Sue L. McPherson

The development of sport expertise: mapping the tactical domain.

This article explores issues and research relevant to sport tactical knowledge development and expertise. A discussion of the controversies concerning methodological tools is accompanied by a presentation of the possible levels of analysis (continua) in sport research. Theories of knowledge development and a protocol structure model for sport tactical knowledge are included. Knowledge development trends based on expert-novice cross-sectional research are presented, followed by longitudinal research exploring issues of instruction and player development. A concluding discussion concerns the role of tactical knowledge in contemporary motor skill theory and limitations of learning and instruction theory.

Mapping two new points on the tennis expertise continuum: Tactical skills of adult advanced beginners and entry-level professionals during competition

Abstract Research examining problem representations of individuals during task performance is advancing our understanding of information processing and expertise in a variety of sports. However, few studies using similar methodology have been conducted on individuals of various competitive standards in one domain in similar contexts. This study examined problem representations of adult advanced beginners and entry-level professionals accessed during singles tennis competition (n = 12). These groups were selected to represent players with performance skills that were different from those studied previously (i.e. adult beginners and varsity players). Immediate recall and planning interviews were conducted between points during singles tennis competition. Players competed within their respective expertise groups. Verbal reports were transcribed verbatim and concepts were scored according to a model of protocol structure. Several multivariate analyses of variance were conducted on rank scores for measures of concept content and structure using the L-statistic. Entry-level professionals exhibited more advanced problem representations than advanced beginners regardless of interview type. These findings together with those of previous research suggest adaptations in long-term memory profiles with increases in performance skills. For example, beginners lacked action plan and current event profiles because they generated goals and reiterated game events during both interviews. Advanced beginners, who had better performance skills than beginners, exhibited rudimentary action plan profiles and deficient current event profiles because they generated and monitored several detailed actions related to the current context during recall interviews and generated only a few goals during planning interviews. In contrast, varsity players and professionals processed tactical information in the current context and beyond denoting the existence of both action plan and current event profiles. Varsity players, with inferior performance skills than professionals, exhibited fewer and less associated tactical concepts than professionals during both interviews.

COGNITIVE CONTROL IN MOTOR EXPERTISE

Abstract This article examines cognitive control in motor expertise. Extensive research in sport domains has shown that adult experts exhibit superior response selection performance (tactical decision making) as well as superior motor skill execution. Two mechanisms that contribute to expert performance are problem representations and gaze behavior strategies. These mechanisms are reviewed in terms of their development and role in expert performances in sport domains. Also, methodologies designed to capture these mechanisms are discussed. An experiment is presented in volleyball to demonstrate how athletes’ problem representations (verbal behaviors) and their gaze behaviors can be assessed during an actual performance task and how this experiment and others like it may enhance our understanding of cognitive control in motor expertise.

Ultrasound Measurement of Transversus Abdominis During Loaded, Functional Tasks in Asymptomatic Individuals: Rater Reliability

To examine the ability of 2 clinicians to consistently measure recorded contractions of the transversus abdominis (TrA) muscle via ultrasound imaging (USI) during lifting and reaching tasks typical of everyday or work‐related activities.

Reproducibility of Ultrasound Measurement of Transversus Abdominis During Loaded, Functional Tasks in Asymptomatic Young Adults

To examine the reproducibility of repeat tests of ultrasound imaging (USI) measurement of transversus abdominis (TrA) activation in a single group of asymptomatic adults performing reaching and lifting tasks before and after abdominal drawing‐in technique (ADIM) training in the supine position with TrA USI biofeedback.

Training of Transversus Abdominis Activation in the Supine Position With Ultrasound Biofeedback Translated to Increased Transversus Abdominis Activation During Upright Loaded Functional Tasks

To determine whether healthy adults successfully completing transversus abdominis (TrA) muscle activation training in the supine position with clinician and ultrasound (US) imaging feedback increase their TrA activation during lifting and reaching tasks performed in the standing position.

Effect of two different videotaped instructional models on motor and verbal behaviors of adults' lifting: a pilot study.

This study examined two different videotaped instructional models on subsequent motor and verbal behaviors of adults (N = 9) learning how to lift properly. The correct model group viewed a narrated videotape of a skilled individual demonstrating lifting; the learning model group viewed a videotape of an unskilled individual being taught lifting by an instructor, and the controls received no intervention. Adults lifted from floor to waist a plastic crate during 15 acquisition and 3 retention trials and lowered the crate from waist to floor during 3 transfer trials. Learning and correct model motor performances were similar yet higher than those of controls during acquisition and transfer trials. Verbal reports indicated learning, and correct models generated more extensive and associated mechanical concepts than controls yet rarely monitored such concepts during performance. A single presentation of videotapes of proper lifting using either correct or learning models is effective in enhancing motor performance and proper lifting knowledge.

Establishing Immediate Reliability of Sonographic Measurements of the Transversus Abdominis in Asymptomatic Adults Performing Upright Loaded Functional Tasks in a Clinical Context Without Delayed Recorded Measurement

This study examined the reliability of sonographic measurements of the transversus abdominis of adults without low back pain during upright loaded functional tasks in real time, without relying on delayed recorded images.

Getting off the Mat: Lumbar Stabilization Training in Standing Using Ultrasound Imaging

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