate players may result from differing in formation detection, amount of information being processed. and processing peed. Experiment II concerned the assessment of the impact of a video training protocol on serve reception and return skill. A multiple baseline design across six subjects was implemented with pre and post intervention scores for serve return performance on court being recorded. Intervention consisted of series of video presentations of serves, all of which were occluded on contact. Subjects were asked to predict the type, depth and width of serve. A modified changing criterion design was implemented during intervention, that is, on reaching a certain predetermined level of performance accuracy, subjects progressed to a faster video play speed. On court results would suggest that performance did improve as a result of the video presentations.
The impacts of the eastern seaboard project on Thai rural communities. A case study in Rayong: Implications for state policy of industrialization and economic development in Thailand
(1996) Pookaothong, Wacharin; Wood, Colin J. B.
This is a study of geographical change in the hinterland of a growth centre. The Thai government policy of modernization through industrialization is reviewed, with specific attention being focused on the growth pole policy. This study focuses on the impacts of that policy. Map Ta Phut, formerly a small and obscure town in Eastern Thailand, has become a growth pole for industrial activities and business transactions since the establishment of the Eastern Seaboard Development Project in 1982, currently employing over I 0,000 people. The region around Map Ta Phut has been emerging as a potential beneficiary of this industrial development, an important factor in generating incomes and employment opportunities with forward and backward linkages. The socioeconomic impacts of the industrial development on the urban area as well as its rural hinterlands have diversified into various dimensions and facets. This changing circumstance has altered the perspectives of rural households in their occupations, incomes, consumption and commuting patterns, quality of life, standard of living, and so on. This research focuses on a comparative study of two groups of farming households in the rural hinterland; one has a family member engaged in non-farm activity while the other has not. The study is aimed at investigating the impacts of the industrial development on the hinterland households, as well as their responses and adjustments to changing circumstance. The condition of industrial and service workers in Map Ta Phut is also explored. It is found that the industrial development in Map Ta Phut appears to have generated positive impacts on its region. These are: - income-earning; job opportunities: exposure to urban milieu. and availability of infrastructural facilities. The rural-urban exchanges are minimum, with varying intensity proportional to its distance from Map Ta Phut’s urban centre. In this regard, households having members engaged in non-farm activities. on the average, earn higher incomes than those having members working only on farms, and therefore have a better standard of living. Villagers’ perceptions towards industrial development impacts are positive, in general. They are satisfied and proud that the industrial growth centre is established in their province.
Talks a good game: a self-talk intervention programme for enhancing rugby tackling and self-efficacy
(2000) Newman, William Robert; Howe, Bruce L.
The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a self-talk intervention programme on rugby tackling performance, self-efficacy and the use of self-talk. 40 male rugby players from the University of Victoria volunteered to participate in the study and were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: Self-Talk or Unaided (Control) groups. The intervention consisted of eight weeks of classroom-based sessions and directed practice. Data on self-efficacy and self-talk usage were collected from 39 players at baseline and posttest, and 23 players completed the tackling assessments. Results indicate that players in the Self-Talk condition significantly increased their use of self-talk while tackling, and improved their understanding of these thoughts. The Self-Talk group displayed significantly greater tackling performance changes than the Control group. These results were considered in the light of previous research, with an emphasis on the focus of attention through self-talk.
The 'other' season at ski hills: applying the limits of acceptable change (LAC) to a study of summer alpine recreation on and adjacent to Whistler Mountain, British Columbia
(2002) Needham, Mark; Wood, Colin J. B.
