Jeffrey C. Petersen

The Best Kept Secret in Sports The 2010 Youth Olympic Games

The International Olympic Committee seeks to reignite interest in Olympic sports in a generation of adolescents that are becoming increasingly overweight and inactive. International Olympic Committee president, Jacques Rogge, helped develop a plan for an Olympic Games for teenagers in 2010; the IOC general assembly approved the idea. But since its declaration on 6 July 2007 this new proposal has provoked loyal advocates and equally committed critics. This study examines the level of awareness of this event in the sporting community in the United States. This newly passed initiative will be examined for academic scrutiny from its very infancy, tracing and predicting impact and outcome from the perspective of athletes, coaches, parents and local and national sport officials in the United States.

Conducting a Community-based Experiential-Learning Project to Address Youth Fitness

JOPERD • Volume 83 No. 6 • August 2012 T here is an ongoing need to foster community-based experientialand service-learning opportunities across physical education, recreation, dance, and sport. Service-learning is not a new phenomenon to these various disciplines. For example, it has been used in efforts to conduct a Girls and Women in Sports Day (Appleby & Pemberton, 2010), provide post-hurricane aid via sport and physical activity (Carson, 2008; Mumford & Kane, 2006), improve undergraduate adapted physical education (Bishop & Driver, 2007), improve physical education and health in high-need schools (Doolittle, Beale, & DeMarzo, 2009), provide programming for special-needs populations (Overton & Malinauskas, 2007), and evaluate recreation agencies (Riley, 2006). However, documentation of experientialand service-learning applications at the local level to address youth fitness has been lacking. The Chase Charlie Races are presented in this article as a model pedagogical strategy to provide a local intervention related to youth fitness and obesity, a need that runs across nearly all American communities. The Chase Charlie Races, operated through the Ball State University Sport Administration Club, are an annual community event in Muncie, Indiana, that promotes fitness and wellness in the face of growing unhealthy habits. Founded in 2000 as a way to increase football game attendance during family weekend, the event now includes three race components, each designed to engage the youths and their families at an appropriate skill and effort level, including a 5-kilometer run, walk, or roll for all ages; a 1-mile run for youths age 13 and under, called the “Mile Mania;” and the “Kiddie 100,” a 100-yard dash for young children. Participants received a free football ticket that was sponsored by the athletic department. Of equal importance, this event also includes an after-school training program for elementary school students. An examination of these events will provide a model for the replication of them in other communities in order to increase the grassroots efforts of providing meaningful events that can improve physical activity levels in our communities.

Mentor functions in NCAA women's soccer coaching dyads

Purpose – Team performance in sport is not limited to the players, but extends to the coaching staff and their relationships. This study aims to identify mentoring functions reported by NCAA Division I assistant womens soccer coaches within a head coach‐assistant coach dyad and examine gender impact on these functions.Design/methodology/approach – The Mentor Role Instrument questionnaire, completed by 39.7 percent of applicable assistant coaches, determined the mentor functions present. Means for the 11 mentor functions were ranked and compared via ANOVA.Findings – Post hoc testing showed the parent mentor function at the lowest level with the social function second lowest. The mentor functions of acceptance, friendship, sponsor, and challenging assignments ranked as the statistically highest group of factors. Assistant coach gender significantly impacted the mentor function of social, with male assistant coaches higher than females. Gender of the head coach significantly impacted the mentor function of ...

Exercise and academic performance among nursing and kinesiology students at US colleges

Context: Lack of physical activity is a contributor to the obesity epidemic and is speculated to relate to reduced academic performance; however, this link has yet to be examined within the college population. Aims: The purpose of this study in a group of undergraduate students, was to determine if aerobic exercise activity was related to academic performance. Materials and Methods: The participants for this study included 740 students at multiple universities enrolled in nursing and kinesiology studies. The participants completed the Leisure and Physical Activity Questionnaire. Results: Pearsons χ2 analysis revealed differences in grade point average with aerobic activity (χ2 = 44.29, P ≤ 0.001) as well as a trend toward differences in grade point average with weightlifting activity (χ2 = 22.69, P = 0.61). Conclusions: Based on these findings it can be suggested that college students engage in greater aerobic exercise.

