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Showing papers in "Perceptual and Motor Skills in 2017"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is found that a short recovery period may have a less favorable effect on planning ability but may be beneficial for memory, and that for both memory and inhibitory cognitive ability, acute exercise had an enhancement effect for those with lower resting cognitive functioning.
Abstract: We examined the effects of different acute exercise durations and recovery periods on cognitive function in a counterbalanced, cross-over randomized controlled experiment. We placed 352 participant...

71 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This article critically reviews research on motor impairment in children with ADHD, notable differences in motor performance of individuals with ADHD compared with age-matched controls, and possible neural underpinnings of this impairment.
Abstract: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurobehavioral disorder during childhood, affecting approximately 3-6% of school-aged children; its cardinal symptoms of high activity, impulsivity, and behavioral distractibility might be assumed to have close relationships to interferences with motor skills. A separate body of literature attests to ways that motor problems can severely impact children's daily lives, as motor problems may occur in 30-50% of children with ADHD. This article critically reviews research on motor impairment in children with ADHD, notable differences in motor performance of individuals with ADHD compared with age-matched controls, and possible neural underpinnings of this impairment. We discuss the highly prevalent link between ADHD and developmental coordination disorder (DCD) and the lack of a clear research consensus about motor difficulties in ADHD. Despite increasing evidence and diagnostic classifications that define DCD by motor impairment, the role of ADHD symptoms in DCD has not been delineated. Similarly, while ADHD may predispose children to motor problems, it is unclear whether any such motor difficulties observed in this population are inherent to ADHD or are mediated by comorbid DCD. Future research should address the exact nature and long-term consequences of motor impairment in children with ADHD and elucidate effective treatment strategies for these disorders together and apart.

58 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Findings highlight differential efficacy of internal and external visual imagery for performance improvement on complex sport skills in early stage motor learning in young male novices.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of internal and external visual imagery perspectives on performance accuracy of open and closed tennis skills (i.e., serve, forehand, and backhand) among novices. Thirty-six young male novices, aged 15-18 years, from a summer tennis program participated. Following initial skill acquisition (12 sessions), baseline assessments of imagery ability and imagery perspective preference were used to assign participants to one of three groups: internal imagery ( n = 12), external imagery ( n = 12), or a no-imagery (mental math exercise) control group ( n = 12). The experimental interventions of 15 minutes of mental imagery (internal or external) or mental math exercises followed by 15 minutes of physical practice were held three times a week for six weeks. The performance accuracy of the groups on the serve, forehand, and backhand strokes was measured at pre- and post-test using videotaping. Results showed significant increases in the performance accuracy of all three tennis strokes in all three groups, but serve accuracy in the internal imagery group and forehand accuracy in the external imagery group showed greater improvements, while backhand accuracy was similarly improved in all three groups. These findings highlight differential efficacy of internal and external visual imagery for performance improvement on complex sport skills in early stage motor learning.

44 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: These young Singaporean children failed to exhibit age-appropriate FMS proficiency despite early PE exposure, and they demonstrated lags in FMS compared with the TGMD-2 U.S. normative sample.
Abstract: Fundamental movement proficiency (FMS) is most successfully acquired during early school years. This cross-sectional study assessed FMS proficiency in Singaporean children at the start of and following 2.5 years of primary school physical education (PE). Participants were 244 children from Primary 1 and 3 levels. Fundamental movement skills (FMS) were assessed with the Test of Gross Motor Development-Second Edition (TGMD-2) that includes locomotor (LOCO) and object control (OC) subtests. Most children were rated "average" and "below average" for LOCO skills but "poor" and "below average" for OC skills without significant gender differences on either subtest or overall FMS proficiency and without FMS mastery. These young Singaporean children failed to exhibit age-appropriate FMS proficiency despite early PE exposure, and they demonstrated lags in FMS compared with the TGMD-2 U.S. normative sample. We discuss implications for sports competence perception, difficulty in coping with later movement learning expectations and reduced later motivation to participate in PE and play. We also discuss implications for preschool and lower primary school PE curricula with a particular focus on both OC skills and LOCO skills requiring muscular fitness like hopping and jumping.

38 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Key performance indicators and this performance assessment method might be useful to better understand what determines winning and to assist the overall training process and match management.
Abstract: The performance of a soccer team depends on many factors such as decision-making, cognitive and physical skills, and dynamic ever-changing space–time interactions between teammate and opponents in ...

36 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This study examined the effects of a 12-week Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP) on gross motor skill development in children from low-income families and found greater TGMD-2 percent scores at follow-up compared with baseline.
Abstract: This study examined the effects of a 12-week Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP) on gross motor skill development in children from low-income families. Participants were 1,460 sc...

