Abstract This paper reports that, at a parent-teacher meeting, several issues relating to sportsactivities involving exclusion based on race, gender and disabilities were argued. The author points out that the perceptions of one side were that the school operates on a hierarchy of priorities, discriminating in favor of white males. The paper states that the assertion of the other group was that none of the issues apply since the only institutional goal is to prevent obesity. The author stresses that the relevant ethical principles for this situation were justice, benevolence and respect for persons. The paper highlights that the new standards such as physical activity and sports will become a self-management program in which every child should realize that the program is to be incorporated into their life plan.
Table of Contents:
Executive Summary
Introduction
The Issues
Ethics and Ethical Principles
Recommendations
Conclusion
From the Paper "According to Foucault, ethics is best defined as "a critical self-reflective practice". Based on this, the goals are to establish the ethical principles that will allow physical activity and sport to take place with the least amount of control. If the main objective is to fight obesity, then the activity should be paramount, flexible, and requires few formal rules or structure. Once the rationale for sport is clarified, then the emphasis on competition and all the disciplinary and regulatory practices that center on the idea of winning will be eliminated."
Tags: handicapped, obesity self-management, life plan, diversity
Abstract In their rush to grow up, many young children may inadvertently engage in sportingactivities 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 sportsactivities 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."
Abstract This paper deals with psychology in sports training. The author asserts that performance in sports is significantly influenced by a variety of psychological factors, such as poor associations with memories of failure or self-confidence. As a result, the paper explains, many sports trainers now employ a variety of psychological aspects of sports training, such as visualizations, relaxation techniques, motivational strategies, and substance abuse management. The paper discusses at length the idea of self-talk and visualization and how these techniques can help athletes achieve better results in their given sport.
From the Paper "Mental imagery has to be practiced by individuals in their own way and depends on individual preferences and the circumstances under which it is adopted. The imagery can be practiced either on or off the field. These can be for a short duration, or a long duration; while sitting up or lying down; in complete silence or with a background of music; and with the eyes closed or open. It is the choice of the individual. For games like tennis which go on for some time, this may be done by the player even while the game is on but the ball is not in play. The player can visualize where he or she wanted to hit the ball, or even practice it, without the ball. When a player is in a quiet room before an important game, he should engage himself or herself in an exercise of visualization for the game ahead. To be able to do this, the players should be relaxed and receptive as that will also help the images to penetrate deep inside their minds. It is important that visualization is repeated - about two or three times a week. (The Effects of Mental Imagery on Athletic Performance)"
This paper addresses how the advent and the history of minorities in sporting events has actively promoted the gradual acceptance of minorities in society as a whole.
1,150 words (approx. 4.6 pages), 3 sources, 2002, $ 44.95
Abstract This paper addresses how the advent and the history of minorities in sporting events has actively promoted the gradual acceptance of minorities in society as a whole. However, this paper also examines how sporting events has actively served to decrease social stereotypes in many respects but also has served to encourage these stereotypes in several prominent and avoidable ways.
Tags:SPORTS / POLITICAL ISSUES (INTERNATIONAL, OLYMPICS, DRUG TESTING), minorities sports public
Abstract This paper analyzes and discusses four articles written about the increasing trend towards active performance of women in the world of sports. An emphasis is placed on the sociological issues and health concerns surrounding this trend. The articles reviewed discuss the positive psychological and physiological benefits derived from a women's active participation in sports. They also discuss the detrimental effects women may experience from excessive physical activity and the social barriers women often encounter in the athletic arena.
From the Paper "While the Women's Sports Foundation article (discussed earlier) had outlined the sociological, psychological, and physical benefits of engaging in sports, two articles regarding women's physical health in sports discuss the problems that women face nowadays in order to be physically fit and attain their ideal ?body figure/form,? which is the thin figure. The first article, entitled, ?Women's Health and Sports,? is a research study by Drs. Stephen and Amelia Pribut, wherein the different physical problems that commonly afflict women as a result of sports and exercise participation are discussed. It cited the famous ?Female Athlete Triad,? which is a tripartite "relationship of three (3) health problems" common among female athletes. This topic is also discussed in the second article, entitled, "The Female Athlete Triad" (Women's Sports Foundation 2001). These three common health problems are eating disorders, amenorrhea (loss of monthly period), and osteoporosis (bone loss)."
Abstract In this article, the writer looks at the psychological effects that parents and coaches have upon youths participating in athletic pursuits. Specifically, the paper argues that positive parental role models can encourage young men and women to grow as people because of their sporting experiences and to become more active in sports. Further, the writer maintains that such influence can show that athletic activities are about more than simply winning and losing. The writer concludes that parents and coaches have an enormous impact upon the psychological development of youngsters participating in sports.
