Sports films are popular forms of entertainment around the world, but beyond simply amusing audiences, they also reveal much about class, race, gender, sexuality, and national identity. In All-Stars and Movie Stars, Ron Briley, Michael K. Schoenecke, and Deborah A. Carmichael explore the interplay between sports films and critical aspects of our culture, examining them as both historical artifacts and building blocks of ideologies, values, and stereotypes. The book covers not only Hollywood hits such as Field of Dreams and Miracle but also documentaries such as The Journey of the African American Athlete and international cinema, such as the German film The Miracle of Bern. The book also explores television coverage of sports, commenting on the relationship of media to golf and offering a new perspective on the culture and politics behind the depictions of the world's most popular pastimes. The first part of the book addresses how sports films represent the cultural events, patterns, and movements of the times in which they were set, as well as the effect of the media and athletic industry on the athletes themselves. Latham Hunter examines how the baseball classic The Natural reflects traditional ideas about gender, heroism, and nation, and Harper Cossar addresses how the production methods used in televised golf affect viewers. The second section deals with issues such as the growth of women's involvement in athletics, sexual preference in the sports world, and the ever-present question of race by looking at sports classics such as Rocky, Hoosiers, and A League of Their Own. Finally, the authors address the historical and present-day role sports play in the international and political arena by examining such films as Visions of Eight and The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner. This important and unique collection illuminates the prominent role that sports play in society and how that role is reflected in film. Analysis of the depiction of sports in film and television provides a deeper understanding of the appeal that sports hold for people worldwide and of the forces behind the historic and cultural traditions linked to sports.

This book reports on cutting-edge digital technologies and their applications in physical activity and sport. Gathering selected chapters from the 1st International Conference on Technology in Physical Activity and Sport, held virtually on November 24-27, 2020, from Seville, Spain, it offers a practice-oriented and evidence-based perspective on how technologies can be used for evaluation and control of different parameter relating to sport, physical activity, and health. It covers how digital technologies can be applied for training and monitoring purposes, and for improving athlete's performance, how they influence sport habits in different populations, demonstrating their growing influence in sport businesses (such as fitness centers) and management, and provides new findings on the connection between physical activity and human health, suggesting some interesting directions for future studies. With a good balance of laboratory research and information relevant for professional trainers, this book will provide bioengineers, sport scientists, and physiotherapists with timely information and a multidisciplinary perspective on the use of digital technologies to improve fitness, wellbeing and health in different population groups.

This book presents the proceedings of the 9th Asian South Pacific Association of Sport Psychology International Congress (ASPASP) 2022, Kuching, Malaysia, which entails the different sporting innovation themes, namely, Applied Sport and Social Psychology, Health and Exercise, Motor Control and Learning, Counselling and Clinical Psychology, Biomechanics, Data Mining and Machine Learning in Sports amongst others. It presents the state-of-the-art technological advancements towards the aforesaid themes and provides a platform to shape the future direction of sport science, specifically in the field sports and exercise psychology.  ​

Master the art of battling in Minecraft Don your armour, pick up your sword and charge headfirst into the Minecraft Combat Handbook – the only book you need to take your game to the next level. Read how to craft the deadliest weapons and enchant them with mystical powers, discover the vicious mobs that you’ll go toe-to-toe with, and learn crafty strategies that will help you best your friends in PVP. With so much to explore, there’s sure to be something for ‘crafters of every level. Try our indispensable handbooks for your Minecraft journey: Minecraft Redstone Handbook 978 0008495992 Minecraft Survival Handbook 978 0755503452 Minecraft Creative Handbook 978 0755500413 Minecraft Explorers Handbook 9780008608507 Minecraft Legends Handbook 978 0008595012 Brilliant books full of inspiration: Minecraft Bite Size Builds: 978 0755500406 Minecraft Amazing Bite Size Builds: 978 0008495954 Minecraft Super Bite Size Builds 978 0008534127 Minecraft Epic Inventions 978 0008496012 Minecraft Epic Bases: 978 1405296472 Perfect Gifts: Minecraft Maps 978 1405294546 Minecraft Blockopedia 978 0755500390 Sticker, humour and activity: Minecraft Survival Sticker Book 978 1405288552 Minecraft Sticker Adventure Treasure Hunt 978 0755503582 Minecraft Sticker Adventure Mobs Attack 978 0008533953 Minecraft Joke Book 978 1405295253 Minecraft How to Draw 978 0008534028 Minecraft Would You Rather 978 0008534028 Minecraft Catch the Creeper 978 0755503575