29 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A machine-learning-based voice analysis is compared with human hearing judgments made by 10 speech therapists for classifying children with autism spectrum disorders and typical development, and the objectivity machine-learned voice analysis adds to judging abnormal prosody.
Abstract: Abnormal prosody is often evident in the voice intonations of individuals with autism spectrum disorders. We compared a machine-learning-based voice analysis with human hearing judgments made by 10 speech therapists for classifying children with autism spectrum disorders (n = 30) and typical development (n = 51). Using stimuli limited to single-word utterances, machine-learning-based voice analysis was superior to speech therapist judgments. There was a significantly higher true-positive than false-negative rate for machine-learning-based voice analysis but not for speech therapists. Results are discussed in terms of some artificiality of clinician judgments based on single-word utterances, and the objectivity machine-learning-based voice analysis adds to judging abnormal prosody.

29 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In conclusion, intermittent BFR appears to be an excellent option for physical training because it did not differ significantly from continuous BFR in any variable and promoted a lower percentage change in DP and RPE.
Abstract: This study compared the acute effects of low-intensity resistance exercise (RE) sessions for the upper limb with continuous and intermittent blood flow restriction (BFR) and high-intensity RE with no BFR on lactate, heart rate, double product (DP; heart rate times systolic blood pressure), and perceived exertion (RPE). Ten recreationally trained men (1–5 years strength training; age mean = 19 ± 0.82 years) performed three experimental protocols in random order: (a) low-intensity RE at 20% one-repetition maximum (1RM) with intermittent BFR (LI + IBFR), (b) low-intensity RE at 20% 1RM with continuous BFR (LI + CBFR), and (c) high-intensity RE at 80% 1RM. The three RE protocols increased lactate and DP at the end of the session (p < .05) and increased heart rate at the end of each exercise (p < .05). However, greater local and general RPE was observed in the high-intensity protocol compared with LI + IBFR and LI + CBFR in the lat pull-down, triceps curl, and biceps curl exercises (p < .05). A greater percent...

27 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Winning points in high-level men's volleyball requires excellent receptions, a fast attack tempo and powerfully executed of attacks.
Abstract: This study examined 142 volleyball games of the Men's Super League 2014/2015 seasons in Brazil from which we analyzed 24-26 games of each participating team, identifying 5,267 Zone 4 attacks for further analysis. Within these Zone 4 attacks, we analyzed the association between the effect of the attack carried out and the separate effects of serve reception, tempo and type of attack. We found that the reception, tempo of attack, second tempo of attack, and power of diagonal attack were predictors of the attack effect in Zone 4. Moreover, placed attacks showed a tendency to not yield a score. In conclusion, winning points in high-level men's volleyball requires excellent receptions, a fast attack tempo and powerfully executed of attacks.

26 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is concluded that FMS are closely related to early numerical skill development through finger-based numerical counting that aids the acquisition of mathematical mental representations.
Abstract: Previous studies investigating the association between fine-motor skills (FMS) and mathematical skills have lacked specificity. In this study, we test whether an FMS link to numerical skills is due to the involvement of finger representations in early mathematics. We gave 81 pre-schoolers (mean age of 4 years, 9 months) a set of FMS measures and numerical tasks with and without a specific finger focus. Additionally, we used receptive vocabulary and chronological age as control measures. FMS linked more closely to finger-based than to nonfinger-based numerical skills even after accounting for the control variables. Moreover, the relationship between FMS and numerical skill was entirely mediated by finger-based numerical skills. We concluded that FMS are closely related to early numerical skill development through finger-based numerical counting that aids the acquisition of mathematical mental representations.

