Browsing by Author "Correia, Vanda"
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- Coupling tendencies during exploratory behaviours of competing players in rugby union dyadsPublication . Correia, Vanda; Passos, Pedro; Araújo, Duarte; Davids, Keith; Diniz, Ana; Kelso, J. A. ScottThis study investigated interpersonal coordination tendencies in 1vs.1 dyads in rugby union, here expressed by participants' movement velocity towards or away from the sideline as they competed to score or prevent a try. We examined whether coupling tendencies of members of each dyad shaped key performance outcomes (try or successful tackle). Data on movement displacement trajectories of eight male rugby union players (aged 11-12 years) were analysed during performance in 47 trials. To assess coordination tendencies during exploratory behaviours in the dyads, analyses of performance time series data were undertaken using variable time graphs, running correlations and cross-correlations. Results revealed distinct coupling patterns characterised by shifts between synchronous coordination and asynchronous coordination tendencies and uncoordinated actions. Observed behaviours were interpreted as attempts of competing participants to create and perceive possibilities for action while seeking to achieve specific performance goals. Findings also revealed that a variety of patterned relations between participants resulted in different performance outcomes.
- Estudos em desenvolvimento motor da criança XVPublication . Correia, Vanda; Pereira, Elsa; Carvalho, João; Minhalma, Ricardo J. P.O que é uma criança? Esta é uma questão simples e clara, fundamental, mas certamente de difícil resposta. Na história da humanidade, a criança é uma entidade que apenas ganha um contorno e identidade em tempos recentes. Entre um ser humano imperfeito e uma pureza divina; entre uma página em branco e uma reencarnação; entre uma vontade própria e uma plasticidade extrema. A ideia de criança, tal como a conhecemos hoje, é não só recente como extremamente diversificada, em função de contextos sociais, culturais e até políticos. Quando a população mundial cresceu como nunca tinha acontecido e quando a mortalidade infantil mostrou sinais de cedência face ao controlo das doenças infeciosas e aos cuidados perinatais, a ideia de criança ganhou, talvez, uma identidade própria. A nova pirâmide etária, que apresenta pela primeira vez um grupo demográfico jovem e populoso, traz novos problemas para os decisores públicos. O que fazer com tanta gente nova? como orientar o seu desenvolvimento? Como gerir o seu bem-estar e o seu tempo? Tantas e tão complexas questões colidem com um imenso desconhecimento sobre o objeto das perguntas. Sem surpresa, o mundo vai precisar de saber o que é isso de ser criança.
- How small-sided and conditioned games enhance acquisition of movement and decision-making skillsPublication . Davids, Keith; Araujo, Duarte; Correia, Vanda; Vilar, LuisThis article summarizes research from an ecological dynamics program of work on team sports exemplifying how small-sided and conditioned games (SSCG) can enhance skill acquisition and decision-making processes during training. The data highlighted show how constraints of different SSCG can facilitate emergence of continuous interpersonal coordination tendencies during practice to benefit team game players.
- Informational constraints on interceptive actions of elite football goalkeepers in 1v1 dyads during competitive performancePublication . Shafizadeh, Mohsen; Davids, Keith; Correia, Vanda; Wheat, Jonathan; Hizan, HazuanThe aim of this study was to examine whether perceptual variables can provide informational constraints for the goalkeepers to intercept the ball successfully in 1v1 dyads. Video images of 42 actions (1v1 in direct shots) were selected randomly from different matches and divided into conceded goals (n=20) and saved actions (n=22) to investigate interceptive actions of 20 goalkeepers in the English Premier League in season 2013-2014. Time to Contact (TTC) of the closing distance gap between shooter and goalkeeper was obtained by digitising actions in the 18-yard penalty box. Statistical analyses revealed that, in sequences of play resulting in an intercepted shot at goal, goalkeepers closed down outfield players in the X axis, whereas when a goal was conceded, there was a significantly delayed movement by goalkeepers toward the shooters in this plane. The results of canonical correlations showed that a decreasing distance between a shooter and goalkeeper, and accompanied reduction in relative interpersonal velocity followed a temporal pattern. Findings of this study showed how perception of key informational constraints on dyadic system relations, such as TTC, interpersonal distance and relative velocity, constrain elite goalkeepers' interceptive actions, playing an important role in successful performance.
- Learning to cycle: a constraint-led intervention programme using different cycling task constraintsPublication . Mercê, Cristiana; Davids, Keith; Catela, David; Branco, Marco; Correia, Vanda; Cordovil, RitaBackgroundCycling is a foundational movement skill which represents an important motor milestone to achieve in children's lives. The use of a bicycle with training wheels is the most common approach for learning how to cycle, although some evidence suggests that this approach is counterproductive.PurposeUnderpinned by an ecological dynamics and Constraints-led approach, this study investigated whether learning how to ride a conventional bicycle in childhood can be shaped by the specific task constraints related to the kind of training bicycle used beforehand (i.e. balance bike or bicycle with training wheels). This comparison could guide pedagogical practice to facilitate children's learning in cycling and their independent riding.MethodsThe Learning to Cycle intervention programme was introduced to 25 children (M = 6.08 +/- 1.19 years) who could not previously cycle, divided into two treatment groups. One group trained with a bicycle with training wheels (BTW) and another with a balance bicycle (BB) for six sessions, followed by four sessions with a conventional bicycle (CB). The acquisition of independent cycling was assessed, based on established cycle learning milestone achievements, without help: (i) self-launch, (ii) riding for at least 10 (consecutive) metres, and (iii) braking. To be considered an independent rider, participants needed to achieve all these milestones, without any external help. During the CB sessions, the number of sessions that each child needed to acquire each learning milestone and independent cycling were recorded.ResultsThe programme led to a success rate of 88% for achievement of independent cycling on a conventional bicycle, differentiated by 100% success in the BB group and 75% in the BTW group. The BB participants were significantly faster in learning to self-launch, ride, brake, and cycle independently, compared to BTW participants.ConclusionsThe Learning to Cycle programme was effective for facilitating learning in children from three years of age onwards. Using the BB instead of the BTW seems to lead to a more effective and efficient acquisition of independent cycling at earlier ages.