Comics have conquered America. From our cinemas, where Marvel and DC movies reign supreme, to our television screens, where comics-based shows like The Walking Dead have become among the most popular in cable history, to convention halls, best-seller lists, Pulitzer Prize-winning titles and MacArthur Fellowship recipients, comics shape American culture, in ways high and low, superficial and deeply profound. In American Comics, Columbia professor Jeremy Dauber takes readers through their incredible but little-known history, starting with the Civil War and cartoonist Thomas Nast, creator of the lasting and iconic images of Uncle Sam and Santa Claus; the golden age of newspaper comic strips and the first great superhero boom; the moral panic of the Eisenhower era, the Marvel Comics revolution, and the underground comix movement of the 1960s and '70s, before turning finally into the twenty-first century, taking in the grim and gritty Dark Knights and Watchmen alongside the brilliant rise of the graphic novel by acclaimed practitioners like Art Spiegelman and Alison Bechdel. Dauber's story shows not only how comics have changed over the decades but how American politics and culture have changed them. Throughout, he describes the origins of beloved comics, champions neglected masterpieces and argues that we can understand how America sees itself through whose stories comics tell. Striking and revelatory, American Comics is a rich chronicle of the last 150 years of American history through the lens of its comic strips, political cartoons, superheroes, graphic novels and more.

Louis takes you on a cycling journey through Europe, mostly France: Six countries, 20/day, 38 stages, and averaging 100 km/day. His bike with luggage weighs 40 kg. His pannier bags contain everything necessary to travel, sleep, wear, navigate, photograph, cook and eat. He travels on unfamiliar roads through countryside, villages, towns and cities. Each day presents new adventures with challenging thoughts. He exposes his senses to wide-ranging input. Sometimes, he experiences something about everything, or everything about something. Louis wonders about reality and myth. How science and culture shapes the future. He wonders about large and small, the universe, photons and space-time. Should you think while cycling? Does energy produce continuity? Louis realizes that his bike is his best friend. Is gravity also a friend? Do you plan a cycle tour? The checklists may help you plan whatever physical or mental journey you desire. There is information about nutrition, bicycle functionality and self-reliance. Join the cycle of life. Smell the flowers, hear the birds and see the stars. Let speed-distance-time, echo in your mind Let s ride together everywhere

Confronts the pressing problems surrounding race and diversity in the front offices of the American sports industry From the years of the Negro Leagues in baseball up to today, when college basketball programs entice and then fail to educate young Black men, sports in America have long served as a barometer of the country's racial climate. Just as Black employees are often barred from the upper echelons of corporate America, they are underrepresented in the front offices of the sports industry as well. In this compact volume, Kenneth L. Shropshire confronts prominent racial myths head-on, offering both a history of-and solutions for-the most pressing problems currently plaguing sports. Despite the fact that Black athletes represent a huge majority of the American sports industry, the majority of ownership stake in professional basketball, baseball, and football teams is still held by white owners. And yet, when confronted with programs intended to diversify their front offices, many teams resort to the familiar refrain of merit-based excuses: there simply aren't enough qualified Black candidates or they don't know how to network. These hollow excuses not only stigmatize and exclude Black employees, but directly contradict the important value Black candidates can bring to these roles. In the insular world of sports, where former players often move up to become coaches, managers, executives, and owners, Black candidates are eminently qualified. After decades of active involvement with their sport, they often bring to the table experiences more relevant to the Black players on their teams. As a central aspect of American life, the sports industry has a responsibility to be a leader in the fight for racial equality-a responsibility that has not yet been met. In Black and White takes the industry to task, revealing claims of colorblindness and reverse racism as self-serving deflection and scrutinizing professional and collegiate sports, sports agents, and owners alike. No mere critique, however, the volume looks optimistically forward, outlining strategies that will drive the sports industry toward greater racial equality, and help it lead the way for racial justice efforts throughout America.

