Das Experten-Novizen-Paradigma und die Vertrauenskrise in der Psychologie

Application of a Validated Innovative Smart Wearable for Performance Analysis by Experienced and Non-Experienced Athletes in Boxing

An athlete's sporting performance depends to a large extent on the technical execution of the athletic motion in order to achieve maximum effectiveness in physical performance. Performance analysis provides an important means of classifying and quantifying athletic prowess in terms of the significant performance aspects of the sport to provide objective feedback. This study aimed to analyze technical execution in terms of punch trajectory, force, velocity and time, considering the expert-novice paradigm by investigating the technical execution of 31 experienced and non-experienced athletes for the four main punching techniques of the cross, jab, uppercut and hook strike. The kinetic and kinematic data were collected by means of a boxing monitoring system developed and validated for in-field use. The research revealed significant correlation for executed punching trajectory and punch force in intragroup comparison and significant differences in intergroup comparison. No significant differences were detected for punch velocity in either inter- or intra-group paradigms. This study, through use of the sensor system, aligns with the results of existing publications conducted in laboratory conditions, in the assessment of punch force, punch speed and punch time and thus extends the state of research by use of a smart wearable in field method.

The design fluency test: a reliable and valid instrument for the assessment of game intelligence?

The design fluency test (DFT) has been reported to predict successful sports performance of soccer players and has therefore been in the spotlight of sport psychology research. There is, however, a lack of research regarding the psychometric properties of the DFT in elite sports. Thus, the aim of this research was to provide findings of test–retest reliability, practice effects and the diagnostic power of the DFT. Multiple studies of youth and adult elite athletes, as well as nonathlete students, were conducted in applied settings. Test–retest relationship demonstrated poor to acceptable short-term and long-term correlations. Furthermore, significant changes between test and retest were obtained in some variables that differed among samples. The differential value of the DFT was corroborated by significant differences between adolescent students and adolescent elite soccer players. Regarding the prospective value, significant partial correlation coefficients were found between DFT scores and volleyball performance in adult elite players. Although our research partially confirmed previous findings on the differential and prospective power of the DFT, the findings on test–retest reliability indicate that the DFT cannot be recommended for application in sports. The psychometric properties—in particular the findings on test–retest reliability—of the DFT have to be improved before research can be carried out on the application for the selection of team sport athletes and for the prediction of future success in team sports. Further research is needed to develop a scientific instrument for the assessment of game intelligence.

Decision-Making Skills in Youth Basketball Players: Diagnostic and External Validation of a Video-Based Assessment

Decision-making is a central skill of basketball players intending to excel individually and contribute to their teams’ success. The assessment of such skills is particularly challenging in complex team sports. To address this challenge, this study aimed to conceptualize a reliable and valid video-based decision-making assessment in youth basketball. The study sample comprised youth basketball players of the German U16 national team (n = 17; M_Age = 16.01 ± 0.25 years) and students of a sports class (n = 17; M_Age = 15.73 ± 0.35 years). Diagnostic validity was tested by determination of the performance levels according to response accuracy as well as response time in the assessment. External validity was examined by investigation of the correlation between the diagnostic results of the elite athletes and their real game performance data associated with passing skills. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the diagnostic results discriminate between performance levels (χ²(2) = 20.39, p < 0.001, Nagelkerke’s R² = 0.60). Multiple regression analysis demonstrated a positive relationship between the diagnostic results and assists (F(2,10) = 4.82, p < 0.05; R² = 0.49) as well as turnovers per game (F(2,10) = 5.23, p < 0.05; R² = 0.51). However, no relationship was detected regarding the assist-turnover ratio. Further, response time discriminated within the elite athletes’ performance data but not between performance levels while for response accuracy the opposite is the case. The results confirm the diagnostic and external validity of the assessment and indicate its applicability to investigate decision-making skills in youth basketball.

Zur Diskussion des CHC-Modells im Kontext des Leistungssports

Zusammenfassung. Das Cattell-Horn-Carroll Modell (CHC-Modell) wird als potentielles Rahmenmodell vorgestellt, um kognitive Basisfähigkeiten im leistungssportlichen Kontext zu betrachten. Mit dem Determinationstest (DT) wird beispielhaft ein Testverfahren aus dem Wiener Testsystem auf seine psychometrischen Eigenschaften geprüft, Aspekte der speed & efficiency als Komponenten des CHC-Modells zu erfassen, die im Sport von hoher Bedeutsamkeit sind. Zur Konstruktvalidierung wird ergänzend der Cognitrone (COG), der u.a. den CHC-Bereich memory & efficiency abbildet, in Teilstichproben eingesetzt. Auf der Datenbasis von österreichischen Leistungssporttreibenden sowie Sportstudierenden werden Kriteriums- und Konstruktvalidität sowie Test-Retest-Stabilität des DT berichtet. Der DT scheint einen Beitrag leisten zu können, zwischen Sportartenbündeln zu differenzieren, die (a) hohe Anforderungen (z.B. Tennis) bzw. (b) geringe Anforderungen (z.B. Skilanglauf) an speed & efficiency stellen. In Spielsportarten, die stark auf speed & efficiency als auch der memory & efficiency rekurrieren, korrelieren die Daten des DT und COG erwartungsgemäß höher als bei den beiden anderen Sportartenbündeln.