The purpose of the study was to develop, implement and evaluate a skill assessment instrument to evaluate expertise in defensive football. The Skill Assessment Scale: Defensive Backs (SAS:DB) was based on a knowledge-based approach to sport expertise which emphasized the integration of five types of knowledge about action: procedural, declarative, affective, metacognitive knowledge and metacognitive skills. After field testing, the revised SAS:DB was sent to coaches at; high school, college, university and professional levels of play for use with their players. / The reliability, face validity and content validity of the SAS:DB scale were found to be very acceptable. Players at each playing level were categorized by their coaches into high, medium and low skill groups. Analysis of variance procedures demonstrated the ability of the scale to differentiate among these three skill levels and multiple discriminant function analysis identified the importance of the different knowledge-based categories at each level.

No description available.

The purpose of this study was to establish the reliability and validity of the Power Master isokinetic ergometer in measuring skating power for 34 hockey players (14 professional, 11 recreational, and 9 female university players). Comparisons between two on-ice tests and four laboratory tests of skating speed and power, and prediction of sprint skating speed were also examined for 19 hockey players (10 recreational and 9 female university players). The Power Master displayed internal consistency reliability, construct validity, and criterion related validity. Significant correlations occurred between the on-ice tests and the laboratory test (r =.55 to r =.95), and the Power Master was a significant variable in predicting sprint skating speed. It was concluded that the Power Master is a reliable and valid machine for the measurement of skating power in hockey players.

This study was conducted to assess the validity and reliability of four self-designed, objective tests of cricket batting, bowling, fielding and general ability skills. The batting test requires the batsman to hit a suspended ball at a target area as many times as possible in 60 seconds. His score is doubled to give his score for the batting test. In the bowling test the bowler is required to bowl ten balls at target areas marked on the pitch. Each delivery is recorded to give him a score out of 100. The fielding test requires the fielder to catch and field seven balls in a predetermined sequence. Each fielded ball that is not thrown through the target area incurs a penalty of three seconds. The total time taken is used to obtain the fielding test score out of 100. In the general ability test the player is required to hit a ball up and down twenty-five times. He then has to run along a predetermined path and field three balls and then bowl three balls at a target. A penalty of three seconds is added onto the time taken for each ball that does not pass through the target area. The actual score, out of 100, is determined from the total time taken. To determine the validity of the objective tests of batting, bowling, fielding and general ability, 155 subjects were subjectively assessed in these four categories by experienced coaches. The four objective tests were then conducted on these subjects and the scores compared. Forty-four subjects were assessed by experienced and inexperienced testers to determine the reliability of the tests when administered by different testers. To determine the reliability of the tests when repeatedly administered by one tester 23 subjects were assessed on five consecutive days. Significant correlations (p < 0,05) were found for the tests of validity between subjective and objective assessment (0,43 to 0,81) and the test for objectivity between experienced and inexperienced testers (0,41 to 0,78). A significant improvement (p < 0,05) in scores occurred during repeated testing, but most of this improvement took place between the first two tests. The results indicate that the tests are valid and reliable tests of cricket batting, bowling, fielding and general ability, if sufficient pre-test practice is allowed.

No description available.

Lean body weight and aerobic and anaerobic factors have long been recognized as important determinants of performance in the 2000 met:E!r (M) 1 ace distance for rowing. Current research with noninvasive techniques has important implications for training and performance but is inconclusive. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between a 2000 M rowing ergometer performance test (PT) and lean body weight (LBW), velocity at heart rate deflection (Vd), and anaerobic capacity (AC) in experienced rowers. Vd was used as an estimate of aerobic function. Thirteen trained male rowers (mean age 38.5 ± 8 years) were studied. Hydrostatic weighing at residual lung volume was used to estimate LBW. Each subject performed five exercise tests on a Concept II rowing ergometer: one 2000 M PT, two sub maximal step wise progressive tests to determine Vd (s/500 M), and two maximal 40-s anaerobic tests to determine AC. Intraclass correlation coefficients for the test/retest trials of Vd and AC were R = 0.740 and R = 0.863, respectively. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was used to explain variance in PT. The order of entry of each independent variable (and associated multiple R2 at each step) in the analysis was (1) Vd, 0.589; (2) LBW, 0.709; (3) AC, 0.720. The regression equation was PT (s) = 375.66 + 1.093 (Vd) - 0.820 (LBW) - 0.0007 (AC); S.E.E. = 10.01. It was concluded that performance in a 2000 M rowing ergometer PT is primarily dependent on aerobic metabolism and available lean body weight with anaerobic factors contributing to a lesser degree. These results have implications for specific training and team selection.

