This study considered the perceptions of college students regarding the effect of their participation in high school athletics upon their resilience. This study explored the effect of athletic participation on students' academic achievement, capacity to overcome adversity, and ability to cope with stress. This study was conducted in a private, coeducational university in suburban, southeastern Pennsylvania. Seventy-five undergraduate college students who matriculated to this university and attended public, private, or parochial high schools participated. The results of this study suggested that participation in athletics supported most participants' academic achievement, developed their capacity to overcome challenges and adversity, and positively affected their ability to manage stress. The themes that emerged in this research study, when considered within the context of prior research related to protective factors and resilience, suggested that participation in athletic activities promoted resilience among these students.

Student-athletes face a variety of stressors and adversities that become hurdles in both their personal, athletic, and academic lives. This study explores the relationship between resilience, cohesion, and stress amongst community college student-athletes. Community college student-athletes (N=49) completed an online survey using the Group Environment Questionnaire, College Student-Athletes' Life Stress Scale, and Brief Resilience Scale. T-tests were used to compare differences among these variables by gender. Student-athletes reported higher levels of resilience and cohesion, which were related to lower levels of stress. This study illustrates how resilience, belonging, and coach/peer supports help decrease levels of perceived stress within the community college student-athlete population.

Resilience in sport has been defined as "the role of mental processes and behavior in promoting personal assets and protecting an individual from the potential negative effect of stressors" (Fletcher & Sarkar, 2012, p. 675). Fletcher and Sarkar's (2012) found that various psychological factors were indicative of athlete resilience such as achievement motivation, social support, focus, confidence, and positive personality. To date, sport psychology researchers have dominantly examined resilience as an individual construct (e.g., Galli & Vealey, 2008; Fletcher & Sarkar; Wagstaff, Sarkar, Davidson, & Fletcher, 2016). However, it is also important to consider how athlete resilience might develop and operate in relationships with important others (e.g., coach). Narrative inquiry (Smith & Sparkes, 2009) was used in this study to explore the stories of seven NCAA Division I student-athletes' lived experiences of how the coach-athlete relationship influenced their ability to be resilient through major stress. Semi-structured interviews were conducted that asked participants about their respective coach-athlete relationship, how power and sociocultural factors influenced this relationship, and in turn, influenced student-athlete resilience. Braun and Clarke's (2006) thematic analysis was used for data analysis, which revealed the following themes: (a) Student-athlete core resilience, (b) The W.O.A.T., (c) The G.O.A.T., (d) W.O.AT. coach behaviors, (e) G.O.A.T. coach behaviors, (f) The W.O.A.T., the G.O.A.T., and student-athlete resilience, (g) The effect of coach major stress on student-athlete resilience, and (h) The relational shift: From bad to better, good to great. It is hoped that the findings of this study will be used as a powerful method from which coaches can emotionally connect with the participants' stories in order to better understand how they might operate within the coach-athlete relationship to influence student-athlete resilience.

Developed by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and now in its fourth edition, Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning is the essential text for strength and conditioning professionals and students. This comprehensive resource, created by 30 expert contributors in the field, explains the key theories, concepts, and scientific principles of strength training and conditioning as well as their direct application to athletic competition and performance. The scope and content of Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning, Fourth Edition With HKPropel Access, have been updated to convey the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of a strength and conditioning professional and to address the latest information found on the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) exam. The evidence-based approach and unbeatable accuracy of the text make it the primary resource to rely on for CSCS exam preparation. The text is organized to lead readers from theory to program design and practical strategies for administration and management of strength and conditioning facilities. The fourth edition contains the most current research and applications and several new features: Online videos featuring 21 resistance training exercises demonstrate proper exercise form for classroom and practical use. Updated research—specifically in the areas of high-intensity interval training, overtraining, agility and change of direction, nutrition for health and performance, and periodization—helps readers better understand these popular trends in the industry. A new chapter with instructions and photos presents techniques for exercises using alternative modes and nontraditional implements. Ten additional tests, including those for maximum strength, power, and aerobic capacity, along with new flexibility exercises, resistance training exercises, plyometric exercises, and speed and agility drills help professionals design programs that reflect current guidelines. Key points, chapter objectives, and learning aids including key terms and self-study questions provide a structure to help students and professionals conceptualize the information and reinforce fundamental facts. Application sidebars provide practical application of scientific concepts that can be used by strength and conditioning specialists in real-world settings, making the information immediately relatable and usable. Online learning tools delivered through HKPropel provide students with 11 downloadable lab activities for practice and retention of information. Further, both students and professionals will benefit from the online videos of 21 foundational exercises that provide visual instruction and reinforce proper technique. Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning, Fourth Edition, provides the most comprehensive information on organization and administration of facilities, testing and evaluation, exercise techniques, training adaptations, program design, and structure and function of body systems. Its scope, precision, and dependability make it the essential preparation text for the CSCS exam as well as a definitive reference for strength and conditioning professionals to consult in their everyday practice. Note: A code for accessing HKPropel is not included with this ebook but may be purchased separately.

The purpose of this ethnographic case study was to explore and investigate the adult perceptions of the influence or impact that student involvement in high school athletics has on student engagement and student success. Due to the fact that funding for education in California is tied to the state economy, it is continually susceptible to periods of economic boom as well as times of economic recession. The result is that educational leaders have to continually make decisions about what programs to cut or to continue to fund. In times of economic crisis, there is a documented tendency for schools across the nation to cut extracurricular programs in order to sustain the academic curricular programs. This study examines adult perceptions regarding the impact that they believe athletic involvement ultimately has on student engagement and student success in a secondary setting. Through a focus group with parents, a staff survey and semi-structured interviews with staff members, this study explored adult perceptions regarding the impact that athletics has on overall student engagement and success. Findings include the importance of athletics in providing “life lessons” and in teaching xi students skills that cannot be taught as easily, if at all, in the classroom; the importance of athletics in providing a “sense of belonging” or “being a part of a team”; and the role that athletic involvement plays in providing motivation for students to be academically more engaged and successful.

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