Performances by College Students in Handball Being Taught by Three Different Teaching Methods

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine whether differences in handball knowledge and skill existed between three teaching methods: traditional, contractual, and independent study. Each subject (N = 36) was given pretests in handball: a knowledge test, a wall volley test, and a serve placement test. Pre- and posttest reliabilities were reported. The three intact classes used for the study started out equal in handball knowledge and skill. After 10 weeks of instruction, the three classes were given posttests for handball knowledge and skill. No significant differences, in handball knowledge and skill, were found between the three teaching methods at the .05 level.     

Relationships between Psychological Functions Tests and Selected Sport Skills of Boys in Junior High School

Abstract

Junior high school boys (N=181) took part in this study. There were 91 athletes and 90 nonathletes who took five psychological function tests² and eight sport skill tests to determine (a) whether differences existed in selected psychological functions and selected sport skills between junior high school boy athletes and nonathletes, (b) the degree of relationship between psychological functions and sport skills, (c) the implementation of a six-multiple variation equation in predicting probable individual sport skill scores, and (d) the degree of relationship between a long and short form psychological functions test and a long and short form sport skills test.

The Stoelting visual reaction timer apparatus was used to test for simple reaction time. The Howard-Dolman apparatus was used to test for depth perception. The McClure perimeter was used to test for peripheral vision left eye, right eye, and total angle. The sport skill tests used were soccer combination skills and volley; basketball dribble shoot and volley; volleyball volley and serve; and baseball volley and repeat throws.

Significant differences existed on all psychological function tests and sport skill tests between athletes and nonathletes, in favor of athletes. The psychological function tests were independent of each other except for peripheral vision total angle with right eye and left eye. There was a low to moderate relationship between the psychological functions and the sport skills. The six-variable multiple R regression equation had a 70 percent predictive accuracy on individual scores for each sport skill test. The short form psychological functions test and the short form sport skills test could replace their respective long forms. The short form psychological functions test could moderately predict sport skill performance in the sport skill areas selected.     

The Relationship of Cognitive Style and Instructional Strategy to Learning and Transfer of Motor Skills

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to test the validity of the games for understanding model by comparing it to a technique approach to instruction and a control group. The technique method focused primarily on skill instruction where the skill taught initially was incorporated into a game at the end of each lesson. The games for understanding approach emphasized developing tactical awareness and decision making in small game situations. Two physical education specialists taught field hockey using these approaches for 15 lessons (45 min each). The control group did not receive any field hockey instruction. Data were collected from 71 middle school children. Pretests and posttests were administered for hockey knowledge, skill, and game performance. Separate analyses of variance or analyses of covariance were conducted to examine group differences for cognitive and skill outcomes. The games for understanding group scored significantly higher on passing decision making than the technique and control groups during posttest game play and significantly higher than the control group for declarative and procedural knowledge. The games for understanding group scored significantly higher on control and passing execution than the other groups during posttest game play. For hockey skill, there were no significant differences among the treatment groups for accuracy, but the technique group recorded faster times than the control group on the posttest.     

State Anxiety as a Function of Skill Level and Proximity to Competition

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate differences between the oversized racquet and the standard-sized racquet in (1) a tennis shot accuracy test on four basic strokes (ground strokes, volley, return of serve, and serve), and (2) a measure of players' subjective evaluation of playability (control, accuracy, power, and feel). Research participants (n = 57) were undergraduate students separated into two skill levels, intermediate (n = 29) and beginners (n = 28). Data were analyzed using a two-factor ANOVA with repeated measures on one factor. Result from the skills tests indicated that both beginning and intermediate groups scores significantly higher when using the oversized racquet. The scores received when using the oversized racquet tended to reflect a general increase in all four components of the skill test, particularly the return of serve. Data indicated that the subjective evaluation of the playing characteristic of each racquet was influenced by the player's skill level. Beginning players favored the oversized racquet, yet intermediate players rated the two racquet types about equal. The investigation suggests that beginning and intermediate tennis players, educators, and tennis teaching professionals should consider using and encouraging the use of oversized racquets.     

Student Characteristics Mediating Engagement-Outcome Relationships in Physical Education

Abstract

This study investigated the relationships among student achievement, student engagement, and the selected student characteristics of initial skill, previous experience, and sex.

Students (n = 45 after attrition) were pretested, received instruction, and were posttested on the breaststroke. The four instructional periods were videotaped. Videotapes were coded for the amount of time students spent in motor engagement, cognitive engagement, and three nonengaged categories.