From the Paper "Similarly, coaches who genuinely care about their charges can boost the self-esteem levels of children and convince those under their care that there is something gratifying and meaningful about playing a team sport or an individual sport. In the end, young people who play sports - just like young people who involve themselves in any extra-curricular activity - are highly impressionable and psychologically vulnerable, and can easily be shaped for good or ill by the adults around them. Consequently, conscientious parents and coaches will never lose sight of the fact that sports are, at least for the very young, a means to an end and not an end in themselves.
"To begin with, parents can exert tremendous pressure upon young people involved in sports. Achievement-by-Proxy Disorder is a situation wherein parents who could never quite achieve sporting success for themselves transfer their yearnings and hopes upon their children. In the end, this unhealthy sort of parental pressure can lead to the abuse and/or exploitation of children or adolescents."
Abstract This paper acknowledges how there are issues to be raised, considered and confronted concerning the socialization of young African-American boys into the world of sports. Is it a good idea, for example, when black parents vigorously encourage their child to excel in sports, in the hopes that the child will go on to a lucrative professional career? And, when young boys get involved heavily in sportsactivities, do they get into sports to the detriment of their scholastic careers? This paper reviews the literature that focuses on these issues.
Outline
Introduction
Literature Review
Conclusion
From the Paper "Michael Lomax is an assistant professor in the sport management program at the University of Georgia; his research specialization is in "race and sport." Lomax, meanwhile, bases his published commentary on an article in the same issue of the journal, Society (Lomax, 2000) written by the highly respected sports sociologist Harry Edwards, and featured just above this paragraph. Edwards, according to Lomax, believes too many "black families have had a tendency to push their children toward sport career aspirations, often neglecting other important areas of personal and cultural development." Edwards, whom Lomax challenges on this issue, "contextualizes the environment under which black youths live," Lomax writes, in terms of pointing out that black youths are "institutionally, culturally, and interpersonally disconnected." "
Abstract In this article, the writer provides a reflection analysis of three different articles from three different periods. The writer looks at the following three articles: "No Man's Land of Sport" by Alexandrine Gibb, "Whitby Senior Public School Girls Win Third Straight Volleyball Crown" by Malcolm Johnson, and "Sports Briefs" from The Toronto Star. Specifically, the paper looks at the socially-constructed body as it pertains to women in sports. In addition, the writer discusses the issues of femininity that arise when looking at the three articles. In the end, the writer argues that attitudes vis-a-vis the female form and female involvement in athletics have evolved generally in a positive manner.
From the Paper "Instead, coverage of women's sports veered towards the athletic abilities of female participants. For example, a January 1985 article in the Toronto Star mentions how Whitby Senior Public School's victory in the Durham Elementary Athletic Association volleyball championships is a testament to the commitment of the athletes involved. In particular, writer Malcolm Johnson approvingly cites coach Jim Higgs, who mentions both competitive zeal and commitment as well as skill as being the chief determinants of his team's success. Suffice it to say, these young girls are now viewed as athletes and as competitors rather than as mass commodities with "nice legs"; just as significantly, there does not appear to be any social construction of the female form at all in this particular article - although the young age of the female competitors involved necessarily argues against that, anyways. Nonetheless, athletic achievement has supplanted "old-fashioned" notions of femininity."
Abstract This paper takes an in-depth look at the intense passion that the ancient Mayan civilization had for sportingactivities. The author discusses how the ballgames of the times had many different levels of meaning, ranging from entertainment to ritual, as tributes to the gods. The paper details the rules and regulations of such ancient games as Poc-a-tok and Ollama, and how Mayans saw sports as public reenactments of warfare.
From the Paper:
"Through this ballgame one can learn a lot about Mayan culture. The never-ending love and devotion that they held for the Gods of their people is apparent in the fact that they organized these ballgames to please them. They played until they collapsed from exhaustion, in some instances, so that they could be sacrificed if they won. The Mayans were a people of respect and warfare. This is evident in the way that after each raid that they planned only with the specific alignment of the sun and the planets they always held the game at the Victor's homeland, there was no straying from the tradition. They placed value in worship of their gods and honor to those brave players who opted to die for the game and in turn for their Gods."
Abstract This paper analyzes the conflict of interests between a student's studies and his athletic performances and commitments. It considers the pros and cons of sport scholarships and the social and academic pressures that come with them. The paper cites graduation rates and statistics and concludes that the influence of sports in the academic world appears to be positive by increasing graduation rates as well as attaining athletic and the resulting social success.