An examination of preactivity and postactivity flexibility practices of National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I tennis coaches.

Judge, LW, Bellar, D, Craig, B, Petersen, J, Camerota, J, Wanless, E, and Bodey, K. An examination of preactivity and postactivity flexibility practices of National Collegiate Athletic Association division I tennis coaches. J Strength Cond Res 26(1): 184–191, 2012—The purpose of this study was to determine if National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I mens tennis programs are in compliance with suggested current preactivity and postactivity stretching protocols. Questionnaires were sent to NCAA Division I mens tennis programs in the USA. Seventy-six coaches (73 men and 3 women) participated in the study. The results of the Chi-Square analysis suggest that the number of years of head coaching experience had a significant relationship with the preactivity stretching routines employed by coaches (p = 0.029). A significant difference was found between preactivity stretching routines and the key sources of influence for the foundation of knowledge regarding preactivity stretching (p = 0.012). Some results indicate that many tennis coaches do not use current suggested practices for preactivity stretching. The results of this study indicate that certification may influence how well research guidelines are followed. Further research is needed to delineate how these factors affect coaching decisions.

A Comparative Analysis of Perceived Benefits of Participation Between Recreational Sport Programs

This study examined recreational sports, with a focus on a comparative analysis of the overall, social, intellectual, and fitness perceived benefits associated with participation in three separate recreational program areas: group fitness, intramural sport, and sport clubs. A survey instrument, based upon the Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire (TEOSQ) and Quality and Importance of Recreational Services (QIRS) perceived benefit scale, was administered to 1,176 students at a postsecondary institution. Results revealed a significant difference in perceived benefits between recreational program areas, with sport clubs reporting the greatest mean in all four perceived benefit groups (overall, social, intellectual, fitness). The study also found a significant positive correlation between all perceived benefit groups. These findings have implications for practitioners in terms of perceived benefit differences, suggesting advantages of the sport club program structure and the potential multiple effects of enhancing a perceived benefit group.

An examination of preactivity and postactivity stretching practices of NCAA division I, NCAA division II, and NCAA division III track and field throws programs.

Abstract Judge, LW, Bellar, DM, Gilreath, EL, Petersen JC, Craig, BW, Popp, JK, Hindawi, OS, and Simon, LS. An examination of preactivity and postactivity stretching practices of NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, and NCAA Division III track and field throws programs. J Strength Cond Res 27(10): 2691–2699, 2013—The purpose of this study is to determine the pre- and postactivity stretching practices of Division I, II, and III track and field throws programs. A 33-item survey instrument was developed to collect data regarding the warm-up and flexibility practices at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I (n = 320), Division II (n = 175), and Division III (n = 275) universities. A total of 135 surveys were completed for a 17.5% return rate, and although the response rate was generally low, it did mirror the distribution percentages of the 3 divisions. Significant differences were found for the level of United States Track and Field (USATF) certification and the use of static stretching (SS) between throws (&khgr;2 = 6.333, p = 0.048). Significance was also found for the USATF certification level and athletic trainer (AT) assistance in performing SS (&khgr;2 = 13.598, p = 0.01). Significant differences were also found for the NCAA division levels and the use of soft tissue mobilization (&khgr;2 = 5.913, p = 0.026). Although research supports dynamic warm-up/stretching over other forms of preactivity protocols, it seems that some track-and-field throws coaches are reluctant to completely discontinue preactivity SS. The results of this study suggest that it is necessary for track and field throws coaches to reevaluate their own practices, perhaps better aligning them with current research findings.

The current state of NCAA Division I collegiate strength facilities: size, equipment, budget, staffing, and football status.

