Developing an optimal scoring system with a special emphasis on volleyball.

Scoring systems for two-team (two-person) net games are typically evaluated for accuracy, efficiency, and variability. This evaluation may be difficult if many points are involved, the probability of winning a point changes with service, and/or points are not scored every rally. A computer program that may be used to evaluate general scoring systems for accuracy, efficiency, variability, and expected score difference is presented. Four scoring systems, side-out, quick, side-out point, and bonus point, are analyzed. A list of items to consider when developing an optimal scoring system is suggested. An optimal scoring system for volleyball is introduced.

Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation versus weight training for enhancement of muscular strength and athletic performance*.

This study was designed to examine the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) and weight training (WT) on muscular strength and athletic performance. Thirty college women were randomly assigned to one of three groups: WT, PNF, and control. WT and PNF subjects trained 3 days a week for 8 weeks. All subjects were tested for changes in knee and elbow extensor strength, throwing distance, and vertical jump. The WT group increased strength by 19.3% for knee extension and 20.4% for elbow extension while the PNF group increaseil22.1 and 29.1 %, respectively. PNF also increased throwing distance by 25% and vertical jump by 16% while WT had increases of 12.8 and 9.9% respectively. These findings indicate PNF might be superior to WT in athletic performance enhancement and, therefore, the better modality for athletic conditioning and injury rehabilitation. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1986;7(5):250-253.

Intra-individual variability of normal and educable mentally retarded children on a coincidence timing task.

A visual coincidence timing task was used to compare the level of performance (constant error) and the intra-individual variability of 100 normal and 100 educable mentally retarded children. The mean performance of the intellectually normal children on this task was significantly superior to that of the retarded children, and the intra-individual variability of the latter was significantly greater than that of the former. The hypothesis that high intra-individual variability and depressed level of performance are closely associated was not supported.