ICEM News

This article addresses the results of analysis of the data collected over four semesters of a situated course in Web-based instruction. In particular, it discusses results in such areas as synchronous vs. asynchronous interaction, the importance of technical prowess, aids and barriers to the establishment of a learning community, and the affective dimensions of Web-based instruction. In addition, it discuses the effectiveness of various traditional and constructivist instructional strategies in a Webbased environment. We also focus on the use of social engineering techniques as a means of facilitating the creation of a constructivist learning community. Analyse d’un environnement éducatif en ligne. Cet article présente les résultats d'une analyse de données collectées durant quatre semestres d'un cours utilisant Internet. En particulier, il étudie les résultats obtenus dans le domaine des interactions synchrones et asynchrones, l'importance du potentiel technologique, les aides ou les freins à l'établissement d'une communauté éducative, ainsi que la dimension affective de l'éducation par Internet. De plus, il examine l'efficacité de différentes stratégies d'apprentissage constructivistes utilisées dans cet environnement en ligne. Il aborde aussi des techniques d'ingénierie sociale utilisées qui sont aptes à faciliter l'établissement d'une véritable communauté d'apprentissage. Analyse einer Web-basierten Ausbildung. Dieser Artikel behandelt die Ergebnisse der Analyse der über vier Semester gesammelten Daten eines vorliegenden Kurses über web-basierte Ausbildung. Insbesondere werden Ergebnisse zu Fragen von synchroner versus asynchroner Interaktion, die Wichtigkeit des technischen Prozesses, Hilfen und Hindernisse für die Aufstellung einer Lerngemeinschaft und die affektiven Dimensionen web-basierten Instruierens diskutiert. Außerdem wird in dem Artikel die Wirksamkeit verschiedener traditioneller und konstruktivistischer Lehrstrategien in einer web-basierten Lernumgebung problematisiert. Wir verweisen auch auf die Verwendung von Sozialtechniken als ein Mittel, die Schaffung einer konstruktivistischen Lerngemeinschaft zu erleichtern.     

A Field-Based Testing Protocol for Assessing Gross Motor Skills in Preschool Children: The Children's Activity and Movement in Preschool Study Motor Skills Protocol

The purpose of this study was to develop a valid and reliable tool for use in assessing motor skills in preschool children in field-based settings. The development of the Children's Activity and Movement in Preschool Study Motor Skills Protocol included evidence of its reliability and validity for use in field-based environments as part of large epidemiological studies. Following pilot work, 297 children (3–5 years old) from 22 preschools were tested using the final version of the Children's Activity and Movement in Preschool Study Motor Skills Protocol and the Test of Gross Motor Development (2nd Edition). Reliability of the Children's Activity and Movement in Preschool Study Motor Skills Protocol and interobserver reliability were determined using intraclass correlation procedures (intraclass correlation coefficients; ANOVA). Concurrent validity was assessed using Pearson correlation coefficients to compare the Children's Activity and Movement in Preschool Study Motor Skills Protocol to the original Test of Gross Motor Development (2nd Edition). Results indicated that test reliability, interobserver reliability, and validity coefficients were all high, generally above R/r = .90. Significant age differences were found. Outcomes indicate that the Children's Activity and Movement in Preschool Study Motor Skills Protocol is an appropriate tool for assessing motor development of 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old children in field-based settings that are consistent with large-scale trials.     

Strength training and power output: Transference effects in the human quadriceps muscle

The effects of strength training of the quadriceps on peak power output during isokinetic cycling has been investigated in a group of 17 young healthy volunteers. Subjects trained by lifting near‐maximal loads on a leg extension machine for 12 weeks. Measurements of maximal voluntary isometric force were made at 2–3 week intervals and a continual record was kept of the weights lifted in training. Peak power output was measured at 110 rev min^–1 and at either 70 or 80 rev min^–1 before and after the 12 week training period. Measurements of maximum oxygen uptake (VO₂max) were made on 12 subjects before and after training. The greatest change was in the weights lifted in training which increased by 160–200%. This was accompanied by a much smaller increase in maximum isometric force (3–20%). There was no significant change in peak power output at either speed. The VO₂max remained unchanged with training. The role of task specificity in training is discussed in relation to training regimes for power athletes and for rehabilitation of patients with muscle weakness.     

The effects of anxiety upon psychomotor performance

This paper describes an experiment which examined the effects of anxiety on choice reaction time and movement time. A balanced repeated measures design was adopted in which eight female subjects performed a six‐choice visual reaction task in ‘no anxiety’ and ‘anxiety’ conditions. The anxiety condition required subjects to jump from a balcony 15 feet (4.57 m) into a foam‐filled pit below. Subjects in the anxiety condition demonstrated significantly higher levels of cognitive anxiety and longer reaction times than those in the no anxiety condition. The analysis of the reaction time data also revealed a significant interaction between anxiety and block. No significant effects emerged in the case of movement time.     