Abstract Judge, LW, Petersen, JC, Bellar, DM, Craig, BW, Cottingham, MP, and Gilreath, EL. The current state of NCAA Division I collegiate strength facilities: Size, equipment, budget, staffing, and football status. J Strength Cond Res 28(8): 2253–2261, 2014—Strength and conditioning training programs are essential components of athletic performance, and the effectiveness of these programs can be linked to the strength and conditioning facilities (SCFs) used by athletes. The primary purpose of this study was to provide a statistical overview of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I SCFs, equipment and maintenance budget, and the relationship between SCF budget and staffing space, and equipment. The secondary purpose was to note differences in SCFs between those schools with and without football programs. An 84-item online survey instrument, developed with expert input from certified strength professionals, was used to collect data regarding the SCFs in NCAA Division I universities. A total of 110 valid and complete surveys were returned for a response rate of 38.6%. Results of Pearsons &khgr;2 analysis demonstrated that the larger reported annual equipment budgets were associated with larger SCFs (&khgr;2 = 451.4, p ⩽ 0.001), greater maximum safe capacity of athletes using the facility (&khgr;2 = 366.9, p ⩽ 0.001), increased numbers of full-time coaches (&khgr;2 = 224.2, p ⩽ 0.001), and increased number of graduate assistant or intern coaches (&khgr;2 = 102.9, p ⩽ 0.001). Based on these data, it can be suggested to athletic administrators and strength and conditioning professionals at the collegiate level that budgets need to be re-evaluated as the number of personnel available to monitor student-athletes and the size and safe capacity of the facility are related to the ability of the strength and conditioning staff to safely and adequately perform their duties.

CSCS certification and school enrollment impacts upon high school strength facilities, equipment, and safety.

Abstract Judge, LW, Petersen, JC, Bellar, DM, Craig, BW, and Gilreath, EL. CSCS certification and school enrollment impacts upon high school strength facilities, equipment, and safety. J Strength Cond Res 27(9): 2626–2633, 2013—The rapid growth and expanding use of high school strength and conditioning facilities (SCFs) creates a need to research and better understand these vital facilities. This study was designed to examine SCFs at the high school level including facility size, equipment, leadership/staffing, and safety. A 70-item online survey instrument, developed with expert input from certified strength professionals, was used to collect data regarding the SCFs in high schools throughout a midwestern state, and was distributed via email to a total of 390 high school athletic directors. Survey respondents (n = 108) all reported the presence of SCFs with 95.4% indicating a dedicated SCF space. A strong positive correlation (r = 0.610, p ⩽ 0.001) was determined between the variables of SCF size in square feet and school size measured by total enrollment. Analysis of variance and &khgr;2 analyses revealed significant differences in equipment, facility size, and safety factors based on the categorical variables of school size and the presence of certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) leadership. It appears the CSCSs application of their scientific knowledge goes beyond training athletes for the goal of improving athletic performance to actually influence the SCF itself. Athletic administrators at the high school level need to recognize the impact CSCS program leadership can have on the overall quality of the strength and conditioning program and facility.

An examination of preactivity and postactivity stretching practices of crosscountry and track and field distance coaches.

Abstract Judge, LW, Petersen, JC, Bellar, DM, Craig, BW, Wanless, EA, Benner, M, and Simon, LS. An examination of preactivity and postactivity stretching practices of crosscountry and track and filed distance coaches. J Strength Cond Res 27(9): 2456–2464, 2013—This study sought to determine the effectiveness of coach certification courses in promoting proper preactivity and postactivity stretching practices in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I, II, and III crosscountry programs. Distribution of questionnaires to 770 NCAA Division I, Division II, and Division III programs in the U.S.A. resulted in 111 coaches (88 [78.2%] men and 25 [21.8%] women) participating. Chi-square analyses revealed that noncertified coaches reported significantly greater (&khgr;2 = 21.582, p = 0.0174) usage of static stretching alone as their preactivity modality (18.9%, n = 9) vs. their certified counterparts (1.8%, n = 1). In addition, certified coaches reported a higher usage of dynamic flexibility only during the preactivity period (47.4%, n = 27) vs. their noncertified peers (32.4%, n = 16). Coaches were also asked if they allowed for static stretching between interval work and events in track and field, and a significantly higher percentage (&khgr;2 = 11.948, p = 0.0177) of noncertified coaches (45.5%, n = 23) reported allowing the athletes to perform static stretches between intervals at practice than certified peers (37.9%, n = 22). These significant differences help demonstrate that coaching certification courses are an effective tool for communicating current information about stretching practices. However, the results also revealed that there are still many certified coaches who are not implementing best practices in preactivity routines.