1
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Laxdal A, Haugen T, Angeltveit Ø, Sørensen C, Ivarsson A. Is Left-Handedness Associated With Greater Success From the 7-Meter Line? An Analysis of 7-Meter Records Across Various Handball Competitions. Percept Mot Skills 2024:315125241272503. [PMID: 39129476 DOI: 10.1177/00315125241272503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/13/2024]
Abstract
While left-handers have been overrepresented among 7-meter shooters in handball, previous investigators have not found success from the 7-meter line to be related to handedness. Drawing on previous handedness research in sport, we performed two studies to examine possible negative frequency-dependent advantages to left-handedness during 7-meter throws among elite players. In Study I, we analyzed the records of 974 7-meter shooters from Danish and Norwegian elite divisions (485 males and 489 females) and found that left-handed males were overrepresented compared to the prevalence of left-handers in these two leagues, but left-handed females were not. An analysis of covariance showed no statistically significant associations between throwing arm or sex, and success from the 7-meter line. In Study II, we analyzed the records of 899 7-meter shooters at 41 major championships for both males and females between 2007-2023 (442 males and 457 females). We again found left-handed males to be overrepresented compared to their prevalence at the championships, but left-handed females were not. Also, in alignment with Study I, an analysis of covariance found no associations between throwing arm or sex, and success from 7-meter throws. These findings further underline the complexities associated with lateral biases in sports, where there appear to be benefits for left-handed males in the selection process that are not evident during performance execution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aron Laxdal
- Department of Sport Science and Physical Education, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Tommy Haugen
- Department of Sport Science and Physical Education, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Ørjan Angeltveit
- Department of Sport Science and Physical Education, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Christian Sørensen
- Department of Sport Science and Physical Education, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Andreas Ivarsson
- Department of Sport Science and Physical Education, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway
- Center of Research on Welfare, Health and Sport, Halmstad University, Halmstad, Sweden
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2
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Chen YH, Huang SK. The influence of pitcher handedness on pitch-calling behavior: Insights from fMRI study on baseball umpires. Psychophysiology 2024; 61:e14501. [PMID: 38217057 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.14501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
This functional magnetic resonance imaging study delves into the impact of experience and pitcher handedness on the pitch-calling behavior of baseball umpires. Expert and intermediate umpires were asked to make ball/strike calls on videotaped pitches of left- and right-handed pitchers and rate their certainty for the call while undergoing scanning. Behavioral results replicated previous findings that expert umpires were more certain but not more accurate or quicker than intermediate umpires, suggesting that, as sports officials, umpires may learn to project confidence to maintain control of the game. At the neural level, expert umpires exhibited more extensive and pronounced activations within the action observation network, dorsal striatum, and cerebellum. These heightened neural responses were probably associated with their enhanced visual processing abilities for pitching action and ball trajectory, honed over years of officiating. Notably, both expert and intermediate umpires exhibited decreased accuracy when judging pitches from left-handed pitchers compared to right-handed ones. These challenges in accuracy corresponded with weaker neural activations in the aforementioned brain regions, implying difficulties in processing specific visual details of the rarely encountered left-handed pitchers. Moreover, slightly longer reaction times and reduced uncertainty were observed particularly for left-handed ball pitches, as revealed by lower activation in the right premotor cortex, highlighting issues with predictive processing. In summary, our findings shed light on the influence of pitcher handedness on the pitch-calling behavior of baseball umpires and extend the current understanding of the perceptual and decision-making behavior of sports officials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin-Hua Chen
- Graduate Institute of Athletics and Coaching Science, National Taiwan Sport University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Kuei Huang
- Department of Physical Education, Chinese Culture University, Taipei, Taiwan
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3
