Dynamic Activity-Related Incentives for Physical Activity.

The present studies adopted the theoretical framework of activity- and purpose-related incentives (Rheinberg, 2008) to explain the maintenance of physical activity. We hypothesized that activity-related incentives (e.g., ���fun���) increase more than purpose-related incentives (e.g., ���health���) between the initiation and maintenance phase of physical activity. Additionally, change in activity-related incentives was hypothesized to be a better predictor of maintenance of physical activity than change in purpose-related incentives. Two correlative field studies with rehabilitation patients (Study 1) and Nordic Walkers (Study 2) were conducted to test the hypotheses. Participants��� incentives of physical activity were measured at the beginning of exercising and two weeks (Study 1; T2) and three months (Study 2; T2) later. At T2, participants were asked for their current physical activity. Both studies showed a greater change of activity-related incentives than purpose-related incentives. Furthermore, change in activity-related incentives was more predictive of the maintenance of physical activity than change in purpose-related incentives. The results showed the important role of activity-related incentives in maintenance of physical activity. The theoretical contribution to physical activity maintenance research and practical implications for health promotion programs were discussed.

Die Implementation einer Intervention zur Ver��nderung des Selbstkonzepts im Sportunterricht

Im letzten Jahrzehnt haben sich diverse Forschungsgruppen der Selbstkonzeptentwicklung im Sportunterricht angenommen, allerdings bei Interventionsstudien meist ohne Hinweis auf die Implementationsgenauigkeit. Diesem auch in anderen Bereichen der Unterrichtswissenschaft vorhandene Defizit der Implementationskontrolle und -forschung nimmt sich die vorliegende Studie an und befasst sich mit der Messung und Erkl��rung von Implementation im Rahmen einer Intervention zu Selbstkonzept f��rderndem Sportunterricht. Die Stichprobe der zehnw��chigen Intervention (quasi-experimentelle L��ngsschnittstudie) besteht aus Sportlehrpersonen (N = 16, Alter: M = 32.5) der 5. Primarklasse sowie ihren Sch��ler(inne)n (N = 304, Alter: M = 11.9). Vor der Intervention wurden die Lehrpersonen in einer halbt��gigen Schulung in eine individuumsorientierte, reflexive Sportvermittlung eingef��hrt. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass Lehrpersonen Interventionen implementieren, wenn bei der vorausgehenden Lehrpersonenschulung flankierende Massnahmen getroffen werden. Eine gr��ssere Implementationsgenauigkeit geht mit einer st��rkeren Ver��nderung des K��rperselbstwerts, jedoch nicht des sportbezogenen F��higkeitsselbstkonzepts, der Sch��ler(innen) einher. Die Implementationsgenauigkeit der Lehrpersonen h��ngt von deren Berufserfahrung ab. Diese Ergebnisse entsprechen bisherigen Erkenntnissen, verdeutlichen die Relevanz einer individuumsorientierten, reflexiven Sportvermittlung zur Selbstkonzeptf��rderung und leisten einen wesentlichen Beitrag zur Implementations- und Selbstkonzeptforschung im (Sport-) Unterricht.

Outline of a theory of efficient teams in Sport.

Introduction So far, social psychology in sport has preliminary focused on team cohesion, and many studies and meta-analyses tried to demonstrate a relation between cohesiveness of a team and its performance. How a team really co-operates and how the individual actions are integrated towards a team action is a question that has received relatively little attention in research. This may, at least in part, be due to a lack of a theoretical framework for collective actions, a dearth that has only recently begun to challenge sport psychologists. Objectives In this presentation a framework for a comprehensive theory of teams in sport is outlined and its potential to integrate research in the domain of team performance and, more specifically, the following presentations, is put up for discussion. Method Based on a model developed by von Cranach, Ochsenbein and Valach (1986), teams are considered to be information processing organisms, and team actions need to be investigated on two levels: the individual team member and the group as an entity. Elements to be considered are the task, the social structure, the information processing structure and the execution structure. Obviously, different task require different social structures, communication processes and co-ordination of individual movements. Especially in rapid interactive sports planning and execution of movements based on feedback loops are not possible. Deliberate planning may be a solution mainly for offensive actions, whereas defensive actions have to adjust to the opponent team's actions. Consequently, mental representations must be developed to allow a feed-forward regulation of team member's actions. Results and Conclusions Some preliminary findings based on this conceptual framework as well as further consequences for empirical investigations will be presented. References Cranach, M.v., Ochsenbein, G. & Valach, L. (1986). The group as a self-active system: Outline of a theory of group action. European Journal of Social Psychology, 16, 193-229.

The dark side of the moon

When talking about flow, most people probably think of a highly desirable state associated with a broad variety of positive outcomes in terms of positive motivation, well-being, and performance. In contrast, this chapter suggests that the characteristics of flow also have the potential to be evil. First, we will explain how flow can lead to addiction when exercising, playing games, and using the Internet. Then we will consider how flow is linked to impaired risk perception and risky behavior. As a third negative facet of flow, we will outline how it can also be experienced in antisocial contexts and during combat. This chapter ends with some broader comments on the dark and bright sides of flow, including flow as a universal experience, the implications for practical interventions, ethical questions related to flow, and future research questions.

Physical education enhances your concentration

There is growing evidence that physical education has not only positive effects on the physical health of children and adolescents, but also contributes positively to personality development and to performance in cognitive tasks. Existing studies indicate chronic as well as acute effects of physical education on cognitive performance. However, underlying mechanisms, required content of the physical intervention and duration of the effects are still unclear. In order to shed light on some of these open questions, the present study investigated the acute effects of a special form of physical education, integrating cardiac-stimulating tasks with executive demands, on the concentration of 11-year olds. Concentration was assessed three times using the d2-R Test. Intervention (n=38) and control group (n=35) did not differ in their d2-R performance in pre- nor in post-test, which took place after either a physical intervention or a normal core subject lesson respectively. In the follow-up test however, which was completed after two more core subject lessons for both groups, the intervention group improved more in their d2-R performance than the control group F(1, 71)=4.95, p=.03, indicating that physical education can positively influence children���s concentration, not immediately after the activity, but later on during the following school lessons.

Subjective well-being and exercise in the second halt of life: a critical review of theoretical approaches

Research has shown repeatedly that the ���feeling better��� effect of exercise is far more moderate than generally claimed. Examinations of subgroups in secondary analyses also indicate that numerous further variables influence this relationship. One reason for inconsistencies in this research field is the lack of adequate theoretical analyses. Well-being output variables frequently possess no construct definition, and little attention is paid to moderating and mediating variables. This article integrates the main models in an overview and analyzes how secondary analyses define well-being and which areas of the construct they focus on. It then applies a moderator and/or mediator framework to examine which person and environmental variables can be found in the existing explanatory approaches in sport science and how they specify the influence of these moderating and mediating variables. Results show that the broad understanding of well-being in many secondary analyses makes findings difficult to interpret. Moreover, physiological explanatory approaches focus more on affective changes in well-being, whereas psychological approaches also include cognitive changes. The approaches focus mostly on either physical or psychological person variables and rarely combine the two, as in, for example, the dual-mode model. Whereas environmental variables specifying the treatment more closely (e.g., its intensity) are comparatively frequent, only the social support model formulates variables such as the framework in which exercise is presented. The majority of explanatory approaches use simple moderator and/or mediator models such as the basic mediated (e.g., distraction hypothesis) or multiple mediated (e.g., monoamine hypotheses) model. The discussion draws conclusions for future research.