Dissertations / Theses: 'Sporrts skills'

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Campbell, Heather, and n/a. "Cross-age tutoring : an effective leadership alternative for sports skills." University of Canberra. Sports Studies, 1999. http://erl.canberra.edu.au./public/adt-AUC20060623.161717.

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The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of cross-age tutoring upon leadership style and self-esteem for the tutors, and children's attitudes toward physical activity and motivation to participate in sport for primary school children. Although the process of peer tutoring and/or cross-age tutoring is not a new concept, this form of transmission of information and skill within the educational sporting environment in Australia, and particularly in the A.C.T, is relatively new, and is an area which has received very little empirical attention. Comparisons between the three cross-age tutoring programs were made in terms of primary school students' attitudes toward physical activity and motivation to participate in sport, as well as leadership style and self-esteem for the tutors. Four hundred and eighty-eight primary school students (7 to 12 years of age) were administered an adaptation of Gill, Gross, & Huddleston's (1982) Participation Motivation Questionnaire; and Schutz, Smoll, & Wood's (1985) Children's Attitudes Towards Physical Activity Inventory, both before the program and again at the end of the program. Further, one hundred and twenty-six secondary students (from Years 9 & 10) were administered an adaptation of Coopersmith's (1967) Self-Esteem Inventory; and a modified version of Chelladurai's (1980) Leadership Scale for Sports. A modified questionnaire from Clough & Traill's (1992) Sportsfun program evaluation was designed and implemented to measure attitudes about participating in sporting activities, as well as to obtain ideas about changes or benefits for each group from their viewpoint. This evaluation sheet was given to the tutors and tutees following the completion of the program Statistical analyses revealed that involvement in cross-age tutoring programs in the field of sport and physical education did not provide significant results in the areas of self-esteem or leadership style for the tutors, or in the areas of attitudes towards physical activity or participation motivation for the tutees. In other words, these results indicated that the act of participation in a cross-age tutoring program in sport and physical activity did not enhance and develop these attributes for either the tutors or the tutees. Conversely, though, the results did not reveal significant outcomes to indicate that participation in a cross-age tutoring program would lower or negatively affect the existing levels of self-esteem, leadership behaviour, attitudes towards physical activity or motivation to participate in sporting activities for the tutors or tutees. However, from the qualitative data obtained during the interview questionnaire following participation in the cross-age tutoring programs, it could be concluded that cross-age tutoring programs in the area of sport and physical education have merit because they seem to serve different needs for the different groups of people involved in them, including the tutors, tutees, teachers and participating schools. By providing cross-age tutoring programs in sport, children and tutors have the opportunity to develop sports skills and enhance leadership/coaching abilities which are consistent with the participant's individual personalities and aspirations.

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Allen, Georgia. "From the sports hall into the classroom : learning life skills through sport." Thesis, Brunel University, 2013. http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/8512.

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This study draws upon a wide range of research to examine underachievement in UK schools. With underachievement continuing to be present within the UK’s educational system, it is essential that a remedy is found. The notion that physical activity is linked to an increase in academic performance is not a new concept; however researchers are still trying to determine the scope of such a claim. There is a widespread belief that sport can be used as a vehicle to promote positive youth development. In particular, using sport to teach adolescents various life skills has become popular over the previous decade. However, little research has looked at the transfer of life skills into other academic and life domains. Therefore the overarching purpose of this study was to determine if an after-school, sports based life skills programme had any impact on male underachievement within the UK education system. The Transfer-Ability Programme (TAP) was a multi-faceted intervention, which sought to teach twenty underachieving, male students life skills through sport. The results have been presented in three phases with Phase 1 determining the impact of TAP on academic performance in Science, Phase 2 examined the perceptions of the twelve-thirteen year old participants on whether they transferred life skills from the sports hall into the classroom during TAP, and Phase 3 explored the enablers and barriers that facilitated or prevented life transfer. Statistical results indicate that the intervention groups’ academic grades significantly improved during the intervention to a level above teaching prediction. This suggests that teaching life skills through sport may reduce male underachievement. T-tests show that the participants in the intervention group perceived their learning of life skills to significantly increase pre-post TAP. Interview data also supports the notion that the intervention group participants perceived to have learnt the life skills and then transferred them into other academic domains. Phase 3 highlighted five themes that enable or prevent life skill transfer; Support from peers, Pride, Opportunities, Rewards and Transfer experience. These themes are collectively referred to as the SPORT model. The results show that young adolescent males can learn and transfer life skills if deliberately taught to do so. Finally, the findings are discussed with reference to how teachers and physical educators may teach life skills within their lessons, and how life skill transfer may be supported.

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Wheaton, Kerry-Ann. "A psychological skills inventory for sport." Thesis, Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 1998. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/16461.

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Thesis (M Sport Sc)-- Stellenbosch University, 1998.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT:The purpose of this study was to develop a practical, reliable psychological skills inventory to assess the psychological skills of athletes. This primarily involved identifying the relevant psychological skills that affect sport performance. A variety of developmental procedures were applied in the construction of this inventory, including the consultation of sport psychology literature, identification of articles which characterise successful athletes, analysis of research articles pertaining to the psychological Skills, and review of available psychological tests. The initial inventory consisted of 82 items which evaluated six psychological skills: achievement motivation, goal setting, anxiety control, maintaining confidence, concentration and mental rehearsal. The inventory was completed by 304 students from the Department of Human Movement Science at the University of Stellenbosch. The respondents' data were divided into two groups depending on their achievement in sport. The results indicated that the inventory was able to differentiate between successful and less successful athletes on the psychological skills measured. Other aspects were statistically analysed, namely language, age, and gender differences, correlation between individual item and achievement level, and the contri,bution of each item to its psychological skill. The final inventory consists of 60 items, with ten items from each of the six psychological skills. Information obtained from the inventory can identify the strengths, weaknesses and deficiencies in the psychological skills of athletes, so that a psychological skills training programme can be developed.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING:Die doel van hierdie studie was om 'n praktiese, betroubare sielkundige inventaris te ontwerp om die sielkundige vaardighede van sportlui vas te stel. Dit het hoofsaaklik bestaan uit die identifisering van relevante sielkundige vaardighede wat sportprestasie beinvloed. 'n Verskeidenheid van prosedures was toegepas in die konstruksie van die inventaris, insluitend konsultasie van sportsielkundeliteratuur, identifesering van artikels wat suksesvolle sportlui beskryf, ontleding van narvorsingsartikels met betrekking tot sielkundige vaardighede en 'n oorsigstudie van relevante sielkundige toetse. Die aanvanklike inventaris het bestaan uit 82 items, wat ses sielkundige vaardighede getoets het, naamlik prestasiemotivering, doelwitstelling, aktiveringsbeheer, handhawing van selfvertroue, konsentrasie en verstandelike oefening. Die inventaris is deur 304 studente van die Departement Menslike Bewegingskunde aan die Universiteit van Stellenbosch voltooi. Die respondente se data is in twee groepe, afhangende van hul prestasie in sport, verdeel. Die resultate het aangedui dat die inventaris tussen suksesvolle en minder suksesvolle atlete onderskei met betrekking tot die sielkundige vaardighede wat gemeet is. Ander aspekte is statisties ontleed, naamlik taal, ouderdom, geslag, korrelasie tussen afsonderlike items en prestasievlak, asook die bydrae van elke item tot sy sielkundige vaardigheid. Die finale inventaris behels 60 items, met tien items van elk van die sielkundige vaardighede. Inligting wat van die inventaris verkry word, kan die sterkpunte en tekortominge van atlete bepaal, wat as basis vir die ontwikkeling van 'n sielkundige program kan dien.

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Asamoah, Benjamin. "The role of mental toughness, psychological skills and team cohesion in soccer performance." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/85729.

