The purpose of this study was to examine performance characteristics of physically awkward children during the recovery portion of the sprinting stride, and compare them to those of non-awkward children. The dependent variables (length of functional phases, and length and method of power flow at the hip and knee joints) were calculated using the digitized coordinates of selected body landmarks from a high-speed camera film. Statistical analysis was used to interpret the dependent variables, as well as compare them across ability levels. / The results revealed no significant differences between ability levels in the dependent variables examined. The findings from this study allow for physically awkward children to be characterized as having abilities for success during the recovery of the sprinting stride. Identifying abilities represents an approach that focusses on a positive view into physical awkwardness, a view which has traditionally been negative. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

No description available.

The purpose of this study was to determine how predicting ability in a ball catching task changes with age, and, to explore the predicting abilities of children with the developmental coordination disorder (DCD). / There were 157 children between the ages of 5 and 12 participating in the first portion of the study. Of these children, 46 were 5 to 7 years of age and served as controls, in the second portion of the study, for 40 5 to 7-year old children with DCD. / Predicting ability was tested by having the children watch a video of a boy throwing a ball to three locations around them. Each location was seen at four different viewing times for a total of 60 trials. / Results for both ANOVAs revealed that as more visual information became available, predictions were more accurate. It was also evident that at the early viewing times younger children did not predict ball flight as well as older groups. Similarly, children with DCD predicted more poorly at most viewing times compared to their non-DCD peers. / Similar results were found for gender in the analysis comparing DCD and non-DCD children. At the early time periods males predict more effectively than females. / Thus the data point to the instances where experience is a crucial factor in predicting ball flight.

No description available.

Soccer experts (N = 18), novices (N = 16), and children who are physically awkward (N = 18), were studied for differences in self-regulatory forethought and self-reflection processes during a soccer kicking task. The participants (age range 12--14 years) were questioned regarding goals, strategy choice, and self-efficacy, as well as self-reflection attributions and feelings of self-satisfaction as they practiced the task. Among the significant results, children who are physically awkward possessed less soccer kicking knowledge and displayed lower self-efficacy after success than experts and novices. They also set less specific goals, selected less rhythm/timing strategies following failure, and attributed less to rhythm/timing and practice following success than experts. In comparison to novices, children who are physically awkward showed no differences in goals and strategy prior to the task but in terms of strategy after failure and attributions after success they had less "I don't know" strategy answers and practice attributions. There was no significant difference among the three groups in self-satisfaction.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Psychology, 1992. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 208-219).

No description available.

The purpose of this study was to explore perceived physical competence and participation in physical activity of children with physical awkwardness. Children with physical awkwardness are those without known neuromuscular problems but who have difficulty in learning and performing motor skills. Participants were 135 children, 31 with physical awkwardness and 104 without any motor deficiency. The age ranged from 5 to 11 years. It was hypothesized that children with physical awkwardness would have lower levels of perceived physical competence and would participate less in physical activity than their nonawkward peers. Finally, a positive relationship between motor performance and perceived physical competence was expected. / There were no significant differences found in perceived physical competence between the two groups. However, nonawkward children participated significantly more in community sports and were significantly more active during free play than children with physical awkwardness. The results also indicated that the relationship between motor performance and perceived physical competence was very low in both groups. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

No description available.

Thesis (MAppSc in Physiotherapy) -- University of South Australia, 1994