Walid Briki *, Ruud J. R. Den Hartigh */**, Denis Hauw */*** and Christophe Gernigon *
(*) Southern France Montpellier University, France
(**) University of Groningen, The Netherlands
(***) University of Lausanne, Department of Social and Political Sciences, Institute of Sport Sciences, Lausanne, Switzerland
While studies on triggers and outcomes of Psychological Momentum (PM) exist, little is known about the dynamics by which PM emerges and develops over time. Based on video-assisted recalls of PM experiences in table tennis and swimming competitions, this study qualitatively explored the triggering processes, contents, and the development of PM over time. PM was found to be triggered by mechanisms of dissonance, consonance, or fear of not winning. During the PM experience, participants reported a variety of perceptions, affects and emotions, cognitions, and behaviors. PM was found to develop through processes of amplification that sometimes ended with a reduction of efforts when the victory or defeat was perceived as being inevitable. These findings are discussed in light of theories on self-regulation and reactance-helplessness. From a practical standpoint, achievement goal-based strategies are suggested, since mastery-approach goals were found to be endorsed to maintain positive PM and overcome negative PM.
Keywords: Coasting, Dissonance, Helplessness, Performance, Qualitative method, Reactance
Xiangli Gu *, Melinda A. Solmon ** and Tao Zhang *
(*) University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, U. S. A.
(**) Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U. S. A.
Guided by the expectancy-value model, the purposes of this study were to examine the predictive strength of expectancy-related beliefs and task values toward middle school students’ physical activity and their cardiovascular fitness, and to examine gender differences among these variables. Participants were 182 students enrolled in a suburban public school. Expectancy-related beliefs predicted physical activity and cardiovascular fitness, but task values did not. Boys were more likely to be physically active and performed better on the cardiovascular fitness test than girls, but expectancy-related beliefs and task values did not differ. The findings suggest that fostering expectancy-related beliefs can promote physical activity and fitness levels.
Keywords: Cardiovascular fitness, Engagement, Motivation, Physical activity
Cheryl Sihui Tay *, Jia Yi Chow *, Michael Koh ** and Chris Button ***
(*) Sport Science and Management, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
(**) School of Sports, Health and Leisure, Republic Polytechnic, Singapore
(***) School of Physical Education, University of Otago, New Zealand
Previous research has shown that skilled football goalkeepers effectively utilised individualised visual search patterns to gather anticipatory cues from a penalty taker. Deceptive cues employed by a penalty taker induced lower save rates. However, it is unclear if goalkeeper visual search (percentage viewing time of areas of interest) differed between deceptive and non-deceptive conditions. This study investigated the effectiveness of using fake visual cues by the penalty taker, and corresponding visual search behaviours. Nine skilled goalkeepers simulated saves of 15 deceptive and 15 non-deceptive 2000ms clips by moving their hands left or right. Deception involved kicker’s gaze direction and approach angle. Deceptive trials had a lower percentage save rate. When two deceptive cues were combined, performance was further impaired. Available data for four participants showed individualised visual search patterns. In conclusion, using deceptive cues by a penalty taker is effective and individualised visual search behaviour was present.
Keywords: Deceptive cues, Football, Penalty kick
Isabel B. Tallir *, Renaat Philippaerts **, Martin Valcke ***, Eliane Musch * and Matthieu Lenoir *
(*) Department of Movement and Sports Sciences
(**) Ghent University, Belgium
(***) Department of Educational Studies
This study investigates the differential learning opportunities in 5 on 5 versus 3 on 3 basketball game play. Video-analysis of the game performance of thirty basketball players (10-11 years) resulted in significantly higher scores on all game performance components (GPC’s: cognitive decision making component (DM), motor skill execution efficiency (MSEfficiency) and motor skill execution efficacy (MSEfficacy) component), indicating more learning opportunities during 3 on 3 game play. The actual game performance level, showed only significantly higher scores for the percentage of positive decisions for cutting actions in the 5 on 5 condition. Future research is needed to indicate to what extent learning results are easier or faster attained when using small sided games, based on the nonlinear pedagogy framework, and second which is the optimal game play situation to assess game performance, and this for players of a different game performance level or for different stages.
Keywords: Game Performance, Motor skill acquisition, Small-sided games, Task constraints
Vassilis Barkoukis *, Stefanos Perkos **, Sotiris Kokkinopoulos * and Christos Rossios *
(*) Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
(**) University of Thessaly, Greece
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the four achievement goals proposed by the 2 × 2 achievement goal approach on the formation of competitive trait anxiety and the moderating role of superstitious beliefs. Two hundred and twenty one elite male basketball players (M = 23.71, SD = 6.78) participated in this study. The players of the sample completed a battery of scales measuring achievement goals, competitive trait anxiety and superstitious beliefs. Linear regression analyses indicated that all achievement goals participated in the prediction of worry and concentration disruption, and mastery-avoidance and performance-approach significantly predicted somatic anxiety. Superstitious beliefs moderated the effect of performance (approach and avoidance) goals on the cognitive element of competitive trait anxiety (worry and concentration disruption). The findings support the application of the 2 × 2 approach in sport settings and provide valuable information on the role superstitious beliefs may play during sport involvement.
Keywords: Achievement goals, Basketball, Elite sports, Superstitious beliefs, Trait anxiety