The effects of college grade adjustments on the predictive validity and utility of SAT scores

Regressing adjusted grade-point averages on freshman SAT scores and high school grade-point averages results in large increases in the incremental predictive validity of the SAT. Even so, the SAT still changes no more than a small proportion of admissions decisions and does not result in substantively important increases in freshman grades. The test does, however, change the composition of the freshman class by altering acceptances to some major areas of study and by limiting the access of women and blacks.     

VO2 prediction and cardiorespiratory responses during underwater treadmill exercise

We compared cardiorespiratory responses to exercise on an underwater treadmill (UTM) and land treadmill (LTM) and derived an equation to estimate oxygen consumption (VO2) during UTM exercise. Fifty-five men and women completed one LTM and five UTM exercise sessions on separate days. The UTM sessions consisted of chest-deep immersion, with 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% water-jet resistance. All session treadmill velocities increased every 3 min from 53.6 to 187.8 m x min(-1). Cardiorespiratory responses were similar between LTM and UTM when jet resistance for UTM was 50%. Using multiple regression analysis, weight-relative VO2 could be estimated as: VO2 (mLO2 c kg(-1) x min(-1)) = 0.19248 x height (cm) + 0.17422 x jet resistance (% max) + 0.14092 x velocity (m x min(-1)) -0.12794 x weight (kg)-27.82849, R2 = .82. Our data indicate that similar LTM and UTM cardiorespiratory responses are achievable, and we provide a reasonable estimate of UTM VO2.     

Cardiac Structure and Function in Women Basketball Athletes: Seasonal Variation and Comparisons with Nonathletic Controls

Abstract

To characterize hypertrophy and quantify seasonal changes in cardiac structure and function of women collegiate basketball (BB) athletes (n = 15), echocardiography (echo) measurements were made in the fall (FALL₁), winter (WIN), and spring (SPR), then again during the subsequent fall (FALL₂; n = 10). Comparisons were made to age-matched nonathletes (NA) measured during FALL₁ (n = 22) and SPR (n = 5). Left ventricular (LV) internal dimension–diastole (LVIDd), LV end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), stroke volume (SV), LV mass (LVM), septal thickness (IVS), LV posterior wall thickness (LVPW), right ventricular (RV) internal dimension-diastole (RVIDd), and aortic root diameter (AOD) were significantly larger (12–70%) in the athletes; RVIDd-, LVEDV-, SV-, and LVM-index were also significantly greater (8–46%). From FALL₁ to SPR measurement periods, LVWd, RVWd, LVEDV, SV, IVS, and LVM-index increased significantly (7–18%) in the athletes. Over the same period of time, LVIDd, LAD, AOD, LVEDV, and SV measured in the five NA subjects increased significantly. In the athletes, LVIDs, RVIDd, IVS, LVPW, and LVM decreased significantly (5–30%) from the SPR to FALL₂ measurement period. These data characterize the general nature of the cardiac hypertrophy noted in women BB athletes compared to NA controls and show that distinct changes in heart structure corresponding to different periods of the competitive season can occur in these athletes.     

Cardiac structure and function in women basketball athletes: seasonal variation and comparisons with nonathletic controls.

To characterize hypertrophy and quantify seasonal changes in cardiac structure and function of women collegiate basketball (BB) athletes (n = 15), echocardiographic (echo) measurements were made in the fall (FALL1), winter (WIN), and spring (SPR), then again during the subsequent fall (FALL2; n = 10). Comparisons were made to age-matched nonathletes (NA) measured during FALL1 (n = 22) and SPR (n = 5). Left ventricular (LV) internal dimension-diastole (LVIDd), LV end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), stroke volume (SV), LV mass (LVM), septal thickness (IVS), LV posterior wall thickness (LVPW), right ventricular (RV) internal dimension-diastole (RVIDd), and aortic root diameter (AOD) were significantly larger (12-70%) in the athletes; RVIDd-, LVEDV-, SV-, and LVM-index were also significantly greater (8-46%). From FALL1 to SPR measurement periods, LVIDd, RVIDd, LVEDV, SV, IVS, and LVM-index increased significantly (7-18%) in the athletes. Over the same period of time, LVIDd, LAD, AOD, LVEDV, and SV measured in the five NA subjects increased significantly. In the athletes, LVIDs, RVIDd, IVS, LVPW, and LVM decreased significantly (5-30%) from the SPR to FALL2 measurement period. These data characterize the general nature of the cardiac hypertrophy noted in women BB athletes compared to NA controls and show that distinct changes in heart structure corresponding to different periods of the competitive season can occur in these athletes.     

Effects of college prestige on men's occupational status and income

This study assesses the effects of college social prestige and college selectivity on men's occupational status and income. The analyses are based on a national sample of men from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics. College selectivity, but not college social prestige, has a significant impact on middle-aged men's income in a single year. Neither college social prestige nor selectivity, however, affect further growth in middle-aged men's income. Nor do they affect men's occupational status.     

College Course Grades for Dual Enrollment Students

This study compared college course grade outcomes, both during and after high school, of dual-enrollment students to those of traditional students. The study was based on a large, multiyear sample of Iowa high school and community college students. The results showed that while in high school, dual-enrollment students consistently outperformed traditional students in community college courses. However, much of the difference might be due to underlying differences in the two groups associated with the type of college the students chose to attend after high school (i.e., four-year vs. two-year). Dual enrollment students tended to perform about the same as traditional students in terms of post-high-school community college course grades. For students who enrolled in four-year institutions after high school, analyses of college course grade data suggested a small positive effect of dual enrollment on first-year college grade point average (GPA).     

College applicants' attitudes and enrollment decisions

One potentially useful multivariate procedure somewhat overlooked in admissions marketing efforts is a linear compensatory model presented by Cook and Zallocco (1983). This model defines an individual's attitude about a particular college or university as the importance the individual attaches to a specific attribute of the school, and the belief that the institution under consideration possesses that attribute. In this study we extend the model by investigating the importance of applicants' attitudes about competitor institutions, and by controlling for demographic and ability factors that may affect attitudes. Our research demonstrates that attitudes have a significant, positive relationship to enrollment decisions. As well, we incorporate an attitude difference measure that contrasts applicants' attitudes about one institution compared to admissions competitors. Addition of this variable to the prediction equation substantially improved our ability to forecast an applicant's matriculation decision.An earlier version of this paper was presented at the Association for Institutional Research 1989 Annual Forum.