Education Commons^™

Does A Step Back Approach To The Implementation Of Project Spraoi Affect The Health And Fundamental Movement Skill Proficiency Of Irish Children?, Conor Hemmersley

Masters

Title: Does a step back approach to the implementation of Project Spraoi affect the health and fundamental movement skill proficiency of Irish children? Background: Project Spraoi is an intervention which attempts to positively influence the overall health of Irish primary school children. Previous iterations of Project Spraoi have been labour intensive with an Energiser working with a maximum of two schools to deliver the intervention. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention on fundamental movement skills (FMS), and markers of health of Irish primary school children using a step back approach. The step back …

Effects Of Pencil Grasp Exercises On Handwriting In Sixth Grade Resource Students, Karen Galloway

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this research was to determine the effects of pencil grasp exercises on the handwriting of sixth-grade resource students. This action research project took place in a public middle school resource classroom located on the outskirts of a suburb. The six-week study had seventeen student participants, ranging between the ages of eleven and twelve years. During the study, the researcher collected data on the placement of the hand and fingers on the pencil, grasp, legibility, letter placement, fluency, and perception of abilities. The data utilized pre and post questionnaires, observations, matrixes, and assessments. Results showed that sixth-grade resource …

The Effectiveness Of School-Based Interventions On The Fundamental Movement Skill Proficiency Among A Cohort Of Irish Primary School Children, Lisa Bolger

PhDs

Background: Fundamental movement skills (FMS) are basic observable patterns of movement such as running and jumping. FMS facilitate participation in physical activity and sport. The ability to perform FMS correctly (i.e. FMS proficiency) is associated with numerous health benefits and is important for the holistic development of children. FMS proficiency among primary school children worldwide is low. Thus, interventions aimed at improving FMS levels among children are warranted. Therefore, this thesis aimed to assess the FMS proficiency among a cohort of Irish primary school children and examine the effectiveness of a physical activity (PA) (Year 1) and a multicomponent FMS …

An Investigation Into Te Relationship Between Fundamental Movement Skill Proficiency And Markers Of Health Among A Cohort Of Irish Primary School Children, Linda Bolger

PhDs

Background: Fundamental movement skills (FMS) are basic observable patterns of movement. Although FMS are positively associated with health, FMS levels among children worldwide are low. Interventions to improve FMS and markers of health among children are warranted. Thus, the purpose of this research was to firstly evaluate the FMS proficiency and markers of health of Irish primary school children, and to design and implement a programme of interventions to improve both.

Methods: Two interventions (1 Physical Activity [PA] and 1 FMS) were implemented and evaluated using children from 3 primary schools in Cork. Children (N=217, mean age: 7.98±2.00 years) …

Additive Effects Of An External Focus And Enhanced Expectancy In Learning A Motor Skill, Luigi Antonio Pascua

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

An external focus of attention in has been shown to produce better performance in practice and retention of a motor skill when compared to an internal focus or control conditions in which no attentional focus cues are given to the learner (for a review, see Wulf, 2012). Enhancing learner expectancy (e.g., via positive feedback) has also been shown to improve learning (e.g., Lewthwaite & Wulf, 2010). This study sought to investigate whether combining the positive effects of an external focus of attention with an enhanced learner expectancy (through positive social-comparative feedback) would enhance learning relative to either variable alone or …

Effects Of Controlling Versus Autonomy-Supportive Language On Learning A Novel Motor Skill And Cortisol Release, Andrew Mcmahon Hooyman

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to compare how different types of instruction effect the learning of a novel motor skill and how salivary cortisol correlates to learning differences. Participants (N = 44), average age 22.3 years (standard deviation 2.37), were randomly assigned to an autonomy-supportive, controlling-language or neutral language group which was manipulated via instructional video. Saliva was collected before and after each session, and questionnaires were given after pitching was completed during each day. Results showed that there was a significant difference among groups in throwing accuracy on performance and retention. Questionnaire results also showed significant group differences …

Using Instructional Video To Teach A Complex Motor Skill, Amy Reneé Maraska, Karen Drollinger

Theses Digitization Project

Research has shown that motor skill performance can be improved with the use of a dynamic visual model that helps to create a cognitive representation and serve as a standard for learning. The purpose of this project is to produce a demonstration videotape that thoroughly analyzes the basic actions involved with pitching a softball for strikes.

Increased Coordination Skills For The Third Through Sixth Grade Special Day Class: A Dance Curriculum Unit, Constance Lea Finazzo

Theses Digitization Project

This project is a dance curriculum unit designed for teachers working with students who have learning handicaps. It is specifically designed for students in grades three through sixth. It can be used in coordination with the performing arts curriculum or the physical education curriculum.