When all students were grouped together, no engagement variable was a significant predictor of residualized achievement. However, when the analysis was performed for students divided by gender, previous experience, and three levels of initial skill, significant relationships were found. Motor engagement did not predict achievement for the subgroup classifications. Cognitive engagement had a negative relationship with residualized posttest scores for two subpopulation groups. All engaged lime had both positive and negative part correlations with achievement.     

A Comparison of Traditional versus Programed Methods of Learning Tennis

Abstract

Two college service classes, each containing 20 subjects, were taught beginning tennis skills. The traditionally taught Group (Group A), and the programed group (Group B), were first determined homogeneous in height, weight, the Hewitt Revised Dyer Backboard Tennis Test (HRDBTT), and the American College Test before the teaching methods were initiated. After 14 periods of instruction, the groups were compared on various measures. The results of the study indicated that: (1) the general skill level of the groups, as measured by the Hewitt Revised Dyer Backboard Tennis Test, and a single-elimination tournament, was not significantly different; (2) the traditionally taught group improved significantly in general skills while the programed group did not; and (3) the programed group received better subjective rating scores on form than did the traditionally taught group.     

Effects of Mental Practice on Skill Development after Controlled Practice

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to test the effect of mental practice on skill performance after exposing subjects to real performance of a novel motor skill. Subjects practiced physically for one week prior to being divided into control, mental practice, and physical practice groups. Subjects then practiced in treatment groups for three weeks. Results indicated mental practice to be effective in facilitating juggling performance in subjects having experienced controlled actual practice.     

The Validity of Academic Learning Time–Physical Education (ALT–PE) as a Process Measure of Achievement

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the ALT–PE system (Version 2) is valid as a process approach to estimate student achievement. Students (N = 60) were randomly selected from a data base that includes pretest and posttest scores for two volleyball skills and seven sessions of videotaped instruction. Videotapes were collected using two cameras with a split-screen generator so most instruction and practice could be seen. ALT–PE data were coded from the videotapes. In addition to normal ALT–PE coding conventions, coders recorded the skill that was the focus of instruction. Combinations of context and learner involvement categories were summed for each skill across the seven class sessions and to form other logical categories (e.g., total motor appropriate intervals). Achievement scores were calculated by posttest on pretest regression for each skill with the residual score used for subsequent analysis. Residual achievement scores were correlated with summed ALT–PE categories. The results indicate for the serve both total motor appropriate and practice–motor appropriate intervals were related to student achievement. For the pass, practice–motor appropriate intervals were related to achievement and the total motor appropriate–achievement correlation failed significance. These results demonstrate the validity of the ALT–PE system as a process measure of achievement can be partially substantiated.     

Enhancing skill transfer in tennis using representative learning design

ABSTRACT

Representative Learning Design advocates that practice should simulate the demands of competition. The effectiveness of increased task representativeness to improve serving skill of junior tennis players was assessed after a six-week intervention. Thirty-three participants (15.4 ± 1.9 years of age) were assigned to one of the three groups; “serve only” (participants served to no opponent), “serve return” (participants served to an opponent and hit no extra shots) or “serve +3^rd” (participants served to an opponent and hit one extra shot). Using the validated representative practice assessment tool (RPAT) tasks were considered to be low, moderate and high in task representativeness, respectively. Participants hit 56 serves, twice weekly for 6-weeks. Pre and post serving performances were assessed via a skill test and in-situ matchplay using SportsCode and HawkEye ball tracking, respectively. Serve speed, landing locations, serve angle and positional advantage was obtained for 1^st and 2^nd serves. The relationship between increasing representativeness and increased skill acquisition was not linear, rather different behaviours emerged. For example, when hitting 2^nd serves in matchplay, the low and moderate representative groups prioritised speed over placement while the high representative group prioritised placement over speed. Coaches therefore need to carefully individualise representativeness to an athletes’ specific needs.     

