Insights in sports social science


Book Description




The New Psychology of Sport and Exercise


Book Description

′The Roger Federer, the Steffi Graf, the Usain Bolt of all books about the psychology of sport, packed with insight and wisdom’ - Brian Viner, Sports writer and author of Pelé, Ali, Lillee, and Me This is the first textbook to explore and explain the contribution of social groups and social identity to all aspects of sports and exercise — from leadership, motivation and communication to mental health, teamwork, and fan behaviour. In the context of increasing recognition of the importance of group processes for athletic performance, engagement in exercise and the business of sport, this book offers a new way of understanding, researching and practicing sport and exercise psychology Written by an international team of researchers at the cutting edge of efforts to apply social identity principles to the world of sport and exercise, this will be an essential resource for students, teachers and practitioners who are keen to be at the forefront of thinking and practice.




Sport values in every classroom


Book Description

In recognition of the potential of sport, six international partners (UNESCO, the Olympic Foundation for Culture and Heritage, the World Anti-Doping Agency, Agitos Foundation, the International Fair Play Committee and the International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education) collaborated to create this resource which engages youth through movement-based classroom activities while helping teachers instil some of the core values synonymous with sport : respect, equity and inclusion. This toolkit contains for each value practical activity cards to assist teacher in their work with their students.




Sport, Politics and Society in the Middle East


Book Description

Sport in the Middle East has become a major issue in global affairs. The contributors to this timely volume discuss the intersection of political and cultural processes related to sport in the region. Eleven chapters trace the historical institutionalization of sport and the role it has played in negotiating "Western" culture. Sport is found to be a contested terrain where struggles are being fought over the inclusion of women, over competing definitions of national identity, over preserving social memory, and over press freedom. Also discussed are the implications of mega-sporting events for host countries, and how both elite sport policies and sports industries in the region are being shaped. Sport, Politics and Society in the Middle East draws on academic disciplines from the humanities and social sciences to offer in-depth, theoretically grounded, and richly empirical case studies. It employs diverse research methodologies, from ethnography and in-depth interviews to archival research, to make a lasting contribution to this critical subject.




Group Dynamics in Exercise and Sport Psychology


Book Description

Can a better understanding of group dynamics raise individual and team athletic performance or improve the outcomes of exercise interventions? Much human behaviour in sport and exercise settings is embedded within groups where individuals’ cognitions, emotions, and behaviours influence and are influenced by other group members. Group Dynamics in Exercise and Sports Psychology: Contemporary Themes explores the unique psychological dynamics that emerge in sport and exercise groups. It provides a clear and thorough guide to contemporary theory and research. Recommendations are also presented to inform applied psychology ‘best practice’. Drawing together the expertise of international specialists from sports and exercise psychology, the text covers core themes as well as emerging issues in group dynamics. The text is organised into four sections: Part 1: The Self in Groups Part 2: Leadership in Groups Part 3: Group Environment Part 4: Motivation in Groups Group Dynamics in Exercise and Sports Psychology: Contemporary Themes will be of interest to psychology, kinesiology, sport and exercise science students and researchers, as well as to consultants and coaches.




Routledge Handbook of Sport in China


Book Description

This is the first book to offer a comprehensive overview of the history and development of sport from the ancient to the contemporary era in China. It addresses the gap between the vibrant academic scholarship within China and the limited understanding of Chinese sport outside of the country. It opens different perspectives on Chinese sport and addresses a wide range of issues central to the development of sport in the context of Chinese culture, politics, economy, and society. It explores a diverse set of topics including the history of Chinese traditional sport, the rise of modern sport and the Olympic movement, sport and nationhood, sport and politics and international relations, sport and physical education, sport and economy and commerce, sport and social stratification and diversity, and sport leisure and tourism. It offers critical insights into the multifaceted world of China, past and present—a contribution to our collective knowledge and understanding of Chinese sport and society—and is useful reading for students, researchers, and professionals with an interest in the field of China and Chinese sport. This Handbook has been contributed to by a team consisting of 88 leading Chinese and Asian experts and scholars with varied backgrounds of studying and working in European, North American, and Australian universities, as well as Western scholars with expertise on China and its sports system and practice. It is composed of ten parts classified by different subjects. It provides a wide lens through which to better contextualise the relationships between China and the world within the global sport community. The Routledge Handbook of Sport in China is a vital resource for students and scholars studying the history, politics, sociology, culture and policy of sport in China, as well as sport management, sport history, sport sociology, and sport policy and politics. It is also valuable reading for those who are working in international sport policy making and sport organisations.




