American Press: Applied Research in Coaching and Athletics Annual #27 (2012)

ARCAA Contents & Abstracts Volume 27, 2012

ISBN 978-0-89641-507-2

Association between Sport Participation and Youth Developmental Assets among Public High School Students, Keith J. Zullig, Robert F. Valois, Thelma Horn — This study examined associations between youth assets and adolescents’ sports participation among 4,097 high school students. Participants completed a questionnaire measuring youth assets/sport participation. Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted across four race/gender groups controlling for SES and age. All race/gender groups were between 1.39 and 1.91 times (p<.01) more likely to report sport participation if they reported accountability to parents/other adults. In addition, White females (OR = 1.48) and Black males (OR = 1.46) were at greater odds for reporting sport participation if they reported empowerment and quantity of adult support (p<.001), White adolescents (OR = 1.33-1.46, p<.01) and Black males (OR = 1.31, p<.05) for self/peer values regarding risk behavior, and Black females (OR = 1.22, p<.05) for perceived school support. Further research is necessary to identify the particular characteristics of youth and school sport programs that will most facilitate adolescents’ acquisition of these important developmental assets. (1-32)

Gender-Stereotypic Model in Athletics: Sex of the Coach and Team Performance, Warren A. Whisenant, Tywan Martin, Christi DeWaele — Numerous researchers have suggested that the sex of a teacher influences both teacher-student interactions and student performance (Bettinger & Long, 2005; Cavanagh, 2005; Dee, 2006a; Jacob, 2002; Jones & Dindia, 2004). One outcome of such gender-stereotypic behavior was an increase in student performance when taught by teachers of the same sex (Dee, 2006a). This study applied the model to girls’ sports to determine if girls’ teams (n = 229) coached by women performed better than girls’ teams coached by men (n = 265). The findings indicated that the sex of the coach was not a factor (p = .792) in athletic team performance in girls’ sports. Further research is needed to assess the sex of the coach and performance of boys’ teams, allowing more women the opportunity to coach boys’ sports. (33-52)

A Preliminary One-Year Study of Elite Female Adolescent Volleyball Players: What Can We Learn from the Use of Physical Skill Tests? Ronnie Lidor, Gal Galili, Michal Aarnon, Rutie Pilz-Burstein — Coaches of young athletes in both individual and team sports often use batteries of physical skill tests in early phases of talent detection and sport development. The purpose of these tests is to obtain information that can be used in assessing the players' physical ability and skill level and in predicting their future success. However, the relevance of these tests has been found to be questionable. The purpose of this study was twofold: (a) to examine the usefulness of a battery of physical skill tests in early phases of sport development in young female competitive volleyball players, and (b) to examine the relationship between the achievements in each test and the rankings of the players. Ten female volleyball players underwent assessment of physical ability and skill level three times over a one-year training program; however, not all of the players took part in every testing session. The physical skill tests included an agility test, a speed test, a medicine ball throw test, a standing long jump test, a standing vertical jump test, and a vertical jump with approach test. At the end of the year the players were ranked by their head coach. Data analysis revealed that players improved their performances in all but one test. The vertical jump with approach, standing long jump, and agility tests were found to be the best predictors for ranking players. It is recommended that jumping tests be included in batteries of physical skill tests, and that the number of tests included in the battery should be decreased. (53-78)

U.S. Collegiate Hammer Throwers: A Descriptive Analysis Including the Impact of Coaching Certification, Lawrence W. Judge, David Bellar, Glenn McAtee, Mike Judge, Erin Gilreath, Harold Connolly — The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics of national qualifiers for the NCAA championships in the hammer throw, and whether or not their performance is affected by coaching certifications. A 41-item survey instrument was developed to collect data regarding national level collegiate hammer throwers throughout the United States. Coaching education variables were not significantly related (p>0.05) to any specific variable that questioned the performance or technique of the athletes. However, coaching certification was significantly related (phi=0.271, p=0.029) to the reported history of average injuries. The level of coaching certification was also significantly correlated to history of average injury (τb=0.364, p=0.023). The results of this study demonstrate the importance of coaching education. This paper represents only a modest beginning point for a further study of the impact of certification on the incidence of injuries in the hammer throw in the United States. (79-104)