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Thesis (MScSportSc)-- Stellenbosch University, 2013.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: There is a relative lack of information in sport psychology research literature about the role of psychological dimensions in team sport – especially in soccer (Reilly et al., 2000). It is consequently not surprising that research on applied strategies in soccer has concentrated mainly on technical, tactical and physiological aspects. This defies anecdotal evidence and literature reports alluding to the importance of psychological and team factors in achieving sport excellence. This study examined the role of mental toughness, psychological skills and team cohesion in soccer performance. It also considered differences between individuals from different playing positions regarding these modalities. A total of 263 male soccer players aged between 17 and 32 years from 16 South African tertiary institutions participated in the study. A cross-sectional study design was used to determine the players’ mental toughness, psychological skills and team cohesion by means of the Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ); the Athletic Coping Skills Inventory-28 (ACSI-28); and the Group Environmental Questionnaire (GEQ). The final log standings at the 2012 University Sport South Africa (USSA) Soccer Championship were used as an indication of team performance. The results yielded differences between successful and less successful teams with regard to age, previous tournament experience, and the time players had been part of their respective teams. There were no significant differences between the teams for any of the mental toughness and psychological skills scores. However, group cohesion did play a role in team performance. The more successful teams scored better than their less successful counterparts in the following subscales of the GEQ: Individual attraction to group-social and individual attraction to group-task. However, the less successful teams scored better than their more successful counterparts regarding group integration-task, and group integration-social. Practical significant differences of moderate magnitude were observed for five of the 96 player positional comparisons. Midfielders scored higher than the defenders and forwards on the control subscale of the SMTQ. The forwards recorded higher scores than midfielders with regard to the GEQ subscale of group integration-task, whereas goalkeepers yielded higher scores than midfielders on the group integration-task subscale. There was a difference between the scores on the constancy subscale of the SMTQ where the defenders outscored the midfielders. No positional differences were recorded for any of the psychological skills. The overall results revealed that at the developmental level of the study sample, team cohesion and other moderating variables might be the key to enhanced performance of soccer teams. In addition, the results supported the general assumption that a relationship exists between playing positions in team sports and various psychological variables.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Daar is ’n relatiewe gebrek aan navorsingsliteratuur in sportsielkunde oor die rol van sielkundige dimensies in spansoorte – veral in sokker (Reilly et al., 2000). Dit is gevolglik logies dat navorsing oor toegepaste strategieë in sokker hoofsaaklik fokus op tegniese, taktiese en fisiologiese aspekte. Dit druis in teen anekdotiese getuienis en opvattings wat dui op die belangrikheid van sielkundige en spanfaktore in die bereiking van sportuitnemendheid. Hierdie studie ondersoek die rol van geestelike taaiheid, sielkundige vaardighede en spankohesie in sokkerprestasie. Dit bestudeer ook die verskille tussen individue van verskillende speelposisies met betrekking tot hierdie modaliteite. ’n Totaal van 263 manlike sokkerspelers tussen die ouderdom van 17 en 32 jaar, van 16 Suid-Afrikaanse tersiêre inrigtings, het aan hierdie ondersoek deelgeneem. ’n Dwarsdeursnitstudie-ontwerp is gebruik om spelers se geestelike taaiheid, sielkundige vaardighede en spankohesie te bepaal deur middel van die Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ); die Athletic Coping Skills Inventory-28 (ACSI-28); en die Group Environmental Questionnaire (GEQ). Die finale posisies van spanne op die punteleer na afloop van die 2012 Universiteit Sport Suid-Afrika (USSA) sokkertoernooi is gebruik as aanduiding van hul prestasie. Die resultate het verskille opgelewer tussen suksesvolle-en minder-suksesvolle spanne met betrekking tot ouderdom, vorige toernooi-ervaring, en die tydperk wat spelers lede van hul onderskeie spanne was. Daar was geen beduidende tellingverskille tussen spanne rakende enige van die geestelike taaiheid en sielkundige vaardighede nie. Groepkohesie het egter ’n rol in spanprestasie gespeel. Die meer-suksesvolle spanne het beter gevaar as die minder-suksesvolle spanne in die volgende subskale van die GEQ: Individuele aantreklikheid van die groep-sosiaal; Individuele aantreklikheid van die groep-taak. Die minder-suksevolle spanne het egter beter gevaar as die meer-suksesvolle spanne met betrekking tot: Groepintegrasie-taak, en Groepintegrasie-sosiaal. Prakties beduidende verskille is waargeneem vir vyf van die 96 speelposisie-vergelykings. Middelveldspelers het hoër tellings behaal as verdedigers en voorspelers op die beheer-subskaal van die SMTQ. Voorspelers het beter tellings aangeteken as middelveldspelers op die GEQ subskaal groepintegrasie-taak; terwyl doelwagters hoër tellings as middelveldspelers op die subskaal groepintegrasie-taak aangeteken het. Daar was ’n verskil in die konstantheid-subskaal van die SMTQ waar verdedigers beter as middelveldspelers gevaar het. Daar was geen beduidende verskille tussen speelposisies rakend enige van die sielkundige vaardighede nie. Die oorkoepelende bevindinge dui daarop dat op die ontwikkelingsvlak van die studiesteekproef, spankohesie, en ander prestasiedimensies moontlik die sleutel bevat vir verhoogde prestasie-uitkomste van sokkerspanne. Verder ondersteun die resultate die algemene aanname dat daar ’n verband bestaan tussen speelposisies in spansportsoorte en verskeie sielkundige veranderlikes.

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Shambrook, Christopher J. "Adherence to mental skills training for sports performance." Thesis, University of Brighton, 1995. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.284045.

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Alexander, Melissa Grace Fraser. "Social skills and sports (S³) program : developing the social skills of young adult Special Olympics athletes." Diss., Connect to online resource - MSU authorized users, 2008. http://www.oregonpdf.org/index.cfm.

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Edwards, David John. "Sport psychological skills training and psychological well-being in youth athletes." Pretoria : [s.n.], 2007. http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-08112008-122715.

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Holland, Mark Joseph Greer. "The role and development of life skills in young sports participants." Thesis, University of Birmingham, 2012. http://etheses.bham.ac.uk//id/eprint/3449/.

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Under the umbrella of positive youth development, life skills represent an important area of research for young people. The personal competencies a young person possesses determine his or her capacity to effectively navigate the turbulence of adolescence and grow into adulthood. An increased understanding of the role, function, and enhancement of life skills therefore serves a great purpose in the design and evaluation of youth development programs. This thesis aimed to extend the current knowledge and practices through targeting the gaps in the life skills literature. First, using a qualitative design, the specific needs of young elite athletes were investigated while outlining a proposed methodology for future needs analyses. The importance of developing life skills in young athletes was emphasised as it was found that young athletes required a range of both sport specific and life skills. Second, an investigation into the function of life skills found that reported possession of key life skills partially mediates the relationship between youth experiences and well-being, illustrating this role for the first time. However, within youth samples there was a broad range in the degree to which these skills are applied and transferred, reinforcing the call for deliberate developmental programming. The lack of adequate measures in life skills research was addressed through the validation of BRSQ with young sports participants. Support for the utility of this measure allows for the greater investigation into the mechanisms through which life skills function. Finally, a life skills program was designed following the recommendations of the predominant youth development frameworks and comprehensively evaluated. This thesis progresses existing literature regarding the role and function of life skills as well as providing insight into how to best promote and evaluate the teaching of life skills in applied research programs.

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Alamo, Jesuel. "A Phenomenological Study: Coping Skills of Gay Men in Amateur Sports." ScholarWorks, 2017. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/3740.

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The world of sports has traditionally been known for promoting masculine behaviors, including a resistance to homosexuality. Research supports that gay men in sports have historically encountered prejudice and discrimination. Although the social climate has experienced change regarding homophobic discrimination and prejudice, research shows that challenges still exist for gay men who participate in sports; furthermore, to date, research could not be located that addresses the coping skills of gay men in amateur sports. This research addressed the lack of qualitative studies on the experiences of gay men who participate in amateur sports and on their use of coping skills. The purpose of the study was to describe the lived experiences of 8 gay men in amateur sports and to identify the coping skills, whether adaptive or maladaptive, used in sports environments. This study examined current literature on the consequences of prejudice and discrimination against gay men in sports environments. The conceptual framework for this study was based on the minority stress theory. The methodology was a phenomenological inquiry to gain an understanding of the lived experiences of this population. The 3 themes that emerged from the data were situation modification coping, emotion-focused coping, and minority stress. Understanding the experiences of gay men in amateur sports contributes to positive social change by identifying adaptive coping strategies, resulting in positive outcomes such as decreased stress and anxiety. Moreover, the lived experiences provided by this study's participants can provide direction for additional research to improve the experiences of gay men in sports.

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Kabush, Danelle. "Focusing skills in a risk-endurance sport." Thesis, University of Ottawa (Canada), 2001. http://hdl.handle.net/10393/9146.

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Studies have shown the importance of focusing skills at the elite level. For example, Orlick and Partington (1988) found that attentional focus was one of the two most important skills related to high level performance at the Olympic games. However there has been minimal research investigating how athletes themselves perceive focus. Furthermore, the question of how athletes develop focus and what kinds of focusing skills they use in order to eliminate distractions, to keep concentrated on the immediate task, and to get properly aroused for the task at hand has not been fully answered in the literature. The research objectives of this study on focusing skills among elite athletes in a risk-endurance sport (cross-country mountain bike racing) were fivefold. The first objective was to advance our knowledge on how elite athletes perceive and define focus in relation to their sport. The second and third objectives were to assess what focusing skills the athletes used before and during competition, as well as what kinds of focusing skills the athletes used in training. The fourth objective was to shed light on how the athletes developed and improved their focusing skills. The final objective was to discover other concepts that may have interacted with focus. The present study provides a clearer understanding of how elite athletes perceive focus and the different dimensions it entails. The findings also present a clearer picture of how focus is developed over the course of an athlete's career. There were both commonalities among the athletes and a uniqueness in the way each athlete perceived and developed focusing skills. These findings may enable coaches and sport psychologists to prevent or work more effectively with potential problems and issues that can hinder a great focus in the sport of mountain biking.

