| 1. |
- Andersson, Dan, 1967-
(författare)
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Exploring Perceptions of Route Environments in Relation to Walking
- 2024
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: Every walk takes place in a route environment, which can play an important role in deterring or facilitating walking. The focus of this thesis is on the perceptions of environmental variables, and how they relate to appraisals of route environments as hindering – stimulating for walking and unsafe – safe for reasons of traffic, in two metropolitan environments. Another focus is to expand the state of knowledge concerning the criterion-related validity of the Active Commuting Route Environment Scale (ACRES).Methods: Commuting pedestrians in Greater Stockholm, Sweden, were recruited via advertisements. From the inner urban area there were 294 participants (77% women), aged 49.5 years, and from the suburban areas there were 233 participants (82% women), aged 50.0 years. 77 individuals walked in both areas. The participants evaluated their commuting route environments using the ACRES. Correlation, multiple regression, and mediation analyses were used to explore the relationships between the variables. Comparisons of environmental ratings between groups and settings were performed with t-tests. Studies 1 and 2 focused on the inner urban area and studies 3 and 4 on the suburban areas. Studies 1 and 3 focused exclusively on the relations between the four motorized traffic variables (vehicle speed, vehicle flow, noise, and exhaust fumes), and their relations to the outcome variables (hinders – stimulates walking and unsafe – safe traffic). Studies 2 and 4 utilised proxies from studies 1 and 3 and combined them with other environmental variables to further the understanding of route environmental variables in relation to walking.Results: In both areas, aesthetics and greenery were positively related to stimulating walking, whereas noise, a proxy for motorized traffic, was negatively related. Aesthetics was also positively related to unsafe – safe traffic in the inner urban area, whereas greenery had the corresponding role in suburbia. Another important finding was that greenery also influenced aesthetics positively in both areas. Thus, greenery had both a direct and an indirect positive effect. On the other hand, noise influenced aesthetics negatively in the inner urban area, whereas vehicle flow had the corresponding role in suburbia. A number of variables conjointly influenced the outcome unsafe – safe traffic negatively in both areas (speeds of motor vehicles, noise, conflicts, congestion: pedestrians, red lights, and course of the route). The route environment profiles differed distinctly between the two areas.Conclusions: Several route environmental variables appear to be particularly influential in relation to pedestrian commuting, e.g., aesthetics, greenery, and noise. An important finding is that both positive and negative interactions, between certain predictor variables, were disclosed. The contrasting route environment profiles in the different settings strengthen the criterion-related validity of the ACRES. The findings expands the state of knowledge concerning the relations between the environment and walking. If implemented, these findings can influence public health positively.
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| 2. |
- Andersson, Eva A
(författare)
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EMG and strength in trunk and hip muscles
- 1997
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The overall aim of this thesis was to study the myouelectric activity of all major muscles involved in the movements and stabilization of the trunk, pelvis and hips during training exercises, postures, motor tasks, maximal strength performance and locomotion. By use of ultra-sound, EMG electrodes could be guided safely and accurately into muscles situated even close to the spinal column, such as psoas, quadratus lumborum and deep parts of erector spinae. A task specific variation in activation levels were seen between muscle synergies, as well as between individual muscles within a synergy. Selective engagement of the abdominal muscles could be achieved in trunk flexion sit-ups, that is lifting only the upper trunk from the floor. An even higher activation of abdominal muscles was needed for static stabilization of the trunk and pelvis during hip flexion sit-ups, whereas single leg lifts were performed without involvement of the abdominal muscles. A selective activation of either the iliacus or psoas muscle was observed, for example in certain types of training exercises and in walking and running. Applying bending moments to the spine, resulted in a grading of the muscle activation response according to mechanical advantage, that is highest in the quadratus lumborum in lateral loading and in the superficial erector spinae in ventral loading. An exception was the most forward flexed position in standing where the superficial erector spinae "relaxed" but quadratus lumborum remained active. In general, the level of EMG in maximal efforts was maintained at the same high level irrespective of position in the range of motion, despite a marked variation in strength output. This position-dependency, as well as the strength values as such, varied in a specific way in groups of athletes, related to previous background. These data contribute to the understanding of muscle function and motor control of the trunk , pelvis and hips. They are also of relevance when evaluating and designing tests and training programs in rehabilitation and sport contexts as well as for improving biomechanical models of spinal loading.