Downhill skiing and snowboarding are commonplace winter activities at ski hills. However. The advent of operating chairlifts or gondolas during the summer to accommodate activities like hiking, sightseeing. and mountain biking is increasing. In 1991, only 12% of the major ski hills in British Columbia had a lift operating in the summer. A decade later, summer lift operations occurred at 65% of these areas. Some ski hills like Whistler Mountain are receiving upwards of 200.000 visitors each summer. However. this dimension of mountain use has yet to receive any serious research attention. Therefore, this study analyzes summer recreation on Whistler Mountain and in adjacent areas of Garibaldi Provincial Park. British Columbia. The purpose of this study is to achieve a comprehensive baseline understanding of summertime use in this region and to determine appropriate management strategies for this area. This research is guided by the Limits of Acceptable Change (LAC) framework, which involves identifying acceptable social and resource conditions and prescribing strategies for attaining these conditions. The LAC has received considerable attention in the literature. and is thought to be perhaps the most sophisticated approach to visitor management in outdoor recreation settings. However, very few applications can be found or have been reported, especially in Canada. This study focuses on the social dimensions of this framework as it ascertains the demographics, activities, trip characteristics, motivations, and satisfaction levels of summer visitors in this region. It also determines their perceptions of crowding and attitudes regarding lift ticket prices. facilities and services. detracting activities. and management alternatives. Moreover, recreation specialization levels of visitors are measured and a continuum from the least experienced “generalists” to the most experienced “specialists” is developed. The vehicle for collecting this information is a 37-question survey that was conducted face-to-face (on-site) with summer visitors. Sampling was stratified according to five sites and visitors were randomly selected at these sites. This approach is important because most recreation research is conducted at trailheads or through mail surveys. These methods do not reveal visitor differences that may exist between sites within a region, thus assuming that visitors throughout a setting are homogeneous. Therefore, this study explores these possible spatial variations, not normally examined in recreation research. After two pilot tests, the survey was completed by 548 summer visitors from July I to September 4, 2000 (response rate = 84.2%, margin of error=± 4.2%. confidence level = 95%). This survey is analyzed using descriptive, non-parametric, and parametric inferential statistical tests to reveal differences in visitor characteristics and attitudes between the sites. The LAC demands input inclusive of all stakeholders with recreational, economic, and ecological interests in an area. Therefore, this study solicits multi-stakeholder input not only from visitors. But also from 21 representatives of 12 different companies, government agencies, and recreation and environmental special interest groups. Surveys and semi-structured interviews gathered input from these stakeholders concerning a plethora of issues related to summertime use in the study area. The survey results are reported as percentages given the small sample of representatives, while the interview results are reported using direct quotes and paraphrased comments. An integral component of the LAC system involves measuring indicators to reveal standards of quality, or thresholds at which conditions reach unacceptable levels. This study employs a visual approach to normative theory using photographs depicting increasing levels of impacts for social (hiker and mountain biker crowding) and resource (bare ground at campsites, trail conditions, litter) indicators. The acceptability of these impacts is evaluated by visitors and stakeholder groups to reveal their norms and standards for each of these social and resource indicators. An expanded model for measuring indicators and standards is also introduced and empirically tested in this study. Results indicate that most of the variables in the visitor survey significantly differ between the sites, suggesting the need to manage and monitor each area differently. The frontcountry visitors at the top of Whistler Mountain are mostly sightseers originating from around the world. They are not very specialized and they visit this area mainly to view the alpine scenery. The visitors at the backcountry sites are more specialized hikers and campers mostly from Whistler or Greater Vancouver who visit the area mainly to engage in specific recreation activities. Compared to the frontcountry visitors. They find indicator impacts less acceptable, are more capable of specifying standards for indicators, and in most cases, have a higher level of consensus regarding appropriate impacts. At some of the sites, many visitors feel crowded, are detracted by the helicopter over-flights, and want more staff presence and educational and interpretive activities offered. The stakeholder groups express similar concerns and also feel that use levels, litter, crowding, and helicopter over-flights are important indicators for this region. Crowding standards vary between the stakeholder groups, but there is little disagreement regarding standards for litter and trail conditions. Recommendations for improving visitor experiences and managing summertime use in the entire study area and at each site are suggested. Issues warranting further research are also discussed.
Transition experiences of high performance Canadian and Australian female competitive swimmers
(2000) Musselman, D'arcey Michelle; Howe, Bruce L.
The purpose of this study was to explore the transitional experiences of a purposive sample of six Canadian and four Australian former, female, national team swimmers. A semi-structured audiotaped. telephone interview was used to provide infom1ation on the participants' sport experience, transition process, and new life. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed for common themes. The results showed that during the respondents' swimming careers, Canadian participants had less access to financial support and were more likely to pursue post-secondary education in contrast to their Australian swimming colleagues. However, these differences did not appear to make a distinction between the two groups· perceptions of transition. All of the participants experienced a period of adjustment when they left swimming. This adjustment period typically was connected to the participants' concerns about their body weight and loss of identity. There was some evidence to support that participants who left sport for voluntary reasons and eased out of swimming were less likely to experience difficulties following their departure from sport than were those who retired for involuntary reasons and stopped swimming abruptly. ln addition, coping with retirement appeared to be facilitated by establishing a strong network of social support, planning for transition, and finding a new focus. Generally, the majority of the participants had successfully adjusted to their post-athletic life and were happy with their experiences.
Colonial land, Indian labour and company capital the economy of Vancouver Island, 1849-1858
(1984) Mackie, Richard; Gaffield, C. M.