The Development of Skill and Knowledge During a Sport Education Season of Track and Field Athletics

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the relative effectiveness of 2 forms of physical education instruction on students' skill and technical performance, as well as content knowledge in 3 track and field events. Method: Students from 6 classes in 3 Portuguese schools completed 900-min units conducted under the auspices of sport education or a more traditional teacher-directed format. Classes were randomly assigned to these conditions within each school. Results: Although both groups improved significantly from pretest to posttest, the sport education classes outperformed the traditional classes in both technique and skill execution. Only the sport education group made significant improvements in content knowledge. When the students in the traditional group were tested at the point in time where they would usually complete a unit of physical education (450 min), there were no significant improvements in any of the study's variables. Conclusion: The explanation given for the superior performance outcomes of the sport education classes lies in the nature of formal competition and team affiliation, which are cornerstones of this pedagogical model. That is, students take their learning experiences more seriously than in traditional and often inauthentic classes. In terms of content knowledge, the fact that sport education has a level of content-embedded accountability that holds students accountable for their officiating duties is postulated as a significant contributor to their increased understanding of rules and protocols of athletic events.     

Effect of Added Weight on the Learning of a Discrete Arm Movement

Abstract

Four groups of 20 subjects were given 35 practice trials on a discrete motor task. On Trials 3 through 25 each of three experimental groups performed with either a 1, 3, or 6 lb. wristlet strapped to their wrists. Trials 1 and 2 and Trials 26 through 35 were performed under control conditions. Comparisons made of the three experimental groups with a group which practiced under control conditions throughout, revealed that the added physical work significantly depressed performance but did not affect learning. Analysis of the data after rest revealed that the groups did not differ significantly in the amount of learning, slopes of the curves, or means of the test trials. Reminiscence was found to be a function of the amount of physical work.     

Variable training: effects on velocity and accuracy in the tennis serve

Abstract

Variable practice has been shown to be an effective strategy to improve open motor skills. However, the usefulness of this procedure in closed motor skills remains controversial. The following study has the objective of analysing the effects of variability practice in the improvement of a closed skill. The skill studied has been the tennis serve. Thirty young tennis players (13 ± 1.52 years), divided in two groups, took part in this study. One group practiced in variable conditions and the other group in consistency conditions. Both groups performed 12 training sessions (60 serves/session). The variable practice group improved their accuracy significantly compared with the consistency group (F_3.25 = 3.078; P = 0.035). The velocity of serve increased after training in both groups (F_3.25 = 15.890; P = 0.001). The practice in variable conditions seems to be effective in improving the performance of the tennis serve.     

Match-related fatigue reduces physical and technical performance during elite rugby league match-play: a case study

Abstract

This study examined the influence of match-related fatigue on physical and technical skill performance in ball playing positions at two different levels of rugby league competition. Time-motion analyses were performed using global positioning systems from 6 elite National Rugby League (NRL) and 11 junior elite National Youth Competition (NYC) players from 45 matches. A standardised 5-point technical coding criteria was used to qualitatively assess skill involvements during match-play. The distance travelled in the 0–5 and 40–45 min period were significantly higher compared to the 30–35, 35–40, 70–75 and 75–80 min periods (P < 0.001). Skill rating and involvements were higher in the 0–5 and 40–45 min compared to 70–75 and 75–80 min periods (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively).There was no significant difference in the number of physical collisions between the 5-min periods (P = 0.051). Following the peak 5-min bout of exercise intensity there were reductions in distance (P < 0.001), quality of skill involvements (P < 0.001), number of involvements (P < 0.001) and collisions (P < 0.001). Elite NRL and NYC “ball players” exhibit reductions in physical performance towards the end of matches and following brief periods of intense exercise. There also appears to be a reduction in technical performance for NRL and NYC ball players, which may be attributable to match-related fatigue.     

Effect of tapering period on plasma hormone concentrations,mood state,and performance of elite male cyclists

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the effect of 1- and 3-week tapering periods on concentrations of plasma testosterone (T), cortisol (C), T/C ratio, mood state, and performance in elite male cyclists. After 8 weeks of progressive training, cyclists were randomly assigned to a control group (n=12) who continued performing intense training for a further 3 weeks, or a taper group (n=12) who continued with a 50% reduction in training volume. Blood testosterone and cortisol concentrations were assayed and the T/C ratio calculated from analysis obtained via standard ELISA. Mood state was determined using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire. All data were collected immediately after a 40-km time-trial performed before, during, and after the 8-week training protocol and after the 1- and 3-week tapering/training periods. In the taper group, 40-km time-trial time decreased significantly (P<0.01) and equally for both the 1- and 3-week taper periods relative to the control group. There were significant elevations in T/C ratio (P<0.001) and reductions in cortisol concentrations and POMS scores in the taper group relative to the control groups at the end of both the 1- and 3-week tapering periods. Hence, taper periods are effective in improving performance and mood state and elevating the blood T/C ratio.     