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Huesmann K, Schorer J, Büsch D, Witt J, Loffing F. Expert goalkeepers' and coaches' views on anticipation and cue utilisation facing backcourt throws in handball goalkeeping. Front Sports Act Living 2023; 5:1215696. [PMID: 37877118 PMCID: PMC10591308 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2023.1215696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Handball goalkeepers have to act under severe spatio-temporal pressure in both standardised (e.g., 7 m penalty) and non-standardised situations (e.g., backcourt throws) which require them to predict action outcome before ball flight is visible. So far, research on goalkeepers' cue utilisation for anticipation of an opponent's action has mainly focused on 7 m throw situations whereas little attention has been paid to the latter, more complex and far more frequently occurring backcourt throw situations. Methods To address this gap, we conducted semi-structured interviews with N = 6 expert handball goalkeepers and goalkeeper coaches [all of whom were (former) expert handball goalkeepers] on anticipation and cue utilisation when facing backcourt throws. The interviews were subsequently transcribed, coded and results were inductively as well as deductively categorised by means of a thematic analysis. Results Results reveal a variety of kinematic and contextual cues relevant for action anticipation that become available before the game and before or during the throw. Participants reported to use information from the offence (e.g., thrower's jump; opposing team's task distribution) and the defence (e.g., defensive players' strategies, block position) for anticipation in backcourt throw situations. Additionally, we identified several factors that influence cue availability and utilisation. Discussion Our findings provide a thorough basis to (a) guide future research that yields questions on kinematic and contextual cue integration and in-situ cue usage as well as (b) inform the development of training programs to foster goalkeepers' anticipatory skill.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim Huesmann
- Department of Movement Science, Institute of Sport Science, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Jörg Schorer
- Department of Movement Science, Institute of Sport Science, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Dirk Büsch
- Department of Training Science, Institute of Sport Science, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Jelto Witt
- Department of Movement Science, Institute of Sport Science, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Florian Loffing
- Department of Performance Psychology, Psychological Institute, German Sports University, Cologne, Germany
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4
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Laxdal A, Þorgeirsson S, Saavedra JM, Sigurgeirsson Ó, Ivarsson A. Are they all born to score? The relationship between throwing arm and scoring from the 7-meter line in semi-professional handball. Laterality 2023; 28:274-284. [PMID: 37525344 DOI: 10.1080/1357650x.2023.2234636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACTIndications of laterall biases favouring left-handers have been found in various sports; especially interactive sports where the athletes have limited time to react to incoming objects. The aim of this study was therefore to explore whether any lateral biases exist in handball by examining 7-meter shots. A total of 6846 7-meter throws from 240 7-meter shooters across four seasons in the semi-professional Icelandic elite handball division (male and female) were analyzed. Out of the 240 7-meter shooters, of which 151 were male and 89 were female, 22% were left-handed (22% of the males and 20% of the females). The left-handed 7-meter shooters took a disproportionate number of the 7-meter shots, with left-handed shooters performing 29% of the 7-meter shots (27% in the male league and 33% in the female league). The results of a Bayesian two-level analysis indicated that left-handedness is not associated with greater success from the 7-meter line at the semi-professional level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aron Laxdal
- Department of Sport Science and Physical Education, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Sveinn Þorgeirsson
- Physical Activity, Physical Education, Sport and Health Research Centre, Reykjavik University, Reykjavík, Iceland
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Split, Split, Croatia
| | - Jose M Saavedra
- Physical Activity, Physical Education, Sport and Health Research Centre, Reykjavik University, Reykjavík, Iceland
| | | | - Andreas Ivarsson
- Department of Sport Science and Physical Education, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway
- Center of Research on Welfare, Health and Sport, Halmstad University, Halmstad, Sweden
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5
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Born to Score? The Relationship between Left-Handedness and Success from the 7-Meter Line. Symmetry (Basel) 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/sym14102163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
An asymmetry in the prevalence of left-handedness vs. right-handedness in society has supposedly resulted in negative frequency-dependent advantages for left-handers in interactive sports. The aim of this study was to test whether these advantages apply to handball by examining whether being left-handed is beneficial when executing 7 m shots, a highly unimanual movement. All 1,625 7 m shots at the men’s 2016–2022 European championships were analyzed using a Bayesian two-level analysis. While the results did not indicate that left-handers were more likely to score from any single 7 m shot, left-handers were overrepresented among the designated shooters compared to both the population as a whole (38% vs. 11.6%) and left-handers on any given handball team (38% vs. 25%). The implication here was that handedness plays no role in the outcome of 7 m shots at the world-class level, but handedness does appear to play a role in who becomes a world-class 7 m shooter.
