International Journal of Applied Sports Sciences 

About: International Journal of Applied Sports Sciences is an academic journal. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Athletes & Football. Over the lifetime, 227 publications have been published receiving 1353 citations.

The Assessment of Motor Coordination in Children with the Movement ABC test: A Comparative Study among Japan, USA and Spain

Abstract: The Movement Assessment Battery for Children (Movement ABC; Henderson and Sudgen, 1992) is one of the most popular instruments in the assessment of children with movement coordination problems. It is generally assumed that the published norms for the test are valid for use with European children and one of the aims of this study was to compare the results of Miyaharas study with Japanese children (53 boys, 49 girls) and the American standardization (237 boys, 284 girls) with the Spanish sample (202 boys and 183 girls). The cross-cultural comparisons revealed that there are many differences in performance among children of these samples. These differences were distributed among tasks and countries in the two age bands. Gender differences in all samples shown that girls outperform boys in manual and balance tasks, and boys got better scores in ball skills. This data and its analysis so far suggest different consequences: 1) The question of cultural differences in motor skill learning and performance; 2) The problem of gender differences in motor coordination; 3) The norms of the test. As a final consequence it will be necessary to study this test in a larger and more broadly based sample of Spanish boys and girls for it to be accepted as a useful test in the assessment of motor coordination in Spain.

External versus internal focus instructions: Is the Learner paying attention?

Abstract: Instructions to focus on the outcome of an action during its performance have consistently been shown to induce greater accuracy than instructions to focus internally on the mechanics of the movement (e.g. Shea and Wulf, 1999). This phenomenon may be the result of inducing an explicit mode of control in those performers who are instructed to focus internally. Explicit processing of task relevant information has previously been associated with poor performance relative to not focusing on these aspects (externally). That is, an external focus may be associated with little explicit processing, and thus, a minimal load on working memory, whereas, an internal focus places a large load on working memory due to the explicit processing of mechanical rules about how best to perform the task. Two experiments examined this possibility using a balance task. Both experiments demonstrated that an external focus of attention is indeed characterised by minimal explicit processing as demonstrated by the ability of learners given external focus instructions to perform a secondary task that loads working memory without demonstrating a reduction in primary task performance. Identical results were found for performers given internal focus instructions; however, it was apparent from post experimental questionnaires that these participants had switched to an external focus of attention despite instructions to the contrary. It is argued that an implicit, in this case external focus, mode of learning and performance is the default option, particularly when the ineffectiveness of explicit or internal focusing is salient.

Correlation between Tests of Running Repeated Sprint Ability and Anaerobic Capacity by Wingate Cycling in Multi-Sprint Sports Athletes

Abstract: The 30 s Wingate cycling (cWG) test is a popular test of anaerobic capacity. The test is highly correlated with short, high-intensity performance but may have limitations when assessing intermittent-type activities. A reliable field-based test, the running Repeated Sprint Ability (rRSA) test, is deemed more sport-specific than cWG in determining anaerobic performance of multi-sprint sports athletes. This study examines the relationship of the performance indices of cWG and rRSA (8×40 m with 30 s rest in-between) tests in well-trained multi-sprint sports athletes. Twenty-six National-level male field hockey and soccer players took the cWG and rRSA tests on separate occasions in random order. There were only modest correlations between the cWGs mean power (relative) and rRSAs total sprinting time (r = -.46, p < .05) and between the two tests fatigue indicators (r = .46, p < .05). The findings of the low-shared variance among the performance variables between the two tests provided limited support for the use of the cWG for assessing the anaerobic performance capability of well-trained multi-sprint sport athletes.

Effects of Core Muscle Strengthening Training on Flexibility, Muscular Strength and Driver Shot Performance in Female Professional Golfers

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of 12 weeks` combined training in core muscle strengthening on the flexibility, muscular strength, and driver shot performance of the core body parts of the female professional golfers. Subjects were members of the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association. They were divided into two groups (of whom 9 belonged to the training group, and 8 belonged to the control group). Changes in flexibility (forward flexion and back flexion), maximal muscular strength (back extension and squat), isometric strength (back strength), and core muscle and driver shot performance (ball speed, clubhead speed, and carry distance) were measured before and after 12 weeks` combined training. The results were as follows: in physical fitness parameters, back flexion and maximal strength of back extension and squat increased significantly in training group following 12 weeks` core muscle strengthening training. In driver shot performance, clubhead speed and carry distance increased significantly in training group following 12 weeks` core training. The findings of the present study showed 12 weeks` combined core muscle training had positive effects on flexibility and strength of core muscle. Moreover, it was effective in enhancing driver shot performance in female professional golfers. This suggests that application of specific and scientific core muscle training should be done continuously in female professional golfers.