Bacteria residing in the human gastrointestinal tract has a symbiotic relationship with its host. Animal models have demonstrated a relationship between exercise and gut microbiota composition. This was the first study to explore the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness (maximal oxygen consumption, VOmax) and relative gut microbiota composition (Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio [F/B]) in healthy young adults in a free-living environment. Twenty males and 17 females (25.7 ± 2.2 years), who did not take antibiotics in the last 6 months, volunteered for this study. VOmax was measured using a symptom-limited graded treadmill test. Relative microbiota composition was determined by analyzing DNA extracted from stool samples using a quantitative polymerase chain reaction that specifically measured the quantity of a target gene (16S rRNA) found in Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. Relationships between F/B and potentially related dietary, anthropometric, and fitness variables were assessed using correlation analyses with an appropriate Bonferroni adjustment (p < .004). The average F/B ratio in all participants was 0.94 ± 0.03. The F/B ratio was significantly correlated to VOmax (r = .48, p < .003), but no other fitness, nutritional intake, or anthropometric variables (p > .004). VOmax explained ∼22% of the variance of an individual's relative gut bacteria as determined by the F/B ratio. These data support animal findings, demonstrating a relationship between relative human gut microbiota composition and cardiorespiratory fitness in healthy young adults. Gastrointestinal bacteria is integral in regulating a myriad of physiological processes, and greater insight regarding ramifications of exercise and nutrition on gut microbial composition may help guide therapies to promote human health.

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RESULTS from 3 studies provide evidence of content and construct validity and internal consistency reliability for the LSTS, which can be used in evaluation research with youth development programs.

Results from both studies show that The First Tee is effective in teaching for transfer of life skills and promoting developmental outcomes.

Sportsmanship Coaching Behaviors Scale (SCBS). Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology, 1, 73-90) created and provided initial validity for the Sportsmanship Coaching Behavior Scale (SCBS) to assess adolescent athletes' perceptions of coaches' behaviors that promote or deter sportsperson-like behaviors. The present study provided additional factorial and criterion validity for the SCBS with a sample of 418 adolescents (211 female, 207 male) participating in a variety of team sports. Participants completed the SCBS and a measure of prosocial and antisocial behaviors toward teammates and opponents (M. Kavussanu and I. D. Boardley, 2009, The prosocial and antisocial behavior in sport scale. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 31, 97-117). A confirmatory factor analysis established factorial validity and gender invariance for a 6-factor model of the SCBS. Criterion validity was shown in that four coaching behaviors (modeling, reinforcing, teaching, and prioritizing winning) were related to athletes' prosocial and antisocial behaviors in theoretically consistent ways. Unique findings emerged for boys and girls in the pattern of relationships between coaching behaviors and sportspersonship outcomes. Teaching and modeling were important coaching mechanisms for explaining girls' sportspersonship behaviors, whereas reinforcing and prioritizing winning were significantly related to boys' sportspersonship behaviors. Results provide support for a valid and reliable tool for assessing coaches' influence in promoting athletes' sportspersonship outcomes.