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6
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Hinz M, Lehmann N, Aye N, Melcher K, Tolentino-Castro JW, Wagner H, Taubert M. Differences in Decision-Making Behavior Between Elite and Amateur Team-Handball Players in a Near-Game Test Situation. Front Psychol 2022; 13:854208. [PMID: 35496175 PMCID: PMC9038659 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.854208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Athletic features distinguishing experts from non-experts in team sports are relevant for performance analyses, talent identification and successful training. In this respect, perceptual-cognitive factors like decision making have been proposed to be important predictor of talent but, however, assessing decision making in team sports remains a challenging endeavor. In particular, it is now known that decisions expressed by verbal reports or micro-movements in the laboratory differ from those actually made in on-field situations in play. To address this point, our study compared elite and amateur players’ decision-making behavior in a near-game test environment including sport-specific sensorimotor responses. Team-handball players (N = 44) were asked to respond as quickly as possible to representative, temporally occluded attack sequences in a team-handball specific defense environment on a contact plate system. Specifically, participants had to choose and perform the most appropriate out of four prespecified, defense response actions. The frequency of responses and decision time were used as dependent variables representing decision-making behavior. We found that elite players responded significantly more often with offensive responses (p < 0.05, odds ratios: 2.76–3.00) in left-handed attack sequences. Decision time decreased with increasing visual information, but no expertise effect was found. We suppose that expertise-related knowledge and processing of kinematic information led to distinct decision-making behavior between elite and amateur players, evoked in a domain-specific and near-game test setting. Results also indicate that the quality of a decision might be of higher relevance than the required time to decide. Findings illustrate application opportunities in the context of performance analyses and talent identification processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Hinz
- Department of Sport Science, Faculty of Human Sciences, Institute III, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Nico Lehmann
- Department of Sport Science, Faculty of Human Sciences, Institute III, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Norman Aye
- Department of Sport Science, Faculty of Human Sciences, Institute III, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Kevin Melcher
- Department of Sport Science, Faculty of Human Sciences, Institute III, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - J Walter Tolentino-Castro
- Department of Performance Psychology, Institute of Psychology, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Herbert Wagner
- Department of Sport and Exercise Science, Paris Lodron University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Marco Taubert
- Department of Sport Science, Faculty of Human Sciences, Institute III, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany.,Center for Behavioral and Brain Sciences (CBBS), Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
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7
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Reliability of Perceptual-Cognitive Skills in a Complex, Laboratory-Based Team-Sport Setting. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/app11115203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The temporal occlusion paradigm is often used in anticipation and decision-making research in sports. Although it is considered as a valid measurement tool, evidence of its reproducibility is lacking but required for future cross-sectional and repeated-measures designs. Moreover, only a few studies on decision making in real-world environments exist. Here, we aimed at (a) implementing a temporal occlusion test with multi-dimensional motor response characteristics, and (b) assessing intra- and inter-session item reliability. Temporally occluded videos of attack sequences in a team handball scenario were created and combined with the SpeedCourt® contact plate system. Participants were instructed to perform pre-specified defensive actions in response to the video stimuli presented on a life-size projection screen. The intra- and inter-session (after at least 24 h) reproducibility of subjects’ motor responses were analyzed. Significant Cohen’s (0.44–0.54) and Fleiss’ (0.33–0.51) kappa statistics revealed moderate agreement of motor responses with the majority of attack situations in both intra- and inter-session analyses. Participants made faster choices with more visual information about the opponents’ unfolding action. Our findings indicate reliable decisions in a complex, near-game test environment for team handball players. The test provides a foundation for future temporal occlusion studies, including recommendations for new explanatory approaches in cognition research.
