Based on the results of a preliminary observational study, this experiment tested Pascual-Leone’s Theory of Constructive Operators in the field of motor learning in volleyball. In particular, we investigated whether M Capacity represents a prerequisite to learn a specific technical gesture, the attack - and what role expertise has in this learning. 105 female volleyball players aged between 5 and 17, as well as a group of “experts” (adults with at least 10 years of volleyball experience), took part in the experiment. This age range ensures a large variability of both M Capacity and experience. Participants were engaged in practical volleyball tests (of increasing difficulty, assessed through task analysis) and scored in terms of “correct execution” and “precision”. M Capacity was measured as the average of Mr.Cucumber Test, Figural Intersections Test, and Direction Following Task. Each athlete also reported her expertise, in terms of years of practice and training sessions per week. The best predictor of correct execution (R2=.74) was M Capacity (ß=.55), whereas the years of volleyball experience were the only significant predictor of precision. These results pointed to a dissociation: while M Capacity represents the best predictor of correct motor performance, experience is the key to its neatness. Furthermore, in order to examine whether there is a minimum M Capacity below which each specific technical gesture cannot be accomplished, cross-classification prediction analysis was used. Most predictions derived from the initial task analysis were supported; the few exceptions provided useful information for a more accurate evaluation of task difficulty.

On the relationship between M-Capacity development, expertise, and motor learning in young volleyball players

BISAGNO , ELISA;MORRA, SERGIO
2016-01-01

Abstract

Based on the results of a preliminary observational study, this experiment tested Pascual-Leone’s Theory of Constructive Operators in the field of motor learning in volleyball. In particular, we investigated whether M Capacity represents a prerequisite to learn a specific technical gesture, the attack - and what role expertise has in this learning. 105 female volleyball players aged between 5 and 17, as well as a group of “experts” (adults with at least 10 years of volleyball experience), took part in the experiment. This age range ensures a large variability of both M Capacity and experience. Participants were engaged in practical volleyball tests (of increasing difficulty, assessed through task analysis) and scored in terms of “correct execution” and “precision”. M Capacity was measured as the average of Mr.Cucumber Test, Figural Intersections Test, and Direction Following Task. Each athlete also reported her expertise, in terms of years of practice and training sessions per week. The best predictor of correct execution (R2=.74) was M Capacity (ß=.55), whereas the years of volleyball experience were the only significant predictor of precision. These results pointed to a dissociation: while M Capacity represents the best predictor of correct motor performance, experience is the key to its neatness. Furthermore, in order to examine whether there is a minimum M Capacity below which each specific technical gesture cannot be accomplished, cross-classification prediction analysis was used. Most predictions derived from the initial task analysis were supported; the few exceptions provided useful information for a more accurate evaluation of task difficulty.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11567/863936
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