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| 3. |
- Apró, William
(författare)
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Regulation of protein synthesis in human skeletal muscle : separate and combined effects of exercise and amino acids
- 2014
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Skeletal muscle is a highly plastic tissue which has the ability to adapt to various forms of external stimuli such as diverse modes of contractile activity. Thus, performance of endurance exercise over several of weeks results in increased oxidative capacity. In contrast, prolonged performance of resistance exercise ultimately results in increased muscle mass. These adaptations are brought about by transient alterations in gene expression and mRNA translation which result in altered protein turnover, i.e. the balance between protein synthesis and protein breakdown. Protein synthesis is the major determinant of muscle growth, which at the molecular level, is regulated by the mTORC1 pathway. This pathway is potently activated by resistance exercise and amino acids, but the stimulatory role of individual amino acids in human skeletal muscle is unclear. Muscle adaptations in response to endurance exercise are largely dependent on the PGC-1 α pathway, which regulates mitochondrial biogenesis. Given the different training adaptations after resistance and endurance exercise, it has been suggested that these exercise modalities may be incompatible when combined. Such potential interference could be exerted at the molecular level between the pathways responsible for each adaptive response. AMPK, an enzyme usually activated by endurance exercise and, when pharmacologically activated in cell culture and rodent models, has been shown to inhibit mTORC1 and protein synthesis. However, it is not known if activation of AMPK by endurance exercise inhibits resistance exercise induced signaling through the mTORC1 pathway in human skeletal muscle.Thus, the main objective of this thesis was to examine the molecular mechanisms regulating protein synthesis in response to amino acids and various modes of exercise in human skeletal muscle.In study I, the role of BCAAs in stimulating the mTORC1 pathway was examined in both resting and exercising muscle. BCAA increased mTORC1 activity, as assessed by S6K1 phosphorylation, in both resting and exercising muscle, but more so when exercise and BCAA were combined. In study II, the effect of leucine was compared to that of essential amino acids with or without leucine. It was found that when leucine was combined with the remaining essential amino acids, S6K1 phosphorylation was more pronounced than when leucine was provided alone. Furthermore, when leucine was removed from the essential amino acids, the effect was equal to that of placebo. In study III, the impact of endurance exercise on resistance exercise induced mTORC1 signaling was examined. When performed after resistance exercise, endurance exercise did not inhibit S6K1 phosphorylation compared to when single mode resistance exercise was performed. In study IV, performance of high intensity endurance exercise prior to resistance exercise did not inhibit S6K1 phosphorylation compared to single mode resistance exercise, despite prior activation of AMPK.In conclusion, amino acids and resistance exercise activate mTORC1 signaling, as assessed by S6K1 phosphorylation, in a synergistic manner. Leucine is crucial in mediating the amino acid response, however, additional amino acids appear to be required to induce a maximal response downstream of mTORC1. Activation of the mTORC1 pathway in response to heavy resistance exercise is robust and this activation does not appear to be inhibited by prior or by subsequent endurance exercise. As such, these results do not lend support to the existence of molecular interference when resistance and endurance exercise are combined acutely.
