Abstract Educators have long charged that the pressures of big-time college sports programs make a mockery of the scholar-athlete ideal. University presidents believe their real job is to preserve and create environments where new knowledge can be discovered, knowledge that makes life richer and more rewarding. But often, the public at large sees the university differently. The paper shows that, for these people, the most visible and vital role played by institutions is as a sponsor of athletic teams. In reality, sports are overemphasized on college campuses. The paper argues that all people would greatly benefit if concentration shifted from athletics to academics in the college atmosphere.
From the Paper "The separation between the cultures of athletics and academics on college campuses is increasing, with different standards for admission and academic performance applied to athletes and non-athletes at all program levels. This growing problem increasingly jeopardizes the essential mission of our universities. It threatens to undermine the integrity of a system of higher education that has been widely acknowledged to be the best in the world. Intercollegiate athletics and academics are at a crucial juncture. The value system of commercialization is distorting the role and purpose of intercollegiate athletics and negatively affecting universities. A reform movement must be established stressing ?Academics First (Shulman and Bowen 2).?"
Abstract This paper describes the physiological process that takes place when an athlete experiences serious heat-related illness, such as heatstroke, dehydration, etc. The paper also describes the emergency measures that must be taken to treat any of these conditions.
From the Paper "Although people exercise more than ever, many do not realize the toll such strenuous behavior can have on their bodies. This holds especially for joggers who enter races on weekends and are not used to pushing themselves to such an extreme. Runners and individuals involved with similar sports can become ill from several related diseases including exercise associated collapse, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and hyponatremia."
Abstract This paper examines how sport and performance enhancing drugs have gone hand in hand since the beginning of time. It looks at look at their history right up to the present, concentrating on the case of Ben Johnson. It also discusses the three main arguments that are used to support the prevailing policy of 'law and order': That they will give competitors an unfair advantage, that they are unsafe and that they will change the nature of sports for the worse.
From the Paper "In 1989 Sir Arthur Gold, of the British Olympic Committee, observed that testing at major competitions (where most of the testing takes place) is a "waste of time" because the only people that get caught are the "careless and ill-advised" (Wadhwaney 2002). This view is supported by the fact that in the 1998 Tour de France no riders tested positive as a result of doping tests by the Tour operators, but it is clear that people do take drugs, as the British Olympic Survey in 1996, which indicated indicates that 48% of athletes agreed doping was a problem; of these 86% stated it was most prevalent in track and field events. In 1989, an Australian Senate Standing Committee Report concluded that 70% of athletes who had competed internationally had taken drugs (Sheedan & Quinn 2002a)."
Abstract This is a position paper that first summarizes the latest information available on pre-adolescent children and competitive sports and then addresses current issues regarding national team competition for children less than 10 years of age.
Children's Readiness for Organized Sports and Competition
Medical
Physical
Cognitive
Psychosocial
Motivational
Adult Readiness for Children's Competition
Coaches
Parents
Organization / Administration
Competition
From the Paper "Competitive sports participation opportunities for children continue to grow. Nowadays, children begin their regular sport participation between the ages of 4 to 8 years. Most children enjoy sports and show great enthusiasm for participation. However, the situation changes when young athletes get involved in the elite-level championships organized and directed by adults. Children's play becomes transformed from informal playground games to highly organized sporting events that mirror adult professional sports."
Abstract This paper examines how it is an evolutionary fact that neither men nor women are born equally and how the genomes of males and females are designed to be different so that physiologically males generally have higher levels of muscular mass, maximal aerobic and anaerobic power. It concentrates on these processes and attempts to explain why there are differences in these between men and women.
From the Paper "A women's maximal strength in either isometric or dynamic contractions of the leg muscles is on average sixty-five to seventy five percent of a mans maximum value. For trunk muscles women have only sixty to seventy percent of their male counter parts maximal values. The major disadvantage in maximal strength is in elbow flexion and extension. Females can only attain fifty percent of the male's maximum. Women have a smaller muscle mass than men so their maximal muscle strength will be different. There is no evidence for sex differences in the quality of skeletal muscle so it is concluded that muscle mass determines the potential for developing strength."
Abstract The author of this paper describes the sport of tennis and what it means to her personally. The paper explains how tennis is a sport of both mind and body, its protocols, and what it symbolizes to the author. The author describes tennis as a work of art that works its own artful magic upon her soul.