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Barton, Gavin Bruce. "Career success and life skill development through sports." Thesis, Boston University, 2011. https://hdl.handle.net/2144/31637.

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Thesis (Ed.D.)--Boston University
PLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you.
This study was designed to explore whether sport participation contributes to life skill development and if so how these skills aid professional success. The research questions were: 1) Which life skills were perceived by successful individuals to have contributed to career success? 2) What did they understand were the sources for these life skills? 3) What was the learning mechanism for these life skills? 4) How are life skills understood to have developed through sport, applied in professional work? This research offers empirical evidence that life skills perceived to have been learned through sport are strong contributors to professional success. The study employed case study methods and content analysis of data derived from fifteen in-depth semi-structured retrospective interviews with males having extensive but non-elite sport experience. Findings confirmed the development of life skills identified through prior research but also added constructs, particularly a special form of resilience, realistic optimism. Participants mentioned multiple learning sources for life skills, including education and family. However, sport experiences predominated. Handling pressure and resilience were learned primarily from sport; teamwork and confidence were learned solely from sport. The codes for learning mechanisms applied to this study were derived from social and experiential learning theories. The majority of learning instances were experiential, highlighting the importance of learning directly from experience and subsequent reflection. Life skills realistic optimism, confidence, and perseverance were learned primarily through experience; handling pressure and resilience were learned only through experience. This research adds to the literature by demonstrating within the experience of single individuals, evidence of direct transfer of skills from sport to work, and by identifying specific life skills perceived to aid career success. Findings provide practical insights for athletes, coaches, parents and educators and also suggest a number of topics for future research, including potential differences between men and women or competitors in individual versus team sports.
2031-01-01

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Jasevičiūtė, Simona. "Sportuojančių ir nesportuojančių mokinių socialinių įgūdžių ypatumai: lyginamoji analizė." Master's thesis, Lithuanian Academic Libraries Network (LABT), 2012. http://vddb.laba.lt/obj/LT-eLABa-0001:E.02~2012~D_20120803_122119-54173.

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Sportas užima vis reikšmingesnę vietą visuomenės gyvenime. Dauguma sporto tyrinėtojųlinkę pripažinti ugdomąją sporto funkciją kaip humanistinių vertybių perdavimo priemonę, o sportinę veiklą – kaip socialinį reiškinį, galintį paveikti žmonių elgesį.Šiuolaikiniame sporte neskiriama pakankamai dėmesio harmoningo sportininko asmenybės sklaidai. Todėl ypatingai aktualūs tampa sportininkų socialinių įgūdžių tyrimai, kurie pagrįstų daugelio mokslininkų tyrimus, kad sportas yra priemonė ugdyti ne tik fizines, bet ir psichologines, socialines asmenybės savybes.
Sport takes big part in social pubic life and becoming more important. The majority of the researches agrees that the upbringing sports function are the measure of humanistic values where sport activities are defined as social phenomena which influences an individual’s ski.

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Jones, Martin I. "Positive youth development through sport : teaching life skills." Thesis, Loughborough University, 2007. https://dspace.lboro.ac.uk/2134/8030.

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This thesis aimed to develop an intervention to improve the life skills of British adolescent competitive sport participants, who are in full time education. Study one investigated the life skills needs of adolescent competitive sport participants and provided a participant-centred definition of life skills. The problem exists that it is unclear which life skills are needed by adolescent competitive sport participants and which life skills should be included in life skills programmes. As such, existing programmes may not reflect the needs of adolescents. The aim of this study was to examine the life skills needs of competitive adolescent sports participants from the perspective of youth sport participants, coaches, and experts in sport psychology and youth sport. Eighteen adolescent sports participants, fourteen coaches, and four experts in sport psychology and youth sport participated in a series of focus group interviews. An inductive analysis revealed how participants defined life skills and which life skills adolescent sports participants need. Life skills were defined as ranges of transferable skills needed for everyday life by everybody, that help people thrive above and beyond the normal requirements of everyday existence. Participants described the need for interpersonal skills including social skills, respect, leadership, family interactions, and communication. Personal skills including organisation, discipline, self-reliance, goal setting, managing performance outcomes, motivation, and identity were also reported. Participants described communication skills and organisation as the most important life skills for British adolescent competitive sport participants to acquire. Study two presents an in-depth, idiographic study illustrating how life skills were learnt through the experience of sport. The aim of the current study was to investigate how life skills could be learnt and improved through experiences in sport. (Continues...).

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Harwood, Chris Grant. "Pre-competition achievement goals within young sports performers." Thesis, Loughborough University, 1997. https://dspace.lboro.ac.uk/2134/6778.

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This thesis attempted to develop a clearer understanding of the pre-competition achievement goal perspectives that are held by young performers. The programme of research moves through three transitional stages incorporating three different methodologies. Specifically, the first two investigations which comprised Study 1 adopted a quantitative research methodology; Study 2 incorporated qualitative techniques; and the final investigation addressed the research question on an idiographic basis via a single subject design study. Firstly, an attempt is made to identify the major antecedents or precursors to states of goal involvement prior to a specific competitive situation. The first study examined the antecedents of pre-competition state goals within adolescent swimmers from an interactionist perspective. Results showed how levels of task and ego involvement prior to a specific race were related to both dispositional tendencies and situational factors within the race context. However, task orientation appeared to play a more powerful role than ego orientation in predicting their respective goal states. Furthermore, ego involvement was more strongly predicted by situational factors. The second investigation extended this question by investigating a sample of elite junior tennis players prior to a competitive match at the National Championships. In this way, the nature of the competitive context, with respect to goal or reward structure, changed from being more task-involving (individualistic-focused) to being more ego-involving (competitive-focused). Results showed how the players' goal states were related much more to perceptions of the context than to their reported goal orientation. Furthermore, task orientation did not emerge as a significant predictor of goal involvement. With these results in mind, the second stage of the thesis involved investigating, to a much greater depth, the motivational criteria which appeared to contribute to the development of goal orientation and the activation of goal involvement in the context of competition. For this purpose, qualitative interview techniques and an inductive content analysis were applied to a sample of seventeen elite junior tennis players. The findings suggested that the development of goal orientation and activation of pre-competition goal involvement rested on a complex interaction of internal and environmental factors. Specific general dimensions of influence included cognitive-developmental skills and experience, the motivational climate conveyed by significant others, the social and structural nature of tennis, and the match context. The information gathered from this study provided the impetus, rationale and theoretical foundation for the final study in this thesis. Employing a single subject multiple baseline across subjects design, the study investigated the effects of a structured environmental and task-based intervention programme which sought to influence precompetition goal involvement and related competitive cognitions within a small sample of adolescent national standard tennis players. Following a three month intervention period, the three targeted players reported pre-competition goal states which showed increased activation of the self-referent conception of achievement. Furthermore, each player fostered an attitude which valued the challenge of winning matches for internal reasons, as opposed to reasons associated with favourable social approval. These findings reinforced the practicability of educationlaction-based interventions designed to develop more adaptive motivational responses to competitive situations. The programme of research conducted in this thesis, therefore, highlights how precompetition achievement goal perspectives within young performers may be influenced, provided that one has a detailed understanding of the antecedents of this process. In so doing, this thesis alerts future research to the importance of working within an interactionist paradigm and with a measurement technology which can accurately assess goal states in a diverse number of sporting situations. In this way, our understanding of goal involvement, as an important achievement-related attentional state, may be greatly facilitated.

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Dowdell, Trevor John, and N/A. "Measuring Sports Class Learning Climates - the Development of the Sports Class Environment Scale." Griffith University. School of Education and Professional Studies, 2007. http://www4.gu.edu.au:8080/adt-root/public/adt-QGU20071217.121601.