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8
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Virgile A, Bishop C. A Narrative Review of Limb Dominance: Task Specificity and the Importance of Fitness Testing. J Strength Cond Res 2021; 35:846-858. [PMID: 33470600 DOI: 10.1519/jsc.0000000000003851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Virgile, A and Bishop, C. A narrative review of limb dominance: Task specificity and the importance of fitness testing. J Strength Cond Res 35(3): 846-858, 2021-Preferential limb function must be sustained through repetitious asymmetrical activities for continuous athletic development and, ultimately, optimal athletic performance. As such, the prevalence of limb dominance and between-limb differences is common in athletes. Severe between-limb differences have been associated with reductions in athletic performance and increased injury risk in athletes. However, in the current literature, the terms limb preference and limb dominance have been used interchangeably. Together, these terms include a limb that is subjectively preferred and one that is objectively dominant in 1 or more performance measures from a variety of athletic tasks. In this review, we (a) discuss reported correspondence between task-specific limb preference and limb dominance outcomes in athletes, (b) provide greater context and distinction between the terms limb preference and limb dominance, and (c) offer pragmatic strategies for practitioners to assess context-specific limb dominance. A limb that is subjectively preferred is not necessarily objectively dominant in 1 or more athletic qualities or sport-specific tasks. Further to this, a limb that is objectively superior in 1 task may not exhibit such superiority in a separate task. Thus, limb preference and limb dominance are both task-specific. As such, we propose that practitioners intentionally select tasks for limb dominance assessment which resemble the most relevant demands of sport. Because limb dominance profiles are inconsistent, we suggest that practitioners increase assessment frequency by integrating limb dominance testing into standard training activities. This will allow practitioners to better understand when changes reflect sport-specific adaptation vs. potential performance or injury ramifications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chris Bishop
- London Sport Institute at Allianz Park, Middlesex University, Greenlands Lane, London, United Kingdom
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9
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Cocić D, Vaci N, Prieger R, Bilalić M. Reading the Future from Body Movements -Anticipation in Handball. J Mot Behav 2020; 53:483-498. [PMID: 32746741 DOI: 10.1080/00222895.2020.1802216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
In speed-based sports that require fast reactions, the most accurate predictions are made once the players have seen the ball trajectory. However, waiting for the ball trajectory does not leave enough time for appropriate reactions. Expert athletes use kinematic information which they extract from the opponent's movements to anticipate the ball trajectory. Temporal occlusion, where only a part of the full movement sequence is presented, has often been used to research anticipation in sports. Unlike many previous studies, we chose occlusion points in video-stimuli of penalty shooting in handball based on the domain-specific analysis of movement sequences. Instead of relying on randomly chosen occlusion points, each time point in our study revealed a specific chunk of information about the direction of the ball. The multivariate analysis showed that handball goalkeepers were not only more accurate and faster than novices overall when predicting where the ball will end up, but that experts and novices also made their decisions based on different kinds of movement sequences. These findings underline the importance of kinematic knowledge for anticipation, but they also demonstrate the significance of carefully chosen occlusion points.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dijana Cocić
- Department of Psychology, University of Northumbria at Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Nemanja Vaci
- Department of Psychology, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Robert Prieger
- Institute of Psychology, University of Klagenfurt, Klagenfurt, Austria
| | - Merim Bilalić
- Department of Psychology, University of Northumbria at Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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10
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Motor competence is not enough: Handedness does not facilitate visual anticipation of same-handed action outcome. Cortex 2020; 130:94-99. [PMID: 32650060 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2020.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Revised: 11/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Visual understanding of others performing an action depends on both an observer's visual and motor experience with that action. With regard to visual anticipation of lateralized action outcome in one-on-one confrontative situations, however, the particular role of motor experience is poorly understood. Here, we considered handedness to test the laterality-specific contribution of visual and motor experience to action outcome anticipation. In two experiments, 55 left- and 114 right-handed handball players predicted the outcome (Exp. 1: throw direction; Exp. 2: type of throw) of videos showing left- and right-handed penalty-throws viewed from a goalkeeper's perspective. Analyses reveal that left- and right-handed participants performed similarly and had more difficulties anticipating the outcome direction, but not type of throw, of left- compared to right-handed penalties. Thus, albeit left- and right-handers differ in their lateralized motor experience, this does not seem to be sufficient to facilitate visual anticipation of same-handed action outcome. Instead, findings lend further support to the specificity of perceptual learning and visual experience arising from both left- and right-handers' predominant exposure to more common right-handed movements.