26 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is concluded that the MOBAK-3 effectively evaluates the basic motor competencies of 8- to 10-year-old students.
Abstract: Basic motor competencies are defined as motor performance dispositions that evolve from specific requirements in sports and exercise. After validating the MOBAK-1 instrument for first graders, we developed the MOBAK-3 for the assessment of basic motor competencies in third graders. We investigated the factorial and diagnostic validity of this instrument in a sample of 323 children (age: M = 9.2 years, SD = .39; sex: boys, n = 158, girls, n = 165). A confirmatory factor analysis verified the theoretical structure with the two factors Locomotion and Object Control. By means of latent class analysis, we identified five latent classes that were connected with external criteria. We concluded that the MOBAK-3 effectively evaluates the basic motor competencies of 8- to 10-year-old students.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results revealed a negative effect of sleep deprivation on the continuous kicking test, indicating a steeper learning curve in the sleep deprived condition from Test 1 to Test 2 and aSteeper learning Curve in the rested condition from test 2 to Test 3.
Abstract: Many athletes sleep poorly due to stress, travel, and competition anxiety. In the present study, we investigated the effects of sleep deprivation on soccer skills (juggling, dribbling, ball control, continuous kicking, 20 and 40 m sprint, and 30 m sprint with changes of direction). In all, 19 male junior soccer players (14–19 years old) were recruited and participated in a cross-balanced experimental study comprising two conditions; habitual sleep and 24 hours sleep deprivation. In both conditions, testing took place between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Order of tests was counterbalanced. Each test was conducted once or twice in a sequence repeated three times. The results revealed a negative effect of sleep deprivation on the continuous kicking test. On one test, 30 meter sprint with directional changes, a significant condition × test repetition interaction was found, indicating a steeper learning curve in the sleep deprived condition from Test 1 to Test 2 and a steeper learning curve in the rested condition from ...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is highlighted that positive experience alone and in interaction with length of participation in the program fostered perceived self-efficacy, which can be used as markers to evaluate the outcomes and impact of sport participation programs aimed at promoting positive youth development.
Abstract: The present study examined extracurricular sport participation variables and developmental context in relationship to perceived self-efficacy among underserved adolescents. Participants ( n = 821, 13.6 ± 1.5 years) completed the Youth Experience in Sport questionnaire and General Self-Efficacy Scale. We used the Human Development Index (HDI) to characterize developmental contexts. Multilevel regression models were used to explore the relative contributions of age, sex, years of participation in extracurricular sport, HDI, and perceived positive experience in sport. Our results highlight that positive experience alone and in interaction with length of participation in the program fostered perceived self-efficacy. Participants from higher HDI contexts remained longer in the program. An implication of our research is that variables linked to positive sport experiences and perceived self-efficacy can be used as markers to evaluate the outcomes and impact of sport participation programs aimed at promoting positive youth development.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Primary predictors for developmental group discrimination were maximum peak acceleration in the vertical and anteroposterior directions, respectively, and normalized preparation time, which represent significant steps toward improving the assessment of SLJ rate of development in childhood and supporting physical education.
Abstract: This study tested the feasibility of using an inertial measurement unit to discriminate different developmental levels of children performing the standing long jump (SLJ). Sixty-four children (54.6...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The strongest correlations were observed between both reaction time and movement time and the number of technical and tactical actions performed during the last round, which indicated quick reaction was a significant factor in determining the match outcome.
Abstract: The purpose of the study was to determine the changes in simple reaction time and to define correlations between simple reaction time and technical and tactical actions performed by elite Greco-Roman wrestlers during a match. Twenty Greco-Roman wrestlers (M age = 19.5 years, SD = 1.8) from the Wrestling Sports Centre in Radom participated in the study. Simple reaction time (including reaction time and movement time) before a match and after the first, the second, and the third round was analyzed. The wrestlers’ reaction time and movement time changed in the course of performance. Wrestlers with higher sports achievements demonstrated a smaller decrement in simple reaction time and performed more technical and tactical actions during a match. The strongest correlations were observed between both reaction time and movement time and the number of technical and tactical actions performed during the last round. Quick reaction was a significant factor in determining the match outcome, which is revealed at subma...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: There were no significant differences between groups for total fundamental movement skill, object-control skill or locomotor skill scores, indicating a need for program modification to facilitate greater skill improvements.
Abstract: This study examined the effectiveness of an active play intervention on fundamental movement skills among 3- to 5-year-old children from deprived communities. In a cluster randomized controlled trial design, six preschools received a resource pack and a 6-week local authority program involving staff training with help implementing 60-minute weekly sessions and postprogram support. Six comparison preschools received a resource pack only. Twelve skills were assessed at baseline, postintervention, and at a 6-month follow-up using the Children’s Activity and Movement in Preschool Study Motor Skills Protocol. One hundred and sixty-two children (Mean age = 4.64 ± 0.58 years; 53.1% boys) were included in the final analyses. There were no significant differences between groups for total fundamental movement skill, object-control skill or locomotor skill scores, indicating a need for program modification to facilitate greater skill improvements.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Both AB2 and AB3 of the MABC-2 test are able to discriminate between the three specific motor abilities; but due to questionable psychometric quality, the drawing trail and hopping tasks should be modified to improve the construct validity for both age versions of theMABC- 2.
