Visual Search and Biological Motion Perception in Tennis

Purpose

The purposes of this study were to: (a) examine the effect of experience and goal constraints (speed, accuracy) on kicking patterns; (b) determine if effective striking mass was independent of ankle velocity at impact; and (c) determine the accuracy of kicks relative to independent factors.

Method

Twenty participants were recruited to kick at 3 different velocities with and without an accuracy requirement. Multivariate analysis of variance determined if relative timing of joint angular velocities changed during the kick. Chi-square analysis determined if calculated effective mass was independent of ankle velocity at impact. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to examine differences in absolute constant error and variable error according to independent factors.

Results

Results indicated that experience and speed affect absolute timing of joint velocities with no changes in the relative timing of peak joint velocity across independent factors. Chi-square analysis indicated that calculated effective mass is not independent of ankle velocity. ANOVA indicated that experienced performers displayed less variability error than did inexperienced performers.

Conclusion

It was concluded that: (a) Experience, velocity, and accuracy do not affect the relative timing of kicks; (b) kickers trade ankle velocity at impact for greater effective striking mass and ball velocity; and (c) variability in ball placement is affected by experience.     

Exercise Stress Testing Programs in the United States: A 1975 Status Study

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to document the status of exercise stress testing programs in the United States through an analysis of basic program components. A questionnaire was developed and sent to the list of exercise stress testing facilities compiled and published in 1975 by the National Jogging Association. Completed questionnaires were returned by 139 (60%) of the facilities surveyed. The data revealed that: (a) five categories of functional-clinical settings exist; (b) a large majority of programs are located in densely populated areas, were established within the past five years, and rely upon similar funding sources; (c) most of the clients are men over 35 years of age: (d) the YMCAs as a group vary considerably from the other functional settings with respect to certain aspects of program organization; and (e) there are no uniform standards of education and training for professional personnel, except for physicians. It was concluded that the rapid growth and diversity of exercise stress testing services have created a need for increased communication and cooperation among professionals concerning standards relative to procedures, protocols, and personnel.     

A Probabilistic Model for Evaluation of Volleyball Scoring Systems

Abstract

A probabilistic model for the game of volleyball is developed to evaluate alternative scoring systems. This Markov chain model is then recursively solved, to determine the distribution of the number of serves per game and the probability that a given team wins. These results are then used to evaluate the effects on the game of volleyball of a proposed change in the scoring system.     

Faculty learning communities: improving teaching in higher education

Faculty learning communities (FLCs) are collaborative collegial groups of faculty and other teaching staff who are interested in and committed to the improvement of their teaching to accommodate a diverse student population through group discourse, reflection and goal setting. In this article, we describe our FLC experiences that were supported by a federal grant to ensure accessible learning environments on our campus. The project, Ensuring Access through Collaboration and Technology (EnACT), sought to introduce faculty at a medium‐sized state university to a pedagogical framework to provide universal access to the curriculum for all students and to encourage faculty to adopt accessible technologies. We describe the recruitment process, the FLC meeting structure, our intended outcomes and the challenges we faced in meeting them.     

SENIOR CISE : A PRINT EXERCISE INTERVENTION FOR OLDER ADULTS

This study was conducted to examine the efficacy of an inexpensive educational print exercise intervention based on the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) for older adults. Secondary objectives of this study were to examine the quality of the print intervention and possible ways to improve it through survey techniques. This was a posttest survey design. Information about the Senior cise booklet was distributed to senior housing communities and recreation centers throughout Rhode Island. One hundred thirty-three posters and 5,280 pamphlets with return postcards for ordering the Senior cise booklet were delivered over a period of nine months. Individuals who requested the booklet were contacted via telephone two weeks following mailing to assess the efficacy and quality of the booklet. Ninety-eight individuals requested the booklet and 61 participants completed the evaluation (mean age = 73 - 5.3 years; 77.1% female). The majority of participants found the booklet of good quality, stated that it created an interest, and said it inspired them to actually engage in physical activity. Survey participants cited only a few main good points and negative points about the booklet in general. The use of an inexpensive educational print intervention (Senior cise ) based on the TTM was well received and successful in engaging older adults to consider and participate in physical activity. The positive and negative points cited about the booklet will allow other researchers a better insight into what can make educational print interventions successful. Experimental research designs are recommended to evaluate more fully the efficacy of future exercise based print interventions.     