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| 4. |
- Arnegård, Johan, 1958-
(författare)
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Upplevelser och lärande i äventyrssport och skola
- 2006
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The physicality of sports and outdoor life offers great opportunities for intensive experiences – participants ”feel” the happening in their bodies. As well as looking upon physical activity mainly as something instrumental, as for example in competitive sports and exercise culture, other aspects can also be central, for instance the pure joy of movement. The existential or expressive side of physical activity is examined in this doctoral thesis.In order to study such experiential quality more thoroughly, the author’s attention turns to adventure sports participants, as they appear to have a capacity for becoming highly involved and seeking very intense experiences. Who is involved in adventure sports? Why are they engaged in a sport that demands such great hardships and risk-taking? What do they get out of it? The overall objective of the thesis is to shed light on adventure sports as a practice and to discuss the educational significance of flow and other experiential qualities in adventure sports and in schools.The analyses are based on three empirical sub-studies. The first began with a questionnaire that 161 adventure sports participants responded to. This was followed by an interview study of eleven men and three women, all of whom had extensive experience in adventure sports. The categories of sport were evenly divided between climbing, off-piste skiing and hang gliding.In the second sub-study a detailed investigation of climbing was carried out. A notable sportification has brought about a very clear and interesting change in parts of this activity. Six traditional/adventure climbers and six sport climbers were interviewed, of which half were men and half women. All the climbers were experienced and very much involved in their sport.The aim of the third sub-study was to seek an answer as to whether pupils have experiences in their daily school life that are similar to those of adventure sports participants. An ESM (Experience Sampling Method) investigation was carried out with 60 pupils in compulsory school year nine (corresponding to UK schools’ year eleven) from four different schools. The pupils’ parents answered a special parent questionnaire including questions about academic and professional backgrounds, living conditions, habits, interests, attitudes and leisure time activities.The results were analysed taking into consideration the phenomenological perspective and structuralistic or more correctly expressed the cultural sociological perspective. Mihály Csikszentmihályi’s theoretical argument on optimal experiences, which in turn is based on the flow concept, constitutes the phenomenological foundation. Pierre Bourdieu’s concept apparatus and theories were used to closely examine the participants’ backgrounds, life histories and current living situations.The study shows that a preference for adventure sports is clearly linked to the participants’ backgrounds and earlier life experiences. A behavioural pattern is incorporated and developed into an embodied capacity to master a practice, a result of a long learning process. Participants were clearly concordant in these respects. Participants emphasise the abundant opportunities for intensive experiences that arise from adventure sports. It is a matter of something multidimentional: the active body, outdoor life in natural surroundings, exacting and clear goals, total focus, and about exercising control. This approach presents a model for identification of content qualities, which together create the dynamics that form the meaningful rewards that result from participation in adventure sports. The dimensions include flow experiences, but also go beyond them.The deep sense of presence, the physical involvement, the fact that they can choose the path and increase the degree of difficulty themselves – and simultaneously counter this new challenge with increased capacity so that they are engaged at the ”right level” – also provide favourable conditions for a stimulating and successful learning experience.The observation was made that it was primarily in the practical and aesthetic subjects that school pupils had the same deep feeling of presence together with a meaningful and pleasurable holistic experience as the adventure sports participants had. Here they were actively involved with their hands or with their whole bodies, and they could make their own choices and be in control of the activity, which for most pupils led to a strong feeling of satisfaction.
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| 5. |
- Askling, Carl
(författare)
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Hamstring muscle strain
- 2008
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: Acute hamstring strains are common injuries in different sports. They are often serious, causing long rehabilitation times and a proneness for re-injury. Preliminary observations indicate that the injuries can be of at least two types, one occurring during high-speed running and the other during motions where the hamstring muscles reach extreme lengths.Aims: To investigate the possible existence of different types of acute hamstring strains in two specific athletic groups, namely sprinters and dancers, as well as the generality of these findings in other sports.Methods: In the first project, 18 sprinters and 15 dancers with acute first time hamstring strains were prospectively included. All subjects were examined, clinically and with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), on 4 occasions after injury: at day 2-4, 10, 21 and 42. The follow-up period was 2 years. In the second project, 30 subjects from 21 different sports were prospectively included. All subjects were examined clinically and with MRI. The follow-up period lasted until the subjects returned to sport or finished their sport activity due to the injury.Results: All sprinters sustained their injuries during competitive high-speed running. In contrast, all dancers encountered their injuries during slow-speed stretching type of exercises. The initial loss of strength and flexibility was significantly greater in sprinters than in dancers. At 42 days after injury, both groups could perform more than 90% of the test values of the uninjured leg. All the sprinters’ injuries were primarily located in biceps femoris long head, whereas the dancers’ injuries were mainly (87%) involving the proximal free tendon of semimembranosus. For the sprinters, involvement of the proximal free tendon, as estimated by MRI, and proximity to the ischial tuberosity, as estimated both by palpation and MRI, were associated with significantly longer time to return to pre-injury level. In the dancers, there were no significant correlations between clinical or MRI parameters and time to return to per-injury level. The time to pre-injury level was significantly longer (median 50 weeks, range 30-76) for the dancers compared to the sprinters (16, 6-50). In the second project, all injuries occurred during movements reaching a position with combined extensive hip flexion and knee extension. They were all located close to the ischial tuberosity and 83% involved the proximal free tendon of semimembranosus. Fourteen subjects (47%) decided to end their sport activity and for the remaining 16 subjects the median time back to sport was 31 (range 9-104) weeks. There were no significant correlations between clinical and MRI parameters and time to return to sport.Conclusions: There seems to be a link between the injury situation and the two types of acute hamstring strain in sprinters and dancers with respect to clinical findings, injury location, muscles and tissues involved, and time to return to pre-injury level. Proximity of the injury to the ischial tuberosity, as estimated both by palpation and MRI, is associated with longer recovery time. Also in other sports, an injury situation where the hamstrings reach extensive lengths caused a specific injury to the proximal posterior thigh similar to that described in dancers. Due to the prolonged recovery time associated with this type of injury, correct diagnosis based on history, clinical and MRI investigation, and adequate information to the athletes are essential.