Sport is frequently considered to be an aspect of popular culture that is, or should be, untainted by the political. However, there is a broad consensus among academics that sport is often at the heart of the political and the political is often central to sport. From the 1936 Olympic Games in Nazi Germany to the civil unrest that preceded the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, sport and politics have remained symbiotic bedfellows. The Routledge Handbook of Sport and Politics goes further than any other book in surveying the complex, embedded relationships between sport and politics. With sections addressing ideologies, nation and statehood, corporate politics, political activism, social justice, and the politics of sports events, it introduces the conceptual foundations that underpin our understanding of the sport-politics nexus and examines emergent issues in this field of study. Including in-depth case studies from North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia, this is an essential reference for anybody with an interest in the social scientific study of sport.

How do figurational sociologists approach the subjects of sport and leisure? How does their approach differ from other approaches in the field? This major collection, edited by leading writers on sport and leisure, offers a superb introduction to the figurational sociology of sport and leisure. The distinctive features of the approach are clearly explained and contributors show how figurational sociology is applied in the analysis of concrete problems. However, the collection also gives space to critics of the figurational approach. Included here are contributions which claim that the approach is inaccurate, blinkered and irrelevant.

'This beautiful and timely book will appeal to anyone looking to deepen their experience, with or without the added joy of a cold swim.' Kate Rew, author of The Outdoor Swimmers' Handbook 'An essential guide to a movement reborn, blending modernity and tradition, design and wellness, community and nature.' Sarah Douglas, editor in chief, Wallpaper magazine There is a new wave of sauna culture spreading throughout the UK and beyond. Saunas are being built in unique settings providing tech-free spaces in which to gather, share stories and enjoy nature. The tradition has a rich history, filled with rituals that encourage us to soak up the mental and physical health benefits of deep heat. This book honours the old, embraces the new, and plunges headlong into the transformative power of steam. 'Smartly written and beautifully illustrated ... a celebration of a cultural resurgence and a reminder of the power of connecting with nature and something larger than ourselves.' Mikkel Aaland, author of Sweat

The first of its kind, this book focuses on the value of inclusivity in the tap dance studio, instructing on how to bring the rhythmic world of tap dance into the lives of individuals living with disabilities or mobility issues. No longer should those with mobility challenges be denied the opportunity to enjoy the unique delight, challenge and excitement of tap dancing. Based on the author's inclusive program called Tap for All, this book is part inspirational memoir and part instructional manual, detailing how tap dance's enormous cognitive benefits can benefit those living with Alzheimer's, dementia, cerebral palsy, arthritis, traumatic brain injuries and more. The author outlines her experience opening the hearts and minds of other dance instructors and studio owners, showing that shifting their perspective about dance is beneficial to both client and studio. Chapters also instruct on the physiological effects of music and dance, guide the development of dance routines, and outline the author's tap programs for various student skill levels and experiences. Practicing ability inclusion can ensure that everyone, not just those fortunate enough to have a fully functioning physique, can learn and enjoy tap dance.

In a world of competing public policy priorities, economic challenges and political uncertainty, sports development organisations and initiatives need to adapt to survive. This book makes the case for 'Sporting Capital' as a new conceptual model of sports participation with the potential to transform public policy and practice in sports development. The central argument presented is that a model of Sporting Capital - with its three domains of physiological, social and psychological attributes - provides a missing framework, creating a new impetus for sustained growth in community sport by joining up the levels at which sports development is planned and implemented. Touching on important issues such as youth sport, public health, volunteering, disability, ethnicity and social inequality, it examines patterns of sports participation in relation to age, gender and social class and offers recommendations for strategic policy improvements that can be implemented by practitioners working on the frontline of community sport. Sporting Capital: Transforming Sports Development Policy and Practice provides valuable insights for all those interested in sports development, youth sport, community sport, or sport and social policy.

