Comparison of Recovery Procedures for the Reduction of Exercise Stress

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of three types of recovery procedure on (a) circulatory recovery from a standardized bicycle ergometer exercise, (b) performance in a second standardized bicycle ergometer exercise, and (c) circulatory recovery from the second exercise. The recovery procedures were complete rest, light activity, and cold showers. Each of 10 male subjects underwent each recovery procedure on separate days. Analysis of variance for a randomized complete blocks design was used in the analysis of the data. Results indicated that cold showers decreased recovery heart rate after the first standardized exercise from 115 to 96 beats/minute and after the second exercise from 164 to 152 beats/ minute when compared with the other two conditions. Speed of performance in the second exercise was improved from 40.4 and 40.3 sec. in the case of rest and light activity to 38.9 sec. for cold showers. These improvements were all statistically significant at the .05 level. Three physiological explanations, not necessarily independent, are advanced: (a) local vasoconstriction of the skin vessels and vasodilatation of the muscle vessels causing a greater proportion of total blood flow to the working muscles, (b) establishment of a greater thermal gradient between the core and shell of the body allowing heat movement to the surface of the body by conduction between tissues rather than by skin blood flow, and (c) a decrease in sweat rate, thereby suppressing release of bradykinin, a vasodilator substance.     

Effectiveness of Programed Materials in Teaching a Secondary School Health Education Unit

Abstract

This study was designed to determine if intrinsically programed materials and techniques can be effectively used to teach a health education unit to secondary school students, and to compare levels of achievement resulting from the utilization of programed materials as opposed to traditional classroom methods. Twelve secondary school health education classes in New York City, involving 343 students, were divided into matched groups. Branched, self-teaching materials on the topic of alcohol education were presented to the experimental group to be studied at home for a 3-day period without recourse to classroom instruction. The control group was taught the topic in a 3-day unit utilizing traditional classroom teaching techniques. The results of the achievement test administered at the conclusion of the unit indicate that branched or intrinsically programed materials and techniques can be effectively used in the teaching of a secondary school health education unit and that in this particular investigation the experimental group learned significantly more than the control group.     

Relative Isometric Endurance and Different Levels of Athletic Achievement

Abstract

Relative isometric endurance tests of 50, 60, 70, and 80 percent weight loads were used to evaluate the muscular endurance of three groups of male college students. The 47 students were grouped according to level of athletic achievement. Analysis of variance models failed to detect any differences between the endurance of the three groups. Consideration was given to the use of relative endurance tests for evaluating levels of motivation.     

Comparative Effectiveness of Two Methods of Teaching Physical Education to Elementary School Girls

Abstract

This study was designed to determine whether there was a difference in the effectiveness of the traditional method and the movement exploration method of teaching physical education activities to elementary school girls. Four classes of fourth-grade girls (N = 67) were randomly assigned to the experimental conditions. A 2 × 2 × 3 factorial ANOVA with repeated measures on the last factor was used to analyze the data. The first factor consisted of the traditional and movement exploration teaching methods. The second was a combination of instructional time and retention time. The third was test period and had three levels: pretest, posttest, and retention test. Skills taught were gymnastics and tumbling, and basketball. It was concluded that a combination of methods should be used in teaching elementary school physical education activities, depending upon the activities to be taught. A four-week unit (two 50-min periods per week) is suggested as the appropriate length for nine and ten year olds.     

Addressing competing logics between the mission of a religious university and the demands of intercollegiate athletics

The purpose of this study was to examine the strategies within a faith-based university for managing competing institutional logics of its NCAA Division II affiliated athletic department. Utilizing a case study methodology, the authors collected data from athletic department members and university administrators and faculty. Within the context of this study, our data indicated that the religious academic culture of the university often conflicted with the athletic expectations of winning and marketing the university. Our findings indicated certain strategies that were effective for resolving the conflicting logics within the athletic department. Particularly, members of the athletic department drew from the strong religious culture of the university to guide their operations. The implications of this research within the field of sport management and broader organizations are discussed.