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Teaching (in this study, coaching) is a key determinant in learning any sports skill. The coach-athlete relationship is one of the most important influences on athlete's motivation and performance (Mageau & Vallerand, 2003). One of the key leadership roles the coach has in this relationship is the creation and maintenance of the sports class learning climate. The joint influence of the athlete's motivation and the environmental press (class learning climate) can determine the cognitive, affective, and performance patterns regularly displayed by athletes (Ntoumanis & Biddle, 1999). A sports class' learning climate is a set of internal characteristics that has an important role in shaping an athlete's motivational and behavioural pattern (Ames, 1992) and is a key characteristic of class effectiveness. In sports classes, motivational climate is a sub-set of the overall learning climate and is created primarily by the sport class coach. Motivational climate can be described as the participants' relatively persistent collective perceptions of the achievement goal structure of that setting. Recent studies of motivational climate in sport have provided insight into coaching behaviour and its effect on sports class motivational climate (Ntoumanis & Biddle, 1999). In spite of the potential value of class learning climate research to the field of sports class behavioural studies, no research has consolidated the fields of classroom learning climate research and sports class motivational climate studies. This study provides a model for the investigation of gymnastics sports class learning climates that involves a consolidation of the dimensions and items of the Perceived Motivational Climate in Sport Questionnaire-2 (Newton, Duda, & Yin, 2000) and the Classroom Environment Scale (Moos & Trickett, 1987). The development and validation of a new, unique learning climate scale - the Sports Class Environment Scale (SCES) - constitutes the focus of this research. The process of developing this consolidated instrument began with the production of an initial scale, and was followed by a review by a panel of experts in coaching and independent university researchers in sport and physical education. The SCES draft was then pilot tested with a small group (n = 41) of competitive gymnasts to prompt some changes to the scale. Initial field-testing of the SCES occurred with 28 male and 180 female competitive gymnasts from 6 metropolitan and 4 regional competitive gymnastics clubs in Queensland, Australia. Exploratory factor analysis provided a revised SCES with five subscales labeled Task Involvement and Improvement, Ego Involvement and Mistakes, Coach-Athlete Communication, Effort, Order and Organization, and Affiliation. Using the revised SCES subscales as dependent variables, multivariate analyses of variance were conducted to compare club type, gender, and competitive level. In this study, the low training hours and the high training hours gymnastics classes were different in their perceptions of the Ego Involvement of their class climate. Male and female gymnasts were different in their perceptions of Ego Involvement, Affiliation, and Effort, Order and Organization aspects of their class climates. This study demonstrates the potential utility of creating class learning climates high in both Task Involvement and Ego Involvement for competitive gymnastics clubs. This study breaks new ground, and may lead to novel insights into sports class learning climates. Because class learning climate is easier to manipulate than individual achievement goal dispositions (Whitehead, Andree, & Lee, 1997) and because perceptions of learning climate account for variance in learning outcomes beyond that attributable to student ability (Fraser, 1994, 1998, 2002), class learning climate is an important variable that should be better understood, described, developed, and manipulated. Effective measurement of sports class learning climates using the SCES may lead to a greater understanding of effective sports classes, and of coach and athlete behaviours in those classes, and provides a first step in monitoring sports class learning climates.

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Tai, Sharayah. "Evaluating Behavioral Skills Training to Teach Safer Tackling Skills to Youth Football Players." Scholar Commons, 2016. http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/6410.

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Concussion rates and head injuries for football players have been on the rise and there is a need for further research in football to increase skills and decrease injuries. Behavioral skills training has been proven to be effective in teaching a wide variety of skills but has yet to be studied in the sports setting. We evaluated behavioral skills training to teach safer tackling techniques among six participants from a local Pop Warner football team. Results show safer tackling techniques increased substantially during practice and generalized to games among all six participants.

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Shaw, Keiba L. "The relationship of motivation and psychological skills of senior game participants to performance." Morgantown, W. Va. : [West Virginia University Libraries], 2001. http://etd.wvu.edu/templates/showETD.cfm?recnum=1943.

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Thesis (Ed. D.)--West Virginia University, 2001.
Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains iv, 102 p. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 44-49).

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Douglas, Cameron (Cameron David). "Luck and skill in professional League of Legends (E-sports)." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/119960.

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Thesis: S.B., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, 2018.
Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 35-36).
As professional gaming (e-sports) develops a greater global infrastructure, it will be critical to create league systems in which skill and luck balance to create competitive, exciting, and fair environments. This study uses the most developed e-sport leagues, found in the game League of Legends (LoL), to examine early efforts at crafting such environments. The use of "winning persistence" and Bayesian statistical analyses reveal that best-of-one matches in LoL demonstrate an overall luck-skill ratio similar to professional baseball (MLB) and football (NFL). Best-of-three matches exhibit an understandably higher ratio of skill, similar to professional basketball (NBA). With both match lengths exhibiting viable but significantly different luck-skill ratios, LoL creator, Riot Games has the tools to control how much luck and skill exist in their matches and leagues, setting an important precedent for future leagues and organizations.
by Cameron Douglas.
S.B.

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Stevenson, David M. "Decision making skill and complex problem solving in team sports." Thesis, University of Stirling, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/1893/20389.

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This thesis aimed to enhance understanding of the nature of knowledge bases possessed by elite sports performers which underpin perceptual-cognitive and decision making skills. Two main theories were considered; Active Control of Thought (ACT*) and Representational Redescription (RR). The purpose of Study 1 was to examine the anticipatory ability of elite and non-elite players in football and hockey. The results indicated that elite players in both sports were quicker and more accurate in their expectation of pass destination. Study 2 aimed to understand the extent to which knowledge is transferable. The results indicated that elite players’ knowledge is relatively domain specific although some elements of underlying task strategy may transfer. The objective of Study 3 was to explore the means by which elite and non-elite players in football and hockey identify and differentiate between possible decisions. Results showed elite players’ rationale was based on deeper theoretical principles whilst non-experts utilised relatively superficial information and naïve theories. Study 4 focussed on problem representations of elite and non-elite football players. Results revealed elite players’ representations were more pertinent, connected and articulated in a more effective manner. Overall, the findings from the current thesis provide advanced understanding of the knowledge bases responsible for perceptual-cognitive and decision making skill, and such understanding may assist attempts to enhance athletes’ performance and support future research.

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Carnebratt, Jakob, and Simon Sevholt. "Mindfulness korrelationer med påverkansmekanismer, idrottspsykologiska färdigheter och prestation hos idrottare." Thesis, Högskolan i Halmstad, Akademin för hälsa och välfärd, 2015. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hh:diva-27930.

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Syftet med föreliggande studie var att empiriskt undersöka en teoretisk modell för korrelationer mellan dispositionell mindfulness, påverkansmekanismer och idrottspsykologiska färdigheter (Birrer, Röthlin & Morgan, 2012). Modellen testas genom att (1) undersöka korrelationer mellan dispositionell mindfulness och påverkansmekanismer (Emotionsreglering, Klarsynthet och Ältande). (2) Undersöka korrelationer mellan påverkansmekanismer och idrottspsykologiska färdigheter (Motoriska färdigheter, Anspänningsreglering, Motivation och Copingförmåga). (3) Dessutom undersöktes även korrelationer mellan idrottspsykologiska färdigheter och självskattad idrottsprestation (Tävlings- respektive träningsprestation). I studien deltog 242 elitidrottare från idrottsföreningar i sydvästra Sverige. Den aktuella studien stöder Birrer med kollegors (2012) modell då resultatet (1) visade signifikanta korrelationer mellan dispositionell mindfulness och samtliga tre påverkansmekanismer. (2) Vidare visade resultatet i aktuell studie att Emotionsreglering är relaterat till bättre Copingförmåga, Inre motivation och Anspänningsreglering. Resultatet visade att bättre Klarsynthet om sitt inre känsloliv är relaterat till bättre Copingförmåga, Inre motivation och Anspänningsreglering. Resultatet visade även att mindre Ältande är relaterat till bättre Copingförmåga och Anspänningsreglering. (3) Bättre Copingförmåga och högre grad av Yttre motivation visades vara relaterat till högre självskattad tävlingsprestation. Till sist visade resultatet att bättre Copingförmåga och högre grad av Inre motivation är relaterat till högre självskattad träningsprestation. Resultatet diskuterades i relation till forskning och teoretiska referensramar.
The purpose of present study was to empirically examine a theoretical model for correlations between dispositional mindfulness, impact mechanisms and sport psychological skills (Birrer, Röthlin & Morgan, 2012). The model is tested by (1) to examine the correlations between dispositional mindfulness and impact mechanisms (Self-regulation, Clarity and Rumination). (2) To examine correlations between impact mechanisms and sport psychological skills (Motor Control Skills, Arousal Regulation Skill, Motivation and Coping Skills). (3) In addition was also correlations between skills and self-rated sport performance (competitive and training performance) examined. The study involved 242 competitive athletes from sports clubs in southwestern Sweden. The current study supports Birrer with colleagues' (2012) model when the results (1) showed significant correlations between dispositional mindfulness and all three impact mechanisms. (2) Furthermore, the results showed that Self-Regulation is related to better Coping Skills, Intrinsic Motivation and Arousal Regulation Skill. The results showed that better Clarity about its inner emotional life is related to better Coping Skills, Intrinsic Motivation and Arousal Regulation Skill. The results also showed that less Rumination is related to better Coping Skills and Arousal Regulation Skill. (3) Better Coping Skills and higher levels of External Motivation appeared to be related to higher self-rated competitive performance. Finally, the results showed that better Coping Skills and higher levels of Intrinsic Motivation are related to higher self-rated exercise performance. The results were discussed in relation to research and theoretical frameworks.

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Poland, Rachael J. "The Influence of a Mental Skills Training Program on Competitive Anxiety." Defiance College / OhioLINK, 2007. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=def1281634550.

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Tomaz, Simone Annabella. "Physical activity and gross motor skills in rural South African preschool children." Doctoral thesis, University of Cape Town, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/29464.

