Running between the raindrops: Running marathons and the potential to put marriage in jeopardy

2018 ◽  
Vol 55 (5) ◽  
pp. 509-525 ◽  
Author(s):  
Assaf Lev ◽  
Sima Zach

For many amateur long-distance runners the marathon is not merely an event – it is a demanding activity, both physically and mentally. While being immersed in this activity they enter the running social world and undergo a process of identity transformation. This process encompasses immersion into a ‘zone’ that is often outside the partnership of marriage and includes absorption into social networks that are unlimited in time and place. In this study, an ethnographic research design was utilized, employing a combination of participant observation, interviews, and website analysis. Key findings illustrate both the complexity and the fragility regarding the encouragement of the non-running partner. It is suggested that, even if the non-running partner is supportive, embracing a serious marathon identity by the running partner can jeopardize the marriage. In other words, the partnership may crumble due to the identity transformation of one of the partners when the other doesn’t play an active part in the new social world.

2020 ◽  
pp. 57-87
Author(s):  
Corey M. Abramson ◽  
Martín Sánchez-Jankowski

Following the argument for the importance of comparative participant observation for approaches descendent from the conventional scientific tradition (CST), this chapter outlines how the behavioralist foundations summarized in chapter 1 translate to procedures and techniques for charting causal mechanisms in comparative ethnographic research. The chapter begins by examining the practices and techniques of the behavioralist approach in detail and describes the mode of research design, sampling, data collection, analysis, and explanation associated with this approach, giving examples from prior empirical works. The chapter then turns to longstanding concerns about ethnographic reliability and replication and explains how this approach addresses them. In doing so, it shows how behavioralist criteria align with, and diverge from, other methodological approaches to the collection, analysis, and extension of ethnographic data. The chapter concludes by explaining the contributions that can be made by repositioning participant observation within the spectrum of approaches to understanding causal processes in the social sciences.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Seemab Zahra ◽  
Muhammad Bilal ◽  
Shafia Azam

In the post-9/11 period, while the rise of the Taliban and their alliance with Al-Qaeda accelerated radicalism in Pakistan, Sufism and Sufi shrines have been awarded the status of an antidote to counter the extremist propensities of orthodox Islam typically associated with mosques and madrasas. Nevertheless, contrary to popular belief, sectarian schism, loathing and violence have also been witnessed at several Sufi shrines across Pakistan. The article explores the dynamics of power struggle at the shrine of Bari Imam in Islamabad, Pakistan, while examining the role of sectarian conflicts and violence in achieving the desire for social and economic hegemony. Ethnographic research design was employed, involving participant observation while partaking in different activities of the shrine. Also, respondents including members of the Auqaf Department, pilgrims, caretaker(s) of the Bari Imam shrine and inhabitants of the area were interviewed. The respondents include both males and females of diverse age groups belonging to various socio-economic statuses, sectarian affiliation and educational backgrounds. The findings propose that regardless of the spiritual character of the Bari Imam shrine, it has become a pivot of economic and political power struggle, eventually engendering and escalating sectarian discord, violence and detestation.


2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chaoyi Qu ◽  
Minxiao Xu ◽  
Fei Qin ◽  
Yanan Dong ◽  
Zhongwei Wang ◽  
...  

