Abstract This paper examines the positive effects of strength training for endurance athletes. It suggests that an endurance athlete who is optimally strength-trained has a distinct competitive advantage compared to the athlete who trains only for endurance. The paper details many of the physiological changes that can be expected with endurance training and with strength training.
From the Paper "There are several adaptations associated with an athlete performing endurance training exclusively. Aerobic endurance training produces increases in VO2 max, but has no hypertrophy effect on muscles (Holloszy et al, 1984) (Hickson et al, 1988). In fact, in prolonged endurance training, muscle fiber size has actually been shown to decrease (Terados et al, 1986), presumably to allow more efficient transfer of O2 to working muscles though this hasn't been proven (Yessis, 2000). If an athlete is attempting to increase their ground forces while running, then obviously muscular atrophy would be detrimental to this goal, unless the strength of the smaller diameter muscles was greater than that of the relatively more hypertrophied muscle group. Therefore, the concept of an endurance athlete performing endurance training exclusively would be disadvantageous to running faster times, as the limitations inherent in a given athlete's ability to increase stride frequency, stride rate and ground force creation would be limited once a certain level of proficiency is reached. That level is different for every athlete, but the point is that once running mechanics are sufficiently advanced that the athlete has maximized his/her performance, further improvements are limited by the inability to further increase the associated factors that contribute to that performance."
Abstract This paper examines the Beijing 2008 Olympics within the context of product strategy (marketing and branding). The paper provides recommendations in order to ensure high service quality at the 2008 Games through an examination of the Olympics consumer and his or her expectations. It also looks at key tools in customer service in order to analyze their product strategy.
Table of Contents:
What is a Product Strategy?
Branding as Part of the Product Strategy
Beijing 2008 - The Objective
Beijing 2008 - The Product
The Security Component of the Beijing 2008 Product
Beijing 2008 - The Product Life Cycle
A Different Perspective - the Beijing 2008 PLC
Beijing 2008 - The Brand
What does a Successful Brand do?
Creating the Beijing 2008 Brand
Brand Equity
Brand Contacts
Adding the Beijing Touch to the Olympic Games
Leveraging Secondary Associations
Attracting Sponsors
Beijing 2008 Sponsorship Program: Rights and Benefits
Conclusion
Service Quality as it Impacts the Consumers' Experience
The Characteristics of a Service
The Concept of Service Quality
Expected Service at the Olympics
Service Design Standards
Who is the consumer?
Understanding Consumer Expectations
Selection of Partner Companies
Criteria for the Selection of Sponsors, Partners and Suppliers
The Human Element of a Service
Achieving Service Quality
Use of Tangibles
Enhancing the Service Encounters at Beijing 2008 through Tangibles
Conclusion
Appendices
From the Paper "The consumer experience commences from the point of decision, i.e. the moment someone makes a choice to attend Beijing 2008."
"As such, the determinants of service quality - reliability, responsiveness, assurance, empathy and tangibles - have to be applied to the entire process of attending the Olympics."
"This process would include the purchase of airline tickets, the actual flight to Beijing, ground transfers, hotel accommodation, bank, insurance and communication services, purchase of game tickets and entertainment and cultural experiences."
Abstract This paper discusses steroid use in American high schools. It begins by describing the pressure to win in American high school sports and how this pressure impacts the use of steroids in schools. The paper presents two case study examples of student sportsmen who were pressured to take steroids in order to excel in their sport and the effects that it had.
From the Paper "Victory is likely the most addicting feeling in the world. We have all felt it at one time or another, whether it was when we were young, or when we were old. The feeling that winning gives a person can be compared to the euphoric feeling a person may experience when they are under the influence of a narcotic. Perhaps Alexander Graham Bell said it best, "What this power is, I cannot say. All I know is that it exists...and it becomes available only when you are in that state of mind in which you know exactly what you want...and are fully determined not to quit until you get it." This feeling that is so addictive and powerful that a person would go to great lengths to achieve it. A feeling is the exact reason why young athletes are ruining their lives. The need to have this feeling is why young athletes are introducing their bodies to steroids."
Abstract The paper investigates what impact a new sports stadium has on the economy of a major city. It particularly focuses on sport stadiums in the city of Pittsburgh. The paper begins by analyzing the pre-construction process of building a stadium. It then discusses its impact on the job market and overall local economy. The paper concludes that a stadium can have a larger impact if it is designed to be a multipurpose building.