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11
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Fewer fixations of longer duration? Expert gaze behavior revisited. GERMAN JOURNAL OF EXERCISE AND SPORT RESEARCH 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s12662-019-00616-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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12
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Vázquez-Diz JA, Morillo-Baro JP, Reigal RE, Morales-Sánchez V, Hernández-Mendo A. Mixed Methods in Decision-Making Through Polar Coordinate Technique: Differences by Gender on Beach Handball Specialist. Front Psychol 2019; 10:1627. [PMID: 31354600 PMCID: PMC6639826 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this research was to analyze decision making of the specialist in beach handball in the framework of mixed methods, and through the observation of their actions. To do this, and distinguishing it by genre, an analysis of polar coordinates was realized using the assist and completion of this specific position as behavior criteria. A total of 24 sessions were observed with the HOISAN computer software, using an ad hoc design tool. Observation design used was nomothetic, punctual, and multidimensional. The obtained results showed significant relations between the behavior criteria and conditional behaviors (pairing), showing significant relations different for male and female categories. Significant differences were estimated statistically about the importance of the specialist in the development of the static attack in beach handball and their influence in the final result of the match, based on their greater or lesser success in decision making. In the male category it is highlighted that the specialist’s assists are not positively related to a favorable score and that the attack usually ends up in the central areas against closed defensive systems; in addition, their successful completion decisions are produced by means of launches in the central zone, also against closed defensive systems; however, in the female category, specialists’ assists lead to end the attacks in flight on the far right against open defensive systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan A Vázquez-Diz
- University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain.,Departamento Psicología Social, Trabajo Social, Antropología Social y Estudios de Asia Oriental, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - Juan P Morillo-Baro
- University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain.,Departamento Psicología Social, Trabajo Social, Antropología Social y Estudios de Asia Oriental, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - Rafael E Reigal
- University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain.,Departamento Psicología Social, Trabajo Social, Antropología Social y Estudios de Asia Oriental, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - Verónica Morales-Sánchez
- University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain.,Departamento Psicología Social, Trabajo Social, Antropología Social y Estudios de Asia Oriental, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - Antonio Hernández-Mendo
- University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain.,Departamento Psicología Social, Trabajo Social, Antropología Social y Estudios de Asia Oriental, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
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13
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Vázquez-Diz JA, Morillo-Baro JP, Reigal RE, Morales-Sánchez V, Hernández-Mendo A. Contextual Factors and Decision-Making in the Behavior of Finalization in the Positional Attack in Beach Handball: Differences by Gender Through Polar Coordinates Analysis. Front Psychol 2019; 10:1386. [PMID: 31263442 PMCID: PMC6585176 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to analyze, in the framework of the mixed methods, the relationship of different contextual factors with the decisions shown in the finalization of the positional attack in beach handball. For this reason, a polar coordinates analysis was carried out, by gender, using as focal behaviors the simple and double goal, and the loss of possession of the attacking team, which are considered decisive in assessing the success of the decisions at the end of the positional attack. These focal behaviors have been linked to criteria that characterize the attack situation such as the minute, the score, the numerical balance, the defensive system and the duration. A total of 24 sessions were observed with the HOISAN computer software, using an ad hoc designed tool. The model of observation used was punctual, multidimensional, and nomothetic. The observation unit used for the positional attack from when the specialist gains control of play until the possession changes. The results obtained showed that an advantage of goals scored and the numerical balance situations of the teams modulate significantly the appropriate decision made by both categories. However, they also indicated differences in the flow of pairing behaviors for both categories in some aspects. Specifically, it has been observed that a longer duration of the attack in the female category has been linked significantly to a successful performance and the results also show that an elaborated attack is related to successful behaviors. In the male category, it has been observed that the technical fouls made by the attackers increase in the last minutes of the match. Likewise, as regards the to the opposing team’s defensive system, the results in the male category are related to successful behaviors before any of them; whereas, in the female category, when playing against a defensive pressure system, the results relate more to errors during the performance of the pass and reception. The use of polar coordinates for the estimation of technical-tactical relations allows, from a psychological point of view, determine the techniques and procedures of psychological intervention that optimize the action resources of the players individually and the team as a collective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan A Vázquez-Diz
- Departamento Psicología Social, Trabajo Social, Antropología Social y Estudios de Asia Oriental, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - Juan P Morillo-Baro
- Departamento Psicología Social, Trabajo Social, Antropología Social y Estudios de Asia Oriental, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - Rafael E Reigal
- Departamento Psicología Social, Trabajo Social, Antropología Social y Estudios de Asia Oriental, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - Verónica Morales-Sánchez
- Departamento Psicología Social, Trabajo Social, Antropología Social y Estudios de Asia Oriental, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - Antonio Hernández-Mendo
