Module Intro/Deterministic Models

Question 1

What are the 4 main phases that skills can be broken down into?

Answer 1

• Preparation – mental, ready position.
• Retraction – stretch in order to apply force.
• Action – can be simultaneous or non-simultaneous.
• Follow through – to safely dissipate the force.

Question 2

What are deterministic/hierarchical models?

Answer 2

They help to understand how particular sports performances can be improved using biomechanics.

By using the models, we can identify the important biomechanically-related variables (i.e. not physiological /psychological, etc.).

We can use the results to inform training with any practical implications (e.g. does a particular drill work).

Question 3

What are the 3 levels of all deterministic/hierarchical models?

Answer 3

L1 (Top)-Performance Criteria.

L2- Performance Variables.

L3 (Bottom)- Critical features.

Question 4

What are the four advantages of deterministic/hierarchical models?

Answer 4

Avoids selection of performance variables arbitrarily.

More objective approach.

Ensures no factor is overlooked.

Can be used to provide a theoretical basis for statistical models.

Question 5

What are the disadvantages of deterministic/hierarchical models?

Answer 5

Theoretical only.

Subjective

Questions regarding performance outcome.

Do not reflective cumulative activities.

Sometimes miss out underlying neuromuscular mechanisms.

Tendency to focus on specific variables.

Impact of sample size when using statistical modeling.