American Press, ARCAA Contents & Abstracts #28 (2013)

ARCAA Contents & Abstracts Volume 28, 2013

ISBN 978-0-89641-522-5

Is It the "Old Boys" or the "Old White Boys" Network: A Race by Gender Analysis of Homologous Reproduction of Women's Basketball Teams, Thomas J. Aicher, Janelle E. Wells — Nontraditional leaders face many challenges when attempting to break through the “concrete ceiling” in intercollegiate athletics. Researchers have evaluated the impact of organizational structures on women and racial minorities separately, however, scant research has evaluated the two groups together. This study centered on determining if a race by gender interaction existed among coaches of women’s basketball competing in all three NCAA divisions. Specifically, we evaluated the practice of homologous reproduction among intercollegiate basketball coaches. According to Kanter’s (1977) homologous reproduction we, the researchers, hypothesized gender and race would separately impact hiring practices, and a race by gender interaction would occur (i.e., people of similar race and gender would be over represented). Using chi square analysis, results partially supported the hypothesis based on gender in that both men and women employed a greater proportion of women. In terms of race, the hypothesis was fully supported, as well as the race by gender interaction. (1-29)

Efficacy of Potentiation of Shot Put Performance through Heavy Medicine Ball Throws, Lawrence W. Judge, David Bellar, Elizabeth Wanless — The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the potentiation effect of throwing a heavy medicine ball on subsequent standing shot put performance. The participants were five college-aged female shot putters (age: 20.0±1.7yr, ht: 167.2±10.9cm, wt: 98.5±23.6kg, best competition shot put performance: 11.2±1.2m). The treatments included a maximal throw for height with either an 8kg or 18.2kg medicine ball, or no medicine ball throw (control). ANOVA (treatment x time) revealed no significant main effect for treatment (F=1.738, ηp=0.303, p=0.236) or time (F=0.784, ηp=0.164, p=0.552) as well as no significant interaction effects (F=0.801, ηp=0.167, p=0.607). Compared to the control (8.5m±1.5), the 8kg (8.2m±1.5) and 18.2kg (8.1m±1.4) treatments produced mean distances that were shorter, though the difference was not significant. In moderately trained female athletes the use of heavy medicine balls as part of the pre-activity warm-up does not enhance shot put performance based upon the data from the present investigation. (30-44)

Psychological Characteristics of High School Football Athletes, Shane Hudson, Tony Bourgeois, Arnold LeUnes — The purpose of this research was to determine selected psychological characteristics of public high school football players utilizing a variety of assessment devices. Football athletes (N=184) at a large 5A high school in Texas were administered the Athletic Coping Skills Inventory, the Profile of Mood States, the Buss Aggression Scale, the Levenson Multidimensional Locus of Control scale, The Sport Inventory for Pain, and the Leadership and Motivation Scale. The findings suggest there are significant psychological differences between starters and non-starters, between offensive and defensive players, and between various combinations of positions. Specifically, group differences were observed in aggression, motivation, leadership, locus of control, and ability to cope with pain. (45-63)

Exploring Regret in Former Athletes: Emotional Ramifications of Sport-Specific Decisions, Jamie E. Robbins, Chritopher T. Stanley — The purpose of the study was to extend current regret research into the field of athletics by identifying distinct types of regrets experienced by a group of field hockey players. The theoretical basis of regret suggests that negative emotions may be experienced when athletes envision better results for a scenario had they made alternate decisions. Accordingly, regret was examined in 46 former female NCAA Division-I level collegiate field hockey players. A qualitative analysis was conducted, yielding six general themes related to: (a) team, (b) priorities, (c) communication, (d) role, (e) confidence, and (f) transition. Suggestions for further examination of regrets in sport and practical suggestions for utilizing findings are offered. (64-96)

Sponsorship and State High School Football Championships: An Analysis of Consumer Spending, Timothy D. Ryan, Cody T. Havard, Richard L. Irwin — In an attempt to obtain target market data to assist corporate marketing objectives for evaluating sponsorship for future state high school football championship events, consumer spending habits were gathered via survey methodology. Questionnaires were distributed to spectators (N=377) during three (3) games over two (2) days on site of state championship football games. The descriptive findings offer a starting point for agencies involved in the marketing of sponsorships for high school sporting events (Stotlar, 2004). Demographic results suggest that the majority of respondents are married, own a home, have attended college, have children at home, and report an annual income greater than $50,000, and it may be in the best interest of high school athletic associations to target sponsors addressing that population’s needs. (97-110)

Building Team Cohesion in Athletics Using Tuckman's Five Phase Model, Evelyn Gordon The purpose of this review was to examine Tuckman’s five phases and discover ways to include them into building team cohesion in an athletic setting by incorporating team-building activities. Cohesiveness during the team building process has been an area of interest in sport. To build a successful team cohesion needs to exist. During the transition of Tuckman’s five phases, team-building activities are introduced to ensure cohesion takes place. By reviewing research written from the business and sport psychology fields, suggestions have been made to the type of team building activities to include in each of the five phases. By including team-building activities in each of the phases, team cohesion will exist and will lead to more success. (111-121)

