Learning new sport actions: Pilot study to investigate the imitative and the verbal instructive teaching methods in motor education

Abstract

The aim of the project was to investigate the effects of two strategies of teaching new sport actions on performance of eight-year-old children: observational-imitative method (OIM) and descriptive-directive method (DDM). The OIM group was provided with a pre-practice instruction in the form of expert modeling observation by an expert athlete. The DDM group received only verbal explanations of few selected static images. Thirty-six children (18 males and 18 females, mean age = 8,8) participated in the experiment. Subjects were randomly assigned to the OIM or DDM groups. Participants were instructed to perform four sport motor sequences never performed before (shoulder stand, soccer action, vortex howler throw, step action). Actions were videotaped and 2D kinematic analysis performed. A 10-point Likert questionnaire was administered to blind sport experts to assess the correctness and accuracy of each action. Results suggest that the OIM is the most effective instruction method when participants have no experience with the sport action to be performed. On the contrary, if the athlete needs to learn specific aspects of an exercise (such as grasping a tool) the best method is the DDM. In fact, detailed information on how to grab the vortex helped children in throwing it. We also found gender differences which might reflect cultural influences in specific sports (e.g. soccer). Finally, repetition of the exercise also improved the DDM group's performance. This has potential applications in sport teaching, suggesting that in the absence of a model performing the action to be imitated, the DDM can be as effective as the OIM if the observer repeats the sport action many times.

The Best of Two Different Visual Instructions in Improving Precision Ball-Throwing and Standing Long Jump Performances in Primary School Children

“…Therefore, the results from this study are partially in line with previous investigations conducted on children with autism, which supported the use of observational learning strategies for enhancing motor performances [ 25 , 26 , 28 , 30 ]. Furthermore, our findings partly confirm that children aged 10–11 can efficiently use their short-term memory of action observation and can refine their performances without prior motor experience of certain complex motor tasks [ 1 , 11 , 26 ].…”

“…Observing a model serves an important function in human motor development, as the learner benefits from the activation of a matching motor program by direct perceptual-motor mapping [ 1 , 7 ]. Visual instructions in the form of observational learning are generally found to be more effective than doing nothing [ 10 ] or than verbal instructions alone [ 11 , 12 ] in leading to optimal motor performance. However, during the process of motor learning, the amount of information provided to the learner should be carefully balanced.…”

Design and Development of an Imitation Detection System for Human Action Recognition Using Deep Learning

“…In this study, we aimed to design and develop an imitation detection system by implementing an HAR algorithm using DL. Imitation tasks have significant applications in various fields, including autism therapy [ 8 ], robotics and games [ 9 ], and sports and motor education [ 10 ]. Initially, we developed a DL model that uses a single-frame CNN.…”

The comparison of students’ long jump study programs

“…This requires the search and development of specific training programs for the kinds of athletics in relation to the contingent of students using the available means. The means that are available include a video recording of motor actions, so use of video in the educational process enhances feedback and improves performance [12,13,14,15].…”