Originally published in 1886. Illustrated with designs and plans of small yachts and sailing boats, and numerous diagrams. The detailed contents deal with every aspect of this popular pastime. Many of the earliest sailing books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Home Farm Books are republishing many of these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

This book presents critical insights and contemporary perspectives for exploring current trends, concerns and prospects of events tourism. It examines modern-day global issues facing the events and tourism industry, policymakers, researchers and academics to advance understanding of practice and development of theory. Organised in four parts, this book examines how events tourism is designed, planned and delivered. The first part engages with the core, fundamental concepts of events tourism which establish a basic understanding of the field. The second part addresses contemporary issues related to visitor attractions, music festivals, small and user-generated events, wanderlust and entrepreneurship. The third part focuses on meetings and challenges in the conference industry after disasters, the economic impact and other dilemmas of mega-events, and city and destination concerns. The fourth and final part provides a peek into the future of events tourism vis-a-vis reshaping cities, music festivals and critical dilemmas of the 21st century. With an international appeal because of cross-national contributions, this book will interest events and tourism practitioners, academics, students, researchers, policymakers, and business and investment sector professionals across the globe.

This book presents a kaleidoscopic view of the multidisciplinary field of research developed within Brazilian social sciences to study football as a major cultural and social phenomenon in the country. As a contributed volume, it brings together chapters authored by researchers from different disciplines, such as sociology, anthropology, political science, history, geography, economy, communication studies and physical education, who contributed to make Brazilian football a multifaceted object of study for the human and social sciences. The book is divided in four parts. The first two parts are dedicated to the "classic" areas, in which the best known research lines are concentrated: part one focuses on politics and history, while part two is dedicated to sociology and anthropology. The third part brings together studies from other four different areas: communication studies, geography, economy and physical education. The fourth part is organized not by disciplines, but around transversal themes, such as gender, violence, fans and racism. The varied approaches and different interpretations brought together in this book seek to provide an overview of the fertile academic debate that has stimulated the renewal of scientific research on football in Brazil, which makes Football and Social Sciences in Brazil a useful resource for researchers from different disciplines within the human and social sciences interested in the study of football as major cultural and social phenomenon all over the world.

Any sports fan can yell offensive and stupid things at anyone else. But only the best are true hecklers, game-changers as valuable in their way as LeBron James is to the Cavaliers or Tom Brady to the Patriots. The Official Heckler Handbook is the essential book for and about hecklers and for all fans ready to make a real difference on behalf of their teams and their players. Packed with outrageous illustrations, can't-miss sidebars, real-life anecdotes, and expert advice, this book breaks down: * Great moments in heckling history * The best hecklers of all time * Heckling in baseball, football, basketball, hockey, and more * The most effective lines of attack * Strategic heckling locations * Verbal and nonverbal heckling * And much, much more So, turn around and read this book with your good eye! And learn how to be among the best in the boo-bird business.

This is the first book to take an in-depth look at parkrun - the free, weekly, timed 5km run on a Saturday morning - and to examine why its participants love it so much and why it has been such an astonishing success. Author David Hindley - a self-described 'middle of the pack' parkrunner - draws on new research, including interviews with other runners, volunteers and organisers, to shine a light on the unique combination of ingredients in parkrun's magic formula. Tracing the development of parkrun from its first event in the UK in 2004 to the global network of today, he takes a close look at themes like inclusion, volunteering, community, green space, health and well-being, and unpacks the mantra of 'it's a run not a race' that has come to define the spirit of parkrun for so many of its participants. Part sporting event, part social movement, and part public health intervention, parkrun perhaps offers a model for sustainable public participation in other areas of social life. This book is compulsory behind-the-scenes reading for all parkrunners and parkrun volunteers, and anybody working in sport development, events, recreation, public health, volunteering or community organising.