A Theoretical Analysis of a Truly Synchronous Rowing Technique: The New Pose Method and Three Well-Established Rowing Techniques, Graham Fletcher, Scott Fraser, Aaron Docksreader, Nicholas Romanov — Biomechanical analysis of rowing has enjoyed a long history investigating the rower, the boat and the oar handle. There are two main views among rowing specialists: The first view suggests the drive phase should begin by using fast legs with consecutive movement of the trunk at the second third of the drive. The second view suggests a near synchronous effort of the legs and trunk after the trunk begins the drive. The three main established rowing techniques: Adam, Deutsche Demokratische Republik (DDR), Rosenberg are compared with Pose rowing. They were theoretically analysed to determine whether a synchronous drive phase or a combination of trunk and leg motion is more effective. The findings suggest the Pose technique’s truly synchronous drive phase can potentially engage the whole body but may reduce oar handle force. Recovery is simplified by returning the body towards the oar handle after its maximal force. Local fatigue from either a leg or trunk drive only can limit rowing performance during a 2 km race therefore, a truly synchronous drive phase in Pose rowing may enable a more sustained pace over the last 500 m. (105-126)

Gender Equity in an NCAA Division I Donor Publication, Laura M. Hatfield, Jeffrey T. Johnson, Courtney L. Flowers — This study examined the amount and type of coverage of athletes and teams in a donor publication included as a benefit to members of a major state university athletic foundation. The purpose was to determine if male and female athletes and teams were represented equally and appropriately in this publication. Pictures were coded for location, gender, content, and size, and articles were coded for gender and type (pre or post-game story, feature story, etc.). Results revealed female athletes/teams were underrepresented, both in number of articles and pictures, and in size and location of pictures. (127-146)

The Effectiveness of Early Termination Clauses in University Coaching Contracts: Why Coach Franchione Wasn't As Successful as Coach O'Brien, Adrien Bouchet, Paul J. Batista, Michael Hutchinson — This paper examines the early termination provisions in the contracts of two high profile NCAA Division IA head coaches: Jim O’Brien (former basketball coach at The Ohio State University) and Dennis Franchione (former football coach at Texas A&M University). College coaches’ contracts traditionally contain termination clauses that allow universities to fire the coach “for cause.” In this paper, particular interest is paid to the legal term “just cause” and the part it played in the recent dismissal of both O’Brien and Franchione. It discusses how each university handled the very public separation of two respected coaches and their accompanying institutions. Finally, the paper concludes by exploring the bigger issue of favorable clauses in coaches’ contracts. (147-163)

The Preponderance of Evidence Regarding the Use of Punishment in Competitive Sport from John Wooden and Other Top-Level Coaches, Chad Seifried — The primary purpose of this commentary essay was to demonstrate that a real disconnect exists between coaching education programs and actual practicing coaches of competitive sport concerning the topic of punishment. Through a comprehensive literature review of scholarly articles and professional coaching education documents, this investigation examined the assertion that the use of punishment as a tactic coaches use to ‘manage’ their players and team is outside the mainstream of popular opinion. A brief discussion describing how John Wooden and other well respected coaches, synonymous with winning, used punishment tactics is offered to support this perspective. Finally, advice is offered to members of the scholarly and coaching education fraternity on how to reduce the real disconnect between them and practicing coaches as it is related to punishment. (164-194)

Managing Organizational Change: A Multi-Level Coaching Perspective, Aaron W. Clopton, Stephen J. Dale — This article provides a general set of recommendations for managing organizational change within the intercollegiate and high school sport coaching context. Key aspects from the organizational change literature highlighted in this paper involve assessing the environment for change, developing a plan for change, overcoming resistance to change, and tactics for implementing change. To begin, the paper reviews the existing studies on leading organizational change from the perspective of business managers. Following the literature review, survey results obtained from soliciting various college and high school head coaches for their own experiences with implementing change are provided. Not only does the data support the applicability of the business-oriented studies, much of the research coincides with current literature authored by successful head coaches. The discussion portion of the article documents major overlapping themes reoccurring throughout past research, as well as the survey results. (195-221)