- Departamento Psicología Social, Trabajo Social, Antropología Social y Estudios de Asia Oriental, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
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14
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Castañer M, Andueza J, Hileno R, Puigarnau S, Prat Q, Camerino O. Profiles of Motor Laterality in Young Athletes' Performance of Complex Movements: Merging the MOTORLAT and PATHoops Tools. Front Psychol 2018; 9:916. [PMID: 29930527 PMCID: PMC5999755 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Laterality is a key aspect of the analysis of basic and specific motor skills. It is relevant to sports because it involves motor laterality profiles beyond left-right preference and spatial orientation of the body. The aim of this study was to obtain the laterality profiles of young athletes, taking into account the synergies between the support and precision functions of limbs and body parts in the performance of complex motor skills. We applied two instruments: (a) MOTORLAT, a motor laterality inventory comprising 30 items of basic, specific, and combined motor skills, and (b) the Precision and Agility Tapping over Hoops (PATHoops) task, in which participants had to perform a path by stepping in each of 14 hoops arranged on the floor, allowing the observation of their feet, left-right preference and spatial orientation. A total of 96 young athletes performed the PATHoops task and the 30 MOTORLAT items, allowing us to obtain data about limb dominance and spatial orientation of the body in the performance of complex motor skills. Laterality profiles were obtained by means of a cluster analysis and a correlational analysis and a contingency analysis were applied between the motor skills and spatial orientation actions performed. The results obtained using MOTORLAT show that the combined motor skills criterion (for example, turning while jumping) differentiates athletes' uses of laterality, showing a clear tendency toward mixed laterality profiles in the performance of complex movements. In the PATHoops task, the best spatial orientation strategy was “same way” (same foot and spatial wing) followed by “opposite way” (opposite foot and spatial wing), in keeping with the research assumption that actions unfolding in a horizontal direction in front of an observer's eyes are common in a variety of sports.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Castañer
- National Institute of Physical Education of Catalonia (INEFC), University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain.,Lleida Institute for Biomedical Research Dr. Pifarré Foundation (IRBLLEIDA), University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain
| | - Juan Andueza
- National Institute of Physical Education of Catalonia (INEFC), University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain
| | - Raúl Hileno
- National Institute of Physical Education of Catalonia (INEFC), University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain
| | - Silvia Puigarnau
- National Institute of Physical Education of Catalonia (INEFC), University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain
| | - Queralt Prat
- National Institute of Physical Education of Catalonia (INEFC), University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain
| | - Oleguer Camerino
- National Institute of Physical Education of Catalonia (INEFC), University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain.,Lleida Institute for Biomedical Research Dr. Pifarré Foundation (IRBLLEIDA), University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain
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15
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Barrenetxea-Garcia J, Torres-Unda J, Esain I, Gil SM. Relative age effect and left-handedness in world class water polo male and female players. Laterality 2018; 24:259-273. [PMID: 29855225 DOI: 10.1080/1357650x.2018.1482906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Most studies of the relative age effect (RAE) refer to popular sports. In contrast, we examined to what extent the RAE is present in elite water polo players, as well as the association between handedness and RAE. For these purposes, laterality, anthropometry, month of birth, performance and playing position of participants in the 2011, 2013 and 2015 World Championships (623 women, 622 men) were analised. No RAE was observed in the total sample. However, the proportion of male left-handed field players born in the first quarter (11%) was lower than those born in the second (35.3%) and fourth quarter (29.4%). Regarding the overall laterality, the amount of left handed players was similar to the general population (10%). Nevertheless, there was a larger amount of left-handed wings than expected both in men (23.7%) and women (34.4%). Left-handed male players performed more shots, shots/minute and also scored more goals than right-handed players. Women left-handed players were younger and they performed more shots/minute. There is no RAE in elite male and female water polo players. However, laterality could be a possible moderator of the RAE particularly in left handed players, which should be taken into account in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josu Barrenetxea-Garcia
- a Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing , University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) , Bizkaia , Basque Country, Spain
| | - Jon Torres-Unda
- a Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing , University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) , Bizkaia , Basque Country, Spain
| | - Izaro Esain
- a Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing , University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) , Bizkaia , Basque Country, Spain
| | - Susana M Gil
- a Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing , University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) , Bizkaia , Basque Country, Spain
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16
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Beehler B, Kochanski RB, Byrne R, Sani S. Prevalence and Impact of Left-Handedness in Neurosurgery. World Neurosurg 2018; 114:e323-e328. [DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2018.02.180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2018] [Revised: 02/22/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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17
