Composition of Practice: Influence on the Retention of Motor Skills

Abstract

The purpose of these experiments was to investigate further the variable practice effect found by Shea and Kohl (1990). Experiment 1 was an initial attempt to determine the locus of the retention benefits demonstrated by subjects provided variable practice experiences. All groups received 20 acquisition blocks consisting of five test trials per block at a target of 150 N. The interval between test trials was either unfilled or filled, with additional trials consisting of the same target force, variable target forces, or practice on an unrelated motor task. The results indicated retention was not incremented (relative to an unfilled interval) by requiring subjects to perform an unrelated motor task in the intertest–trial interval. However, when the intertest–trial interval was filled with practice on related motor tasks, retention was significantly improved. Experiment 2 assessed the impact of increasing the number of related motor tasks interpolated between test trials. The results indicated filling the intertest–trial interval with one motor task resulted in large retention benefits relative to an unfilled interval. Further increases in the number of related motor tasks (3) interpolated between test trials resulted in only modest increments to retention. The results were consistent with the elaboration perspective proposed by Shea and Zimny (1983). The elaboration perspective proposes that the simultaneous presence of related items in working memory facilitates interitem elaborative and distinctive processing that ultimately results in retention benefits.     

Attention Demands of Precision Pistol-Shooting as a Function of Skill Level

This study provided initial validity evidence for multidimensional measures of coaching competency derived from the Coaching Competency Scale (CCS). Data were collected from intercollegiate men's (n = 8) and women's (n = 13) soccer and women's ice hockey teams (n = 11). The total number of athletes was 585. Within teams, a multidimensional internal model was retained in which motivation, game strategy, technique, and character building comprised the dimensions of coaching competency. Some redundancy among the dimensions was observed. Internal reliabilities ranged from very good to excellent. Practical recommendations for the CCS are given in the Discussion section.     

Comparison of Recovery Procedures for the Reduction of Exercise Stress

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of three types of recovery procedure on (a) circulatory recovery from a standardized bicycle ergometer exercise, (b) performance in a second standardized bicycle ergometer exercise, and (c) circulatory recovery from the second exercise. The recovery procedures were complete rest, light activity, and cold showers. Each of 10 male subjects underwent each recovery procedure on separate days. Analysis of variance for a randomized complete blocks design was used in the analysis of the data. Results indicated that cold showers decreased recovery heart rate after the first standardized exercise from 115 to 96 beats/minute and after the second exercise from 164 to 152 beats/ minute when compared with the other two conditions. Speed of performance in the second exercise was improved from 40.4 and 40.3 sec. in the case of rest and light activity to 38.9 sec. for cold showers. These improvements were all statistically significant at the .05 level. Three physiological explanations, not necessarily independent, are advanced: (a) local vasoconstriction of the skin vessels and vasodilatation of the muscle vessels causing a greater proportion of total blood flow to the working muscles, (b) establishment of a greater thermal gradient between the core and shell of the body allowing heat movement to the surface of the body by conduction between tissues rather than by skin blood flow, and (c) a decrease in sweat rate, thereby suppressing release of bradykinin, a vasodilator substance.     

Individual t Tests versus Multiple Range Tests

Abstract

In an effort to determine the better method of starting and running to the right, two methods, the jab step and the cross-over step, were compared. Thirty male students, 13–17 years old, were timed at four testing stations, 5, 11, 22, and 37 feet from the start. Reliabilities were very high. Analysis of variance revealed the cross-over step to be significantly faster than the jab step at each timing station.     

Physical Fitness,Self-Esteem,and Attitudes toward Physical Activity

Abstract

A total of 165 adolescent boys took measures of physical fitness, general self-esteem, and attitudes toward physical activities. High-fit compared to low-fit boys were higher in self-estimates of physical ability (P < .007) and self-reported attraction to physical activities (P < .007) but not significantly different in general self-esteem nor in reported extent of participation in voluntary physical activities. In addition significant correlations were observed between self-estimates of physical ability and attraction to physical activity, and between attraction to physical activity and extent of voluntary participation in physical activity.     

Relative Isometric Endurance and Different Levels of Athletic Achievement

Abstract

Relative isometric endurance tests of 50, 60, 70, and 80 percent weight loads were used to evaluate the muscular endurance of three groups of male college students. The 47 students were grouped according to level of athletic achievement. Analysis of variance models failed to detect any differences between the endurance of the three groups. Consideration was given to the use of relative endurance tests for evaluating levels of motivation.     

Akuteffekte des Einsatzes von Futsalbällen beim Fußballspielen im Sportunterricht

This study evaluated the effects of utilising futsal balls during physical education lessons via a comparison with traditional and indoor (felt) footballs. A total of 423 5^th grade pupils (197 female and 226 male, age range 10–13 years, mean age 10 years 11.5 months) took part in a series of conditions designed to assess the bearing different football types (i.e. felt, leather and futsal) have on technical playing ability and game awareness. The results indicate that utilizing futsal balls is associated with improvements in most areas of assessment. In particular control of bouncing balls is significantly faster with futsal balls when compared to traditionally used leather or felt footballs. An increase in the number of ball contacts for each player and improvements in the quality of offensive play were also observed and participants appeared to have markedly less fear of the futsal ball in comparison with other types of balls. In conjunction, these findings lend strong support to the concept of making greater use of futsal balls when playing indoor football with young people.     

Returning to competition after a serious injury: The role of self-determination

Abstract

We tested hypotheses grounded in self-determination theory regarding athletes' cognitive appraisals and emotional reactions when returning to competition following a serious injury. Professional male athletes (N = 225) competing in the Australian Football League were presented with return-to-competition scenarios that varied with respect to: (1) degree of self-determination and (2) salience of re-injury concern. Significant MANOVA main effects were observed for the degree of self-determination on both primary appraisals and emotional responses as well as for the salience of re-injury concern on emotional response. Follow-up ANOVA polynomial trend analyses provided support for the hypothesized trends for greater self-determination in the return to sport to result in more positive appraisals and affect. Findings support self-determination theory contentions and research indicating the psychological benefits of increased self-determination.