The Influence of HeartMath® on Resilience and Empowerment in Female College Athletes

Purpose: The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the influence of HeartMath® on female college athletes’ abilities to holistically care for self as assessed through resiliency and power. Design: The descriptive design used mixed methods and was approved by the university’s institutional review board. The purposive sample was female college student athletes who were currently enrolled in a university program of study and played in a National Collegiate Athletic Association sanctioned sport. Method: There were eight weekly sessions where the holistic intervention HeartMath® was taught and reinforced. Participants completed two tools to measure resilience and power Weeks 1, 4, and 8: the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale and the Power as Knowing Participation in Change Tool. At Session 8, a focus group interview was conducted to explore perception of how HeartMath® influenced caring for self as a student athlete. Findings: Although no statistical significance, emergent themes support that with HeartMath®, participants experienced an increase in resilience and power influencing their holistic caring for self. Conclusions: Findings support the need for additional research on the influence of HeartMath® on student athlete resilience and power in any team on and off the playing field.

Effect of the French Contrast Method on Explosive Strength and Kinematic Parameters of the Triple Jump Among Female College Athletes

There are resistance training methods that result in strength, others that enhance hypertrophy and others that stimulate power. The training modality of contrast provides all of these benefits in one session. The concept of French Contrast training is based on a combination of complex and contrast methods. The idea is to use four exercises to induce physiological responses of the athlete and train along the force-speed curve. The primary purpose of the study was to investigate the impact of the French Contrast Method on explosive strength and kinematic parameters of the triple jump among female college athletes. Ten female college athletes from the Helwan University’s track and field team participated in this study. Participants were assessed before and after an 8-week training program for upper and lower body explosive strength. No significant differences were observed in anthropometric characteristics. Explosive strength variables (Sargent jump test, countermovement jump, and seated medicine ball throw) increased significantly and kinematic parameters of the triple jump improved. The results indicated that eight weeks of the French Contrast training can improve both explosive strength and kinematic parameters of the triple jump.

Is excellence inclusive? The benefits of fostering Black female college athlete's sense of belonging

The purpose of this research note is to urge intercollegiate athletic departments and their administrators to foster a sense of belonging amongst Black female college athletes to aid in their felt membership as a college athlete and support their development as viable employment candidates in college sport. Black female college athletes’ graduation rates are on the rise; however, these being hired at dismal rates in college sport. By fostering a sense of belonging, Black female college athletes as a historically marginalized group are able to feel a sense of connectedness in the athletics and greater university environment; athletic departments commit to major organizational change that values diversity and inclusion; and through its commitment, a culture of inclusive excellence is felt by all students, faculty, staff and athletic administrators and coaches. Keywords: Black female college athletes, college sport, intercollegiate athletics, sense of belonging, diversity and inclusion, inclusive excellence