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Morillo JP, Reigal RE, Hernández-Mendo A, Montaña A, Morales-Sánchez V. Decision-Making by Handball Referees: Design of an ad hoc Observation Instrument and Polar Coordinate Analysis. Front Psychol 2017; 8:1842. [PMID: 29104553 PMCID: PMC5655026 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2017] [Accepted: 10/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Referees are essential for sports such as handball. However, there are few tools available to analyze the activity of handball referees. The aim of this study was to design an instrument for observing the behavior of referees in handball competitions and to analyze the resulting data by polar coordinate analysis. The instrument contained 6 criteria and 18 categories and can be used to monitor and describe the actions of handball referees according to their role/position on the playing court. For the data quality control analysis, we calculated Pearson's (0.99), Spearman's (0.99), and Tau Kendall's (1.00) correlation coefficients and Cohen's kappa (entre 0.72 y 0.75) and Phi (entre 0.83 y 0.87) coefficients. In the generalizability analysis, the absolute and relative generalizability coefficients were 0.99 in both cases. Polar coordinate analysis of referee decisions showed that correct calls were more common for central court and 7-meter throw calls. Likewise, calls were more likely to be incorrect (in terms of both errors of omission and commission) when taken from the goal-line position.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan P Morillo
- Departamento de Psicología Social, Trabajo Social, Antropología Social y Estudios de Asia Oriental, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - Rafael E Reigal
- Departamento de Psicología Social, Trabajo Social, Antropología Social y Estudios de Asia Oriental, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - Antonio Hernández-Mendo
- Departamento de Psicología Social, Trabajo Social, Antropología Social y Estudios de Asia Oriental, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - Alejandro Montaña
- Departamento de Psicología Social, Trabajo Social, Antropología Social y Estudios de Asia Oriental, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - Verónica Morales-Sánchez
- Departamento de Psicología Social, Trabajo Social, Antropología Social y Estudios de Asia Oriental, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
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18
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Castañer M, Barreira D, Camerino O, Anguera MT, Fernandes T, Hileno R. Mastery in Goal Scoring, T-Pattern Detection, and Polar Coordinate Analysis of Motor Skills Used by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Front Psychol 2017; 8:741. [PMID: 28553245 PMCID: PMC5427849 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2017] [Accepted: 04/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Research in soccer has traditionally given more weight to players' technical and tactical skills, but few studies have analyzed the motor skills that underpin specific motor actions. The objective of this study was to investigate the style of play of the world's top soccer players, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, and how they use their motor skills in attacking actions that result in a goal. We used and improved the easy-to-use observation instrument (OSMOS-soccer player) with 9 criteria, each one expanded to build 50 categories. Associations between these categories were investigated by T-pattern detection and polar coordinate analysis. T-pattern analysis detects temporal structures of complex behavioral sequences composed of simpler or directly distinguishable events within specified observation periods (time point series). Polar coordinate analysis involves the application of a complex procedure to provide a vector map of interrelated behaviors obtained from prospective and retrospective sequential analysis. The T-patterns showed that for both players the combined criteria were mainly between the different aspects of motor skills, namely the use of lower limbs, contact with the ball using the outside of the foot, locomotion, body orientation with respect to the opponent goal line, and the criteria of technical actions and the right midfield. Polar coordinate analysis detected significant associations between the same criteria included in the T-patterns as well as the criteria of turning the body, numerical equality with no pressure, and relative numerical superiority.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Castañer
- National Institute of Physical Education of Catalonia, Observation Laboratory in Physical Activity and Sports, University of LleidaLleida, Spain
| | - Daniel Barreira
- Faculty of Sport, Centre of Research, Training, Innovation and Intervention in Sport, University of PortoPorto, Portugal
| | - Oleguer Camerino
- National Institute of Physical Education of Catalonia, Observation Laboratory in Physical Activity and Sports, University of LleidaLleida, Spain
| | | | - Tiago Fernandes
- Faculty of Sport, Centre of Research, Training, Innovation and Intervention in Sport, University of PortoPorto, Portugal
| | - Raúl Hileno
- National Institute of Physical Education of Catalonia, Observation Laboratory in Physical Activity and Sports, University of LleidaLleida, Spain
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19
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Loffing F, Cañal-Bruland R. Anticipation in sport. Curr Opin Psychol 2017; 16:6-11. [PMID: 28813357 DOI: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2017.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2016] [Revised: 03/08/2017] [Accepted: 03/14/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Anticipation has become an increasingly important research area within sport psychology since its infancy in the late 1970s. Early work has increased our fundamental understanding of skilled anticipation in sports and how this skill is developed. With increasing theoretical and practical insights and concurrent technological advancements, researchers are now able to tackle more detailed questions with sophisticated methods. Despite this welcomed progress, some fundamental questions and challenges remain to be addressed, including the (relative) contributions of visual and motor experience to anticipation, intraindividual and interindividual variation in gaze behaviour, and the impact of non-kinematic (contextual or situational) information on performance and its interaction with advanced kinematic cues during the planning and execution of (re)actions in sport. The aim of this opinion paper is to shortly sketch the state of the art, and then to discuss recent work that has started to systematically address open challenges thereby inspiring promising future routes for research on anticipation and its application in practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Loffing
- Institute of Sport Science, University of Oldenburg, Ammerländer Heerstr. 114-118, 26111 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Rouwen Cañal-Bruland
- Institute of Sport Science, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Seidelstraße 20, 07749 Jena, Germany.