The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of mental practice on the shooting accuracy performance of male water polo players at three skill levels. Thirty-six right handed athletes from the Quebec League, assigned by experienced coaches to novice, intermediate and elite groups according to their overall water polo playing ability, served as subjects. They were tested on shooting accuracy by the average score of ten shots in the beginning of the study, after a two-week mental practice treatment, and after a one-week break with no treatment. / A 3 way ANOVA with repeated measures on the last factor was conducted on the shooting accuracy scores. Those who received the mental practice program had significantly higher post-treatment scores than their control group counterparts who had received a relaxation training program during the treatment period. As noted above, the experimental group improved significantly from Pre to Post1 test-time, and there was no change in performance between the two Post-tests. There was no significant difference in shooting performance between Intermediate and Elite skill groups but both of them scored significantly better than the Novice group.

M.Tech. / Purpose: To determine the effect of Chiropractic spinal adjustive therapy (SAT) of the lumbar spine and Sacroiliac joints on performance utilising indicators such as vertical jump height and T-test time of moderate to highly active sport participants. It has been suggested that a dysfunctional vertebral subluxation complex can cause a decrease in performance. The decreased performance may be due to dysfunctional biomechanics and altered neurological functioning of the lumbar spine and Sacroiliac joints. Methods: A randomised study design with thirty asymptomatic male subjects, which were moderate to highly active as indicated by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), participated in this study. Participants were divided into two equal groups, group A (n=15) received Chiropractic SAT of the lumbar spine and Sacroiliac joints, group B (n=15) were rested for five minutes. The study design consisted of six consultations, with intervention being applied at each consultation between objective measurements. Objective data was obtained by the vertical jump test and T-test which determined participant’s explosive power and agility respectively. Objective data was obtained before and after intervention on each of the six consultations. The immediate effect of intervention was represented by the before versus the after measurements of consultations. The short term effect was represented by comparing the before values of consultation one (baseline) to consultation six. Results: The objective results showed that there was a short term and immediate improvement in vertical jump height and T-test time of both groups. With vertical jump height group A showed an immediate mean improvement of 3.845 cm (7%) and a short term mean improvement of 0.74 cm (1%); group B showed an immediate mean improvement of 1.6 cm (3%) and a short term mean improvement of 1.47 cm (3%). With the T-test time group A showed an immediate mean improvement of 0.433 s (4%) and a short term mean improvement v of 0.673 (6%); group B showed a immediate mean improvement of 0.1745 s (2%) and a short term mean improvement of 0.6 s (5%). Conclusion: Although results obtained were not statistically significant (p>0.05), it demonstrated from a clinical perspective that interventions caused an improvement in jump height and T-test time in both groups. Group A showed a greater improvement in every aspect, except in the short term effect of Chiropractic SAT on vertical jump height. It is therefore postulated that improvements noted were as a result of the adjustment providing an enhanced biomechanical and neurological advantage, and therefore in performance indicators such as the vertical jump test and T-test in the participants.

The improvement of physical performance has long been a problem of great importance to athletes, coaches, and physical educators. Many different methods and techniques of coaching, conditioning, and motivation have been utilized in an effort to push the participant to his top or ultimate performance. There is much conjecture as to whether this optimum or top level of performance can be raised by artificial stimulation after peak condition has been reached and the skills involved in the performance have been mastered. According to Boke, stimulants are widely used today by athletes in all types of competition. He groups the substances used into four classes: (a Food preparations, including the sugars, vitamins, phosphates, and salts; (b) Oxygen; (c) Artificial sunshine; and (d) Pharmaceutical substances, including the ‘dopes’ which influence the nervous system, heart, and circulation.

No description available.