Measuring Knowledge Integration Learning of Energy Topics: A two-year longitudinal study

Although researchers call for inquiry learning in science, science assessments rarely capture the impact of inquiry instruction. This paper reports on the development and validation of assessments designed to measure middle-school students’ progress in gaining integrated understanding of energy while studying an inquiry-oriented curriculum. The assessment development was guided by the knowledge integration framework. Over 2 years of implementation, more than 4,000 students from 4 schools participated in the study, including a cross-sectional and a longitudinal cohort. Results from item response modeling analyses revealed that: (a) the assessments demonstrated satisfactory psychometric properties in terms of reliability and validity; (b) both the cross-sectional and longitudinal cohorts made progress on integrating their understanding energy concepts; and (c) among many factors (e.g. gender, grade, school, and home language) associated with students’ science performance, unit implementation was the strongest predictor.     

Development of the Physical Educators’ Judgments about Inclusion Instrument for Japanese Physical Education Majors and an Analysis of their Judgments

The purpose of this study was to assess the validity and reliability of the Physical Educators’ Judgments about Inclusion (PEJI) survey for analysing the judgments of Japanese (361 male, 170 female) physical education teacher education majors. A secondary purpose was to examine group differences in judgments as a function of gender and past experiences. Data were collected and psychometrical properties of the PEJI were assessed using a maximum-likelihood extraction method. Confirmatory factor analysis resulted in salient loadings for all items on three hypothesised dimensions, resulting in 47% explained variance for measuring judgments about: Inclusion versus Exclusion, Acceptance of Students with Disabilities, and Perceived Training Needs. Supported by the three interpretable factors that emerged, construct validity evidence is presented. Although most of the physical education teacher education majors sampled had yet to teach students with disabilities, they had formed preliminary judgments about doing so.     

Key motion characteristics of side-step movements in hip-hop dance and their effect on the evaluation by judges

In hip-hop dance, the elements of motion that discriminate the skill levels of dancers and that influence the evaluations by judges have not been clearly identified. This study set out to extract these motion characteristics from the side-step movements of hip-hop dancing. Eight expert and eight non-expert dancers performed side-step movements, which were recorded using a motion capture system. Nine experienced judges evaluated the dancers’ performances. Several parameters, including the range of motion (ROM) of the joint angles (neck, trunk, hip, knee, and face inclination) and phase delays between these angular motions were calculated. A quarter-cycle phase delay between the neck motion and other body parts, seen only in the expert dancers, is highlighted as an element that can distinguish dancers’ skill levels. This feature of the expert dancers resulted in a larger ROM during the face inclination than that for the non-expert dancers. In addition, the experts exhibited a bottom-to-top segmental sequence in the horizontal direction while the non-experts did not demonstrate any such sequential motion. Of these kinematic parameters, only the ROM of the face inclination was highly correlated to the judging score and is regarded as being the most appealing element of the side-step movement.     

Developing Online Graduate Coursework in Adapted Physical Education Utilizing Andragogy Theory

Graduate adapted physical education (APE) courses have typically been taught using face-to-face formats where the instructor and learners physically meet in a classroom and engage in discussions and experiential exercises. However, because in-service physical educators have time demands associated with teaching, coaching, and family commitments, face-to-face meetings may not be feasible. Therefore, online learning may provide a more efficient and effective method for training in-service physical educators to become APE specialists. The purpose of this article is to disseminate guidelines for developing and implementing online coursework in APE within the theoretical framework of andragogy (adult learning). In this article, the authors describe characteristics and implementation of an online APE graduate course for in-service physical educators based on andragogy theory. Andragogy theory addresses the particular needs of adult learners and is based on the idea that there are significant differences in learning characteristics between children and adults (Knowles, 1989). This article first describes four components fundamental to andragogical instruction: experiential learning, self-directed learning, engagement, and transformative learning. The narratives provide information and characteristics about online APE course development for PE teachers’ professional development and how andragogy approach is a useful and beneficial approach to enhance learning.     

Prediction of visceral fat area at the umbilicus level using fat mass of the trunk: The validity of bioelectrical impedance analysis