Abstract: The Movement Assessment Battery for Children—2nd Edition (MABC-2) is a test of motor development, widely used in clinical and research settings. To address which motor abilities are actually captured by the motor tasks in the two age versions of the MABC-2, the AB2 for 7- 10-year-olds and the AB3 for 11- 16-year-olds, we examined AB2 and AB3 factorial validity. We conducted confirmatory factor analysis (SPSS AMOS 22.0) on data from the test’s standardization samples of children aged 7–10, n = 483, and 11–16, n = 674, in order to find the best fitting models. The covariance matrix of AB2 and AB3 fit a three-factor model that included tasks of manual dexterity, aiming and catching, and balance. However, factor analytic models fitting AB2 and AB3 did not involve the dynamic balance tasks of hopping with the better leg and hopping with the other leg; and the drawing trail showed very low factor validity. In sum, both AB2 and AB3 of the MABC-2 test are able to discriminate between the three specific motor abil...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The findings suggest that the Sargent jump test is reliable when executed by 4- and 5-year-olds, and the lack of a strong association with other measures of leg power should be taken into account at the time of selecting the most appropriate test to assess this strength dimension.
Abstract: We assessed the test–retest reliability of the Sargent jump (VJ) for vertical jumping performed by 4 and 5 years old pre-schoolers. The VJ was administered three times (familiarization, test, and r...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results showed that the quality of the young people’s support network and duration of program participation positively influenced sport participation, which, in turn, was associated with willingness to learn, and a strong association was observed between sport participation and developmental assets.
Abstract: Youth sporting activities have been explored as a way to impact positive personal transformation and development, glaringly demonstrated by world-wide investments in public policies, programs, and ...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Examination of multivariate associations among health-related fitness, physical activity, and motor skills assessed using the TGMD-3 revealed ball skills are related to health- related fitness in disadvantaged children from low-income families.
Abstract: Motor skills are needed for physical development and may be linked to health-related fitness and physical activity levels. No studies have examined the relationships among these constructs in large samples of disadvantaged children from low-income families using the Test for Gross Motor Development-3rd Edition (TGMD-3). The purpose of this study was to examine the multivariate associations among health-related fitness, physical activity, and motor skills assessed using the TGMD-3. Participants included 1460 school-aged children (730 boys, 730 girls; M age = 8.4 years, SD = 1.8 years) recruited from the K to sixth grades from three low-income schools. Health-related fitness was assessed using the FITNESSGRAM battery, physical activity was assessed using accelerometers and pedometers, and motor skills were assessed using the TGMD-3. Canonical correlations revealed statistically significant correlations between the Ball Skills and health-related fitness variates (Rc = 0.43, Rc2 = 17%, p < 0.001). Significant canonical coefficients in the Ball Skills variate included two-handed striking, dribbling, and catching, and significant canonical coefficients in the health-related fitness variate included body mass index and the progressive aerobic cardiovascular endurance run ( p < 0.01). Locomotor skills did not significantly correlate with health-related fitness or physical activity. Ball skills are related to health-related fitness in disadvantaged children from low-income families.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Findings suggest that task-involving motivational climates should be strengthened to increase experience of flow.
Abstract: We investigated the contribution of perceived motivational climates created by coach, peer, and parent on the dispositional flow experience of young athletes. Eighty-six female ( Mage = 14.24, SD = 1.38 years) and 134 male ( Mage = 16.28, SD = 1.17 years) athletes completed questionnaires of perceived motivational climates created by coach, peer, and parent and the Dispositional Flow Scale-2. Results of hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated that perceived task-involving coach (β = .40, p < .001) and peer (β = .28, p < .002) motivational climates were the only significant predictors of dispositional flow. These findings suggest that task-involving motivational climates should be strengthened to increase experience of flow.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Results showed gender differences only on forward–backward measurements for 14–16-year-olds, with females showing better stability and sensory and sensory scores than males, thus, gender interacted with age and maturation to influence balance ability in these participants.
Abstract: Although balance is a key ability in the strength demands of alpine ski racing, affecting both performance and injury prevention, few studies have examined balance or related sex differences among ...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Early motor skills were correlated with later pragmatic language skills, and autistic children exhibited fewer motor skills than neurotypical children, and motor skills was a better predictor of an autism spectrum diagnosis than were scores on a measure of current pragmatic language.
Abstract: Autistic individuals often struggle developmentally, even in areas that are not explicit diagnostic criteria, such as motor skills. This study explored the relation between early motor skills, assessed retrospectively, and current pragmatic language skills. Caregivers of neurotypical and autistic children, matched on gender and age, completed assessments of their child's early motor development and current language abilities. Early motor skills were correlated with later pragmatic language skills, and autistic children exhibited fewer motor skills than neurotypical children. In fact, motor skills were a better predictor of an autism spectrum diagnosis than were scores on a measure of current pragmatic language. These results highlight the important role of motor skills in autism spectrum disorders.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Study results revealed serious teacher misperceptions regarding their students’ psychomotor development, with low agreement rates between students and teachers in the motor dimension and slight agreement rates in communicative, cognitive, and social areas.
Abstract: This study analyzed the psychomotor profiles of preschool stage students and to determine how these data agreed with the students’ teachers’ subjective assessment We also correlated these data with other variables such as age, gender, and family influence A total of 211 children aged 3 to 6 years, in the second cycle of preschool from 30 classes of 10 schools in Spain participated Additionally, 30 preschool teachers from these classes participated Study results revealed serious teacher misperceptions regarding their students’ psychomotor development, with low agreement rates between students and teachers in the motor dimension and slight agreement rates in communicative, cognitive, and social areas The reasons for and implications of these misperceptions are discussed

