1,721,091 research outputs found
Physical activities and special education. A case-study with autism spectrum disorders students
Full text linkSince Convention of ‘Sport in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities’ (2007) elaborated a ‘multi-faceted’ framework for implementation, sports and physical activities - in the school context - has been used to promote social equality and self participation of students with disabilities (European Council, Erasmus+ 2014/2020). Among traditional school practices, sports and physical activities are often connected to leisure and expressivity activities, providing only the body-material component. However, the Italian latest curriculum reforms (2007 and 2012) have highlighted the social competences related to sports and physical activities, although about the support function of physical activity to learning processes, especially in case of disabilities, there is much more to discover. The paper presents the design-research, methodology and early results of an exploratory case-study, accomplished at the University of Bari. According to neuro-didactics studies and using the heuristic tool of active and bodily mediation, aimed: a) to investigate the mediation function of physical activities included within the interventions programs for student with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) supporting the related learning processes; b) more specifically, to test the efficiency of ‘iconic visualizers’ (Kozhevnikov et al., 2005) - as videomodeling and flashcards - supporting the didactical communication and the understanding of motor activities performance. © The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology
Transformative physical education and lifestyles in cancer patients: effective motor learning and promotion of new life-styles
No full textKarate as anti-bullying strategy by improvement resilience and self-efficacy in school-age youth
Full text linkBullying is characterized by power imbalances in relationships, which can lead to negative social
consequences. Youth with higher levels of resilience and self-efficacy are less likely to engage in aggressive
behaviours or be victims of bullying. Karate, a martial art emphasizing respect, self-regulation and health
promotion, may be an effective alternative to the anti-bullying failing approach of institutions. Therefore, the
purpose of this randomized controlled study was to examine the effect of a 12-week karate-based intervention on
resilience and self-efficacy. 100 students from 3 high schools, aged 14-16 years, were randomly assigned to
experimental group (n=50) that performed technical Shotokan karate practice and psychoeducational activities
(90 min., once per week), or wait-list control group (n=50). Before and after intervention, two standardised
psychometric instruments were used: CYRM-28 assessed individual capacities and resources, relationship with
primary caregiver, contextual factors and total resilience; SEQ-C measured academic, social, emotional and total
self-efficacy. Two participants from karate group withdrew during intervention. A significant ‘Time x Group’
interaction was detected for all dependent measures (p<0.05) with moderate to large effect size. Significant
increases from baseline were found for all scores on the resilience and self-efficacy scales (p <0.05). The results
suggest that psychosocial intervention based on Karate may improve the resilience and self-efficacy of youth and
make them less likely to engage in aggressive behaviour or be bullied. Thus, Karate should be considered an
effective alternative to the anti-bullying failing approach of the institutions
Is Karate Training Effective in Improving Social Skills and Executive Functions in Children with Autism?
No full textIs Karate Training Effective in Improving Social Skills and Executive Functions in Children with Autism?
Stefania Cataldi, Gianpiero Greco, Valerio Bonavolontà, Francesco Fischetti University of Study of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, ITALY.
Limited research exists exploring recreational activities (e.g. sport) as an integrative approach to therapy to bring benefits in social skills and executive functions. PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of 12-week traditional Shotokan Karate training on social-emotional skills and executive functioning of children (8-11 years) with diagnosed autism spectrum disorder.
METHODS: Twenty-eight children were matched into pairs based on age, gender, and autism severity, and randomly allocated into an intervention (n = 14) or waitlist control group (n = 14). The intervention group performed Kata techniques training two times per week (45 min). The intervention included typically-developing children that helped facilitate the social skills, and activities targeted to train specific domains of executive functions, namely behavioral inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility. At baseline and after 12 weeks, parents assessed social skills and executive functioning respectively through the Social Skills Improvement System Rating Scale and Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function.
RESULTS: Findings suggest that intervention group showed significantly greater socio-emotional skills (Δ 8.9 ± 3.1, p < 0.001, d = 2.85) and lesser behavioral problems (Δ -8.0 ± 3.1, p < 0.001, d = 2.64) than the control group, and decreased the behavioral (Δ -3.6 ± 2.7, p < 0.001, d = 1.36), emotion (Δ -3.5 ± 2.1, p < 0.001, d = 1.63) and cognitive (Δ -2.3 ± 1.5, p < 0.001, d = 1.54) regulation indexes, and the Global Executive Functioning Composite (Δ -3.2 ± 3.3, p = 0.003, d = 0.97). CONCLUSION: After 12 weeks, children with ASD showed a greater socio- emotional competence such as communication, cooperation and engagement, a better executive functioning ability such as cognitive flexibility, inhibitory control and working memory and a lower aggressiveness, sadness, anxiety and hyperactivity. Since ASD is a broad economic and societal problem that affects individual, family, and community levels.
475 Board #291 May 27 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Goal Orientation And Beliefs About Success In Age Group Swimmers
Nathan Rhea, Courtney Jensen, J. Mark VanNess. University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA.
