Influencia del juego interior de la selección española de baloncesto en el rendimiento: análisis de coordenadas polares.

En los últimos años se ha incrementado el interés por conocer las acciones más efectivas durante la competición ya que este hecho se ha mostrado esencial para mejorar el rendimiento de los jugadores en el deporte de élite; particularmente en los deportes colectivos el análisis táctico ha crecido de forma exponencial. El objetivo de este estudio fue detectar las relaciones que se establecen entre las conductas de finalización de los jugadores interiores de un equipo de baloncesto y su repercusión en el rendimiento del equipo. Para ello, y utilizando un diseño nomotético, de seguimiento y multidimensional, se realizó un análisis de coordenadas polares con las observaciones del juego de la Selección Española de Baloncesto Senior Masculina durante su participación en el Campeonato de Europa de 2015. La herramienta de observación creada ha superado el análisis de calidad del dato exigible en Metodología Observacional y está compuesta por 5 criterios y 29 categorías exhaustivas y mutuamente excluyentes. Se registraron un total de 316 acciones ofensivas, que pusieron de manifiesto la influencia de los jugadores que ocupan las posiciones interiores en el ataque estático. Los resultados muestran una alta efectividad cuando los ataques son acabados por ellos y la alta producción ofensiva de estos jugadores en acciones individuales, siendo capaces de conseguir canastas o provocar faltas a sus defensores. El análisis de coordenadas polares se ha mostrado como una técnica útil para el análisis táctico de las conductas que suceden en el deporte de competición. In recent years, there has been an increased interest in knowing the most effective actions during competition, as this fact has proven essential to improve the performance of players in elite sport; particularly in team sports, tactical analysis has grown exponentially. The objective of this study was to detect the relationships that were obtained between the finishing behaviors of the inside players of a basketball team and it is impact on team performance. To do so, and using nomothetic, follow-up and multidimensional observational design, polar coordinates analysis was performed from the observations of the game of the Spanish men basketball team during European Championships in 2015. The observational tool, formed by 5 criteria and 29 exhaustive and mutually exclusive categories, was created and passed the data quality analysis required in Observational Methodology. A total of 316 offensive actions were registered and revealed the influence of the inside players in the static attack. The results showed a high effectiveness when the attacks are finished by inside players, and the high offensive production of these players in individual actions, being able to get baskets or cause fouls to their defenders. Polar coordinates analysis has been shown as a useful technique to tactical analysis of the behaviors that occur in competitive sport. Nos últimos anos tem havido um interesse crescente em conhecer as acções mais eficazes durante a competição, uma vez que este facto se revelou essencial para melhorar o desempenho dos jogadores no desporto de elite; particularmente nos desportos colectivos, a análise táctica tem crescido exponencialmente. O objectivo deste estudo era detectar as relações estabelecidas entre os comportamentos finais dos jogadores internos de uma equipa de basquetebol e o seu impacto no desempenho da equipa. Para o fazer, e utilizando um design nomotético, de seguimento e multidimensional, foi realizada uma análise de coordenadas polares com as observações do jogo da Selecção Espanhola de Basquetebol Masculino Sénior durante a sua participação no Campeonato Europeu de 2015. O instrumento de observação criado passou a análise da qualidade dos dados exigida na Metodologia de Observação e é composto por 5 critérios e 29 categorias exaustivas e mutuamente excludentes. Foi registado um total de 316 acções ofensivas, que mostraram a influência de jogadores que ocupavam posições internas no ataque estático. Os resultados mostram uma elevada eficácia quando os ataques são finalizados por eles e a elevada produção ofensiva destes jogadores em acções individuais, podendo obter cestos ou causar faltas aos seus defensores. A análise das coordenadas polares demonstrou ser uma técnica útil para a análise táctica dos comportamentos que ocorrem no desporto de competição.

