| The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a performance principle training protocol on subjects' ability to analyze and diagnose various sport skills. This study also investigated the extent to which subjects' ability to analyze and diagnose sport skill performances generalized to untrained sport skills. The design used for this study was a multiple probe baseline design across four performance principles: magnitude of force, point of application of force, direction of force, and maintaining/regaining stability. Subjects included eight volunteers who had an interest in physical education, recreation, and/or coaching.;The study was conducted over an eight week period. Performance principle interventions were administered in the order listed above. Subjects completed all training as a group, and did not progress to the next performance principle training sequence until mastery was achieved on the prior principle. The initial probe asked subjects to: (1) technically define each performance principle, (2) practically define each performance principle by applying it to written sport skill vignettes, (3) analyze videotaped sport skill performances, (4) diagnose videotaped sport skill performances, and (5) generalize trained performance principles to untrained sport skills.;Data was visually analyzed. Results indicated that prior to intervention subjects were unable to define, analyze, and diagnose selected sport skills at an acceptable level. Following intervention proficiency levels improved significantly for each variable, with the exception of diagnosis. In most cases, subjects were able to maintain or further improve these skills throughout intervention and generalization. Training for diagnosis was not as successful as training for analysis due to the complex nature and lack of knowledge concerning the multi-step diagnosis process. |
