Exploring Race Differences in Correlates of Seniors’ Satisfaction with Undergraduate Education

This study employed multiple linear regression and decision tree analysis to examine the correlates of overall satisfaction with undergraduate education for white, Asian American, Latino and African American seniors enrolled at 17 doctoral/research universities. Satisfaction with the overall quality of instruction and social involvement were the strongest predictors of overall satisfaction for all seniors. The predictive importance of other measures of the academic experience, social integration and performance varied both within and across race groups. Findings argue for adopting a variety of institutional strategies to address the needs of different segments of the undergraduate population.     

The influence of pre-warming on the physiological responses to prolonged intermittent exercise

To examine the influence of pre-warming on the physiological responses to prolonged intermittent exercise in ambient temperatures of 21.5 +/- 0.6 degrees C and relative humidities of 35.7 +/- 5.4% (mean +/- s), six healthy men performed intermittent treadmill running (30-s bouts at 90% of maximal oxygen uptake separated by 30-s static recovery periods) to exhaustion after active pre-warming, passive pre-warming and pre-exercise rest (control). Exercise time to exhaustion was significantly different between all conditions (active, 51.8 +/- 7.2 min; passive, 38.5 +/- 11.1 min; control, 72.0 +/- 17.2 min; P < 0.05). These changes in performance time were closely associated with a significant decline in both the rate of heat storage and heat storage capacity (P < 0.05). Rectal temperature, heart rate and ratings of perceived exertion were significantly higher during exercise in the two pre-warming conditions than in the control condition (P < 0.05). Ratings of perceived exertion were also significantly higher during exercise following passive pre-warming compared with active pre-warming (P < 0.05). During exercise there were no significant differences in serum prolactin, plasma norepinephrine and plasma free fatty acid concentrations between conditions. We conclude that both active and passive pre-warming promote a reduction in prolonged intermittent exercise capacity in environmental temperatures of 21 degrees C compared with pre-exercise rest. These performance decrements were dependent upon the mode of pre-warming and closely reflected alterations in body heat content.     

Quantifying physical activity in first-through fourth-grade physical education via pedometry

The aim of this study was to determine pedometry steps per minute (SPM) cutscores that accurately quantify physical activity (PA) time in first- through fourth-grade physical education. A total of 257 participants were grouped in two data pools, first- and second-grade (n = 126), and third- and fourth-grade (n = 131). Systematic observation was the PA criterion instrument and pedometry was the predictor instrument. Correlations between physical activity measures were strong (r = .82-.89, p < .01). Ten min of PA and 33.33% of the lesson time engaged in PA within a 30-min class can be quantified by 61-63 SPM for first- and second-grade, and 58-61 SPM for third- and fourth-grade. IN CONCOLUSION: (a) SPM values were a valid indicator of students achieving or not achieving PA criteria, and (b) pedometry is a valid and practical tool for physical activity surveillance within physical education.     

Perceptions of African American faculty in kinesiology-based programs at predominantly White American institutions of higher education

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of African American faculty on their organizational socialization in kinesiology-based (i.e., sport pedagogy, exercise physiology, motor behavior, sport management/history) programs at predominantly White American institutions of higher education (PW-IHE). Participants were 9 African American tenure-track faculty members from various kinesiology-based programs at PW-IHE. Data were gathered via interviewing and analyzed within the framework of critical race theory (Ladson-Billings, 2000). Findings are presented using storytelling and thematic narratives. Interviews with the participants revealed four major recurring themes with regard to: (a) resources, opportunities, and power structures; (b) programmatic neglects and faculty mentoring needs; (c) social isolation, disengagement, and intellectual inferiority issues; and (d) double standards, marginalization, and scholarship biases. This study suggests that faculty and administrators at PW-IHE should develop sensitivity toward organizational socialization issues relevant to faculty of color.     

Evaluating the sustainability of SPARK physical education: a case study of translating research into practice

Dissemination and sustainability of evidence-based physical education programs (PE) has been studied rarely. The sustainability of a health-related PE program (SPARK) was independently evaluated in 111 elementary schools in 7 states. Surveys were mailed to schools that had received SPARK curriculum books, training and follow-up (response rate = 47%). Up to 80% of schools that adopted SPARK PE reported sustained use up to 4 years later. Schools using SPARK had more frequent PE classes. Sustained use was related to support from the principal, not previously having a standard PE program, having adequate equipment, and teachers being physically active. Program sustainability was similar in advantaged and disadvantaged schools. Evidence-based PE programs can be sustained up to 4 years.     

Contextual cues and depth of processing in short prose passages

Two experiments compared context and depth-of-processing strategies applied to the learning of short aurally presented prose passages. In the first study, contextual orientation led to significantly higher recall than a continue-paragraph condition, and both strategy groups performed significantly better than a nonstrategy control group. In the second experiment, continuing paragraphs was superior to generating contextual theme statements, with both strategies again superior to the controls. These results were discussed in terms of the ways in which processing demands effect memory for connected discourse.