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20
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Hamlin RP. "The Gaze Heuristic:" Biography of an Adaptively Rational Decision Process. Top Cogn Sci 2017; 9:264-288. [PMID: 28220988 DOI: 10.1111/tops.12253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2016] [Revised: 10/13/2016] [Accepted: 10/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
This article is a case study that describes the natural and human history of the gaze heuristic. The gaze heuristic is an interception heuristic that utilizes a single input (deviation from a constant angle of approach) repeatedly as a task is performed. Its architecture, advantages, and limitations are described in detail. A history of the gaze heuristic is then presented. In natural history, the gaze heuristic is the only known technique used by predators to intercept prey. In human history the gaze heuristic was discovered accidentally by Royal Air Force (RAF) fighter command just prior to World War II. As it was never discovered by the Luftwaffe, the technique conferred a decisive advantage upon the RAF throughout the war. After the end of the war in America, German technology was combined with the British heuristic to create the Sidewinder AIM9 missile, the most successful autonomous weapon ever built. There are no plans to withdraw it or replace its guiding gaze heuristic. The case study demonstrates that the gaze heuristic is a specific heuristic type that takes a single best input at the best time (take the best2 ). Its use is an adaptively rational response to specific, rapidly evolving decision environments that has allowed those animals/humans/machines who use it to survive, prosper, and multiply relative to those who do not.
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21
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Castañer M, Barreira D, Camerino O, Anguera MT, Canton A, Hileno R. Goal Scoring in Soccer: A Polar Coordinate Analysis of Motor Skills Used by Lionel Messi. Front Psychol 2016; 7:806. [PMID: 27303357 PMCID: PMC4882477 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2016] [Accepted: 05/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Soccer research has traditionally focused on technical and tactical aspects of team play, but few studies have analyzed motor skills in individual actions, such as goal scoring. The objective of this study was to investigate how Lionel Messi, one of the world's top soccer players, uses his motor skills and laterality in individual attacking actions resulting in a goal. We analyzed 103 goals scored by Messi between over a decade in three competitions: La Liga (n = 74), Copa del Rey (n = 8), and the UEFA Champions League (n = 21). We used an ad-hoc observation instrument (OSMOS-soccer player) comprising 10 criteria and 50 categories; polar coordinate analysis, a powerful data reduction technique, revealed significant associations for body part and orientation, foot contact zone, turn direction, and locomotion. No significant associations were observed for pitch area or interaction with opponents. Our analysis confirms significant associations between different aspects of motor skill use by Messi immediately before scoring, namely use of lower limbs, foot contact zones, turn direction, use of wings, and orientation of body to move toward the goal. Studies of motor skills in soccer could shed light on the qualities that make certain players unique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Castañer
- Motor Skills Observation Laboratory, National Institute of Physical Education, University of Lleida Lleida, Spain
| | - Daniel Barreira
- Faculty of Sport, Centre of Research, Training, Innovation and Intervention in Sport, University of Porto Porto, Portugal
| | - Oleguer Camerino
- Motor Skills Observation Laboratory, National Institute of Physical Education, University of Lleida Lleida, Spain
| | - M Teresa Anguera
- Social Psychology and Quantitative Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Barcelona Barcelona, Spain
| | - Albert Canton
- Motor Skills Observation Laboratory, National Institute of Physical Education, University of Lleida Lleida, Spain
| | - Raúl Hileno
- Motor Skills Observation Laboratory, National Institute of Physical Education, University of Lleida Lleida, Spain
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