Relationship of Burnout and Years Experience in High School Varsity Head Coaches, Shelley H. Bradford, Steven F. Pugh, Christopher M. Keshock, Robert J. Heitman — The purpose of this study was to determine if experienced varsity head coaches have higher levels of burnout than entry-level varsity head coaches. The sample included 260 head varsity coaches from two southeastern states. Burnout was assessed by the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) subscales of Emotional Exhaustion (EE), Depersonalization (DP), and Personal Accomplishment (PA). Data were analyzed using a Pearson correlation. Significance was p<.05 and no significance was found between the PA subscale and years experience as a coach. The correlations of EE and DP with years experience were significant. These results infer that coaches with fewer years of experience suffer more from EE and DP than coaches with more years of experience. The findings highlight the prevalence of burnout in high school coaches and the role experience plays in burnout of coaches. (122-130)

The Effect of Activity Fees on Participation of Students in Athletic Extracurricular Activities, William R. Chapman, Gary L. Oden, William V. Human, Matthew C. Wagner As school districts around the nation face difficult economic decisions, schools are searching for methods of increasing revenue or decreasing costs. Extracurricular activities provide an opportunity to accomplish both objectives. This study focused on the effect of activity fees on the student participation rate in athletics. When examining the effect of activity fees on athletic participation rates this study showed that there was no statistically significant effect on participation when an activity fee was charged. However, a majority of principals felt that implementing activity fees would result in a drop in athletic student participation. Results of this research do not support a probability of decreased participation as a result of the implementation of athletic fees. (131-142)

Efficacy of the Use of Fractional Plates during Maximum Strength Testing for the Bench Press and Strict Curl Lifts, David Bellar, Lawrence W. Judge, Tiffany J. Patrick, Bruce W. Craig — The purpose of the present investigation was to examine the effect of the inclusion of fractional plates on one repetition maximum (1RM) testing. The participants included 22 college students (female n=15, male n=7). Analysis revealed a significant main effect for Treatment across both the bench press and strict curl maximum strength testing (F=11.59, p=0.005, ηp2=0.471). The difference in maximum strength assessment was 1.36kg between both assessments, with the majority of the difference occurring between treatments in the bench press assessment (53.6kg±28.5 with fractional plate vs. 52.5kg±27.6 without). The inclusion of fractional plates significantly impacts 1RM testing and resulted in a greater change in performance among the female participants (4.05% greater) versus the male (2.3% greater). (143-157)

A Comparison of Three Methods for Defending the 3-Point Shot in Men's Basketball, Howard Gauthier — Three methods of defending the 3-point shot in college men’s basketball were studied in order to determine which method was most effective. The three methods of defending the shot were (a) not challenging the shot, (b) challenging the shot with a hand up, and (c) challenging the shot with a fly-by. Video analysis was used to determine which defensive method was used for each 3-point shot attempt and if the shot was successful. Twenty-two games were analyzed and 457 shots were recorded. Using chi-square statistical analysis, it was shown that defending the 3-point shot by either using the hand up method or fly-by method was significantly more successful than not challenging the shot. (158-166)

COACHES' CORNER

Impact of Coaches' Communication Skills on Athletes' Performance, Jin Wang, Jimmy Calloway — Coaches’ communication skills have a profound impact on athletes’ psychological well-being and athletic performance. It is not uncommon for coaches to unconsciously communicate with athletes in harmful ways that increase athletes’ anxiety or disrupt the stability of athletes’ emotions. Many athletes’ losses in competition are not because of technical or physical reasons, but because of coaches’ improper communication with athletes. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to examine: (1) common mistakes made by coaches when communicating with athletes; (2) negative effects of miscommunication upon athletes; and (3) proper communication strategies of successful coaches. (167-187)

Effects of Fear of Failure in Athletic Performance: A Coaching Perspecrtive, Lorraine Killion, Douglas Boatwright, Charles Nix, Michael Guillory — The purpose of this literature review was to examine the relationship between fear of failure and athletic performance. While fear of failure can many times have a positive effect which athletes view this fear as a positive motivation to succeed, fear of failure often has negative consequences for athletes. In sport, winning is seen as success and losing is seen as failure. With the growth of sport in recent years, the emphasis to win can be overwhelming, thus adding to the fear of failure in athletes. Outcomes of fear of failure may include anger or depression and may also result in a decrease in self-esteem and self-worth. The fear of failure is a very real phenomenon and an athlete’s ability to develop appropriate coping mechanisms will often influence the outcome of his/her performance. A positive support system from the coaching staff, as well as from fellow teammates, needs to be in place to help minimize the effects of the fear of failure. (188-200)

Qualitative Analysis of the Use of Football Video Technology: A Study of College Football Video Technology Coordinators, Craig Everhart, Alan S. Kornspan, Sean Cai, Victor Pinheiro — The purpose of the present study was to examine a methodological approach to determining the roles, responsibilities, education, experience and career development of college football video coordinators. Using qualitative methodology, semi-structured interviews were conducted with six NCAA Division I football video coordinators. The results of the present study showed that all collegiate football video coordinators used computer video editing software to help the coaching staff manage and use practice and game video effectively and efficiently. Additionally, findings from the current study provided insight into how various methodological approaches can be used to investigate the education and career development of college football video coordinators. (201-226)

BOOK REVIEWS

Peak Performance Every Time, Reviewed by Jerry Lyons (227-228)

Introduction to Sport Management: Theory and Pracatice, Reviewed by Warren K. Simpson (229-231)

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