United States Sports Academy - "America's Sports University"

Abstract

Past research has found a negative
correlation between the variables of self-esteem and approval
motivation (Larsen, Martin, Ettinger, & Nelson, 1976). This
relationship has not been explored specifically for individuals
who participate in athletics. The purpose of this study was to
compare athletes and non-athletes on their levels of self-esteem
and approval motivation, and to determine if a positive correlation
exists for athletes in contrast to the negative correlation found
in the general college population. A significant difference was
found between athletes and non-athletes in their levels of self-esteem
and approval motivation.

This article has been inspired
by six years of doctoral research in which I found that the "right"
music can have a very positive impact on sport and exercise performance.
I am grateful to the Academy for cultivating my interest in the
area of psychophysical responses to music during my master's
programme in 1991/92. I am also pleased to be invited to share
my findings with you, the coaches and fitness professionals.

Abstract

The general problem of this
study was to examine the level of satisfaction of elite track
and field athletes in South Korea with six factors; facilities,
equipment, financial support, head coach's technical ability,
training methods, and leadership.

The subjects were 194 track and field athletes who were selected
from a 1997 ranking list of the top five athletes in each track
and field event. A survey questionnaire was distributed to each
subject with a return rate of 80% (N = 168). Statistical analyses
were conducted using the SPSS-Window statistical package. Descriptive
statistics, independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA and Post Hoc tests
were used to analyze the data.

Positive self-esteem is a favorable
perception of one's self, or, how happy you are with just being
you. In general, feelings of self-esteem contribute to a person's
self-worth, confidence and competence. These feelings of worthiness,
assurance and proficiency can influence a person's life in regard
to personal aspirations, motivation, achievement potential and
relationships (Melpomene Institute, 1996). A person's self-esteem
is affected by and formed from a variety of circumstances in
life, some of which are:

• degree of parental expectations, encouragement and influence
• degree of peer expectations, encouragement and influence
• involvement in making of decisions
• development of talents, hobbies or interests
• influence and importance of role models
• extent of emphasis on body image
• experiences and interactions during education
• participation in physical activity and/or sports

(Kopecky, 1992)

During the Spring of 1995,
prior to the Olympic Games in Atlanta, the United States Team
Handball team and coaches came to the United States Sports Academy
in Daphne, AL for testing. Dr. Thomas P. Rosandich, president
of the U.S. Team Handball Federation, and the president of the
United States Sports Academy hosted the testing at the Alabama
campus. Testing of the athletes consisted of laboratory tests
of maximum oxygen uptake, computerized strength measures, blood
tests, etc., and a battery of field tests that included assessments
of physical characteristics, and physical performance components.
This paper reports the results of the field test battery.

Skills test batteries have been used in physical education and
in sport to assess various components of the skills of players.
These assessments served the teacher and coach to determine a
player's level of ability, or their progress, weaknesses and
strengths. These test batteries for sports performance usually
dealt with the physical fitness components like strength and
endurance, or the motor skills components, like speed, agility,
power, or accuracy.

Although technology has changed
the nature of conflict over the years, physical fitness remains
an important component of the effectiveness of every military
service member. Many of the changes (night vision goggles, anti-chemical
gear, etc.) allow fighting to continue around the clock, further
establishing the need for fitness and endurance. Furthermore,
with force reductions and continually chancing world conditions,
all personnel from the US military services must be ready and
fit at all times. A Department of Defense directive (1308.1)
stated that individual service members must possess the stamina
and strength to perform successfully any potential mission. To
do this, the directive mandated each US military service develop
a quality fitness program that improves readiness and increases
combat effectiveness of their personnel. This paper will briefly
describe the physical fitness and fitness evaluation programs
of each United States military service.

The World Conference on Doping
in Sport, with the participation of representatives of governments,
of inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations, of
the International Olympic Committee, the International Sports
Federations (IFs), the National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and
of the athletes, declares:

1. Education, prevention and
   athletes' rights
   The Olympic oath shall be extended to coaches and other officials,
   and shall include the respect of integrity, ethics and fair play
   in sport. Educational and preventive campaigns will be intensified,
   focusing principally on youth, and athletes and their entourage.
   Complete transparency shall be assured in all activities to fight
   doping, except for preserving the confidentiality necessary to
   protect the fundamental rights of athletes. Partnership with
   the media shall be sought in anti-doping campaigns.

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Each year, the United States Sports Academy honors leaders in
sport through its Awards of Sport program. Recipients come from
all arenas and positions in sport, but share the common characteristic
that they are leaders in their area and have made outstanding
contributions to national or international sport through education,
research, or service.

There are twelve awards in the Medallion Series, each honoring
a different aspect of sport.

They are:

The Eagle Award is the Academy's highest award. The eagle
was chosen as the focal point of the logo and seal because it
is emblematic of the institution's quest for excellence in its
unique academic endeavor. The soaring eagle exemplifies man's
striving for new heights, so symbolic of the aim of education
and athletic competition. Past winners include Nelson Mandela,
President of South Africa, and H.S.H. Prince Albert of Monaco.