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| 6. |
- Backman, Erik, 1972-
(författare)
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Friluftsliv in Swedish Physical Education – a Struggle of Values : Educational and Sociological Perspectives
- 2010
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The aim of this thesis is to examine some of the educational and sociological conditions underlying the production of teaching in friluftsliv within the Physical Education (PE) subject in Swedish compulsory school. Despite the value awarded to the Scandinavian outdoor practice friluftsliv, in both the national PE curriculum document and in Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) in Sweden, it does not seem to be thoroughly implemented in compulsory school teaching. Through analyses of interviews with PE teachers and PE teacher educators, as well as of curriculum documents, using the perspectives of Basil Bernstein and Pierre Bourdieu, I explore conditions underlying the expressions of friluftsliv teaching in Swedish PE. The pedagogic discourse for friluftsliv in Swedish PE is described as a teaching that should take place in a natural setting remote from civilisation, involve risks, and require time, technical equipment, financial resources, and cooperation. This discourse for friluftsliv is shown to be similar to the values emphasised in friluftsliv education in PETE. Although proven to be difficult to implement in school, this discourse appear to form the conception of friluftsliv teaching for PE teachers in Sweden. Under the influence of the performance code, friluftsliv is transformed into outdoor activities with which the PE teachers are familiar, or is totally left out of PE teaching. A turn towards options that are seen as unthinkable in relation to the current pedagogic discourse may benefit the achievement of the aims set out in the national PE curriculum. Values such as environmental awareness, sustainable development and cultural perspectives on the landscape could strengthen the classification of friluftsliv and PE in compulsory school. Further, an increase of socially critical and constructivist perspectives during PETE could make unthinkable options in friluftsliv thinkable and contribute to a break with the reproduction of teaching practices in PE.
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| 7. |
- Berg, John, 1989-
(författare)
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Den utställda idrotten : idrott som kulturarv på idrottsmuseer i Sverige
- 2022
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Abstract The purpose of this dissertation is to explore the heritagisation of Swedish sports, which is examined through studies of five Swedish sports museums of today. Additionally, the disseration explores the heritagisation of Swedish sports in a wider historical perspective, mainly focusing on the years between 1900 and 2000. There are plenty of sports museums in Sweden today, most of them run by amateurs related to sports history associations. The number of sports museums seem to have increased from the 1980’s, a development that can be seen in relation to a wider interest in heritage, especially heritage produced by amateurs and enthusiasts rather than experts. In the study, this tendency is referred to as “the heritage boom”, a term coined by archeologist Rodney Harrison. Heritage is seen as a both social and material construction which on one hand is determined by language, on the other hand by structural circumstances. When analysing heritage making on sports museums of today, categories such as gender, class, nation and generation have been used. Methodologically, archive studies have been conducted in order to study the heritagisation from a historical perspective, and ethnographic methods such as descriptions and interviews have been used to collect material in sports museums of today. All material have mainly been interpreted through discourse analysis. The results show that the heritagisation of Swedish sports is as old as the organized sports in Sweden, since the first attempts to collect and exhibit the heritage was conducted in the early 1900s. However, despite numerous attempts, the sports heritage have had problems finding ways to be consistent until the very last few decades when the amateur-based heritage production have had its glory days. According to changes within museology and visitor interactment, the future for the Swedish sports heritage is difficult to predict. In the sports museums of today, exhibitions are generally focused on men’s sports, although changes seem to be in the making. Apart from that, there are several differences in how the sports museums constructs generation, class and nation, often depending on how the museums are managed.