Objective Exercise induced muscle damage (EIMD) is one common physiological phenomenon in competitive sports and mass sports. Water immersion recovery and whole body cryotherapy (cryostimulation) (WBC) has become one of the fast recovery methods adopted by high level athletes in the world. The aim of this study was to compare the water immersion recovery and WBC from timing sequential recovery on EIMD, subjective scales, biochemical indicators, exercise performance indicators. Methods Twelve middle and long distance runners from Beijing Sport University were recruited in this study (exercise performance is secondary level in China). All participants performed four models in four weeks which included rest control (CON), cold water immersion(CWI), contrast water therapy (CWT) and whole body cryotherapy (cryostimulation) (WBC) separated by one week. The subjects needed to complete the EIMD exercise program, includes two parts: the treadmill running and the jump step. The individual speed of treadmill running was based on the individual VO2max. running including 5 sets and total time is about 90 min. Every set consist of 6 min flat running, 6 min uphill running and 6 min downhill running. The speed of the treadmill was stable in different stages. The slope of the uphill running is(+6,+5,+4,+3,+2), and the slope of downhill running is (-8, -7, -6, -5, -4). The jump was performed 20 times separated by 30 s via special step ( height is 40 cm) . After the EIMD exercise program, the subjects were treated with different recovery methods immediately after exercise, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h after exercise, while CON group received no intervention. The CWI group was immerged in 15 °C cold water for 12min, and the CWT groups was immerged in 15°C cold water for 1min and 38°C hot water for 1min with 6 cycles. The whole body cryotherapy (cryostimulation) group was immerged in special chamber (-110—-140℃)for 3 min. The three interventions were immerged body to the position of shoulders. The indexes including subjective scales (VAS scale, RPE scale, Borg scale, WHO deep sleep scale, PQSI scale), biochemical indicators (creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, myoglobin, interleukin-6, C reactive protein, SICAM-1), exercise performance indicators ( vertical jump height, grip, running distance). The indexes was collected in different periods (i.e. Before exercise, immediately after exercise,Post1h, Post 24h, Post 48h, Post 72h, Post 96h after exercise etc.). Results  (1) Subjective scales. From results of VAS scale, RPE scale, and Borg scale, the WBC had best recovery effects than the other three interventions (P<0.05).  The recovery effect of the CWI group was similar with the CON group. From results of WHO deep sleep scale and PQSI scale, the WBC group had better recovery effects than CON group (P<0.05). (2) Biochemical indicators. From results of CK, Mb and SICAM-1, the WBC group had better recovery effect than the other three groups (P<0.05). In the LDH, the WBC group had similar effects with the CWT group (P>0.05). From results of CRP and IL-6, the WBC group had better recovery effects than the other three groups (P<0.05).(3)Exercise performance indicators. From results of vertical jump, WBC had lower decrease than the other three groups (P<0.05).  From results of the grip, of the WBC and CWT groups have significant retentive effects than CON group (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between CON and CWI groups (P>0.05). Conclusions (1)Through combine the treadmill running and the jump step exercise program,Can effectively lead to human body appear the EIMD. (2)WBC has positive effects on the subjective scale, biochemical indicators, exercise performance indicators associated with EIMD.For middle and long distance runners EIMD,compared with CWI CWT,WBC effect is better.(3) CWI and CWT has a positive effect on some subjective scales, biochemical indicators, and exercise performance indicators related to EIMD. However, the positive effect of CWI and CWT is lower than WBC in the extent of action and timing sequence. (4)For the middle and long distance runners EIMD timing sequence recovery effects,WBC have better effects,Followed by CWT , CWI  effect is not significant.


1990 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. 63-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
KM Herring ◽  
DH Richie

A longitudinal double-blind study was conducted to determine the effect of sock fiber composition on the frequency and size of blistering events in long-distance runners. Thirty-five long-distance runners participated in this study. Two different socks were tested, which were identical in every aspect of construction except fiber composition. One test sock was composed of 100% acrylic fibers, and the other test sock was composed of 100% natural cotton fibers. The results showed that acrylic fiber socks were associated with fewer blistering events and smaller blisters (mm2), when compared directly to cotton fiber socks.


2021 ◽  
Vol VI (I) ◽  
pp. 43-56
Author(s):  
Muneeba Khusnood ◽  
Muhammad Bilal ◽  
Tasmia Jahangir

The present research explores the phenomenological reflections on the everyday life of madrasah students to comprehend their life-worlds in the context of growing media technology in Pakistan and how religious personalities on media influence the lifeworlds of madrasah students? This ethnographic research was conducted in Ahl-e-Hadith Madrasah, located in Rawalpindi. The research design employed participant observation (PO) and in-depth interviews of madrasah students and teachers belonging to diverse socio-economic and educational backgrounds. The findings suggest that the teachings and principles of the Ahl-e-Hadith sect taught in madrasah profoundly influence the life-worlds of female madrasah students. The major areas of students' life-worlds that are influenced by madrasah discourses include sectarian associations, selection of spouse, dressing patterns, media aesthetics, the configuration of entertainment, and the influence of ulemas on students' everyday life.


Author(s):  
Cristóbal Sánchez Muñoz ◽  
José J. Muros ◽  
Óscar López Belmonte ◽  
Mikel Zabala

The purpose of the present study was to describe the anthropometric characteristics, body composition and somatotype of elite male young runners (EYR), and to compare these variables according to the specialty in which they engaged (middle-distance vs. long-distance). This will enable an anthropometric profile chart to be established for them. Ninety EYR aged 17 to 23 years (18.4 ± 2.0) participated in the study. Athletes were divided into two groups according to the event in which they participated: middle-distance runners (MDR, n = 56) and long-distance runners (LDR, n = 34). Sixteen anthropometric variables were recorded for each participant: Weight, height, eight skinfolds, four girths, and two breadths. Body mass index (BMI), body composition and somatotype were calculated. Comparing MDR with the group of LDR, significant differences were found to exist for height, weight, relaxed upper arm girth, flexed and tensed upper arm girth, total upper arm area, upper arm muscle area, and thigh muscle area. No significant differences were observed in the other variables. MDR are taller, heavier and have larger girths than LDR. Coaches and sports scientists can use the data obtained to better control training, as well as for talent identification and athlete selection.


