Howard Bryant. 2019. The Heritage: Black Athletes, A Divided America, and the Politics of Patriotism. Boston: Beacon Press. 288 pp. ISBN: 978–0.907.038.086

Author(s):  
Joey Miller
Keyword(s):  
2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 187-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark H. White ◽  
Ludwin E. Molina

Abstract. Five studies demonstrate that athletic praise can ironically lead to infrahumanization. College athletes were seen as less agentic than college debaters (Studies 1 and 2). College athletes praised for their bodies were also seen as less agentic than college athletes praised for their minds (Study 3), and this effect was driven by bodily admiration (Study 4). These effects occurred equally for White and Black athletes (Study 1) and did not depend on dualistic beliefs about the mind and body (Study 2), failing to provide support for assumptions in the literature. Participants perceived mind and body descriptions of both athletes and debaters as equally high in praise (Study 5), demonstrating that infrahumanization may be induced even if descriptions of targets are positively valenced. Additionally, decreased perceptions of agency led to decreased support for college athletes’ rights (Study 3).


2004 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 261-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy D Noakes ◽  
Yolande XR Harley ◽  
Andrew N Bosch ◽  
Frank E Marino ◽  
Alan St Clair Gibson ◽  
...  

AbstractPhysiological studies of elite and sub-elite black South African runners show that these athletes are typically about 10–12 kg lighter than white athletes and that they are able to sustain higher exercise intensities for longer than white runners. Such superior performance is not a result of higher V O2max values and hence cannot be due to superior oxygen delivery to the active muscles during maximal exercise, as is predicted by the traditional cardiovascular/anaerobic/catastrophic models of exercise physiology. A marginally superior running economy is also unlikely to be a crucial determinant in explaining this apparent superiority. However, black athletes are able to sustain lower rectal and thigh, but higher mean skin, temperatures during exercise. Furthermore, when exercising in the heat, lighter black athletes are able to maintain higher running speeds than are larger white runners matched for running performance in cool environmental conditions. According to the contrasting theory that the body acts as a complex system during exercise, the superiority of black African athletes should be sought in an enhanced capacity to maintain homeostasis in all their inter-dependent biological systems despite running at higher relative exercise intensities and metabolic rates. In this case, any explanation for the success of East African runners will be found in the way in which their innate physiology, training, environment, expectations and genes influence the function of those parts of their subconscious (and conscious) brains that appear to regulate the protection of homeostasis during exercise as part of an integrative, complex biological system.


2004 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 273-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert A Scott ◽  
Colin Moran ◽  
Richard H Wilson ◽  
Will H Goodwin ◽  
Yannis P Pitsiladis

AbstractEast African athletes now dominate international distance running events from the 800 m to the marathon. Explanations for their phenomenal success have included optimal environmental conditions for developing distance running performance, psychological advantage and advantageous physiological characteristics. It is well established that genetics plays a role in determining inter-individual differences in exercise performance and adaptation to training stimuli. It is not known, however, to what extent inter-population differences (i.e. between ‘races’ and/or ethnic groups) in exercise performance can be attributed to genetics. There have been considerations that ‘black’ athletes are genetically adapted towards performance, given the concurrent success of athletes of West African ancestry in sprint events. However, the current notion of ‘race’ is not universally accepted, and genetic differences within and between populations are not clearly delineated by geographical or ethnic categorizations. Recent findings from mitochondrial DNA show that the populations from which Ethiopian athletes are drawn have not been isolated populations and are not genetically distinct from other Ethiopians. Y-chromosome analysis of the same population shows concurrent results, although some differences are present between athletes and the general Ethiopian population, suggesting an influence of the Y chromosome on athlete status in Ethiopia. It is concluded that there may be a role for genetics in the success of East African athletes; however, any genetic component to their success is unlikely to be limited to East Africans and is more likely to be found in other populations. At present it is unjustified to implicate a role for genetics in the success of East African runners when no genes have been identified as being important to their performance.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 130
Author(s):  
C. Koula Landa ◽  
R. Manzika Dzoussi ◽  
B. Ellenga Mbolla ◽  
S. Ngamami Ep. Mongo ◽  
T. Gankama ◽  
...  

Neurology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 98 (1 Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. S3.1-S3
Author(s):  
Viviana Jimenez ◽  
Aaron Yengo-Kahn ◽  
Jessica Wallace ◽  
Douglas Totten ◽  
Christopher Bonfield ◽  
...  

