Examining Impulse-Variability Theory and the Speed-Accuracy Trade-Off in Children’s Kicking Performance

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the applicability of impulse-variability theory and the speed-accuracy trade-off in children’s kicking performance. Methods: Forty-three children ages ۹-۱۱ were instructed to kick a ball at a target at ۴۵%, ۶۵%, ۸۵%, and ۱۰۰% of their maximum kicking speed. Results: Results indicated a significant quadratic relationship in variable error across the target conditions (p=۰.۰۴۸), such that children demonstrated significantly lower variable error at ۶۵% versus ۱۰۰% max speed. Additionally, there was a significant inverse linear relationship was indicated for spatial error (p<.۰۰۰۱), with post-hoc analyses indicating that mean radial error at <۵۹%, ۶۰-۶۹%, and ۷۰-۷۹% of maximum speed was higher than at >۹۰% of maximum speed. Conclusion: These data demonstrated that principles of impulse-variability theory (i.e., Inverted-U function) and the speed-accuracy trade-off were not supported for the multi-joint ballistic skill of kicking in this sample of children. These results, along with other recent data, imply a need to reevaluate instructional emphases when promoting the learning of multi-joint ballistic skills such as kicking.

کلیدواژه ها:

Children ، Motor skills ، Motor control ، Force variability ، Speed-accuracy trade-off