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| 8. |
- Bjerkefors, Anna
(författare)
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Performance and trainability in paraplegics : motor function, shoulder muscle strength and sitting balance before and after kayak ergometer training
- 2006
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in a complete or partial loss of motor and/or sensory function below the injury level. An SCI causes extensive functional impairment compelling many persons to wheelchair usage. Maintaining an adequate strength and control of trunk and shoulder muscles becomes essential, as the majority of every day tasks will be performed in a sitting position. Moreover, physical exercise is crucial to avoid risks connected with a sedentary life-style. Therefore, it becomes important to find suitable, effective, and attractive physical activities to retain and even improve motor functions achieved during rehabilitation. Ideally, such a training activity should be versatile and have the potential to improve several capacities beneficial to everyday life and thereby increase the independence of persons with SCI. Kayak paddling appears to fulfil several of the criteria for such an activity. Objectives: The overall aims were to see if, and to what extent, a period of training on a modified kayak ergometer could influence functional performance as well as specific qualities, such as, shoulder muscle strength and sitting balance control in a group of postrehabilitated persons with thoracic SCI. An additional aim was to understand more about the availability of the trunk muscles in a person with a clinically complete thoracic SCI and how the trunk muscles are used to maintain upright sitting in response to balance perturbations. Methods: Ten adult post-rehabilitated persons with thoracic SCI performed 30 sessions of kayak ergometer training for a 10-week period, with progressively increased intensity and balance demand in the medio-lateral direction. Pre- and post-training measurements included performance in functional wheelchair tests, maximal voluntary shoulder muscle strength, and trunk stability in response to support-surface translations. Electromyographic (EMG) recordings from deep and superficial trunk muscles were obtained in a sub-sample of two subjects, one with a high thoracic SCI and one able-bodied person. Results: There were significant improvements with training in functional performance, shoulder muscle strength, and the ability to maintain an upright sitting posture in response to balance perturbations in the group of persons with SCI. The EMG results revealed that the person with a high thoracic SCI, clinically classified as complete, was still able to activate trunk muscles below the injury, both in maximal voluntary efforts and in response to balance perturbations, but the response pattern differed from that of the ablebodied. Conclusions: The improvements in test-performance observed with the kayak ergometer training in the persons with SCI should enhance their capacity to master similar challenges in everyday life, which, in turn, might lead to a greater independence. The pilot data on muscle activation highlight the importance of including examination of trunk muscle function in persons with thoracic SCI in relation to injury classification, prognosis, and training prescription.
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| 9. |
- Björkman, Frida Maria Eleonora
(författare)
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Validity and reliability of a submaximal cycle ergometer test for estimation of maximal oxygen uptake
- 2017
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) is the highest obtained rate of oxygen consumption during a physically intense dynamic whole-body activity. VO2max is an important factor for many types of physical performance, as well as a strong independent predictor of health and longevity. Thus, it is important to have accurate and precise methods for assessment of VO2max.A direct measurement of VO2max is often conducted via indirect calorimetry during maximal exercise. The demand for maximal effort from an individual, along with the need for laboratory equipment, makes direct measurements unsuitable in the general, non-athlete population. There are also a number of contraindications that limit the possibility to conduct direct measurements of VO2max in many settings. Instead, several other exercise tests have been developed in order to facilitate the procedure of determination and evaluation of cardiorespiratory fitness in different populations. These tests can be either of submaximal or maximal character. Commonly used work modes are stepping, walking, and cycling. The overall aim of this thesis was to describe the background to, and the development of, submaximal cycle ergometer tests for estimation of VO2max.The present thesis focuses on the validity and reliability of a new submaximal cycle ergometer test – the Ekblom-Bak test (EB test). The first study described the test procedure for the new cycle ergometer test and the creation of an accompanying mathematical model (prediction equation) for estimation of VO2max. The development of the test and its associated prediction equation was continued in study II, while it was further validated in adults and adolescents in study II and IV. Study III examined the ability to use a submaximal cycle ergometer test in order to detect changes in VO2max over time.The EB test comprises of 8 minutes of continuous cycling – 4 minutes at 0.5 kp, followed by 4 minutes at a higher, individually chosen work rate – with a pedalling rate of 60 revolutions per minute. The test measures the change in HR (ΔHR) between the two different work rates (ΔPO), and