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Background: Global levels of overweight and obesity in preschool-aged children have increased dramatically in the last two decades, with most overweight and obese children younger than five years living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Statistics from the 2013 South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (SANHANES-1) confirm that levels of overweight and obesity are high in South African preschool-aged children, with prevalence rates of overweight and obesity up to 18.2% and 4.7%, respectively. This increasing problem of overweight and obesity in South African preschoolaged children highlights the need for intervening in this age group. Overweight and obesity interventions in preschool children typically include one or more of the following behaviours: physical activity, sedentary behaviour and screen time. Aim and objectives: The aim of this study was to characterise the preschool environment in rural South Africa, and to explore physical activity, gross motor skill proficiency, sedentary behaviour and screen time in rural South African preschool-aged children. Additionally, aims of this study were to explore the associations between gross motor skills, body composition and physical activity; and to assess compliance with current physical activity and sedentary behaviour guidelines. Methods: Preschool-aged children (3-5 years old, n=131) were recruited from three Preschools and two Grade R (reception year) settings in Agincourt, a rural village in north eastern South Africa. In order to gain an understanding of the Preschool and Grade R settings, an observation of the preschool environments was conducted using a tool adapted from the Outdoor Play Environmental Categories scoring tool, Environmental and Policy Assessment and Observation instrument, and the Early Learning Environments for Physical Activity and Nutrition Environments Telephone Survey. Each child’s height and weight was measured. Physical activity and sedentary behaviour were measured objectively using a hip-worn ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometer for 7 days (24 hours, only removed for water-based activities). Gross motor skills were assessed using the Test for Gross Motor Development–Version 2 (TGMD-2). Physical activity and sedentary behaviour, including the contextual information for these behaviours, during the preschool day (08h00 until ±12h00) were measured using the Observational System for Recording Physical Activity in Children (Preschool Version). A separate sample of parents/caregivers were recruited (n=143) to complete a questionnaire that was adapted from the Healthy Active Preschool Years questionnaire and Preschool Physical Activity Questionnaire. Parents reported on their child’s screen time, and on factors within the home and community contexts in which physical activity and sedentary behaviours occur. Results: In terms of the environment, the Preschools and Grade R settings differed in that fixed play equipment only featured in the Preschool settings. Grade R settings had more open space in which to play. All Preschool and Grade R settings provided children with limited portable play equipment, and none of the schools had access to screens. Although all children recruited for the study were preschool-aged, the Grade R children were significantly older than the Preschool children (5.6±0.3years vs. 4.4±0.4 years, p <0.05). According to IOTF cut-offs, the prevalence of overweight/obesity was low (5.0%) in the sample, and 68.1% of children were classified as normal weight. On average, children spent 477.2±77.3 minutes in light- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (LMVPA) per day, and 93.7±52.3 minutes in moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA). In terms of the new current guidelines (180min/day LMVPA, including 60min of MVPA, described as ‘energetic play’), and using average daily average of LMVPA and MVPA, 78.2% met current guidelines. Observed and objectively measured sedentary behaviour results revealed that children were more sedentary during preschool time (between 08:00 to 12:00) compared to the afternoons. Overall, boys were significantly more physically active than girls; and Preschool children did more physical activity during preschool time than Grade R children (all p< 0.05). Over 90% of the sample achieved an ‘average’ or better ranking for gross motor skill proficiency. The Grade R children were significantly more proficient than the Preschool children for all gross motor skill components (raw scores and standardised scores). Overall, boys achieved significantly better object control raw scores than the girls, and displayed greater proficiency than the girls in the strike (p=0.003), stationary dribble (p< 0.001) and kick (p< 0.001). None of the preschool or Grade R settings had access to screens such as televisions or iPads, and parent-reported screen time was low for the total sample (0.5±0.3hr/day). The majority of the sample (97.9%) met current screen time guidelines (<1 hour per day). Parents (82.5%) reported that they believed that their child did sufficient PA for their health, but 81.8% also reported believing that television time would not affect their child’s health. Parent responses revealed neighbourhood safety as a potential barrier to being physically active in the community. Conclusions: Rural preschool-aged children in South Africa appear to be engaged in adequate amounts of physical activity, particularly LMVPA, and are adequately proficient in gross motor skills. The children did not engage in excessive amounts of screen time. Overweight and obesity were not prevalent in this sample of rural preschool-aged children, and therefore it would appear that an intervention to reduce or prevent obesity by increasing physical activity, improving gross motor skills and reducing screen time is unnecessary. Rather, interventions that facilitate the increase in levels of MVPA in order to meet current physical activity guidelines are warranted. Additionally, it is essential that the high levels of physical activity (LMVPA) and good foundation of gross motor skills observed in this sample are promoted in an effort to maintain them throughout childhood. Future research may want to determine whether these activities (high levels of LMVPA, low levels of screen time) track throughout childhood and into adolescence.

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Graham, Jennifer Lyn. "An analysis of sport managers' interpersonal communication skills in selected Ontario amateur sport organizations." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1998. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk1/tape10/PQDD_0009/MQ52559.pdf.

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Cronin, Lorcan. "Life skills development through youth sport : antecedents, consequences, and measurement." Thesis, University of Stirling, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/1893/22533.

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Youth sport is acknowledged as an ideal setting for promoting positive youth development. In particular, youth sport participation has been linked to life skills development and psychological well-being. The coaching climate has been proposed to play a role in facilitating such positive outcomes. Nonetheless, few measures exist to examine life skills development through sport and it is unclear how positive youth development may be facilitated by the coach. Using existing and newly developed measures, this thesis examined how the coaching climate is related to life skills development and psychological well-being in youth sport participants. Phase 1 of this programme of research investigated Benson and Saito’s (2001) conceptual framework for youth development theory and research within sport. Study 1 examined a model whereby the coaching climate is related to life skills development (personal and social skills, cognitive skills, goal setting, and initiative); which, in turn, is related to participants’ psychological well-being (self-esteem, positive affect, and satisfaction with life). Data from 202 youth sport participants suggested that an autonomy supportive coaching climate was positively related to all four life skills. Further analysis revealed that the development of personal and social skills mediated the relationships between coach autonomy support and all three indices of psychological well-being. However, the validity of the scale used to measure life skills was brought into question during this study. Therefore, the studies which follow developed and validated a new scale which could accurately assess eight key life skills young people learn through sport. Phase 2 of this programme of research involved developing and validating a scale which measures life skills development through sport. Study 2 outlines the initial development of a scale which would assess whether young people learn the following life skills through sport: teamwork, goal setting, time management, emotional skills, interpersonal communication, social skills, leadership, and problem solving and decision making. This study involved defining each of the eight life skills, deciding what components made up each life skill and developing items which could assess each life skill. The initial item pool was reviewed by 39 academics, with between two and seven experts assessing the items for each of the eight life skills. Using the ratings and comments provided by experts, the first version of the Life Skills Scale for Sport (LSSS) was developed. Study 3 reduced the number of items contained within the LSSS from 144 to 47 items using both exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and descriptive statistics. For this task, 338 youth sport participants completed the LSSS. EFA results supported the unidimensional factor structure of each of the eight subscales. Each subscale also displayed adequate internal consistency reliability. Study 4 examined the factor structure of the LSSS using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with an independent sample of 223 youth sport participants. After the removal of four emotional skills items, seven of the eight subscales and the revised 43-item scale displayed adequate model fit. Results supported both the convergent and discriminant validity of the LSSS and each of the eight subscales displayed adequate internal consistency reliability. Study 5 assessed the test-retest reliability of the LSSS with an independent sample of 37 youth sport participants. Each participant completed the scale on two occasions which were two weeks apart. Results revealed that time 1 and time 2 scores were relatively unchanged over this two-week period, providing evidence of test-retest reliability. Phase 3 of this programme of research involved re-testing Benson and Saito’s (2001) framework. Study 6 retested the coaching climate – life skills development – psychological well-being model from Study 1 using the LSSS. Data from 326 youth sport participants suggested that an autonomy supportive coaching climate was positively related to young people learning teamwork, goal setting, time management, emotional skills, interpersonal communication, social skills, leadership, and problem solving and decision making. The total amount of life skills a young person developed through sport was positively related to their self-esteem, positive affect and satisfaction with life. Again, the factor structure and reliability of the scale was supported. The findings from this PhD research suggest that the coaching climate plays an important role in young peoples’ development through sport. Specifically, an autonomy supportive coaching climate was positively related to life skills development and psychological well-being in youth sport participants. This thesis also provides researchers with a valid and reliable measure of life skills development through sport. Future research using the LSSS should examine other factors (e.g., peer relationships) which may promote positive youth development through sport. Additionally, future studies can use the LSSS to examine the efficacy of existing programmes (e.g., the SUPER programme) which teach life skills through sport. Such research will help guide coaches and sports programmes efforts to promote positive youth development through sport.

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Barnett, Lisa Michele. "The Physical Activity and Skills Study." University of Sydney, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/2123/5444.