From the Paper "For the past decade, the United States has seen a boom in the building and renovation of sports facilities. This is especially apparent in the city of Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh has seen two new stadiums erected in the past five years, and is planning to replace the Mellon Arena in the near future. These stadiums are believed to generate economic growth in the central business district, and revive the city's stagnant economy. This is often the motivation stated by other major metropolitan areas that have gone through the process of either wooing or attempting to keep sports franchises in the area. But do sports facilities really deliver on the promises made pre-construction? Is there any evidence that these stadiums produce the jobs and revenue promised to the neighborhoods they are located in? This has been debated heavily recently and the answers are not always apparent, because in the pre-construction planning many of the income and job projections are inflated by the franchise involved. To analyze the impact that stadiums have on the regional economy you first must understand the pre-construction process."
Abstract The paper discusses the argument that Title IX, the law about gender equality, has caused reverse discrimination for males in sports. The paper looks at the argument that Title IX has helped bring more funding to women, but has hurt men immensely and has failed to generate any substantial amount of interest in women's sports. The paper explores the research and concludes that Title IX has not led to reverse discrimination. The paper shows how Title IX was not created and enforced to discriminate against men, but rather to provide opportunities for women.
Outline:
Introduction
Progress
Effects
Blame game
The Numbers
Cases
Conclusion
From the Paper "The term Title IX has been thrown around a lot these past few years, however a new question has arisen: Has Title IX led to reverse discrimination in American universities? Title IX is known as a living, breathing law as it has faced over 20 proposed changes. Considering the numerous times the law has been challenged and subjected to reviews, it is hard to understand why anyone would want to change the nation's definition of equality. Since Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 was passed, the United States has gone through serious changes in the classroom and on the playing field. According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, reverse discrimination is stated as, "discrimination against males (as in employment or education)". Title IX was undoubtedly the savior of women's rights. However, in recent years, Title IX has become the subject of reverse discrimination and has even led national associations to file lawsuits based on the losses of male athletes."
Abstract This paper explains that steroid use has increased significantly in the past five years due to the increased competition in sports. The author points out that anabolic steroids enhance an athlete's overall performance; however, the consequences of using steroids are not worth the dangers to which athletes subject their bodies and integrity. The paper reports that steroid use in high school athletes is growing rapidly as young athletes see professionals as role models that are willing to risk their health by taking steroids to achieve athletic goals. The author relates that anabolic steroids are banned in all sports in the United States and most of the world; however, this has not stopped athletes from trying to receive a competitive edge via steroid use. The paper underscores that the reason many athletes are willing to do steroids is because of lack of tough penalties.
From the Paper "In many sports, such as Major League Baseball, athletes are allowed many strikes and receive fines for using steroids. The current first strike offense in baseball is The policy says that the penalty for a first positive test for steroids is "a 10-day suspension or up to a $10,000 fine", and there is no public identification of players who are fined rather than suspended. Baseball has said that first-time offenders would be publicly identified as having failed a test in addition to a suspension. In the NFL, steroid use is banned. Players are randomly tested, and those testing positive could face game suspensions."
Tags: creatine, weightlifters, example, penalties, cancer
Abstract This paper explains that the big business environment surrounding student athletes is a significant transformation from the athletics of 1905, when the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) ruled that student athletes should not be paid so that they can fulfill the amateur criteria for student athletics competition. The author states that student athletes are exploited because of the failure of universities to educate them and because of all the time they must spend practicing, traveling and playing the game. The paper suggests a graduated salary cap based on college completion provided by professional sports organizations, which will help the professional sports leagues, colleges and student-athletes.
Table of Contents:
Background
Introduction
Arguments In Favor Of Paying Student Athletes
Conclusion
From the Paper "People in favor of payment to student athletes inquire as to why the NCAA, many coaches, and administrators get huge amount of money and yet for the student athletes the payment is restricted to athletic scholarship. One of the supporting arguments for paying student athletes is that by paying student athletes properly the unlawful methods of payments would reduce. Another argument in favor of student athletes is that that the scholarship given to the student athletes is not enough and it does not cover all costs related to attending college."
Abstract The paper discusses the Olympic sponsorship and advertising by companies such as McDonalds, Coke and Budweiser and decries the negative messages that are transmitted to the public through the association of athletes with these unhealthy products. The paper provides evidence of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)'s commitment to its premier sponsors like McDonalds. The paper strongly believes that the IOC should devise a process to select its sponsors not based on the capital they are willing and able to provide, but on the basis of the worth they have to provide to the Olympic Games.
From the Paper "In No Logo, Naomi Klein claims that Nike has three guiding principles to branding sports: "Create sport celebrities...destroy the competition...and sell pieces of the brand as if it were the Berlin Wall" (51-66). This describes Nike's cutthroat attitude for sustaining its dominating status in the athletic industry. Supplying its sponsored athletes with the latest equipment, Nike is justified in their efforts to surpass their competition through Olympic sponsorships. However, there are some companies that seem out of place in the athletic world. Sponsors such as McDonalds, Coke, and Budweiser, have all provided evidence for the need of Olympic sponsorship screening because fast food, sugary sodas, and alcohol have no place in athletics."