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The agility-dynamic balance test is a promising tool for screening institutionalized older people for risk of frailty syndrome and, among FS groups, the frail subgroup performed significantly poorer on all PFF measures except body composition.
Abstract: Associations between frailty and physical-functional fitness (PFF) indicators in frail women over 65 years of age remain largely unexplored This study analyzed the relationship between frailty syn

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the effects of an official rugby match and a fatigue test on the salivary cortisol responses of 13 rugby players were compared, and the relationship between this cortisol response and fatigue was examined.
Abstract: This study compared the effects of an official rugby match and a fatigue test on the salivary cortisol responses of 13 rugby players. We also examined the relationship between this cortisol respons...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The random practice group experienced more accurate retention during the final putting trials, and they showed a more structured mental representation than those in blocked practice, one that was more similar to that of skilled golfers.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in mental representation from either random or blocked practice when engaged in golf putting. Thirty participants were randomly assigned to random practice, blocked practice, and no-practice groups. First, we measured novice golfers' initial mental representation levels and required them to perform 18 putting trials as a pre-test. We then asked random and blocked groups to practice in accordance with their group assignment for six consecutive days (10 blocks each day, 18 trials each). A week after the last practice session, we re-measured all participants' final mental representation levels and required them to perform 18 putting trials to evaluate learning retention through practice. While those engaged in the random practice method putted more poorly during acquisition (i.e., practice) than those in blocked practice, the random practice group experienced more accurate retention during the final putting trials, and they showed a more structured mental representation than those in blocked practice, one that was more similar to that of skilled golfers. These results support the acquisition of a rich mental representation through random versus blocked practice.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A significant RAE in anthropometry and physical fitness was evident in a general sample of school children, and there were RAE gender differences among adolescents.
Abstract: The present study investigated characteristics of the relative age effect (RAE) among a general sample of Japanese elementary and junior high school students. Japan applies a unique annual age-grouping by birthdates between April 1 and March 31 of the following year for sport and education. Anthropometric and physical fitness data were obtained from 3,610 Japanese students, including height, weight, the 50-m sprint, standing long jump, grip strength, bent-leg sit-ups, sit and reach, side steps, 20-m shuttle run, and ball throw. We examined RAE-related differences in these data using a one-way analysis of variance by comparing students with birthdates in the first (April-September) versus second (October-March of the following year) semesters. We observed a significant RAE for boys aged 7 to 15 years on both anthropometric and fitness data, but a significant RAE for girls was only evident for physical fitness tests among elementary school and not junior high school students. Thus, a significant RAE in anthropometry and physical fitness was evident in a general sample of school children, and there were RAE gender differences among adolescents.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A measurement scale to assess English-as-a-foreign-language learners’ self-regulatory capacity in English language learning and the effects of gender are examined, suggesting that the scale can attain high reliability and strong validity in two different samplings.
Abstract: Self-regulated learning has been a widely researched subject for decades in educational psychology. Different instruments have been developed to understand learners' self-regulated learning in a specific subject domain. This study developed a measurement scale to assess English-as-a-foreign-language learners' self-regulatory capacity in English language learning and further examined the effects of gender on English-as-a-foreign-language learners' self-regulatory capacity. A series of psychometric analyses including exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and full structural equation modeling were undertaken to answer the research questions raised. The findings suggest that the scale can attain high reliability and strong validity in two different samplings, and the underlying construct of self-regulation in English language learning is shown to be multidimensional with a significant impact by gender. Theoretical and pedagogical implications are further put forward in light of the research findings.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results are discussed in the context of the parents’ routines and the relevance of their perceptions of the children’s abilities as a further influence on the children's development and engagement in physical activities.
Abstract: Parents’ perceptions of children’s motor competence are important because they influence the way parents interact with their children to promote motor skills development. Thirty-six mothers of 16- ...