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Doctor of Philosophy(PhD)
PURPOSE:The aims of this study were to i) investigate the relationship between childhood motor skill proficiency and adolescent physical activity participation, cardiorespiratory endurance (fitness) and perceived sports competence, ii) assess the long-term impact of a one year primary school intervention to improve motor skills on physical activity and motor skill proficiency and iii) determine whether the observed relationships varied according to gender.METHODS: The Physical Activity and Skills Study (PASS) followed up participants of a primary school intervention (Move It Groove It - MIGI) to improve motor skill proficiency. Participants were initially assessed in 2000 as part of the intervention. In 2006/07, they were re-assessed for motor skill proficiency and also measured for physical activity level (Adolescent Physical Activity Recall Questionnaire), cardiorespiratory fitness (Multistage Fitness Test) and perceived sports competence (Physical Self-Perception Profile). Composite object control (kick, catch, throw) and locomotor (hop, side gallop, vertical jump) skill scores were constructed for analysis. Linear regressions examined relationships between childhood skill proficiency and adolescent: i) time in physical activity intensities and type, controlling for gender and school grade and ii) cardiorespiratory fitness, controlling for gender. Structural equation modelling was used to determine whether perceived sports competence mediated between childhood object control skill proficiency and subsequent adolescent physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness. A general linear model examined the relationship between being an intervention/control student and time in physical activity adjusting for childhood skill and gender. RESULTS:From 928 original participants in 2000, 481 were located in 28 schools and 276 (57%) were assessed with at least one follow-up measure in 2006/07. Slightly more than half were female (52.4%) with a mean age of 16.4 years (range 14.2 to 18.3 yrs). Childhood object skill proficiency significantly impacted on later skill proficiency, physical activity and fitness, for both genders. Furthermore, perceived sports competence acted as a mediator between childhood object control skill proficiency and subsequent adolescent physical activity and fitness. Locomotor proficiency was not predictive of any outcome variable. Six years after the intervention, participants from the intervention schools still performed better than controls in one object control skill, but were no more active.CONCLUSION: Childhood proficiency in object control skills is an important influence on subsequent positive health-related behaviours and outcomes. Childhood interventions to improve object control skills may have a lasting impact. Results may inform intervention designs to promote physical activity and fitness in youth.

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Kruger, Pieter. "Psychological skills, state anxiety and coping of South African rugby players : a cognitive perspective / Pieter Kruger." Thesis, North-West University, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/10394/947.

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Objectives: The main objective of the research in this thesis was to investigate the psychological skills, state anxiety and coping of senior rugby players in South Africa. Methodology: The first manuscript (Chapter 2) was a literature review that investigated whether the coping model suggested by Moos and Shaefer (1993) could be applied to investigate the interaction between various psychological factors involved in the coping process, within a sports context. The model was evaluated by examining the relevant factors, including the environmental system, personal factors, life crises and transitions, cognitive appraisals and coping responses, as well as the general health and well-being of individuals. The manuscripts presented in Chapters 3, 4 and 5 made use of a cross-sectional design to assess the constructs central to the stated aims of the study. The participants in this research project were from the following teams during the 2003 and 2004 seasons: South African Super 12 teams (Stormers, Bulls, Cats and Sharks); South African provincial teams (Free State Cheetahs, Gauteng Lions, North-West Leopards and the Falcons); South African club rugby teams (North-West University 1st team, Tswane University of Technology 1st team, Kimberley Combined Forces and the Leopards amateur club team). The players were psychometrically evaluated in the week leading up to an important game (usually 2-3 days before the game). The number of players included in this study was 139 Super 12 rugby players, 106 provincial rugby players and 95 club rugby players, resulting in a cumulative total of 340 senior rugby players. The Athletic Coping Skills Inventory-28 (ACSI-28) was used to evaluate the players' psychological skills (manuscripts 2, 3 and 4). The Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2) was used to ascertain the state anxiety of the rugby players (manuscript 3) and a biographical questionnaire (compiled by the researcher) was used to gather demographical and biographical information of the players (manuscript 4). Results and conclusions of the individual manuscripts: - Manuscript 1 concluded that there were substantial literature findings that supported and explained the influence of the different psychological factors that form part of the Moos and Shaefer (1993) coping model regarding the coping abilities of athletes. It appeared that this model could potentially be applied in a sports context to clarify the factors influencing the coping process of athletes. - The results in manuscript 2 reported significant differences between the psychological skills of the Super 12 and club rugby players on four of the seven ACSI-28 subscales. No differences, however, could be found between Super 12 and provincial rugby players. The research further concluded that no statistically or practically significant differences in psychological skills could be found between forwards and backline rugby players or between the different positional groupings (props, hookers, locks, loose forwards, inside backs and outside backs) in senior South African rugby. - Manuscript 3 concluded that senior South African rugby players with high levels of psychological skills experienced lower levels of state anxiety, and that they interpreted the state anxiety that they experienced as more facilitative to their performance. This might suggest that rugby players with high levels of psychological skills could generally cope better with the challenges of competitive rugby. Rugby players with high levels of psychological skills also experienced higher levels of self-confidence and interpreted their self-confidence as more facilitative to performance. - The results in manuscript 4 suggested that certain prior experiences and a number of sports-specific perceptions could have an influence on the psychological skills of rugby players. However, the only biographical variable that appeared to be a common denominator between the high psychological skills groups on all three levels of rugby were the players' perceptions regarding their own abilities to do optimal psychological preparation before a game. The research could not indicate the direction of the interaction between prior experience, cognitive perceptions and psychological skills, but acknowledged the strong association between these factors and the levels of psychological skills of South African senior rugby players.
Thesis (Ph.D. (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

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Kelley, Heather. "Using Video Feedback to Improve Horseback Riding Skills." Scholar Commons, 2014. https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/5049.

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This study used video feedback to improve the horseback riding skills of advanced beginner riders. The study focused on three skill sets, those used in jumping over obstacles, dressage riding on the flat, and jumping position riding on the flat. Baseline consisted of standard lesson procedures. Intervention consisted of video feedback in which a recorded attempt at the target behaviors was immediately shown to the rider and the instructor. The rider and instructor reviewed the video while the instructor delivered feedback. Target behaviors were scored according to checklists that correspond to each skill. For all participants, video feedback increased their correct riding skills.

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Ford, Paul. "Skill in sport : the role of action-effect representations." Thesis, Liverpool John Moores University, 2006. http://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/5803/.

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Five experiments were conducted to examine the role of ball trajectory information in the planning, execution, and evaluation of a complex motor skill as a function of skill. This sensory information source could either be predicted to become either more (Koch et al., 2004) or less (Schmidt, 1975) important as skill is acquired. In Experiments 1,2, and 3 the importance of ball trajectory information in the execution of a soccer kick to a target as a function of skill was examined using visual occlusion (Exp 1 and 2) and perturbation (Exp 3) techniques. Skilled performers were able to maintain accuracy when vision of ball trajectory was occluded, although they were shown to use this information when it was available but perturbed. The accuracy of less-skilled performers decreased when vision of ball trajectory was occluded. Across skill groups, variability in knee-ankle coordination also decreased under these conditions. Although these finding was taken as evidence that across skill levels action effects information is used to execute the action when it is available, only at the lower levels of skill did this information aid outcome attainment. In Experiments 4 and 5 the importance of ball trajectory information in the planning of a soccer kick to a target as a function of skill was examined. Skilled and novice soccer players were instructed to plan the action in terms of the ball's trajectory or in terms of the body movements. There was little evidence that actions are more effectively planned by anticipation of their effects or that the ability to do so is skill-dependent (Koch et al., 2004). However, there was some evidence that a body-related focus was detrimental to performance in comparison to control conditions when feedback was removed (McNevin et al., 2003). Although ball trajectory information does not seem to be critical for task success, there was evidence that it is used to plan and perform actions across skill levels. Skilled performers were shown to be less reliant on this information compared to less skilled.

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Rosendahl, Lukas. "Run Forrest run! : About Parkour as a tool in a humanitarian life skills intervention." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Teologiska institutionen, 2018. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-355512.

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Aim: Parkour is a relatively new action sport, which is not only popular in non-conflict regions but also in regions where armed conflict is taking place. When being featured in the media, youth from conflict regions frequently report that Parkour has helped them to deal with the consequences of armed conflict. Although Parkour is being used in psychosocial and life skills interventions in European countries, and despite the fact that action sports are used in humanitarian assistance, there is no research on the potential of Parkour as a tool in humanitarian interventions. The aim of this thesis is to analyse how Parkour can be used in humanitarian aid interventions, particularly focusing on its potential for life skills interventions. In order to do so, a mapping of Parkour teams in conflict regions is conducted. What is more, example cases highlight the importance Parkour has for youth in conflict regions. Lastly, a qualitative thematic analysis, will review the cases and academic literature, in order to discuss to what extent these characteristics coincide with the ten life skills as they were outlined by the World Health Organization (WHO). Methods: Mapping is limited to the timeframe 2013 – 2018 and to countries which display a high amount of organized violence within said timeframe. Furthermore, qualitative thematic analysis in combination with a review of relevant literature is used, in order to understand what Parkour’s potential for life skills interventions could be. Findings: The mapping indicates that Parkour teams and individuals are active in 16 out of the 22 countries which comply with the mapping criteria. The cases further exemplify that for many practitioners in the conflict regions, Parkour is used as a tool to deal with the consequences of armed conflict. The qualitative thematic analysis shows that Parkour’s characteristics seem to coincide with the 10 life skills laid out by the WHO. Conclusion: Action sports are already being used in aid interventions. Parkour’s assets in particular are multiple. It is an accessible, cost-effective and popular sport that youth globally and in conflict regions is attracted to. That, in combination with its characteristics and social media based nature, could be compelling arguments to use Parkour in humanitarian assistance.

