A study of the relationship of diadochokinetig rate,speaking rate and reading rate

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the nature of the relationship among three variables: diadocho‐kinetic rate, speaking rate, and reading rate. A group of 40 individuals, 20 males and 20 females, performed three experimental tasks: (1) three repetitions at maximumt speed of each of the following: /p_?//t_?//k_?/, and /p_? t_? k_?/; (2) 10 readings of a standard prose passage; and (3) the presentation of a two‐minute impromptu speech based on the content of stimulus pictures. Results of subjects’ performances indicate that: (1) reading rate is highly related to speaking rate; (2) there is no strong relationship between diadochokinetic rate and speaking rate; and (3) diadochokinetic rate is not highly related to reading rate.     

Relationship between Instructional Context and Views of Nature of Science

The study investigated the relationship between instructional context (integrated and non‐integrated) that explicitly teaches about nature of science (NOS) and students’ view of NOS across different disciplines. Participants were three teachers and their students, which comprised six classes of 89 ninth‐graders and 40 10th/11th‐graders. Each teacher taught two intact sections of the same grade level within a specific science discipline. The treatment for all groups involved teaching a 5–6 week unit that included the science content and NOS. The two intact groups learned about same content; the only difference was the context of NOS instruction (integrated or non‐integrated). An open‐ended questionnaire, followed by interviews, was used to assess change in participants’ views. Results showed improvement in students’ NOS views regardless of whether NOS instruction was embedded within the content. Therefore, it was not possible to make claims about whether one instructional context is more effective than another in general terms.     

Swing kinematics of male and female skilled golfers following prolonged putting practice

Abstract

Given that males and females respond differently to endurance-based tasks, prolonged putting practice may provide an avenue to examine gender-related differences in golf swing kinematics. The aim of this project was to determine if 40 min of putting affects thorax and pelvis kinematics during the full swing of males and females. Three-dimensional trunk kinematics were collected during the swings of 19 male (age: 26 ± 7 years, handicap: 0.6 ± 1.1) and 17 female (age: 24 ± 7 years, handicap: 1.4 ± 1.7) golfers before and after 40 min of putting. Angular displacement at address, top of backswing and ball contact for the pelvis, thorax, and pelvis–thorax interaction were calculated, in addition to the magnitude of peak angular velocity and repeatability of continuous segment angular velocities. Female golfers had less pelvis and thorax anterior–posterior tilt at address, less thorax and thorax–pelvis axial rotation at top of backswing, and less pelvis and thorax axial rotation and pelvis lateral tilt at ball contact pre- to post-putting. Analysis of peak angular velocities revealed that females had significantly lower thorax–pelvis lateral tilt velocity pre- to post-putting. In conclusion, an endurance-based putting intervention affects females’ thorax and pelvis orientation angles and velocities to a greater extent than males.     

Book reviews

Rotter, Ekkehart, Abendland und Saratenen: das okxidentale Araberbild und seine Entetehung im Frühmittelalter. Berlin and New York: Walter de Gruyter, 1986. (Studien zur Sprache, Geschichte und Kultur des Islamischen Orients, neue Folge, Band 11) 290+xiipp. 2 genealogical charts; Sketch map; sketch; DM 158.

Irwin, Robert. The Middle East in the Middle Ages: The Early Mamlük Sultanate 1250–1382. Carbondale and Edwardsville: Southern Illinois University Press, 1986. 180 pp.: US $26.95.

Kobbervig, Karl I. El Libro de las Suertes: tratado de adivinación por el Juego de azar. Estudio, edición y glosario. Madrid: Gredos, 1987 (Colección de Literatura Española Aljamiado‐Morisca, 7), 227pp., including a full‐page facsimiles from the MSS.

Cutler, Allan Harris and Cutler, Helen Elmquist. The Jaw as Ally of the Muslim: Medieval Roots of Anti‐Semitism. Notre Dame, Indiana: University of Notre Dame Press, 1986, x + 577 pp., Indices; bibliography; US $50.00

Parker, S. Thomas. Romans and Saracens: A History of the Arabian Frontier. (American Schools of Oriental Research 1986. Dissertation Series, 6) Winona Lake, Indiana: Eisenbrauns,1987. xiii + 247pp.: US $25.00.

De Montêquin, François‐Auguste (compilar). Muslim Architecture of the Ibrian Peninsula: Eastern and Wastern Sources for Hispano‐Islamic Building Arts. West Cornwall. Locust Hill Press, 1987, xv + 241 pp.; US $30.00.