Factors Influencing College Selection by Student-Athletes: The Validation of a Measurement Instrument, Jeff Pauline — The foundation of a successful collegiate athletic program requires effective recruiting strategies. A 42-item questionnaire measuring the factors influencing college selection by student-athletes was developed to assist with recruiting. The questionnaire was administered to 126 NCAA Division I student-athletes. Principle component factor analysis with varimax orthogonal rotation was conducted to identify item loadings for the five components. The analyses validated the five components (academic, athletic, coaching, financial, personal/social) and accounted for 58% of the variance. The estimates of reliability indicated these constructs were internally consistent and stable over time. A descriptive analysis showed the academic category to have the greatest overall influence in the college selection process. A MANOVA revealed a significant difference by sport type (p = .002). Athletic factors were more important for revenue sport athletes than non-revenue sport athletes. No other significant effects were found for gender or the gender X sport type interaction (p > .05). (222-257)

Functional Football Speed: Defining and Quantifying through Testing, Brian J. Campbell, Jim M. Clemons, Torie M. Guidry, Matt J. Lopez — The 40-yard dash is the most prevalent test used by coaches and scouts to evaluate the speed of football players. The validity of this test, as a determinant of “game speed,” is questionable because the traditional method of timing football players does not involve game equipment. The extra weight of the equipment, as well as other possible factors, may affect player times differently when the dash is performed under more game-like conditions. Given the insufficient amount of research, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of football equipment on 40-yd sprint times. Sixty-four high school football players were timed in the 40-yd dash on a natural grass field under two conditions: wearing standard football equipment (E40) and wearing only gym shorts and a T-shirt (NE40). Sprint times were measured by an automatic timing system that utilized a high speed video camera, starter pistol, receiver, and timing software. Each participant performed two trials under each condition and the faster of the two trials for each condition was used for analysis. Change scores were computed (NE40-E40) and box plots generated to identify athletes at the upper and lower ends of the distribution. A dependent t test (p ≤ 0.05) was used for examining the difference between NE40 and E40 times. A significant difference was shown between E40 and NE40 conditions (p < 0.05). Results indicate that speed was significantly reduced with equipment. However, box plots revealed that not all players were affected equally. It was concluded that testing with football equipment enables coaches to target players who perform below average under game like conditions while also identifying players with “game speed”. (258-272)

Instant Video Replay Can Enhance Sport Skill Acquisition: Not Just for Referees or Spectators, David Bacharach — Traditional use of video in sport is to review it at the end of the day. Skill acquisition literature would suggest greater improvements if visual feedback were available immediately after completing a task. This paper describes video systems capable of displaying sport performance right after completion of a task to give athletes immediate feedback on their performance. Literature addressing skill acquisition and video-taped feedback (VTFB) suggests a strong potential for its effectiveness as a learning tool. Several video recorders such as a TiVo® or TViX®, were combined with 1500 NIT high brightness monitors to provide VTFB in any lighting conditions. This paper describes these systems and provides information on their efficacy as well as a resource for building one’s own system. Although learning styles are quite individual, when people focus on information from a delayed video system, their skill levels appear to improve more so than without such a system. (273-283)

BOOK REVIEWS

Following the Functional Path:Building and Rebuilding the Athlete, Reviewed by Chad H. Herring (284-287)

Performance Nutrition for Football: How Diet Can Provide the Competitive Edge, Reviewed by Brett Harvey (287-290)

Toilets, Bricks, Fish Hooks, and Pride:The Peak Performance Toolbox Exposed, Reviewed Warren K. Simpson (290-292)

Wrestling Drills for the Mat and the Mind, Reviewed by Gerard G. Lyons (292-295)

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