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Cothran, Donetta J. "Six Volleyball Skill Tests as a Predictor of Game Performance." TopSCHOLAR®, 1992. http://digitalcommons.wku.edu/theses/1656.

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The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship of six selected volleyball skill tests to actual volleyball game performance. The six skill test items were administered to 64 subjects, who were all members of a college level introductory volleyball course. Based on the ratings of a panel of experts, subjects were rated during game play as good, average, or poor performers. The stepwise discriminant analysis was used to analyze the relationship between skill tests and game performance. Four of the six skill tests were identified as significantly contributing to group membership. These tests, in order of the magnitude of their standardized discriminant function coefficients were: 1. Brumbach Serve Test, 2. AAHPER Wall Volley test, 3. AAHPERD Wall Spike Test, and 4. AAHPERD Serve Test. It was concluded that a volleyball skill test battery consisting of these four items would objectively measure volleyball playing ability and discriminate between players of various skill levels. The results of this test battery could be used for classification, diagnosis, motivational purposes, and grading.

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Adams, Warren Grant. "An analysis of the skills and tactics of wheelchair rugby." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/50677.

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Thesis (MScSportSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2007.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to determine what skills and tactics distinguish local level competition from top level competition in wheelchair rugby, through the use of games analysis. Eighteen games were filmed and analysed at three different levels of competition (local club level, regional level and international level). A five-level category set was developed to generate statistics related to successful and unsuccessful performance .. Results revealed that games play at local club and regional level in South Africa were dominated by turnovers and poor ball handling skills. Wheelchair mobility also was a factor in unsuccessful play. Basic tactical play, especially on defense, was also a major cause for concern at these levels. The difference between the South African national team and three other top international teams was not the distribution of reasons for success, but rather the frequency of success rate. South Africa was successful only 45% of the time in their performance of skills while international teams were successful 77% of the time. lt was evident in this study that the standard of play in the local club and regional level in South Africa reflects on their international performance. Ball possession is frequently lost to poor passing and poor wheelchair mobility. Turnovers are more often the result of poor passing by the opponents, rather than good defense. Successful goal inbounds and side inbounds plays are too often the result of poor defense rather than good offensive play. This study demonstrates that games analysis can be a helpful tool in determining the reasons for success and lack of success during wheelchair rugby.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van die studie was om deur middel van die ontleding van rolstoelrugbywedstryde te bepaal watter taktieke en vaardighede in klub- en topvlakkompetisie onderskei kan word. Agtien wedstryde is op drie verskillende kompetisievlakke (klub-, streek- en internasionale vlak) verfilm en ontleed. 'n Vyfvlak kategoriestelsel is ontwerp om die suksesvlak, al dan nie, statisties in al drie kompetisievlakke aan te dui. Die resultate dui dat wedstryde op klub- en streeksvlak deur swak balhantering en verlies van balbesit (turnovers) gekenmerk word. Onvoldoende vaardigheid in rolstoelmobiliteit en tekorkominge in die taktiek van basies verdedigende spel was ook bydraende faktore. Die verskil tussen die Suid-Afrikaanse rolstoelrugbyspan en drie ander top internasionale spanne, was nie soseer verskillende oorsake vir onsuksesvolle spel nie, maar eerder die mate (hoeveelheid) sukses wat behaal is deur vaardige en taktiese spel. Die Suid-Afrikaans span was slegs 45% suksesvol in hul vaardighedsuitvoering, terwyl die internasionale spanne 'n 77% suksessyfer behaal het. Die studie dui verder aan dat die spelstandaarde wat op klub- en streeksvlak gehandhaaf word, neerslag vind in die Suid-Afrikaanse nasionale span. Hier word balbesit dikwels verloor as gevolg van swak aangee en swak rolstoelbeweeglikheid. Die verkryging van balbesit (turnovers) is meer dikwels as gevolg van swakbalhantering (aangee) deur die opponenete as goeie verdediging deur die Suid-Afrikaanse span. Suksesvolle afgooie na die aanteken van 'n doel, asook suksesvolle kant-ingooie, is eerder die resultaat van swak verdediging deur die opponente as goeie aanvallende spel. Die studie bewys dat die verfilming en ontleding van wedstryde, 'n waardevolle hulpmiddel kan wees vir bepaling van redes vir sukses, aldan nie, in rolstoelrugby.

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Doyle, Jo. "The utility of the performance profile technique." Thesis, Staffordshire University, 1998. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.245097.

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Bull, S. J. "Understanding and predicting adherence to mental skills training programmes in sport." Thesis, University of Brighton, 1990. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.278030.

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Woolway, Toby H. "Exploring consultant interview skills within the employment process in sport psychology." Thesis, Loughborough University, 2018. https://dspace.lboro.ac.uk/2134/36248.

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Academic interest in the professional practice of sport psychology has meant a proliferation in models, theories, and guides to successful service provision, from gaining entry into practice to the evaluation and/or termination of service. However, there is an absence of research that examines the stage before practice can begin, and in particular, the formal employment interview. In order to address this gap in the literature, this thesis developed an understanding of the skills necessary to navigate the employment interview as a sport psychology consultant (SPC). The first study identified the features of experience that influenced gatekeepers to sport psychology s previous hiring decisions (study one). Assuming an interpretative phenomenological approach, data were collected through interviews with seven gatekeepers in positions directly responsible for hiring SPCs within United Kingdom elite sport organisations. The participants experiences were interpreted to be influenced by four key features of the sport psychologists; (a) consultant affability, (b) consultant confidence versus arrogance, (c) consultant collaboration, and (d) presentation of consultant competencies. These features of experience were then used to create two short video vignettes simulating the employment interview between gatekeeper and practitioner (study two). Utilising these vignettes to stimulate discussion, Trainee Sport Psychologists were interviewed (n=31) concerning their ability to identify interview skills, their perception of their own skills, the sources of such skills and how they could be developed. Findings revealed that despite possessing desirable levels of both affability and collaboration skills, participants reported low levels of confidence in sport psychology and the ability to present their competencies. Parent and peer attachment, educational background and specific experiential features were proposed as sources of these skills. In an attempt to further examine the potential interactions between these proposed sources of interview skills, currently accredited, practicing Sport Psychologists and those undertaking practical training routes (n=214) were surveyed (study three). The findings of this study indicated that a SPC s peer attachment, educational background, applied experience, and interview experience variably relate to self-perceived levels of consultant affability, confidence in sport psychology, collaboration, and presentation of competencies. However, there was no significant effect observed for parent attachment, as suggested within study two. Together, the studies within this thesis provide the first examination of the features of experience that have influenced historic consumer decisions within the hiring of SPCs, the skills which SPCs should possess in order to gain entry through an employment interview, and the sources from which these skills may be derived.

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Kendellen, Kelsey. "Examining the Process of Life Skills Transfer from Sport to Life." Thesis, Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/10393/39882.

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The purpose of this doctoral dissertation was to examine the life skills transfer process from sport to life. Data collection occurred over 10-months, from September 2016 to June 2017. The overall sample was comprised of 13 university intramural athletes and 29 social agents playing key roles in the athletes’ lives outside of sport (e.g., parents, partners, and work colleagues). Four methods of data collection were employed: (a) individual semi-structured interviews, (b) chronological charts, (c) timelines, and (d) solicited journals. The findings from this dissertation are organized into three articles. In article one, a grounded theory methodology was used to examine how athletes apply in life the skills they believe they learned or refined in sport. Within the substantive grounded theory, life skills application is framed as an ongoing process that involves four steps (a) decision-making, (b) application, (c) appraisal, and (d) adaptation. Article one adds to the literature by outlining the key behavioural and cognitive mechanisms that help explain what occurs once athletes move beyond sport and apply in different life domains the skills they deem to have learned or refined in sport. Article two presents a longitudinal integrated qualitative approach for “getting at” the life skills transfer process from sport to life. The integrated approach is illustrated through an exemplar case of a 23-year-old athlete (Claire) and her process of learning/refining emotional regulation in sport and applying this skill outside of sport. Three individuals able to speak to Claire’s behaviour outside of sport (i.e., mother, classmate, and work colleague) were also part of the case. Article two adds to the literature by demonstrating how qualitative techniques can be integrated to produce new insights on the life skills transfer process to an extent not previously gleaned through one-shot interview designs. In article three, the substantive grounded theory of life skills application was used to document one athlete’s (Joseph) journey through the life skills application process. Specifically, narrative inquiry was employed to tell Joseph’s story of applying the life skill of leadership at work as he progressed through the four steps described in the substantive grounded theory. Data collection involved three individual semi-structured interviews and three months of solicited journaling. Article three adds to the literature by moving beyond documenting examples of life skills application and instead, illustrating how Joseph’s emotions, thoughts, and behaviours evolved over time to influence his experiences of life skills application. Overall, the findings from this dissertation make theoretical, methodological, and empirical contributions to the life skills transfer literature in sport psychology and further elucidate the notion that sport can have a lasting impact on youth’s development.