(No relevant relationships reported)
Determining a swimmer’s goal orientation and what they believe makes them successful can help coaches create better workouts and outcome measures in young athletes. PURPOSE: Goal orientation (task vs ego) and success beliefs (effort, deception, ability and external factors) were examined in age group swimmers to determine if achievement theory differed by age. METHODS: Eighty (N=80), 11-18 year old USA Swimming club members, completed the Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire (TEOSQ) and the Beliefs About the Causes of Sport Success Questionnaire (BACSSQ). Parent consent and child assent was obtained. Regression and multivariate analyses were used to examine differences between age groups. RESULTS: Athletes with Ego orientation had significant positive relationships
with ability and deception as beliefs about the causes of sport success (Wilks’ Λ = 0.010, F(6, 69) = 1,195, p<0.001 and p<0.05 for age categories, subsequent post hoc tests reached p<0.05 for significance). Those with Task orientation had a positive relationship with higher effort and negative relationship with deception as a belief about the cause of sport success. Age comparisons showed 13-14 and 15-18 year
old age groups had significantly higher ego orientation than the 11-12 age group, the 15-18 age group having a significantly lower task orientation than both the 11-12 and 13-14 age groups. The 13-14 age group attributed deception to success in swimming significantly more than the 11-12 age group. CONCLUSION: Older swimmers develop a higher ego orientation and lower task orientation due to more visible differences in ability and an increased focus on performance.
476 Board #292 May 27 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Ironic Process Theory In Softball Pitching: How Knowing Information About An Opponent’s Strengths Affects Performance
Ronald Otterstetter, FACSM1, Mackenzie Conrad1, Mallory Kobak2, Brian Miller1, Judith Juvancic-Heltzel1. 1The University of Akron, Akron, OH. 2Hiram College, Hiram, OH.
(No relevant relationships reported)
INTRODUCTION: As athletic competition and college athletics continue to grow
and flourish, there is an increased emphasis on game preparation. Collegiate softball pitchers are expected to handle an immense amount of pressure, perform with precision, and incur few errors. PURPOSE: Examine the Ironic Process Theory
related to fast pitch softball pitching and to determine how knowing information about an opponent’s strengths affects experienced pitcher’s performance under pressure. METHODS: Experienced college softball pitchers (n = 12) were recruited as subjects. Each pitcher was randomly instructed through two 30 pitch phases (a high and low pressure phase) with two different conditions: black target only condition (BOTC)
or black and red target condition (BRTC). Subjects were asked to aim and hit the
black target and avoid the red target. The black target represented the weakness of the opponent and the red target represented the strength of the opponent. Performance pressure was measured before each phase using the Mental Readiness Form (MRF-
3) (Krane, 1994). RESULTS: Pre-MRF-3 reached statistical significance across the between-subjects factor of pressure, [t(22) = 3.102, p = 0.005] with a mean difference of 4.75 (95% C.I. 1.57 to 7.92) indicating that the pressure situation induced an increase in perceived anxiety and stress. ANCOVA did not reach statistical significance on the main effects of black targets hit nor the interactions terms for black targets hit by MRF-3 and black targets hit by Pressure. This finding asserts that there was no difference in performance between BRTC and BOTC across pressure after adjusting for perceived anxiety. There was no statistically significant difference of red target
hit between the high pressure and low pressure situations, d = 0.25 (95% C.I. -0.463
to 0.963), t(22) = 0.723, p = 0.963. DISCUSSION: Practically speaking, the pitchers
in this study did perform more effectively in the high pressure situation. Although different from previous Ironic Theory research, it is important to note this increased ability for pitchers to hit a desired target while under pressure. Even if not statistically significant, this can help pitchers and coaches understand the link between pressure and performance more effectively, and add training components to improve in stress situations
Gender differences in body immagine dissatisfaction: The role of physical education and sport
No full textEffects of 12-week extracurricular multilateral training on body image perception among youth
No full text
Editorial: Postural control, exercise physiology and the balance training—type of exercises, mechanisms and insights, volume II
Full text linkBalance is a fundamental motor skill critical for human life. It is crucial for maintaining
proper posture, overall well-being, and performing complex movements, especially in
sports (Jaworski et al., 2023; Patti et al., 2023). Assessing the motor abilities of children is
crucial for determining their developmental advancement in relation to their age. Early
identification of any motor deficits facilitates timely intervention with customised
programs, ensuring children acquire vital motor skills for future growth (Gallahue and
Ozmun, 1998). However, it is important to acknowledge that performance, especially in
children, can be influenced not only by physical and developmental factors but also by
environmental variables such as stress or anxiety (Bonavolontà et al., 2021). Karadeniz et al.
conducted a study including 842 primary school students, and presented their findings in
this context. The present study aimed to examine the fundamental motor abilities of boys
and girls aged 5–14 (Karadeniz et al., 2023). The authors noted a significant correlation
between age and balancing ability, as evidenced by the increase in total KTK scores with age.
The study results indicated that girls scored higher than boys. Furthermore, analyses of BMI
data revealed lower balance performance among obese children, emphasising the
importance of balance assessment in obese children (Karadeniz et al., 2023). The
specific sports performed may affect the postural system and the development of the
individual (Amato et al., 2023). Pekel et al. and Arslen et al. have reported interesting results
(Pekel et al., 2023; Arslan et al.). Pekel et al. investigated the effects of a 6-week karate and
basic movement training program on the balance children with congenital vision
impairment, aged 10–14. Pekel et al. investigated the effects of a 6-week karate and
basic movement training program on the balance of children with congenital vision
impairment, aged 10–14
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