1993 ◽  
Vol 83 (9) ◽  
pp. 515-522 ◽  
Author(s):  
KM Herring ◽  
DH Richie

A longitudinal single-blind study was conducted to test the friction blister prevention properties of synthetic acrylic socks in a generic construction. This study serves as a comparison with the authors' previous work comparing acrylic and cotton socks in a patented padded construction. Twenty-seven long-distance runners provided data regarding dampness, temperature, friction blister incidence, severity, and size. Two different socks were tested; each was identical in every aspect of construction except the fiber content. One test sock was composed of 100% synthetic acrylic fibers, and the other was composed of 100% natural cotton fibers. These results were unsuccessful at demonstrating any superiority of cotton or acrylic fibers when knitting produced a generic "cushion sole" sock. The superiority of acrylic fibers has thus far been demonstrated only when sock knitting provides adequate anatomical padding [corrected].


Author(s):  
David Marko

Purpose: A choice between a running or bicycle ergometer is not possible in every labora-tory. Significant differences may appear in measuring results of ergometers with different load specificity. The objective of our paper is to determine a difference in values measured during a spiroergometry test on a bicycle ergometer and a running ergometer in adolescent endurance sportsmen, with different specializations, for mountain cyclists and middle- and long-distance runners. Methods:The experiment involved 10 cyclists and 10 runnersat the national top level. The cyclists and runners were dividedin two groups: one half of the tested group completed the first test on a running ergometer and the other on a bicycle ergometer. The test on the other ergometer was taken after three days’ time. The progressed load test up to “vita maxima” was used for both ergometers. The examined parameters included values of VO2max, VT, VE, BF, HRmax and WRmax. Results were evaluated in terms of both statistical and substantial significance. Statistical significance was ascertained by means of t-test at the level α = 0.05. Cohen’s d was used to evaluate substantial significance. Results: The results showed substantially significant differences for runners in all examined pa-rameters. Asubstantially significant difference in measurement results of cyclists was discovered for parameters VO2max, V , VE and WRmax. In runners, the mean of values for the most important parameter VO2max reached 60.6 ± 4.24 ml.min-1.kg-1 when running, and 56.0 ± 5.34 ml.min-1.kg-1 when cycling; values reached by cyclists were 56.6 ± 5.16 ml.min-1.kg-1 when running, and 61.30 ± 4.47 ml.min-1.kg-1 when cycling. The only parameter not to correspond with the sportsmen’s specializations was VT, as it revealed larger values on a bicycle also for runners. Conclusion: Results confirmed the correspondence between the load specificity according to the ergometer selected and the specificity of sports pursued. It was proven that it is nec-essary to select a suitable type of appliance for determining VO2max according to the sports pursued.


1980 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 154-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Longhurst ◽  
A. R. Kelly ◽  
W. J. Gonyea ◽  
J. H. Mitchell

Sixty individuals including 17 competitive weight lifters (CWL), 12 competitive long-distance runners (LDR), 7 amateus (noncompetitive) weight lifters (AWL), 14 heavy controls (HC), and 10 light controls (LC) were studied at supine rest with echocardiographic determination of the left venticular mass (LVM) by the Penn convention. Lean body mass (LBM) was estimated by the Wilmore-Behnke method. The absolute LVM (mean +/- SE) was increased in the two competitive athlete groups compared to controls (LDR: 195 +/- 12; CWL: 190 +/- 10 vs. LC: 122 +/- 10; HC: 151 +/- 9 g). The AWL had a mass (174 +/- 20 g) intermediate between the LDR-CWL and the HC-LC groups. A significant (P = 0.033) correlation of LVM was found with LBM although the correlation coefficient was low (r = 0.276). Normalizing LVM by LBM revealed a significantly higher mass for LDR compared to all other groups but equalized CWL and HC (LDR: 3.2 +/- 0.2; CWL: 2.5 +/- 0.1; AWL: 2.5 +/- 0.2; HC: 2.3 +/- 0.2; LC: 2.0 +/- 0.2 g). These data suggest that training for competitive long-distance running (dynamic training) elevates LVM compared to nonathletic controls and CWL. On the other hand, training for weight lifting (static training) increases absolute LVM but only to the extent that LBM is increased.


2011 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. 561-564
Author(s):  
Annu Annu ◽  
◽  
Vijay Kumar ◽  
Malkeet Kaur ◽  
Neha Sharma ◽  
...  

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