Gareth Paterson */**, John Van Der Kamp **/***, Elizabeth Bressan * and Geert Savelsbergh **/****
(*) Centre for Human Performance Science, Faculty of Science, Stellenbosch University, South-Africa
(**) Research Institute MOVE, Faculty of Human Movement Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands
(***) Institute of Human Performance, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
(****) Research Institute for Biomedical Research into Human Movement and Health, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK
The aim of the current study was to examine the effect of perception-action coupling on perceptual decision-making in a self-paced far-aiming task. To this end, 10 skilled soccer players were required to make decisions regarding ball placement (i.e., target selection) for free-kicks on goal. In a counterbalanced procedure, participants viewed 9 defensive setups varying in goalkeeper and wall position in two differing conditions. In the in-situ condition, players viewed the setups on a full size field and made target selection decisions with the intention of performing the freekick movement (i.e. coupled perception-action) at a full size goal. In the lab-based condition, participants viewed the setups on a computer screen in a laboratory and made target selection decisions without the intention to perform the free-kick (i.e. uncoupled perception-action). Results showed that the participants decision-making profiles differered across the two conditions. The variation in the decision-making profiles of participants across conditions highlights that perception-action coupling is an important factor to consider when studying decision-making in self-paced, far-aiming tasks. It is argued that this is most likely due to perceptual decisions being grounded in action, that is, intrinsically constrained by the action capabilities of the perceiver. The implications with respect to experimental design are discussed as well as future research directions.
Keywords: Far aiming, Free-kick, Representative design, Perception-action, Decision-making
Annemiek D. Barsingerhorn, Frank T.j.m. Zaal, Harjo J. De Poel and Gert-Jan Pepping
Center for Human Movement Sciences, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
To extend research on decision-making in sport we addressed the choices volleyball- players are faced with in a simple volleyball pass-return task. We manipulated the distance that eight experienced volleyball players had to cover for successful ball passing, and mapped their passing technique (i.e., overhead or underhand) and ball return accuracy in a choice condition. Passing accuracy was then compared with conditions in which reception technique was imposed by instruction. When players were free to choose their technique the landing zone of the ball influenced the choice of technique: When a ball landed further away, the adoption of underhand technique increased, especially for balls that landed in front of the participants. Furthermore, in all conditions the accuracy of the pass decreased with increasing distance to be covered. These results are discussed vis-à-vis the idea that player behavior is shaped by affordances (i.e., possibilities for action). It is argued that to understand decision-making in dynamic sport situations we need to understand how players deal with competing affordances.
Keywords: Affordance competition hypothesis, Ball sports, Embodied cognition, Field experiment, Perception-Action, Volleyball service
Alberto Abarca-Sos *, Julien E. Bois **, Javier Zaragoza *, Eduardo Generelo *** and José A. Julian *
(*) Faculty of Social Sciences and Education. University of Zaragoza, Spain
(**) Laboratoire d’Analyse de la Performance Sportive. University of Pau and Pays de l’Adour. Tarbes, France
(***) Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport. University of Zaragoza., Huesca, Spain
Understanding the social and environmental factors that influence physical activity (PA) is important in the development of effective interventions to increase adolescents’ PA behaviour. The aims of this study were to test if adolescents’ PA was related to (a) their own perceived competence and values, (b) some behaviours of their mother, father, friends, and PE teachers, and (c) the type of environment (urban, suburban or rural) they live in. Participants in the study were1,272 adolescents (Mean age = 13.5, SD = .7).Results indicated that perceived competence and values positively predicted PA at the personal level. At the social level, the influence of fathers and friends positively affected perceived competence and values, whereas the effect of the physical education teachers was negative and no effect of mothers was found. No effect at the environmental level was found.
Keywords: Adolescence, Influences on physical activity, Perceived competence, Significant Others, values
José Antonio Navia *, John Van Der Kamp **/*** and Luis Miguel Ruiz *
(*) Faculty of Sport Science, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain
(**) Move Research Institute Amsterdam, Faculty of Human Movement Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands
(***) Institute of Human Performance, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
This study investigated the contribution of situation information about a player’s preference to kick to either side of the goal on the goalkeeper’s performance in a soccer penalty kick. Nine goalkeepers were tested under different situational information conditions: a non-probability, an equal-probability (i.e., 50% of the kicks to either side of the goal), and two high-probability conditions (i.e., 80% to the right or left side). In the high-probability conditions, the goalkeepers’ performance tended to increase and significantly improved in terms of diving to the same side as the ball was directed. In addition, goalkeepers initiated their dive earlier in the high-probability conditions. Gaze analysis in four participants suggested that goalkeepers who relied more strongly on body information profited less from situational information. In conclusion, soccer goalkeepers can benefit from situational information about a penalty taker’s preferences, but these benefits may depend on the individual goalkeeper’s information-using profile.
Keywords: Gaze, Interceptive actions, Perceptual anticipation, Situational probabilities, Timing
David Revalds Lubans *, Chris Mundey *, Nicole Jane Lubans ** and Chris Lonsdale ***
(*) Priority Research Centre in Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Education, University of Newcastle, Australia
(**) School of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle, Australia
(***) School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Sydney, Penrith, Australia
The aim of this study was to identify mediators of physical activity (PA) behavior change in a resistance training and lifestyle activity intervention for sedentary older adults. Participants (N = 44) were randomized to an intervention based on Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) or a control group. PA and SCT constructs (i.e., intention, barriers self-efficacy, task self-efficacy, outcome expectations, social support and behavioral strategies) were assessed using validated questionnaires. The intervention had a significant effect on PA (difference of 70 minutes of PA/week, p = 0.02). Changes in task self-efficacy represented 10% of the intervention effect, but none of the SCT variables were significant mediators of PA. This trial provided evidence for the utility of the intervention to improve fitness and physical activity, yet behavior change was not explained by the theoretical constructs measured. These results emphasize the need for theory development and integration that extend beyond traditional social cognitive models.
Keywords: Mediation, Self-efficacy, Social Cognitive Theory, Strength training; Weight training