The Coaches' Efficacy Expectations of Youth Soccer Players with Different Maturity Status and Physical Performance.

This study aimed to report possible anthropometrical and physical performance differences between youth soccer players with different maturity status and to report the coaches' expectations, hypothesizing that coaches would expect more from players with advanced maturity. One hundred twenty-two (122) players completed a physical performance battery. Their maturity status was estimated and the coaches' efficacy expectations (CEEs) were assessed. Players with advanced maturation had better physical performance (F = 26.5-73.4; p < 0.01) and their CEEs for strength-related tasks were different according to the maturity status (F = 8.3-10.9; p < 0.01), but not for speed-related tests, nor for their general ability to play soccer. Normalized data showed significant differences between physical performance tests and their respective CEEs within each maturity group, especially in the Post-PHV group. This study confirms the physical advantages of players with advanced maturity while it shows controversial results of how maturation affects the coaches' perceptions and, indirectly, the coaches' identification and selection of talented players.

Expert-novice differences in cognitive and execution skills during tennis competition.

This study deals with decision and execution behavior of tennis players during competition. The study is based on the expert-novice paradigm and aims to identify differences between both groups in the decision-making and execution variables in serve and shot actions in tennis. Six expert players (elite Spanish tennis players) and six novice players (grade school tennis players) took part in this study. To carry out this study, the observation protocol defined by McPherson and Thomas in 1989, in which control, decision-making and execution variables were included, was used, where it was applied to the performance of the tennis player in a real match situation. In the analysis, significant differences between experts and novices in decision-making and execution variables are found wherein it can be observed that experts display a greater ability to make the appropriate decisions, selecting the most tactical responses to put pressure on the opponent. Expert tennis players were also able to carry out forceful executions to their opponent with greater efficiency, making the opponent's response to a large extent more difficult. These findings are in accordance with those of McPherson and colleagues.

Youth sport dropout from the achievement goal theory.

This study examined dropout behavior, using the conceptual framework of achievement goal theory. We hypothesized that dropout could be predicted by a high ego-oriented goal disposition in combination with a low perception of personal skill and the perception that the coach and sport peers maintained ego-oriented sport success criteria. The participants were 134 adolescent athletes involved in high-level competitive sports participation. The results of structural equation modeling (SEM) supported these hypotheses. Furthermore, the variables that directly predicted sport dropout were the participant's ego orientation (positively) and perception of skill (negatively). These findings and the research prospects are discussed.

Youth sport dropout from the achievement goal theory / El abandono del deporte en jóvenes desde la Teoría de las metas de logro

This study examined dropout behavior, using the conceptual framework of achievement goal theory. We hypothesized that dropout could be predicted by a high ego-oriented goal disposition in combination with a low perception of personal skill and the perception that the coach and sport peers maintained ego-oriented sport success criteria. The participants were 134 adolescent athletes involved in high-level competitive sports participation. The results of structural equation modeling (SEM) supported these hypotheses. Furthermore, the variables that directly predicted sport dropout were the participant s ego orientation (positively) and perception of skill (negatively). These findings and the research prospects are discussed

Este estudio analizó la conducta de abandono deportivo, utilizando el entramado teórico de la teoría de las metas de logro. Así, se hipotetizó que el abandono se podría predecir por una alta orientación al ego, una baja percepción de habilidad comparada, junto con la percepción de criterios de éxito deportivo orientados al ego en el entrenador y los compañeros del grupo deportivo Los participantes fueron 134 deportistas adolescentes, enrolados en grupos competitivos orientados hacia el alto nivel. El cálculo de un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales (SEM), corroboró las hipótesis de partida, mostrando que el abandono deportivo se predijo positivamente por la orientación al ego y negativamente por la percepción de habilidad. Estos resultados, y las prospectivas de investigación futuras, se discuten en el documento

Goal orientation, motivational climate, and dispositional flow of high school students engaged in extracurricular physical activity.

The purpose of this study was to examine the role of goal orientation, motivational climate, and dispositional flow in physical education lessons on extracurricular involvement in physical activity. Questionnaires were administered to 1,103 (792 athletes; 311 nonathletes) secondary school students (M age = 14.3 yr., SD = 0.7). Analysis showed significant mean differences between groups on goal orientation and dispositional flow in physical education lessons, but none for perception of motivational climate. These findings suggest that dispositional variables are related to extracurricular involvement in physical activity.

Goal orientations, motivational climate, equality, and discipline of Spanish physical education students.

This study analyzes how dispositional goal orientations and perception of different motivational climates are related to the students' perception of sex-related egalitarian treatment and the appearance of disciplined or undisciplined behaviors in physical education classes. Analyses showed that ego orientation is a predictor of undisciplined behavior. Task orientation was positively associated to discipline. The perception of task-involving motivational climate is related to the students' perception of equal treatment. On the contrary, the perception of ego-involving climate has been linked positively to the prediction of the perception of sex discrimination in physical education classes and negatively to the perception of equality and the appearance of disciplined behavior. This study discusses the implications of these results related to teaching instructional actions in physical education classes.