From the Paper "It's such a simple game, on its surface, whether that surface is clay, court, or grass. All it takes is a ball, a racket, and a net. And one's opponent. Yet the game of tennis can mean so much more. Tennis can be a life or death struggle to prove a player's sense of worth over another player. It can be an affirmation of all that is good in one's self. A good game of tennis can demonstrate a player's ability to triumph as an individual, against all odds. But the individual in a game like tennis can be filled with meaning, too, in the minds of the spectators, as the struggle of one person comes to represent the struggle of many other individuals."
Abstract This paper discusses the phenomenon of sexism in the media. This is done by an examination of sports coverage. The paper explains that gender differences and inequality in media coverage are very prevalent in the area of sports or athletic coverage. Women are not only portrayed less often than men, but also with a more sexist scope and utilization of language. The paper offers a suggestion to correct this problem.
From the Paper "Sexist portrayal of men's versus women's athletic events and sporting events has prevailed in the media for some time. Armstrong and Hallmark (1999) note that until very recently, women in profession NCAA Division I women's basketball teams, though popular, had received "virtually no television exposure" during key station segments; women also suffered unfavorable practice times and "hand me down uniforms" (p. 1). Perhaps no other area of media portrayal reveals as much gender inequality as the portrayal of women athletes. This is not because of a lack of interest in female sports necessarily. More and more women are participating in sports formerly considered male only."
A discussion on the roles and responsibilities of a coach, making reference to current theories and practices on coaching, teaching, and training principles.
Abstract This paper examines how coaching is a fulfilling and time-consuming activity that places one in a position of leadership and how it is about developing people through improving their performance at all levels, which involves setting increasingly challenging tasks. A good coach always places the best interests of a player before winning, being in a position to meet and identify the needs of a performer through roles and responsibilities.
From the Paper "A responsible coach exemplifies the behaviors described in the National Code of Ethics where good coaching guidelines stem, this coaching practice this applies to all standards and levels of coaching. In the general understanding a responsible coach as a professional is to exemplify the highest moral character, behaviour and leadership possible. Respect is the ingrained factor of a good coach, respect of integrity and personality of players, respect of sports officials and the rules of the game in letter and in sprit, whilst encouraging respect for other athletics and its values. This will include promoting ethical relationships with others coaches."
Abstract This paper examines some of the statistics on the state of children's health that have been released by government organizations, such as the Center for Disease Control, and professional publications, such as the "Journal of Pediatrics," in an effort to demonstrate the need for intensive physical activity programs in schools.
From the Paper "The importance of a good education cannot be underestimated. Children spend their most formative years attending school full time, and it is vital that the education and experiences received there are sufficient for preparing students for the complete range of life situations that lie ahead of them. Schools focus on the development of academic skills in traditional subjects such as language, mathematics, and the sciences. In fact, schools depend on the achievement of their students in these subjects for funding and federal support due to such campaigns as President Bush's "No Child Left Behind" program, which bases the rating and therefore financial need of a school on its standardized test scores. Yet an important aspect of childhood development and preparation for their future has also been a part of traditional school curriculum. Physical Education is an essential part of the well-balanced class schedule for school children and is a needed part of overall education. The infamous Gym Class has received its share of both deserved and undeserved criticism and the rift between those who are enthusiastic about their physical education and those who despise the class is one of the defining social separations throughout the school years."
Abstract Financial issues in the NFL have been problematic for the owners and players alike. Over the years, efforts have been made to resolve such areas of conflict. Inroads have been made, but the matter is far from resolved. This paper examines issues, including player's salaries and the controversial salary caps. It also looks at ticket sales and television and licensing agreements.
From the Paper "Ticketing has become a year round strategically focused initiative, not only due to revenue generated by tickets, but also the residual effect of attendance on the revenue derived from parking, concessions, and merchandise at the stadium. Therefore, teams that do well at the box office also do well in other areas of stadium revenue. To avoid losing seat sales and supplemental revenues, professional sports franchises are being forced to alter antiquated ticket selling practices and implement a proactive approach to selling tickets."
Abstract This paper provides a review of the relevant and scholarly literature to determine what cultural and gender-related factors serve to influence participation in and fan attraction to professional golf. This is followed by a summary of the research in the conclusion.
From the Paper "Today, golf is one of the most popular outdoor sports in the world. Tens of millions of men, women, and children play golf as an individual or team sport, as well as in high school and college competition. Millions more people around the globe enjoy golf as a form of recreation and exercise. Golf has also become popular spectator sport and attracts thousands of fans to tournaments with millions more watching on television. As a result, professional golf has become a multi-billion dollar industry today. The sport continues to be dominated by affluent white males who, in many cases, however, appear reluctant to share their domain with their female or minority counterparts."
