Análisis del combate en la iniciación al karate: un ejemplo de utilización de árboles de decisión en metodología observacional / Análise do combate na iniciação ao karatê: um exemplo do uso de árvores de decisão na metodologia observacional / Combat analysis in initiation to karate: decision trees in observational methodology

El presente trabajo persigue delimitar el desempeño técnico-táctico en combate en la iniciación al karate y mostrar las posibilidades de aplicación de la técnica de análisis de árbol de decisión en metodología observacional. El muestreo observacional ha ascendido a 887 acciones técnico-tácticas ofensivas realizadas en 40 combates por participantes de la franja de 8-9 años de edad. El instrumento de observación se ha introducido en el seno del softwarede registro y codificación, Lince. La calidad del dato ha quedado garantizada, por un lado, mediante un procedimiento de concordancia inter-observadores a partir del coeficiente Kappa de Cohen y, por otro lado, por un diseño de generalizabilidad. Se han realizado dos árboles de decisiónutilizando dos algoritmos diferentes (CHAID y CART). Los resultados obtenidos con ambos algoritmos coinciden en señalar como mejor predictor de la “zona del cuerpo a la que se dirige la técnica” a la dimensión “segmento”; pero se diferencian en el segundo mejor pronosticador: dimensión“grupo de técnica” mediante el algoritmo CHAID,y dimensión “técnica detallada” con el algoritmo CART. (AU)

This work analyze the technical-tactical performance in combat in the initiation to karate and show the possibilities of application of the decision tree analysis technique in observational methodology. The observational sampling is made up of 887 offensive technical-tactical actions executed in 40 combats by participants of the 8-9 age group. Regarding the recording and coding process, the observation instrument has been introduced in the software LINCE. The quality of the data has been guaranteed bymeans of an inter-observer concordance procedure based on Cohen's Kappa coefficient and by a design of generalizability. Two decision trees have been made using two different algorithms (CHAID and CART). The results obtained with both algorithms coincide in pointing out the "segment" dimension as the best predictor of the "body area to which the technique is directed";but they differ in the second best forecaster: dimension "technique group" through the CHAID algorithm,and "concrete technique" dimension with the CART algorithm. (AU)

Este trabalho analisa o desempenho técnico-tático em combate na iniciação ao karatê e mostra as possibilidades de aplicação da técnica de análise de árvore de decisão na metodologia observacional. A amostragem observacional é composta por 887 ações técnico-táticas ofensivas executadas em 40 combates por participantes da faixa etária de 8 a 9 anos. Em relação ao processo de registro e codificação, o instrumento de observação foi introduzido no softwareLINCE. A qualidade dos dados foi garantida por meio de um procedimento de concordância interobservador baseado no coeficiente Kappa de Cohen e por um desenho de generalização. Duas árvores de decisão foram feitas usando dois algoritmos diferentes (CHAID e CART). Os resultados obtidos com ambos os algoritmos coincidem em apontar a dimensão "segmento" como o melhor preditor da “área do corpo para a qual a técnica é direcionada”; mas diferem no segundo melhor preditor: dimensão “grupo de técnicas” usando o algoritmo CHAID,e dimensão “técnica detalhada” com o algoritmo CART. (AU)

Decision Making and Defensive Effectiveness of Ball Screen in Top-Level Basketball / Toma de decisiones y eficacia defensiva del bloqueo con balón en el baloncesto de alto nivel

The objective of this study is to analyze the effectiveness of the defensive actions of the pick and roll in basketball by ACB League teams throughout a full season (2010-11), contrasting the results obtained with the opinion of basketball experts on the decision-making process regarding this game action. The research uses direct observation (observational methodology) and indirect observation (in-depth interviews). An observational instrument is used to analyze the actions of pick and roll and this is recorded using the software Dartfish TeamPro v.4.5. For the in-depth interviews, an indirect observation instrument is built and validated. The significant association between different elements of the game and defensive efficiency is determined using Chi-square and a polar coordinate analysis. 8267 actions have been analyzed, of which 26.9% correspond to ball screens. Significant differences (p <.05) are detected in the distribution of the different types of defensive aid from the defender of the ball handler and the defender of the screener in relation to defensive effectiveness, the most widely used option being the chase and the show. The coaches express in their in-depth interviews why “pick and roll is such a widely used and effective action” (Scariolo).(AU)

Methodological quality checklist for studies based on observational methodology (MQCOM).

BACKGROUND: No existing instrument addresses the minimum number of items that guarantee methodological quality in studies based on observational methodology. Consequently, professionals who are not experts in observational methodology do not have a basic framework to guide their practice in this type of study. This study developed a checklist to measure the minimum number of items for methodological quality that studies based on observational methodology should consider and provided evidence of their validity based on test content and intercoder reliability. METHOD: Fifty-four judges with at least 1 year of experience in observational methodology and research based on this methodology evaluated the items of the developed checklist in terms of relevance, usefulness, and feasibility. Items were selected if they obtained at least .5 in the Osterlind indexes of the three aspects evaluated. Two coders applied the selected items to a random selection of articles that used observational methodology to investigate soccer, and intercoder reliability was examined using Cohen's kappa (k) coefficients. RESULTS: The final checklist included 16 items grouped into 11 criteria/dimensions, with adequate reliability coefficients. CONCLUSIONS: This study developed a useful instrument for non-expert professionals to enhance the methodological quality of studies based on observational methodology.

T-pattern detection and analysis for the discovery of hidden features of behaviour.

BACKGROUND: The behaviour of all living beings consists of hidden patterns in time; consequently, its nature and its underlying dynamics are intrinsically difficult to be perceived and detected by the unaided observer. METHOD: Such a scientific challenge calls for improved means of detection, data handling and analysis. By using a powerful and versatile technique known as T-pattern detection and analysis (TPA) it is possible to unveil hidden relationships among the behavioural events in time. RESULTS: TPA is demonstrated to be a solid and versatile tool to study the deep structure of behaviour in different experimental contexts, both in human and non human subjects. CONCLUSION: This review deepens and extends contents recently published by adding new concepts and examples concerning the applications of TPA in the study of behaviour both in human and non-human subjects.

Identifying and analyzing motor skill responses in body movement and dance.

The present article analyzes the diversity of motor skills related to three different kinds of instructions: descriptive, metaphoric, and kinesic, with a special emphasis on the detection of temporal patterns (T-patterns). Twelve undergraduates studying sport and physical education, but without experience in dance, were observed during 24 lessons of Body Movement, a discipline based on creative dance, mime dance, and motor skill improvisation. Using observational methodology and technology applied to movement, the aim of this article was to adapt the Observational instrument of Motor Skills (OSMOS) (Castañer, Torrents, Anguera, & Dinusová, 2008) so as to create an instrument capable of analyzing the motor skill responses generated in lessons of Body Movement and Dance. The results, as reflected by the T-patterns detected, show that (1) participants try to generate their own motor skills but copy some fundamental components of the instructions, and (2) the criterion of stability in two configurations (support and axial) is the predominant category. Sequential and coordinated locomotion also appears to be very relevant.