Children’s metabolic expenditure during object projection skill performance: New insight for activity intensity relativity

Objective: To examine children’s energy expenditure (EE) during object projection skill performance at three intensity intervals. Methods: Children’s (42, Mage = 8.1) average metabolic equivalents of task (METs) were calculated using a COSMED K4b2 while they repeatedly performed blocks of kicking, throwing (overhand), and striking (two-handed) during 6, 12, and 30-s interval conditions. A repeated-measures analysis of covariance examined differences in METs while controlling for skill level. Results: Data indicated a main effect for interval condition (df = 2, 123, F = 94.36, p <.001, η2 = .605). Post hoc t-tests demonstrated decreasing performance interval times yielded progressively higher METs (p <.001) across the three conditions (30s = 4.5±0.8 METs, 12s = 6.3±1.3, 6s = 8.3±1.6). There also was a main effect for sex (df = 1,120, F = 52.28, p <.001 η2 = .305). Boys demonstrated higher METs at each performance interval (p <.001). Conclusion: Skill practice with a maximum of one trial every 30s resulted in the equivalent of at least moderate physical activity (>4.0 METs) and intervals of 6s demonstrated vigorous physical activity (>7.0 METs). Practicing/performing object projection skills, even at intervals that allow for adequate instruction and feedback (i.e., 1 trial/30s), promotes MVPA in children.     

Effects of rest interval during high-repetition resistance training on strength,aerobic fitness,and repeated-sprint ability

Abstract

The effect of altering the rest period on adaptations to high-repetition resistance training is not well known. Eighteen active females were matched according to leg strength and repeated-sprint ability and randomly allocated to one of two groups. One group performed resistance training with 20-s rest intervals between sets, while the other group employed 80-s rest intervals between sets. Both groups performed the same total training volume and load. Each group trained 3 days a week for 5 weeks [15- to 20-repetition maximum (RM), 2 – 5 sets]. Repeated-sprint ability (5×6-s maximal cycle sprints), 3-RM leg press strength, and anthropometry were determined before and after each training programme. There was a greater improvement in repeated-sprint ability after training with 20-s rest intervals (12.5%) than after training with 80-s rest intervals (5.4%) (P = 0.030). In contrast, there were greater improvements in strength after training with 80-s rest intervals (45.9%) than after training with 20-s rest intervals (19.6%) (P = 0.010). There were no changes in anthropometry for either group following training. These results suggest that when training volume and load are matched, despite a smaller increase in strength, 5 weeks of training with short rest periods results in greater improvements in repeated-sprint ability than the same training with long rest periods.     

Effects of Varied Techniques in Organizing Class Competition upon Changes in Sociometric Status

Abstract

The effects of different methods of class organization and different competitive situations upon social status change in college men was investigated. After initial testing, 88 male subjects were randomly assigned to four experimental groups and participated three days per wk. for six weeks in badminton activity classes. A control group of 22 subjects did not participate in any activity. The subjects engaged in their respective programs for three weeks in anticohesive pairs and three weeks in cohesive pairs. A social distance rating card was used to obtain scores at the beginning and end of each three-week period.

The findings in this study would appear to warrant the conclusions that (a) positive shifts in social acceptance can be brought about through a conscious effort on the part of the teacher to organize class activity and direct student interaction in light of measured sociometric status; and (b) that changes in sociometric ratings are not likely to occur automatically as a result of the normal social forces present in a class situation, with or without physical activity.     

A Comparison of the Effects of Physical and Mental Practice in Learning a Motor Skill

Abstract

This study sought to determine the relative effectiveness of mental and physical practice upon the learning of a selected motor skill, and the possible differential effects of mental practice during different stages of the learning period.

Ninety-three male volunteers were used as subjects. They were randomly assigned to the following five treatment conditions: control, mental practice, physical practice, mental-physical practice, and physical-mental practice. Practice consisted of throwing rubber balls at a target from a distance of 15 ft. The practice periods lasted for 18 days.

Initial and final tests were administered to determine the increase in skill. Data, which consisted of gain scores, were analyzed using analysis of variance. The results indicated that the only significant improvement occurred in the combination-type treatment conditons. Trend analysis was used to evaluate the changes in the daily practice scores. The results showed that either mental or physical practice was equally effective during the first half of the skill development period.