Abstract In their rush to grow up, many young children may inadvertently engage in sporting activities that may not be physiologically appropriate for their developing bodies, and accidents, injuries, or other adverse consequences, including death, may result. To this end, this paper provides a review of the relevant and scholarly literature to identify physiologically appropriate sports activities for children, followed by a summary of the research in the conclusion.
From the Paper "Children are at increased risk of heat injury because their compensatory mechanisms are much less efficient than those in adults. Children produce greater heat loads, are less efficient at transferring heat away from muscles, sweat less, and drink less. Heat injury appears in many forms. The mildest form is in reduced exercise tolerance; this can be manifest as just a feeling general feeling of being tired. Some of the more severe forms of heat injury are discussed below."
A look at the benefits to be gained whenever a community makes an investment in bringing a baseball team and the associated facilities to their neighborhood.
Abstract This paper provides an overview of the rationale for communities wanting baseball teams and their facilities in their neighborhood, followed by an analysis of some typical examples from recent years. A discussion of current and future trends in the impact of baseball teams and their facilities on neighborhood economies is then followed by a summary of the research in the conclusion.
From the Paper "There are a number of other indications of the continuing popularity of sports and those who play them as well. "Since the beginning of the twentieth century," Guthrie and Jozsa report, "sports have assumed a growing role in American culture" (3). Millions of Americans watch and listen to daily broadcasts of baseball games and their results, as well as the minutiae involved in the sport. Millions of other fans enjoy their weekly games at ballparks located in cities, towns, and suburbs across North America (Guthrie & Jozsa 1999). Other examples include America's fascination with sports figures and their peccadilloes that continue to dominate American headlines, and a more recent trend has avid fans discussing a vast array of sports topics on talk radio and prime-time television programs. "Even minute changes in the operation and ownership of teams receive top billing in the press."
Abstract This paper contends that violence in sports is increasing because athletes are given the opportunity to act violently on the sports field or in matches and are encouraged to act aggressively by fans and financial gain.
From the Paper "Sports is not just a past time any longer but a professional area in which the participants are no longer playing as a hobby but playing as professionals with a career, future and financial issues to think about and worry over. This has placed a great pressure on the athletes to win at any price because loosing has a harmful consequence upon their career, future and finances."
Abstract The research studies the changes that have developed in sports over the past decades and argues that globalization and capitalism are responsible for this change. The mass media has brought these matches into the homes, and this means that the excitement of viewing them live is no longer just limited to those who can afford a ticket or find one. In this way, especially with the development of satellite channels, the whole world is the audience of a football match. This has placed tremendous pressure on the players to perform to the best of their ability and more. The paper shows that media coverage of sports may have caused many players to retire early or to live insecurely due to death threats against them or their families, but it appears to have improved the quality of such games as football. To prove this, the writer look at statistics on the performance of the top players before the media age and top players in this media age. It proves that media has improved the quality of sports, but has removed from it the idea of clean competition and even player loyalties to their clubs or national teams. These players now go after the highest bidder, and it is difficult to keep track of who is playing for which side. Accordingly, the media has transformed sports into a financial game, and it is no longer an athletic one. As a support for the argument that money rather than playing well for the love of the sport itself is the main motivation of the performance of players and clubs, the writer finds statistics on the profits that clubs make through winning and the losses that they suffer by getting beaten. Furthermore, it finds statistics on the salaries of the top players and how their performance affects the terms of the renewal of their contracts. Additionally, the writer finds out how much sponsors and advertisers pay for the presence of their ads during games or their logos on the players' clothes.
From the Paper "We are now living in a world of instant media communication in which the way that different countries and people interact with each other has greatly changed. The mass media has entered every area of life and covers almost all events, whether large or small. Sports are one area that has received a great amount of media attention, and that attention has changed the nature of some sports such as football. Essentially, that change can be described as the internationalization, or the globalization of football in the sense that the characteristic of the national team has changed forever through the inclusion of foreign players. Media's concentration on football and its live coverage of games has globalized this sport, or made it international. The consequence has been the improvement of the quality of the game, and the potential development if closer cultural understanding between different ethnic groups as a consequence of the diverse ethnic composition of teams and supporters. Some, however, such as the anonymous author of "An English Case Study," published in The Economist, argue that globalization has weakened the development of local footballer talent in countries as the United Kingdom but, on the contrary, the import of foreign talent has improved the performance of many teams, increased their clubs' profits, and uplifted the quality of the game, further rewarding deserving players with experience and money."
