Differences in children's thinking and learning during attentional focus instruction.

Considerable evidence supports the motor learning advantage associated with an external focus of attention; however, very few studies have investigated attentional focus effects with children despite individual functional constraints that have the potential to impact use of instructional content. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the effect of attentional focus instruction on motor learning in children. Participants (n=42) aged 9-11years were randomly assigned to one of three gender-stratified groups: (1) control, (2) internal focus, or (3) external focus.

External-Focus Feedback Benefits Free-Throw Learning in Children.

Purpose: Considerable research supports the motor-learning advantage associated with an external focus of attention; however, very few studies have attempted to generalize these findings to children especially with attentional focus feedback. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the effect of attentional focus feedback on motor learning in children.

Method: Boys (n = 14) and girls (n = 14) aged 9 to 11 years old were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 gender-stratified groups: (a) internal-focus feedback or (b) external-focus feedback.

Retention and attrition factors for female certified athletic trainers in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision setting.

Context: Organizational effectiveness and the continuity of patient care can be affected by certain levels of attrition. However, little is known about the retention and attrition of female certified athletic trainers (ATs) in certain settings.

Objective: To gain insight and understanding into the factors and circumstances affecting female ATs' decisions to persist in or leave the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (NCAA D-I FBS) setting.

Effects of contextual interference on acquisition and retention of three volleyball skills.

Manipulating the organization of practice conditions, through contextual interference, was identified as a method to promote motor skill acquisition by Brady in 1998. The generalizability of this learning effect is questionable and the amount of repetition versus the amount of change in task presentation requires investigation. The purpose of this study was to explore explanations for the performance of learners practicing the AAHPERD volleyball skills test when the change in task presentation varied.

Anthropometric characteristics of Columbia, South Carolina, youth baseball players and Dixie Youth World Series players.

The purpose of this study was to compare measures of body size in two samples of youth baseball players with normative data from the United States National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) growth charts. One sample of youth baseball players participated in a local little league. The second sample of youth baseball players were members of eight of the twelve teams participating in the 1995 Dixie Youth World Series.

Somatic comparisons of South Korean children and youths born and reared in a rural area with the descendants of rural to urban migrants.

During April-May 2000 somatic data were collected on 236 males and 191 females ages 6, 9, 13, and 15 years residing in rural areas around the communities of Ankye, Euisung, and Kunwi in Kyungsang Puk Do province, South Korea, and 237 males and 219 female of the same ages born and reared at Taegu in families of "rural to urban migrants." Comparisons were made between urban and rural groups for measures of body size and form, skinfold thickness, the body mass index (BMI), and estimated arm muscle area (ARM). Age at menarche was obtained from school records for the 13- and 15-year-olds.

Somatic comparisons at four ages of South Korean females and females of other Asian groups.

Somatic data were collected during April 1997 on 156 females ages 6, 9, 13, and 15 years, residing in urban Pusan, South Korea, and on 158 age peers residing in rural regions surrounding the city. Comparisons were made between urban and rural groups for measures of body size and form, skinfold thicknesses, the body mass index (BMI), and estimated arm muscle area (ARM). Age at menarche was retrospectively reported by the 13- and 15-year-olds.

Somatic comparisons at three ages of South Korean males and males of other Asian groups.

Somatic data were collected during July 1995 on 154 males, ages 6, 9, and 15 years, residing in urban Pusan, South Korea, and on 157 age peers residing in rural regions surrounding the city. Comparisons are made between urban and rural groups for measures of body size and form, skinfold thicknesses, the body mass index (BMI), and estimated arm muscle area (ARM). The data were analyzed in 2 (urban-rural) × 3 (age) analyses of variance with an alpha level of P < 0.

Dietary nutrient intake comparisons for rural and urban Russian boys, ages 6, 9, and 15 years, living in St. Petersburg and surrounding areas.

Dietary intake data were gathered on 123 rural and 111 urban males, ages 6, 9, and 15 years, living in and near St. Petersburg, Russia. Data were analyzed to estimate intakes of kilocalories, protein, calcium, iron, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin C, and percentage of kilocalories from protein, carbohydrate, and fat.

Secular change: Somatic comparisons of urban and rural black male children and youths living in central South Carolina.

Somatic data were collected during 1988-1989 on 260 black males, ages 6, 9, and 15 years, living in Calhoun County in rural central South Carolina. Eight measures of body size, four estimates of body form, two skinfold thicknesses, and body mass index (BMI) were analyzed for central tendency and variability. Comparisons were made with earlier samples of black boys measured in Columbia City, South Carolina, during 1974-1977.

Somatic comparisons: Baiga and Gond males of Madhya Pradesh, India.

Data were collected during 1987 on 84 Baiga and 146 Gond males, ages 7 years to 18 years, living in rural regions of Madhya Pradesh State (India). Comparisons are made between Baiga and Gond males for 11 measures of body size, one measure of body form, and the body mass index (BMI). Somatic comparisons (standing height, body weight, and skelic index) were made at 5 ages with earlier samples of rural Indian males.