the variable ΔHR/ΔPO was obtained and linked to measured VO2max. In study I, the validity and reliability of the EB test and the associated prediction equation was tested in a mixed population with regard to sex, age, and physical activity status. The subjects performed repeated submaximal cycle ergometer tests and maximal running tests for direct determination of VO2max (reference value). There was a strong correlation between estimated and measured VO2max, with an adjusted R2 of 0.82 and a corresponding coefficient of variation (CV) of 9.3%. Although there was a relatively high precision in the estimation of VO2max by the prediction equation, it was evident that individuals with high VO2max were underestimated and individuals with low VO2max were overestimated. This issue was further addressed in study II.In study II, the size of the study population was increased, in order to broaden the valid range and evaluate the use of sex-specific prediction equations. The estimation error was slightly decreased, and the sex-specific prediction equations resulted in an adjusted R2 of 0.91 and a CV of 8.7% in the whole group. The new models were also evaluated in a cross-validation group, where the adjusted R2 was 0.90 and CV 9.4%.The relation between the estimation error and changes in VO2max over time was investigated in study III. Follow-up tests were conducted in 35 subjects, in order to examine the conformity between changes in measured and estimated VO2max over a timespan of 5 to 8 years. Results showed a moderate correlation between change in measured VO2max and change in estimated VO2max (r = 0.75). Changes in body mass or changes in work efficiency did not relate to the change in assessment error. In study IV, the aim was to determine the applicability and validity of the EB test in pre-pubertal and pubertal adolescents. Medical examinations and assessment of sexual maturity (according to the stages of Tanner) were performed in addition to the physical tests. The included subjects (n = 50) were 10 to 15 years old and in Tanner stages I–IV. The measurement error (the difference between measured and estimated VO2max) was related to maturity in boys, but not in girls. The measurement error decreased for the whole group when the equation developed for women was used for the boys in Tanner I and II. This modification in the calculations of VO2max resulted in an adjusted R2 of 0.83 and SEE 0.23 L/min. Hence, the most accurate prediction of VO2max from the EB test is generated if the test result is accompanied by ratings of sexual maturity in adolescents. Analysis of the test-retest values showed no significant change in estimated VO2max from repeated tests within two weeks of each other. In summary, the EB test proved to be a reliable and valid test throughout a wide range of ages (20 to 85 years) and fitness levels (1.33 to 3.94 L/min in women, and 1.67 to 5.97 L/min in men). The test was also found to be useful and reasonably valid for determination of VO2max in pre-pubertal and pubertal adolescents, preferably after adjustment for sexual maturity status in boys. Furthermore, it was shown that the EB test captured fairly well an actual change in VO2max during a period of 5 to 8 years. However, it is still unknown whether the test has an acceptable sensitivity for detection of a training-induced increase in VO2max. Further studies are needed to evaluate if the test can be used in diseased individuals with or without different medications. The EB test can be used in health-related clinical settings, sports and fitness clubs.
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| 10. |
- Blom, Victoria, 1975-
(författare)
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Striving for self-esteem : Conceptualizations and role in burnout
- 2011
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- When self-esteem is dependent on competence individuals invest a great deal of effort in their accomplishments in order to validate themselves. The aim of the present thesis was to develop a theoretically sound and valid concept and measure of contingent self-esteem dependent on competence, and examine its vulnerable implications and role in burnout. In Study I a concept and measure of contingent self-esteem dependent on competence, termed competence-based self-esteem (CBSE), was developed. Confirmatory factor analyses showed its distinctiveness from other sources of self-esteem and revealed two dimensions comprising behaviors referring to: i) Self-esteem conditional upon competence and ii) Frustrated self-critical strivings. The new scale showed high reliability and gained both convergent and discriminative validity through different methods in different samples. Study II set out to experimentally test the vulnerable implications of CBSE in a performance situation. The results showed that high, as compared to low, scorers on the scale exhibited stronger physiological reactivity and momentary exertion coupled with frustrated mood. Study III focused on the role of self-esteem contingent on competence in the burnout process and its association with work- and private-life stressors over time in working women and men. The analyses showed that contingent self-esteem was a predictor of burnout. In addition, women scored higher on both contingent self-esteem and burnout and reported higher general life stress than did men, whereas men showed stronger associations between work stressors and burnout. The results of the three studies suggest that contingent self-esteem, where outcomes of one’s acts and performance serve to compensate an impoverished basic self-worth, facilitates the understanding of stress-related vulnerability and ill-health.
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