Physical activity stimulates the nervous system and subsequently increases cognition, neural functioning, and information processing in the human brain (Colcombe, Kramer, Erickson, Scalf, & McAuley, 2004; Erickson, Voss, Prakash, Basak, & Szabo, 2011). Students who include athletic pursuits in their daily schedules tend to perform better…

This study examined the effects of participation in intercollegiate athletics on leadership development using a multi-institutional, longitudinal sample of students at four-year institutions. Using Astin's (1993) Input-Environment-Outcome model, we examined whether athletic participation influenced leadership development using the Socially…

Beyond heightened academic requirements, student athletes face a multitude of tasks including weight training, practice, film review, and travel for competition. This makes the student's life complex. As student athletes progress through their educational experience, they experience higher structured time demands in regard to their sport…

There are currently mixed findings on the social and academic benefits of youth participation in school sponsored sports, such as football. While some research suggests positive outcomes through increased sense of school belongingness, other studies link participation in football to increased delinquent behavior. Social control theory informed the…

A fundamental objective for the physical educator is to provide students with effective, age-appropriate physical education (PE) in a safe environment. The importance of PE must be emphasized in light of the strong association between regular physical activity and health. Currently, 18% of U.S. children ages 6 to 19 are classified as overweight…

The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not a significant difference existed in the overall academic performance of athletes when compared to non-athletes at one rural high school in Wisconsin. The study was important to the field of educational leadership because in the current environment of accountability, educational leaders need…

Physical activity is a crucial part of preventing or reducing childhood obesity, and may also yield important academic and social benefits. However, many children do not attain the level of daily physical activity recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Schools are uniquely positioned to provide students opportunities…

Athletic administrators and decision makers within interscholastic athletics are expected to embrace a code of ethics that serves as a set of rules to guide their professional behavior. Included within this code are areas of controversy that present gender-related ethical dilemmas for administrators. Three specific ethical dilemmas involve (1)…

This study investigated the relationships between bullying victimization and students' extracurricular activity and misbehavior. This research examined whether students' engagement in particular school activities increased or decreased the likelihood of being bullied while at school. Data for this research were drawn from the Educational…

Challenger Middle School (Colorado) has an intramural sports program that uses two unique concepts known as "scramble" and "cluster" coaching. The goal is to provide each child the opportunity to compete, develop skills, and experience success. Intramural participants are invited by coaches to compete against other schools…

It is believed hat there are several factors that have contributed to the obesity epidemic that is affecting youths. Certainly a decline in intramural sports is one factor. One should look at the underlying trends that have contributed to this decline. Those trends are: (1) Personnel Issues--How many teachers and coaches have support of a viable…

High school sports programs face potential problems because of increased competitiveness. School boards can act to encourage student participation, add junior varsity and intramural programs, hire coaches as teachers, set financial priorities, establish an athletic council, and start educating people about the purposes of school sports. (MLF)

This publication details all of the official rules and regulations of the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association. Some of the items discussed are: All-Star Contests; Appeal Procedure; Associate Member School; Awards; Conditioning Programs; Investigative Procedure; Non-School Competition; Postgraduates/Higher Institutions; Practice Sessions;…

Analyzes the issues and decisions in recent court cases concerning student participation in interscholastic athletics, particularly at the secondary school level, and notes the potential impact of the decisions on athletic regulations. Covers handicapped-related conditions, property rights in participation, due process, and the reasonableness of…

The findings of this study show that participation in athletic activities is not necessarily detrimental to academic persuits; in fact, boys who were not otherwise predisposed to attend college were strongly influenced by sports involvement. (Author/JB)