AN INSIGHT INTO THE PSYCHOLOGY OF BASKETBALL PLAYERS


Book Description

Besides Physical, Physiological, Biological, Sociological And Technical Aspects, Success In Sports Also Requires Some Psychological Conditioning In Order To Perform At The Highest Level. In A Highly Competitive Environment Of Modern Sporting World, The Psychological Characteristic Of A Player Is Equally Important For Achieving Success. It Is Believed That Sports Performance Is Dependent Upon So Many Factors In Which Psychological Preparedness Is One Of The Most Important Feature Identified Through Various Research Which Plays A Major Part In Sporting Success.




Research Methodologies for Sports Scholarship


Book Description

When investigating the diverse, complex and changing contemporary field of sport, we recognize there is no methodology that meets the needs of all sport. Sport researchers should take advantage of innovative approaches from other fields to explore emerging phenomena or innovatively advance scholarly sport research approaches. For example, technology, globalization and commercialization may be the principal trends, but they are not the only trends, Sport researchers have the opportunity to study other trends, including the modernization of sport organizations, changing governance practices, regulatory changes, innovation, merchandising, media and broadcasting technologies, socio demographic influences (i.e. aging populations, change in employment patterns, increasing diversity), sport for development, physical activity and sport participation changes. As such, this book introduces innovative research methods and approaches can be applied to the sport discipline. This book was originally published as a special issue of Sport in Society.




Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Drug Design and Development


Book Description

The book is a comprehensive guide that explores the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning in drug discovery and development covering a range of topics, including the use of molecular modeling, docking, identifying targets, selecting compounds, and optimizing drugs. The intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) within the field of drug design and development represents a pivotal moment in the history of healthcare and pharmaceuticals. The remarkable synergy between cutting-edge technology and the life sciences has ushered in a new era of possibilities, offering unprecedented opportunities, formidable challenges, and a tantalizing glimpse into the future of medicine. AI can be applied to all the key areas of the pharmaceutical industry, such as drug discovery and development, drug repurposing, and improving productivity within a short period. Contemporary methods have shown promising results in facilitating the discovery of drugs to target different diseases. Moreover, AI helps in predicting the efficacy and safety of molecules and gives researchers a much broader chemical pallet for the selection of the best molecules for drug testing and delivery. In this context, drug repurposing is another important topic where AI can have a substantial impact. With the vast amount of clinical and pharmaceutical data available to date, AI algorithms find suitable drugs that can be repurposed for alternative use in medicine. This book is a comprehensive exploration of this dynamic and rapidly evolving field. In an era where precision and efficiency are paramount in drug discovery, AI and ML have emerged as transformative tools, reshaping the way we identify, design, and develop pharmaceuticals. This book is a testament to the profound impact these technologies have had and will continue to have on the pharmaceutical industry, healthcare, and ultimately, patient well-being. The editors of this volume have assembled a distinguished group of experts, researchers, and thought leaders from both the AI, ML, and pharmaceutical domains. Their collective knowledge and insights illuminate the multifaceted landscape of AI and ML in drug design and development, offering a roadmap for navigating its complexities and harnessing its potential. In each section, readers will find a rich tapestry of knowledge, case studies, and expert opinions, providing a 360-degree view of AI and ML’s role in drug design and development. Whether you are a researcher, scientist, industry professional, policymaker, or simply curious about the future of medicine, this book offers 19 state-of-the-art chapters providing valuable insights and a compass to navigate the exciting journey ahead. Audience The book is a valuable resource for a wide range of professionals in the pharmaceutical and allied industries including researchers, scientists, engineers, and laboratory workers in the field of drug discovery and development, who want to learn about the latest techniques in machine learning and AI, as well as information technology professionals who are interested in the application of machine learning and artificial intelligence in drug development.




Sports in International Politics


Book Description

Sports have historically been part of a broader quest of regimes for prestige on the world stage, but also to project hegemony and power in an anarchic international system. While such historical trends of politicization of sports continue—witness the nationalism on display at each Olympic Games—today sports are equally seen as a strategic key for advancing human rights, building peace, strengthening social cohesion, and fostering development. International sports reside between a “realist” world of power and profit while simultaneously becoming an instrument of liberal internationalism that sees the advancement of individual values of rights, gender equality, and empowerment of often marginalized groups such as indigenous peoples, traumatized war victims, and those with disabilities. Sports in International Politics explores the complex linkages among power politics in the international arena, the profit-seeking, often elitist and at-times corrupt world of professional international sports, and the promise for harnessing sports to promote human rights, inclusive development, and sustainable peace in a violent world. Timothy D. Sisk shows that sport’s direct relationship to peace is found in sport- and play-related contributions to humanitarian action, expanding the right to access sport and the rights of athletes of all ages and abilities, and in the well-designed employment of sports in youth-based development and peacebuilding programs and projects. Sport’s contribution to peace is found from the bottom up through sport’s contribution to positive youth development, empathy, and fairness, and through engendering trust and social cohesion at community and national levels.




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