Development and Validation of an Observational Assessment of Upper Extremity Functioning in Children With Bilateral Cerebral Palsy

Date Presented Accepted for AOTA INSPIRE 2021 but unable to be presented due to online event limitations. The Hand–Object Observation Tool is a valid systematic observational tool developed to measure upper extremity functioning in children with bilateral cerebral palsy. Using a valid systematic strategy to observe hand–object interaction during daily activities provides clinicians with the much-needed information regarding upper extremity function and optimal object placement to facilitate hand use, task completion, and participation in daily activities. Primary Author and Speaker: Amanda Sarafian Contributing Authors: Katherine Dimitropoulou, Madhabi Chatterji, and Andrew Gordon

Validation of a Football Competence Observation System (FOCOS), Linked to Procedural Tactical Knowledge

The use of instruments for the evaluation of a player’s procedural tactical knowledge (PTK) in sociomotor sports, such as football, is a line of research of growing interest since it allows a pertinent description of the player’s football competence. The aim of this study is to configure and validate an ad-hoc observational tool that allows evaluating the player’s PTK, understood as football competence, from the observation, coding and recording of the roles, the actions of the acquired subroles and the operational and specific principles of football in the attack and defense phases. Based on the Delphi method, a field format coding instrument was designed and validated where each criterion is a system of categories, exhaustive and mutually exclusive. The results showed excellent content validity (9.02 out of 10), and high values of intra-observer stability (k = 0.747) and inter-observer agreement (k = 0.665). Generalizability analysis showed an excellent reliability (G = 0.99). Additionally, the construct validity of the tool was calculated through a small-sided game Gk + 4v4 + Gk, using two independent samples: semi-professional and amateur players. The results reflected significant differences (α < 0.05) between both samples in the variables total score, offensive score and defensive score. Therefore, this study provides a valid and reliable instrument that allows data collection in a rigorous and pertinent way, as well as their analysis and evaluation in attack and defense according to the roles of the players and based on the motor behaviors that they perform using the subroles that they acquired, associated with the technical dimension, along with the principles that they develop in parallel, in support of the tactical dimension.

Frequency and Time Dependence of Linear Polarization in Turbulent Jets of Blazars

Time-variable polarization is an extremely valuable observational tool to probe the dynamical physical conditions of blazar jets. Since 2008, we have been monitoring the flux and linear polarization of a sample of gamma-ray bright blazars at optical frequencies. Some of the observations were performed on nightly or intra-night time-scales in four optical bands, providing information on the frequency and time dependence of the polarization. The observed behavior is similar to that found in simulations of turbulent plasma in a relativistic jet that contains a standing shock and/or a helical background magnetic field. Similar simulations predict the characteristics of X-ray synchrotron polarization of blazars that will be measured in the future by the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE).

Intra- and inter-rater reliability of the Behaviour Mapping Schedule: A direct observational tool for classifying children’s play behaviour

Identifying and describing children’s play behaviours is an important component of evaluating child development. The Behaviour Mapping Schedule is a direct observational tool which aims to describe and quantify children’s play behaviours but is yet to undergo reliability testing. This study aimed to determine the intra- and inter-rater reliability of the Behaviour Mapping Schedule. Twelve children aged 3–5 years were each video recorded for one 20-minute playtime period at a purposively selected Community Children’s Centre in Adelaide, South Australia. The video recordings were coded independently by two raters against 23 behaviour codes. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated. Intra-rater ICCs for nearly 70% of the behaviour codes were considered ‘excellent’; likewise, for inter-rater ICCs on more than 50% of the behaviour codes. Overall, the Behaviour Mapping Schedule is a reliable tool for observing children’s play behaviour; however, additional training resources may be useful to further strengthen inter-rater reliability.

Piloting the Play Cycle Observation Method in ‘real time’: Recording children’s Play Cycles in pre-school provision

The Play Cycle Observation Method (PCOM) is an observational tool developed to focus on the process of play and has shown good reliability when watching videos of children playing. This study piloted use of the PCOM in ‘real time’ in a pre-school setting where 3-year-old children play. The results from two independent observers not familiar with the concept of the Play Cycle or the PCOM found good inter-rater reliability using Cohen Kappa (k) when observing play cues to form play cycles, as well as observing play cues within established play cycles. In addition, the recording of the nature of the play cues and play returns, the play frame and how the play cycle finishes (annihilation) were shown to be consistent between the two inter-rater observers. The results of this pilot study indicate the PCOM can be used as an observational tool to record the process of play by both students and practitioners working in a range of contexts including playwork, childcare, early years and statutory education. The PCOM can also be used as a teaching and training aid for trainers and lecturers.