Discriminating talent-identified junior Australian football players using a video decision-making task

This study examined if a video decision-making task could discriminate talent-identified junior Australian football players from their non-talent-identified counterparts. Participants were recruited from the 2013 under 18 (U18) West Australian Football League competition and classified into two groups: talent-identified (State U18 Academy representatives; n = 25; 17.8 ± 0.5 years) and non-talent-identified (non-State U18 Academy selection; n = 25; 17.3 ± 0.6 years). Participants completed a video decision-making task consisting of 26 clips sourced from the Australian Football League game-day footage, recording responses on a sheet provided. A score of “1” was given for correct and “0” for incorrect responses, with the participants total score used as the criterion value. One-way analysis of variance tested the main effect of “status” on the task criterion, whilst a bootstrapped receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve assessed the discriminant ability of the task. An area under the curve (AUC) of 1 (100%) represented perfect discrimination. Between-group differences were evident (P < 0.05) and the ROC curve was maximised with a score of 15.5/26 (60%) (AUC = 89.0%), correctly classifying 92% and 76% of the talent-identified and non-talent-identified participants, respectively. Future research should investigate the mechanisms leading to the superior decision-making observed in the talent-identified group.     

Positional group significantly influences the offensive and defensive skill involvements of junior representative rugby league players during match play

This study examined the skill involvements of three positional groups across a junior representative rugby league season. Data were collected from 45 rugby league players (mean ± SD; age = 16.5 ± 1.0 years) currently participating in the Harold Matthews and SG Ball Cup. Players were subdivided into hit-up forwards, adjustables and outside backs. The frequency (n · min^?1) of offensive, defensive and overall involvements was coded for each group using a notation system and a practical coach skill analysis tool. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) revealed a significant effect of playing position on skill involvements (F = 9.06; P < 0.001; ES = 0.41). Hit-up forwards performed a significantly greater frequency of offensive (0.31 ± 0.10), defensive (0.42 ± 0.15) and overall involvements (0.74 ± 0.19) when compared to adjustables (0.20 ± 0.08, 0.28 ± 0.08 and 0.52 ± 0.15, respectively) and outside backs (0.20 ± 0.12, 0.11 ± 0.07 and ± 0.31 ± 0.17, respectively). Further, adjustables performed a significantly greater number of defensive (0.28 ± 0.08) and overall involvements (0.52 ± 0.15) when compared to outside backs (0.11 ± 0.07 and 0.31 ± 0.17, respectively). The findings of this study suggest that it is important to consider a junior player’s positional group when analysing their skill involvements. Information gained from this study could assist in the design of specific training methodologies for junior rugby league players in high-level talent development programmes.     

Development and validation of the Perceived Game-Specific Soccer Competence Scale

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to create a valid, self-reported, game-specific soccer competence scale. A structural model of perceived competence, performance measures and motivation was tested as the basis for the scale. A total of 1321 soccer players (261 females, 1060 males) ranging from 12 to 15 years (13.4 ± 1.0 years) participated in the study. They completed the Perceived Game-Specific Soccer Competence Scale (PGSSCS), self-assessments of tactical skills and motivation, as well as technical and speed and agility tests. Results of factor analyses, tests of internal consistency and correlations between PGSSCS subscales, performance measures and motivation supported the reliability and validity of the PGSSCS. The scale can be considered a suitable instrument to assess perceived game-specific competence among young soccer players.     

Sprint and jump performances do not determine the promotion to professional elite soccer in Spain, 1994–2012

ABSTRACT

The aims of this study are (a) to describe the evolution of neuromuscular performance over an 18 year period within a Spanish elite reserve team; (b) to check if there were any relation between the playing position and sprint and jump performances and (c) to look into the alleged impact of this factor on the top playing level attained by the soccer players. We considered the physical tests (5 m and 15 m sprint times and countermovement jump (CMJ) height) made by 235 players enrolled in the reserve team of the Club from 1994 to 2012 and the highest competitive-level they achieved: Spanish first (n = 39) and second divisions (n = 36) and semi-professional (n = 160). Furthermore, the players were classified according to their playing positions. The main findings were a very-likely/most-likely lower neuromuscular performance (ES = 0.48–0.68, small to moderate) in the last six-season term (2006–2012) than in the first term (1994–2000); possibly/very-likely lower performances in sprinting and CMJ (ES = 0.22–0.55, small) by central defenders (CDs) and midfielders than by other playing positions; very-likely better performances in sprinting and jumping by first and second divisions central defenders than by semi-professional central defenders (ES = 0.90–1.02, moderate). Sprint and jump performances are not a relevant physical parameter to promote to the top level of soccer in Spain except for one in six of the playing positions: CDs.     

石油工程专业探索性实验提升大学生创新能力的意义

国内石油工程专业的本科生实验以传统验证性实验为主,缺少探索性实验教学。验证性实验教学偏重实验结果,是一种再现式的教学模式,不能充分体现实验探索未知的意义,造成大学生缺乏应有的创造能力,思维呆板,认识问题的方法单一,跟不上石油工程学科培育人才的发展要求。探索性实验,重在对未知的探索,有利于激发学生的好奇心,提高学生的主观能动性,克服其思维僵化的状态、培养思维灵活性,对提升大学生创新能力有着十分重要的意义。     

德国职业教育教师能力领域构成研究与启示

本文从德国职业教育教师能力领域及其具体标准入手,对我国高职院校教师职业能力存在的问题进行分析,提出促进教师职业能力发展的对策和建议。     

“创新创业”背景下高校教育模式的研究

随着高新产业不断兴起,创新创业型人才培养成为我国建立"创新型国家"的必要条件之一,深化高校创新创业教育改革已成为国家教育发展的重要组成部分。本文将我国高校的创新创业教育模式与国外优秀的教育模式进行比较,分析我国高校模式的优势与不足,以期为我国高校创新创业教育运行模式的构建提供经验与借鉴。     

1957年后公民权利受挫的宪政思考

五四宪法的颁布为新中国公民权利理论与实践的发展提供了强大的法律基础。新中国公民权利理论与实践的开局是好的。但是，从1957年夏起，新中国的法制建设却急转直下，而到了文化大革命，公民权利的破坏更是到了令人发指的地步。公民权利之所以在1957年以后受到严重的挫折，并不是偶然的。这与当时的社会历史状况有着密切的联系，究其原因主要在于三点：即人治思想的泛滥，高度集中的计划经济体制，以及淡薄的法律意识。     

中国基础研究类高层次科技人才流动特征分析 ——以环境领域为例

探寻我国基础研究类科技人才,尤其是高层次科技人才的流动特征和规律,对于制定我国基础研究类科技 人才发现、培养和发展的政策具有重要意义。本文以环境领域国家杰出青年科学基金获得者为研究对象,对中国该领 域基础研究类高层次科技人才的机构流动和国别流动特征进行分析。基于马斯洛需求理论,进一步对不同动机产生的 人才流动所对应的年龄分布进行探讨,为我国基础研究类高层次科技人才的政策制定提供参考和借鉴。     

"入世"对人才管理安全的挑战及对策

我国成为世贸组织成员将加快进一步融入全球化的进程。教育市场对外开放在一定程度上缓解了就学和人才短缺矛盾，却使我国人才管理安全面临新的挑战，必须采取措施加强防范。