From the Paper "The recognition that the American system has a preoccupation with sorting success and achievement is not new. Academic organizations have often been judged and performance perceived not only on their academic excellence and student results but also their performance o n the sport field. From football to athletics and swimming many collages offer scholarships to those student who can bring this highly recognised and desired success, which we can argue is, in many cases, in conflict with the achievement of the academic excellence which should be the main thrust of the collages goals. "
Abstract This paper gives an etymological definition of extreme sports, expressing its French and Latin roots. Through example, the author puts extreme sports into context with regard to society and acceptance.
From the Paper "Extreme sports are outside of the realm of mainstream experience and as a result, they lead to the creation of subcultures. Subculture is therefore one of the hallmarks of extreme sports, exemplifying the essence of the root meaning for "extreme." That which is extreme is outside of the ordinary. Therefore, an extreme sport, even if dangerous, cannot be part of mainstream culture. For example, most people in the United States do not play football, but football is certainly not considered to be an extreme sport. Football is for sure a dangerous sport, but it is also a mainstream sport, broadcasted live on national television networks, a sport that has become commonplace even to those who do not play. Skateboarding, on the other hand, is technically less dangerous than football but still carries with it a stigma of fringe culture and subculture. People who skateboard are labeled "extreme" because they are outside of ordinary mainstream culture. Therefore, extreme sports necessarily create subcultures around them that define them as being external to mainstream reality."
Abstract In this paper, the writer offers reasons why she is a good candidate for a kinesiology course. She begins by describing the reasons behind her involvement in physical activity, health and athletics. She then details her personal experiences with ostracism and marginalized female athletes and explains how all of these experiences make her a good candiate for the course. The writer also discusses how her experiences have taught her that there may very well be merit to the argument that "male" and "female" is socially constructed - as are our respective attitudes and behavioral patterns.
From the Paper "There are a number of reasons why I became interested in issues pertaining to women, sports (specifically female sports), physical activity (chiefly as it pertains to women) and to human health in general. To begin with, I have long been interested in the issue of masculinity versus femininity and how our society constructs both. A number of years ago, when I was still in grade school, I was stabbed by an individual after a game of "touch" football grew out of hand. Making an already frightening situation worse, the individual was joined in the attack by two of his friends, who proceeded to beat me with such venom I truly though my life was in danger."
Abstract This paper investigates new educational programs and physical training techniques aimed for the youth in elementary schools, boys and girls clubs, in-school and out-of-school activities. The paper explains that the purpose of these programs are to teach the youth to live healthy lifestyles. The paper claims that the instigator of these programs is the increasing occurrence of obesity among the youth of today.
Outline
Introduction
The Statement of the Problem
Review of Related Literature
Statement of Hypothesis
Method
Instruments
Design of the Study
Procedures
Conclusion
From the Paper "It is clear that the most devastating ailment amongst the American children in the 21ST century is obesity. Ironically, the amount of people suffering from obesity is equal to the amount of people suffering from hunger and malnourishment. It is worth noting that the people suffering from obesity is increasing in rapid pace throughout America, at the same time as, health professionals, government and researchers have been unable to find an applicable solution other than physical activity (Laurel D. Edmunds, Kenneth R. Fox, 2000). As research has shown, "Physical inactivity contributes to 300,000 preventable deaths a year in the United States. Some 40% of deaths in the United States are caused by behavior patterns that could be modified. A sedentary lifestyle is a major risk factor across the spectrum of preventable diseases that lower the quality of life and kill Americans (Taken from: http://www.fitness.gov/hbpa.html)." Research also reveals, "Poor diet and inactivity can lead to overweight/obesity. Persons who are overweight or obese are at increased risk for high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, respiratory problems and some types of cancer (Taken from: http://www.fitness.gov/hbpa.html)." "
Abstract The sociology of sport is a sub-division of sociology that studies sport as an aspect of cultural and social life. The paper shows that it may at first seem frivolous to study the sociology of sport, because sport in general may not be seen as a suitable topic for academia. However, it is argued that sport is an extremely important part of our cultural and social life, and that there are many good reasons for studying the sociology of sport.
Abstract This paper discusses sports in the 1960's. Citing the examples set by Presidents Kennedy, Nixon, and Eisenhower, the entire world of sports in America is examined, including the Olympics, the affect of racism, the major historical issues of the time and how they affected sports, the growth in popularity of professional sports, and the role of the television and radio.
Tags:SPORTS / POLITICAL ISSUES (INTERNATIONAL, OLYMPICS, DRUG TESTING), sports in 1960's