The subject of this thesis is the economic development of colonial Vancouver Island from its creation in 1849 to the Fraser River gold rush in 1858. Though this period witnessed the important beginnings of non-Indian settlement in British Columbia, its economic and settlement history have never been systematically studied. In the thesis introduction, the notion is challenged that the economic and social development of the colony was hindered, if not entirely prevented, by the monopolistic policies of the Hudson's Bay Company. Issue is taken with the unsubstantiated or traditional notions that the Company's overriding concern was with trading animal furs from the Indians, and that the Company prevented private traders from securing access to the island's Indian and colonial markets. The thesis also questions the traditional position that the Company--instead of colonizing the island--succeeded only in locating a handful of retired fur traders haphazardly around the wooden pickets of Fort Victoria. It is suggested that such misleading generalizations as these are largely the result of an entrenched but compelling anti-Company popular and intellectual bias. It is suggested that such generalizations ignore the very real economic developments of the early colonial years, which are the subject of the systematic and detailed analysis of the first three chapters. Far from being exclusively a fur trading concern, it is argued that Company capital and trading expertise permitted the production of such articles as salmon, potatoes, agricultural products, ice, shingles, lumber, cranberries, coal and salt. Such articles were intended both for colonial consumption and for export to major markets at Honolulu, London and San Francisco. The Company's fur trade employees and the Company's indentured labourers hired in Britain became the island's first colonists. These same colonists formed joint stock companies based at the colonial and fur trade capital, Fort Victoria. These same pioneers made their commitment to the economic and social development of the colony permanent by buying land in and around Victoria. The "fur trade" epithet is therefore a wholly inadequate and misleading description of the process of economic and social change on Vancouver Island prior to 1858. It is proposed that the three main ingredients of the Company's successful colonization of the island were colonial land, Indian labour and Company capital. First, influenced by the colonial settlement and economic theories of Edward Gibbon Wakefield, the Company offered land for sale of three different varieties, and at three different prices, which were intended to attract the different classes of colonial settlers. Second, Vancouver Island's large Indian population was transformed from a source primarily of trade into an abundant and inexpensive pool of labour. Third, it is proposed that the Company's large reserves of capital enabled it to effectively colonize the island and develop its natural resources. Finally, Victoria-based settlement resulted in the emergence there of a powerful group of bureaucrats and businessmen, with roots in the Hudson's Bay Company, later known accurately but pejoratively as the family-company-compact. It is suggested that this powerful group of l and-owning, business oriented colonists gave the isl and the social, political and economic leadership necessary to withstand the impact of the gold rush. The overall conclusion is that the exploitation and development of natural resources was of immediate and profound importance in both the Indian and colonial cultures of nineteenth century British Columbia.
The effects of various durations of maximal voluntary isometric contractions on subsequent power performance
(2002) King, Adrian John Clinton; Wenger, Howard A.
The purpose of this study is to 1) determine if a 2.5, 5, and 10 s maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) in the form of a squat can produce post-activation potentiation (PAP) and enhance subsequent squat jump (SJ) performance 2) determine if there is a relationship between MVIC duration and the degree of enhancement of SJ performance and 3) determine the persistence of the PAP phenomenon. Eleven physically active male subjects participated in this study and randomly completed four separate testing conditions. The three different durations of MVIC and a control condition (no MVIC) were performed on different days separated by at least 48 hours. Within each testing session, one set of five squat jumps were performed 15 min before and 4 and 6 min after a MVIC on a Kistler force platform. Jump height, ground reaction force, time to peak force, and impulse were derived from the force platform and analyzed. The 10 s MVIC produced significant decreases in SJ height 6 min following the contraction. The 10 s MVIC also produced significant decreases in impulse 4 and 6 min following the contraction. No other significant changes in any of the force plate data were observed. It is concluded that 2.5 and 5 s MVIC in the form of a squat were unsuccessful in producing a PAP of SJ performance and a 10 s maximal isometric squat may be detrimental to performance.