The aims of this study were to determine the validity of fat mass of the trunk as a predictor for visceral fat area at the umbilicus level and to develop equations to predict visceral fat mass at the umbilicus level using fat mass of the trunk measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). The participants were 121 normal Japanese adults (69 males, 52 females). Another 60 volunteer adults (34 males, 26 females) were recruited for examination of cross-validity. Altogether, 41 adults (15 males, 26 females) in the original group and 19 adults (7 males, 12 females) in the cross-validity group received BIA measurement. We measured fat mass by DXA and the BIA system, which was a single-frequency BIA with 8-point contact electrodes, and visceral fat area by computed tomography. We observed significant correlations for visceral fat area in waist circumference (0.56) and fat mass of the trunk measured by DXA (0.64). There was no significant difference in fat mass of the trunk between the DXA and BIA systems, but the BIA system tended to provide an underestimate compared with DXA. With combined fat mass of the trunk measured by DXA and waist circumference as predictors, visceral fat area was estimated by equation (1) (R = 0.87, R(2) = 0.76, standard error of the estimate = 20.9 cm(2)). When substituting fat mass of the trunk measured by BIA into equation (1), there was no significant difference in visceral fat area between the reference and predicted values. An equation using fat mass of the trunk measured by BIA (equation 2) was obtained (R = 0.89, R(2) = 0.78, standard error of the estimate = 20.7 cm(2)), but a systematic error was found for the males. There was cross-validity in both equations. In conclusion, fat mass of the trunk is an effective predictor for the visceral fat area at the umbilicus level. Fat mass of the trunk measured by BIA might be a valid method to predict visceral fat, although further studies with larger samples taking into account the extent and type of obesity are required.     

Ankle taping can reduce external ankle joint moments during drop landings on a tilted surface

Ankle taping is commonly used to prevent ankle sprains. However, kinematic assessments investigating the biomechanical effects of ankle taping have provided inconclusive results. This study aimed to determine the effect of ankle taping on the external ankle joint moments during a drop landing on a tilted surface at 25°. Twenty-five participants performed landings on a tilted force platform that caused ankle inversion with and without ankle taping. Landing kinematics were captured using a motion capture system. External ankle inversion moment, the angular impulse due to the medio-lateral and vertical components of ground reaction force (GRF) and their moment arm lengths about the ankle joint were analysed. The foot plantar inclination relative to the ground was assessed. In the taping condition, the foot plantar inclination and ankle inversion angular impulse were reduced significantly compared to that of the control. The only component of the external inversion moment to change significantly in the taped condition was a shortened medio-lateral GRF moment arm length. It can be assumed that the ankle taping altered the foot plantar inclination relative to the ground, thereby shortening the moment arm of medio-lateral GRF that resulted in the reduced ankle inversion angular impulse.     

Reliability of a commercially available and algorithm-based kinetic analysis software compared to manual-based software

There is a need for reliable analysis techniques for kinetic data for coaches and sport scientists who employ athlete monitoring practices. The purpose of the study was: (1) to determine intra- and inter-rater reliability within a manual-based kinetic analysis program; and (2) to determine test-retest reliability of an algorithm-based kinetic analysis program. Five independent raters used a manual analysis program to analyse 100 isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) trials obtained from previously collected data. Each trial was analysed three times. The same IMTP trials were analysed using an algorithm-based analysis software. Variables measured were peak force, rate of force development from 0 to 50 ms (RFD50) and RFD from 0 to 200 ms (RFD200). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and coefficient of variation (CV) were used to assess intra- and inter-rater reliability. Nearly perfect reliability was observed for the manual-based (ICC > 0.92). However, poor intra- and inter-rater CV was observed for RFD (CV > 16.25% and CV > 32.27%, respectively). The algorithm-based method resulted in perfect reliability in all measurements (ICC = 1.0, CV = 0%). While manual methods of kinetic analysis may provide sufficient reliability, the perfect reliability observed within the algorithm-based method in the current study suggest it is a superior method for use in athlete monitoring programs.     

Differences in soccer kicking type identified using principal component analysis

Soccer kicks are characterized by segmental and joint rotations in multiple planes, where large discrepancies between two- and three-dimensional analyses for angular measurements of soccer kicks exist. The aim of this study was to clarify the differences in motions of the lower limbs and the pelvis required to achieve a shot without rotations as compared with an instep kick. Kinematic parameters obtained from non-rotational shots and instep kicks were analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA). The results clearly demonstrated that the PCA identified the differences in the instep kick and the non-rotational shot relative to the kinematic motions of the lower limbs and the pelvis. These findings suggest that the key issue for executing the NR shot is achieving a straight-line foot trajectory in the impact phase.     

学校再生的哲学——学习共同体与活动系统

学校改革的草根运动正在席卷日本全土。这种静悄悄的革命是如何生成的,提示了怎样的学校未来的形象呢?作为"学习共同体"的学校创建,在课堂教学的实践中实现着活动性、合作性、反思性的学习;在教职员室里孕育着作为反思性实践家的教师的同僚性;实现着社区的家长与市民参与的合作性学习。其基础就是立足于"倾听他者声音"的对话性沟通的创造。本文阐述了"学习共同体"的改革哲学是基于怎样的教育发展背景产生的,这种实践又将导致怎样的学校改革的愿景。