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Campher, Jolene. "The role of visual skills and its impact on skills performance of cricket players." Diss., Pretoria : [S.n.], 2009. http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-10202009-142417.

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Hohmann, Maya Danielle. "Psychological Skills of Canadian Military Pilots." Thèse, Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10393/20058.

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For decades, elite athletes have used mental skills training to enhance their performance. The effectiveness of these skills and strategies have been measured, documented and supported in research (e.g., Feltz & Landers, 1983; Vealey, 1994). As the remarkable benefits of mental skills continue to reach an ever-growing community of performers, it is surprising that many military organizations, known for their high standards for performance and little tolerance for error, have yet to take full advantage of this type of training. Canada’s Air Force (CAF), home to a world-renowned pilot training program, now finds itself seeking additional tools to empower pilots to achieve consistent, high quality performance under demanding, high stress conditions. The purpose of this research was to explore the psychological skills used by elite Canadian military pilots to perform successfully in this highly demanding occupation. Sixteen in-depth interviews were conducted with elite Canadian pilots at a CAF base in Saskatchewan. Results indicated that pilots utilized all seven elements of Orlick’s (2008) Wheel of Excellence over three phases of flight: pre-flight preparation, mission execution, and post-flight debriefs. Pilots also drew on elements of the Wheel of Excellence during deployments to combat zones. Effective stress management played an especially important role in this context. Recommendations for future research include mental skills usage and preparation specific to deployment contexts as well as the implementation of a specific, relevant mental skills training program within the existing CAF pilot training program

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Zhang, Peng. "The effects of play practice on teaching table tennis forehand skills." Columbus, Ohio : Ohio State University, 2008. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc%5Fnum=osu1211575204.

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Larsson, Bengt. "Ungdomarna och idrotten : tonåringars idrottande i fyra skilda miljöer /." Stockholm : Pedagogiska institutionen, Stockholms universitet, 2008. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:su:diva-7422.

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Snapp, Sara Kate. "Evaluating the Effectiveness of Video Feedback to Improve Cheerleading Skills." Scholar Commons, 2019. https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/7951.

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This study evaluated the effectiveness of video feedback to improve three cheerleading tumbling skills in a multiple baseline across behaviors design. The study involved three high school cheerleaders. Target behaviors varied by participant, being some variation of a front walkover roundoff back handspring, a standing back tuck, and a toe touch two back handsprings. The primary researcher implemented the video feedback procedure. All cheerleading skills for all participants increased substantially during intervention. This study extended sports performance literature by evaluating video feedback in a sport that has never been the focus of research in Applied Behavior Analysis.

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Shapiro, Jamie L. "An individualized multimodal mental skills intervention for college athletes undergoing injury rehabilitation." Morgantown, W. Va. : [West Virginia University Libraries], 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10450/10293.

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Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 2009.
Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains ix, 177 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

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Leffingwell, Thad Ryan. "Psychological skills training utilization among college athletes : an intervention and investigation of determinants /." Thesis, Connect to this title online; UW restricted, 2000. http://hdl.handle.net/1773/9152.

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Thomas, Mary. "Tshwane street children's experiences of learning life skills through the medium of sport." Pretoria : [s.n.], 2008. http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-09302008-113450.

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Bliss, K., D. Dey, H. Hudson, and LeAnn E. Kesselring. "Skills-based Health Education – Instructional Strategies." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2018. https://dc.etsu.edu/etsu-works/4013.

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Presenters will discuss the academic and health-related importance of teaching skills-based health education, and will provide attendees with hands-on activities that can be used to teach four of the eight National Health Education Standards: interpersonal communication, decision-making, goal-setting, and practicing health-enhancing behaviors.

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Gordon, Bill Russell. "The effects of mental imagery practice on the performance of selected psychomotor tennis skills of postsecondary students /." Free full text is available to ORU patrons only; click to view:, 2004. http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/oru/fullcit?p3120631.

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46

Foulkes, J. D. "Fundamental movement skills, physical activity and obesity from early to late childhood." Thesis, Liverpool John Moores University, 2017. http://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/6500/.

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Fundamental movement skills (FMS) are a vital part of a child’s development, which allow them to advance on to more complex movements, resulting in them functioning successfully in their daily lives and when participating in sports and physical activity. Despite the importance of FMS, previous studies have routinely found children to have low competency levels. Further research on competency levels in this area is required, specifically among UK children, as data on FMS proficiency and FMS interventions is dominated by research from Australia and North America. As such, the aims of this thesis were to a) document the level of FMS competency of preschool children from a highly deprived area of Northwest England, b) determine the effectiveness of a six-week Active Play intervention on FMS competency among preschool children from a highly deprived area of Northwest England, c) examine the relationship between FMS competency, physical activity and weight status over a five-year period between preschool and late primary among children from a highly deprived area of Northwest England and finally, d) gain the thoughts and opinions of experts and practitioners in order to help inform the development of an appropriate intervention to increase the physical literacy of preschool children.

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Creasy, John Wayne Jr. "An Analysis of the Components of Mental Toughness in Sport." Diss., Virginia Tech, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/29692.

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Many coaches are becoming aware of the importance of developing mentally tough performers and are designing programs to develop it in their athletes. One of the most significant problems in designing these programs is the inconsistency in the definition and description of mental toughness. If programs are to be designed with the goal of developing mental toughness in athletes, the components of the construct must be identified. Based on the advantages that mental toughness can offer to the performer, this study was designed to develop an understanding of the components of mental toughness in sport. The purpose of this study was to identify the components of mental toughness as perceived by National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) coaches and was guided by two fundamental questions: what are the essential components of mental toughness? and to what degree are these components teachable (trainable). Twenty-two NCAA coaches were selected to participate from a mix of Division I, II, and III male sports teams. The procedures for this study were divided into a two-phase approach. Phase One consisted of each participant completing a questionnaire for the purpose of evaluating the importance and teachability (trainability) of 20 separate components of mental toughness. Phase Two consisted of follow-up, semi-structured interviews that provided further insight into the perspectives of the participants. The results of this study indicated the essential components of mental toughness based on their importance to the construct. The results also indicated the degree of teachability (trainability) of each component. A unique relationship between teachability and trainability was also revealed in this study. These findings provide a better understanding of the components of mental toughness and support the need for its development in sport.
Ph. D.

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Giannini, John. "The Effects of Mastery, Competitive and Cooperative Goals on Performance in Simple and Complex Sport Skills." Thesis, North Texas State University, 1986. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc501284/.

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The present study investigated the effects of different goal and feedback conditions on performance of a basketball field goal shooting task and a more complex one-on-one offensive basketball task. Subjects (N = 100) were matched, based on pre-test performance, into one of five conditions: competitive goal, cooperative goal, mastery goal, "do your best" with feedback, and "do your best" without feedback. Results indicated the competitive group was significantly better than the "do your best" without feedback group in one-on-one performance. No other between group differences were significant, although some consistent group trends were present. Subjects' goal orientations were not related to performance in specific goal conditions, with the exception of mastery oriented subjects in the mastery goal condition.

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Martin, Nikolas. "Facilitating Student-Athletes' Life Skills Transfer from Sport to the Classroom: An Intervention Assisting High School Teacher-Coaches." Thesis, Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/10393/40725.

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Sport is deemed by many researchers and practitioners as a favourable context to foster positive youth development (PYD), including the acquisition of life skills (Petitpas et al., 2005). However, researchers have cautioned for vigilance before assuming with assurance that sport leads to positive developmental outcomes (Coakley, 2011). Consequently, it is important to understand how sport leaders can facilitate the development and transfer of life skills. In the context of high school sport in Canada, teacher-coaches are considered essential adults in the delivery of school sport programs. Using Pierce et al.’s (2017) life skills transfer model, the present thesis explored the contextual and psychological factors influencing the development and transfer of life skills. An intervention was designed, using action research principles, with two high school teacher-coaches. Data were collected via teacher-coach pre- and post-intervention interviews, as well as student-athlete post-intervention interviews (i.e., five student-athletes per teacher-coach). Further, data were gathered through observation, and audio recording of each life skill implementation, as well as a researcher reflective journal. The results indicated that teacher-coaches played an important role in influencing contextual and psychological factors, in both the learning and the transfer context, which shaped student-athletes’ life skills development and transfer. The study has practical implications for coach education programs, suggesting the benefits of on the ground support to provide coaches and teacher-coaches with the necessary tools to promote PYD.

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White, Alison Elizabeth. "Imagery and sport performance." Thesis, Bangor University, 1996. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.320414.

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Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Sporrts skills'

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