CATHOLIC ACTION IN RELIGIOUS AND NATIONAL WELFARE

The purpose of this column is to keep religious educators abreast of relevant significant research in the general field of psychology. Each section describes a group of findings which have been reported in PSYCHOLOGICAL ABSTRACTS together with titles of these works so that those who wish may go to the original source. This column is written as a service to religious educators by the Union College Character Research Project. All abstracts are used with permission of the periodical, PSYCHOLOGICAL ABSTRACTS. The abstract numbers are Volume 38, Numbers 1‐3, 1964.     

Resources In Review

Abstract

Essential Readings in Environmental Education , edited by Harold R. Hungerford, William J. Bluhm, Trudi L. Volk, and John M. Ramsey. Champaign, IL: Stipes. 1998. Paperback. ISBN 0-87563-756-6.

The Industrial Green Game: Implications for Environmental Design and Management , edited by Deanna Richards. Washington, DC: National Academy of Engineering, National Academy Press. 1997. Hardback. 224 pp. $39.95. ISBN 0-309-05294-7.

Stories in the Land: A Place-Based Environmental Education Anthology , with an introductory essay by John Elder. Great Barrington, MA: Orion Society. 1998. Paperback. 127 pp. $8.00. ISBN 0-913098-51-5.

Energies: An Illustrated Guide to the Biosphere and Civilization , by Vaclav Smil. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. 1998. Hardcover. 210 pp. $25.00. ISBN 0-262-19410-4.

Human Settlements and Planning for Ecological Sustainability: The Case of Mexico City , by Keith Pezzoli. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. 1998. Hardcover. 464 pages. $40.00. ISBN 0-262-16173-7.

Tunnel Visions: Into the Sea of Uncertainty. Ben Lomond , CA: The Video Project, TUN-546-0. 1998. $99.95 institutions, $69.95 individuals; $5.95 shipping and handling. Available as one video of 57 minutes or two videos of 27 1/2 minutes each.

Biodiversity and Conservation , by Michael J. Jeffries. New York: Routledge. 1997. Paperback. 208 pp. $25.99. ISBN 0-415-14905-3.

The Natural Wealth of Nations: Harnessing the Market for the Environment , by David M. Roodman. New York: W.W. Norton. 1998. Paperback. 304 pp. $13.00. ISBN 0-393-31852-4.

Evaluation: A Systematic Approach , Sixth Edition, by Peter H. Rossi, Howard E. Freeman, and Mark W. Lipsey. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. 1999. Hardback. 500 pp. $59.95. ISBN 0-7619-0893-5.     

Our readers write

This study investigated the relationship between the communication source variables of attraction, credibility, and perceived similarity and the overall image of public figures. The arrangement of 15 public figures in a multidimensional space was compared to their arrangement on measures of attraction, credibility, and similarity. The arrangement of public figures in the multidimensional space was based on respondents' paired comparisons among all public figures. Results indicated that most of the theoretic concepts were used by respondents to construct their iamge of public figures. However, the concepts did not emerge as major determinants of that image. It was suggested that these concepts might be part of a latent structure which emerges whenever public figures are viewed as communicative sources.     

Building next generation video game collections in academic libraries

Most academic libraries do not yet have gaming collections, let alone gaming services and facilities that support the unique and growing teaching and research needs of campus environments. Academic libraries in particular need to start thinking about developing the next generation of gaming collections and services. This article examines the experiences in developing an academic library gaming initiative at a large research university, and works towards identifying the questions academic libraries need to be asking and the issues that need investigating in order to map out a path for developing next generation gaming collections that will meet the needs of academic instructors and researchers in the coming decade, and take advantage of the unique opportunities gaming and gaming technology provide.