Game location and aggression in rugby league

The present study examined the relationship between aggression and game location in rugby league. We videotaped a random sample of 21 professional rugby league games played in the 2000 Super League season. Trained observers recorded the frequency of aggressive behaviours. Consistent with previous research, which used territoriality theories as a basis for prediction, we hypothesized that the home team would behave more aggressively than the away team. The results showed no significant difference in the frequency of aggressive behaviours exhibited by the home and away teams. However, the away teams engaged in substantially more aggressive behaviours in games they lost compared with games they won. No significant differences in the pattern of aggressive behaviours for home and away teams emerged as a function of game time (i.e. first or second half) or game situation (i.e. when teams were winning, losing or drawing). The findings suggest that while home and away teams do not display different levels of aggression, the cost of behaving aggressively (in terms of game outcome) may be greater for the away team.     

The development of position-specific performance indicators in professional rugby union

The aim of this study was to construct a valid and reliable methodology for the analysis of performance profiles of individual playing positions within rugby union. Twenty-two matches were sampled from the domestic season of a professional male rugby union team. Key performance indicators for individual positions were developed and notated using a computerized behavioural analysis system. Performance profiles of playing positions containing data from one or more individuals were then constructed to compare intra-positional differences. Significant differences (chi-square) were observed between individuals within all the tested playing positions for the principal performance indicators (passing, carrying and tackling for the forward positions, and passing, carrying, tackling and kicking for the backs). For example, the difference between the two outside-halves in the study (P?<?0.001) was illustrated by one of the players having a median of 6 successful carries for the season (95% confidence limits of 13 and 3), whereas the other had a median of 2 successful carries (95% confidence limits of 5 and 1). The findings suggest that while general positional performance profiles appear to exist, intra-positional differences may occur due to variations in an individual's style of play, the decision-making demands of the position and the effects of potential confounding variables. Multiple profiles may therefore be necessary for some playing positions to account for variation in factors such as playing conditions and the strength of the opposition.     

The development and maintenance of mental toughness: Perceptions of elite performers

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of the addition of a resistance training programme to a caloric restriction weight loss intervention on psychosocial profile. The study sample consisted of 137 overweight and obese post-menopausal women. Participants were randomized to a caloric restriction group and caloric restriction + resistance training group. Psychosocial, anthropometric, and metabolic variables were measured before and after the 6-month weight loss intervention. Both groups presented similar weight loss and there were no significant differences between the caloric restriction group and caloric restriction + resistance training group for changes in psychosocial profile. Thereafter, all participants were classified into quintiles based on the amount of weight loss. In all quintiles, women markedly improved body esteem and self-esteem, and decreased hunger and perceived risk for diabetes mellitus (P < 0.05). However, significant increases in dietary restraint were observed in quintiles 2–5 (≥2.4 % body weight loss), decreases in disinhibition in quintiles 3–5 (≥4.9 %), increases in self-efficacy in quintiles 3–5 (≥4.9 %), and increases in health perceptions in quintile 5 (≥11.1%). The results of this study do not support the hypothesis that the addition of a resistance training programme to a caloric restriction weight loss intervention has additional benefits on psychosocial profile. Overall, the significant improvements in the psychosocial profile observed were mostly accounted for by the degree of weight loss.     

Peak movement and collision demands of professional rugby league competition

ABSTRACT

To quantify the peak movement and contact demands of National Rugby League (NRL) and European Super League (ESL) competition players were tracked during 10 NRL (166 files) and 10 ESL (143 files) matches using microtechnology devices. The peak 1- to 5-min periods were then calculated for average match speed (m·min^?1), and acceleration (m·s^?2) when 0, 1, 2, and ≥3 collisions per min occurred. Linear mixed effect models and Cohen’s effect size statistic (± 90%CI) were used to determine the differences in movement profiles when collisions occurred. Compared to no collision periods, as frequency of collisions per minute increased, there were progressive reductions in running speed for most positional groups. The addition of 1 or more collisions per min resulted in average effect size reductions in match speed of ?0.14 for NRL forwards, ?0.89 for NRL backs, ?0.48 for ESL forwards, and ?2.41 for ESL backs. ESL forwards had the highest frequency of peak periods involving 3 or more collisions per min, 22% of all periods, followed by NRL forwards (14%), NRL backs (10%) and ESL backs (8%). This study highlights the peak movement and collision demands of professional rugby league competition and allows practitioners to develop training drills that reflect worst case scenarios.