ObjectiveYoung American athletes, at risk of sport-related concussion (SRC), represent many races, however, it is unknown how race influences the experience and outcome of SRC. Our objective was to compare White and Black athletes' recovery and subjective experiences after SRC.BackgroundNA.Design/MethodsA retrospective study was performed using the Vanderbilt Sport Concussion registry. Self-reported White (n = 211) and Black (n = 36) athletes (ages 12–23) treated for SRC between 2012 and 15 were included. Athletes with learning disabilities or psychiatric conditions were excluded. Data was collected by EMR review and phone calls to athletes and parents/guardians. The primary outcomes were: (1) days to symptom resolution (SR), (2) days to return-to-school, (3) changes in any daily activity (binary), (4) and sport behavior (binary). Secondary outcomes were changes in specific activities such as sleep, schoolwork, television time, as well as equipment (binary), playing style (more reckless, unchanged, less reckless) and whether the athlete retired from sport. Descriptive analyses, multivariable Cox proportional hazards and logistic regression were performed.ResultsA retrospective study was performed using the Vanderbilt Sport Concussion registry. Self-reported White (n = 211) and Black (n = 36) athletes (ages 12–23) treated for SRC between 2012 and 15 were included. Athletes with learning disabilities or psychiatric conditions were excluded. Data was collected by EMR review and phone calls to athletes and parents/guardians. The primary outcomes were: (1) days to symptom resolution (SR), (2) days to return-to-school, (3) changes in any daily activity (binary), (4) and sport behavior (binary). Secondary outcomes were changes in specific activities such as sleep, schoolwork, television time, as well as equipment (binary), playing style (more reckless, unchanged, less reckless) and whether the athlete retired from sport. Descriptive analyses, multivariable Cox proportional hazards and logistic regression were performed.ConclusionsRacial differences appear to exist in the outcomes and experience of SRC for young athletes, as Black athletes reached symptom resolution and return-to-school sooner than White athletes. Race should be considered as an important social determinant in SRC treatment.


2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Zorzi ◽  
Flavio D’Ascenzi ◽  
Domenico Corrado
Keyword(s):  

2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward M Powers ◽  
Murat Fudim ◽  
Heidi J Silver ◽  
Robert W Fitch ◽  
Kevin D Niswender

Background: Former football players (FP) who competed with BMI > 30 have high rates of atherosclerosis and early mortality (28% by age 50). FP are disproportionately black, a group predisposed to hypertension and atherosclerosis. Hypothesis: Positive energy balance and oxidative stress lead to vascular dysfunction in black FP. Methods: High BMI college FP (n=33) underwent metabolic and vascular testing at the Vanderbilt Medical Center during the offseason training program. Endothelial function was tested using flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery. Arterial elasticity and vascular resistance were tested using a calibrated tonometer. Regression was performed using least squares on Stat, version 12. Results: Elevated blood pressure (EBP) (SBP > 130) was common in both black (n = 14) and white (n = 19) athletes (78% vs 63%, p = .34). Black players had significantly higher systemic vascular resistance and lower arterial elasticity. However, they had significantly better lipid profiles and body composition, and comparable insulin resistance assessed by HOMA. In black FP, EBP was associated with positive energy balance (4.3 kg gained during six weeks from enrollment to clinic visit vs. 0.7 kg, p = .05). Daily caloric intake predicted endothelial function as measured by flow mediated vasodilation (FMD) (r=.76, p=.001). Caloric intake and oxidative stress (F2-isoprostanes) trended to inversely correlate with larger artery elasticity (r=.40, p=.09 and r=.41, p=.09, respectively). HOMA did not predict FMD (r < .01, p = .56). Respiratory quotient (RQ) correlated with f2-isoprostanes (r=.53, p=.02), suggesting a link between mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress. Conclusion: High BMI black FP suffer from vascular dysfunction, possibly due to oxidative stress from overfeeding. This correlates with studies of non-athlete adult population, but differs notably in being independent of insulin resistance. A larger, longitudinal study is needed to establish a link between overfeeding, vascular dysfunction and early cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in high BMI black athletes. The role of oxidative stress and selective use of nitric oxide donor drugs in black athletes should be explored.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Risa F. Isard ◽  
E. Nicole Melton

PurposeThe purpose of this research was to examine the role of intersectionality (multiple marginalized identities) in narratives used within online media coverage of women's sports. The authors adopted an intersectionality lens and drew from sports media literature to explore the representation of Black athletes in women's sport.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted a quantitative content analysis of online articles from ESPN, CBS Sports and Sports Illustrated from the 2020 WNBA Season. The authors coded the number of times an athlete was mentioned in an article, the athlete's race, publicly disclosed sexual orientation and gender expression. The authors used hierarchical regression to examine the relationship between an athlete's social identities and frequency of media mentions.FindingsWithin mainstream online sport media, Black WNBA athletes receive less media attention than white WNBA athletes. Black athletes who do not present in traditionally feminine ways receive the least amount of media attention, while white athletes have the freedom to express their gender in a variety of ways and still capture media interest. Within league press releases, however, there is no difference in media mentions based on race, sexual orientation or gender expression.Practical implicationsThe findings in this research are important for sport media professionals who write stories and player-activists who are pursuing racial justice. Outlets should commit to antiracist storytelling practices. Players, player agents and players' associations—all of whom have shown their power to create change for a more equitable industry and society—should also advocate for and organize around practices that create more equitable media coverage.Originality/valueThis study is one of the few empirical investigations of women's professional sport that examines the influence of intersecting social identities.


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