Abstract The paper takes a historic look at the sport of basketball. The author takes a detailed look at how the game has changed in terms of rules and protocol, and also delves into the differences between men's and women's participation in the sport.
From the Paper "During the winter of 1891, Dr. James Naismith, a student and professor at Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts "was struggling with a concept for a new type of game to condition young students during the winter months after football had ended and the track and baseball seasons were still several months away" (Hometown Delicatessen, 1997). In the next few days, Naismith invented the game of basketball."
Abstract This paper examines Peter Rose's life and career and examines he was not allowed into the baseball Hall of Fame. The author also discusses in great detail Peter's 1989 investigation by a baseball commissioner.
From the Paper "It seems almost impossible to deny the fact that Pete Rose had a serious gambling problem. Like many such problems that lie in the gray area between psychological and physiological (for gambling, while not clearly biologically based like a drug addiction may well contain a biological element, for the brains of people with addictions to everything ranging from gambling to cigarettes exhibit similar brain chemistry), gambling is something that is very difficult to control. And one of the reasons that it is in fact so difficult to control is the fact that those in the grips of such an addiction so not see how bad their state actually is. Denial is a central element of the disease.
Pete Rose was a great player. His playing merits recognition in the Hall of Fame. But his actions as a human being off the field should deny him that position."
Tags: league, games, record, punishment, gambler, win, merits
Abstract This paper examines the phenomenon of American sporting culture beginning as far back as the early immigrants who settled in the New World. The author discusses how sports in the United States has progressively taken over a large part of the American psyche, showing insight into U.S. society and culture. The paper includes a discussion of collegiate sports, and women's sporting events.
From the Paper:
"Overall, sport in America has risen to an almost unrivaled status in American society. To look at American history or culture forces one to take notice that sport has developed hand in had with our society and shaped us into what we are today."
Abstract This paper looks at the rigorous training that male and female soldiers go through, and the affect it has on their bodies. The different types of injuries are presented, and then reviewed and analyzed. The author presents solutions to some of the more common types of injuries, and suggests ways to avoid these types of injuries in the future.
From the paper:
"Based on research, the clear anatomical differences, i.e. height, weight, and build between males and females lead to problems concerning uniformity that is stressed in the military. For instance, the 30-inch step prescribed by the military in marching is a prime example. Marching is based on male height and average 30-inch step, but for a woman's shorter height and leg length, it is an over exaggerated step. For a woman to accomplish a greater push off is necessary, as well as a harder heel strike. Furthermore, the uniformity of equipment poses a problem for female soldiers. For instance, ?Women's boots use the same last as men's boots and are less likely to provide good heel stability for women."
Abstract This paper argues that physically fighting back and the type of physical self-confidence gained through defense sports and sports in general should come to the forefront of the debate against rape. The author feels that the question at hand is how women can both protect themselves and, if they have been raped or assaulted, find a way to cope with the tragedy which has occurred.
From the Paper "Kickboxing, Martial Arts, and good-old-fashioned women's self-defense are offered at gyms, on college campuses, and by women's groups across the country. Yet when discussing the issues of rape and date rape, more often than not its the purple colors that represent Take Back the Night and blue light phones that are talked about. Are these the sorts of images and words that should reframe the issue of date rape?"
Abstract This opinion paper addresses the down sides of sports recruitment in high school. Points made include the loss of amateurism, increased pressure on the student at the expense of their academic studies and unhealthy competitiveness amongst same team players. It discusses alternative options for recruiting fresh talents for sports
From the Paper "Once upon a time, high school sports were games. They built characters and bodies, and gave children something to do. While winning the next big game might have meant the difference between wide spread popularity and not having a date for the prom, generally speaking there was nothing more than teenage angst and passion to give the games significance. All that has changed. Recruiters for the major leagues are beginning to turn increasingly to high schools in their search for new star material, and children are going straight from graduation to sports career. This has many terrible side effects."
Abstract This essay uncovers how Peter Ueberroth, head of the L.A. Olympic Organizing Committee transformed the games into a monumental opportunity to stage a spectacular event and raise enough to contribute back to the surrounding community. The paper examines the success of the 1984 Olympics through the persepctive of entrepreuneurial organization.
From the Paper "Various factors contributed to the success of the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee (LAOOC) and much was due to the "infective" personality of Peter Ueberroth. However, as biologist Bertalanffy professed through his systems theory "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts".
"Without digging deeply into the theory itself and the resulting holistic philosophy, "systems theory focuses on not only how the parts are arranged and what they do but also the relations which connect the parts into a whole."