Predicting rowing ergometer performance in novice female rowers
(1999) Davidson, Christopher R.; Gaul, Catherine Ann
The purpose of this study was to establish a means of predicting time to complete 2000m on the Concept II Rowing Ergometer from simple and easily conducted dry-land field tests for novice female rowers. Predicting 2000m ergometer time can help attract new athletes to the sport, provide information for pacing 2000m ergometer tests and finally provide coaches with simple, standardized dry-land talent selection procedures. The 2000m ergometer test has been used extensively in the literature and in practice to quantify the physical demands of the sport. However, ergometer testing may not always be practical when testing large numbers of inexperienced, novice rowers. Twenty-eight female volunteers (12 high school aged, 16 university aged) performed 2000m ergometer tests at the beginning (Pl) and end (P2) of their first season of rowing, which lasted six weeks. They also performed a 20m shuttle run to assess absolute V02max (V02maxA), a vertical jump test, and a maximal upright row test at the beginning and end of the season. Anthropometric measures of height, weight, sitting height and armspan were also taken. The P 1 V02maxA for the whole sample of subjects was highly correlated with Pl and P2 2000m rowing ergometer time (r = .80, r =85). None of the other exercise tests or anthropometric data significantly strengthened the relationship. The relationships for the high school aged subjects were also strong (r = .85, r = .90) for the same variables. However, the relationships for the university aged subjects were not strong for the same variables (r = .52, r = .60) and did not meet the r2 standard required to create predictive equations for 2000m ergometer time. As a result, predictive equations for 2000m ergometer performance could only be developed for the whole sample and high school aged subjects. This study found that the 20m shuttle run can be used to predict future 2000m ergometer performance in novice high school female rowers. This predictive information can be used to quantify the physical component of rowing talent. Success in rowing is also influenced by skill and psychological factors not examined in this study. Ultimately, predicting 2000m ergometer performance from 20m shuttle run can be useful to both athletes and coaches of high school aged athletes as a dry-land measure of rowing physical potential. Further investigation is required to examine the use of simple, easily conducted dry-land tests for the prediction of rowing ergometer performance in university aged novice rowers.
The effects of mesocycle structure on performance and resting norepinephrine in resistance trained males
(2002) Cole, Matt; Docherty, David
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a high volume resistance training overreaching protocol on resting norepinephrine and strength and power performance in resistance trained men. Ten subjects, aged 19-32 years old, were assigned to either a control nonperiodized group (n = 5) or an overreaching group (n = 5). Both groups trained according to a resistance training protocol for a period of 3 weeks, which was followed by a 1 week unloading microcycle. The non-periodized control group trained at a constant training volume (640 reps/wk) for the 3-week period, whereas the training volume for the overreaching group was increased from week to week (640-1536 reps/wk) which culminated with an overreaching protocol in week 3. Strength and power measures included a lRM bench press, lRM leg press, vertical jump, and medicine ball throw. These performance measures were recorded prior to the commencement of the mesocycle, and 48, 72, and 96 hours following the last training session. Nocturnal urinary samples were collected before the commencement of the mesocycle, at the end of each training week, and 96 hours and 1 week following the last training session. Significant (P<0.05) gains in lRM leg press were observed among both groups over the training period. Over the unloading period, again, significant gains were recorded across the trials, however these gains could not be differentiated between the two groups. Significant lRM bench press gains were recorded over the training period and unloading period, yet gains could not be differentiated between the non-periodized or overreaching groups. The medicine ball throw performance significantly decreased over the training period. This decrease was not distinguished between the two groups. Strength gains observed over the unloading period suggest the presence of residual fatigue and therefore support the use of periodic unloading periods when utilizing high volume resistance training regimens. No significant changes in resting norepinephrine levels were observed over the training period as well as over the unloading microcycle. This was true for both between groups and within groups across trials.
The integration index: using GIS to interpret the residential structure of Vancouver, British Columbia
(2001) Buck, Ian David; McCann, L. D.
The study of residential differentiation in Canadian cities since the Second World War has relied on the use of the Segregation Index and the Dissimilarity Index to measure the degree of residential differentiation in a city. The calculation of these indices relies on the aggregation of data by a pre-defined areal unit, most typically city wards or census traces. Much scholarly work has questioned the ability of these indices to adequately interpret spatial patterns, particularly because of the impact of the size of areal units on results. This thesis considers residential differentiation based on point data, that is, the precise residential location of people. These data are drawn from the manuscript records of the 1901 Census of Canada. Vancouver, British Columbia, is the case study. The analysis found chat in certain situations the Segregation and Dissimilarity indices were indeed difficult to interpret; and chat contrary to findings reported in the residential differentiation literature, there was much social integration in Vancouver when occupational class, ethnic group, and family type variables were examined. To better understand this mixing or intermingling in residential neighbourhoods, a new index - called the Integration Index - was devised. This index measures the average minimum distance between individuals in two groups of people, employing ArcView GIS software. When used in combination with the Segregation and Dissimilarity indices, the Integration Index furthers our comprehensive analysis of the spatial arrangement of people.

Browse

Recent Submissions