Competent practice in sport psychology is of utmost importance for the professional status of the field, and hence proper assessment of competence for sport psychology practice is needed. We describe three cycles of action research to improve the assessment of competence in a sport psychology education program. The cycles were directed at (a) empowering supervisors in their assessing role, (b) improving the assessment checklist, and (c) investigating an alternative assessment method. Although challenges remain (e.g., improve the still low interrater reliability), the action research has contributed to an improved quality and higher acceptability of the assessment in the education program.
Sport for development (SFD) initiatives have faced numerous criticisms around the focus on individual-level (micro) outcomes and lack of integration at the community (meso) and structural (macro) levels. As a result, there is growing recognition that programmes need to find ways to work with and engage a wide range of community members and stakeholders through more inclusive, participatory approaches. One such approach is known as Living Labs. In the following conceptual article, we present the Sport and Social Cohesion Lab (SSCL) project, which implemented a Living Lab approach in various sport-based programmes from four different European countries. The main components of the Living Lab framework are presented, and practical insights are derived from the project. In addition, the unique and sometimes critical role of sport is reflected upon in relation to the Living Lab context. Through this, this article provides practitioners and academics with potential building blocks to implement Living Labs and/or embed participatory approaches in sport and physical activity contexts and social settings more generally.
BackgroundThe closing of schools and sports clubs during the COVID-19 lockdown raised questions about the possible impact on children’s motor skill development. Therefore, we compared motor skill development over a one-year period among four different cohorts of primary school children of which two experienced no lockdowns during the study period (control cohorts) and two cohorts experienced one or two lockdowns during the study period (lockdown cohorts).MethodsA total of 992 children from 9 primary schools in Amsterdam (the Netherlands) participated in this study (age 5 – 7; 47.5% boys, 52.5% girls). Their motor skill competence was assessed twice, first in grade 3 (T1) and thereafter in grade 4 (T2). Children in control group 1 and lockdown group 1 were assessed a third time after two years (T3). Motor skill competence was assessed using the 4-Skills Test, which includes 4 components of motor skill: jumping force (locomotion), jumping coordination (coordination), bouncing ball (object control) and standing still (stability). Mixed factorial ANOVA’s were used to analyse our data.ResultsNo significant differences in motor skill development over the study period between the lockdown groups and control groups (p > 0.05) were found, but a difference was found between the two lockdown groups: lockdown group 2 developed significantly better than lockdown group 1 (p = 0.008). While socioeconomic status was an effect modifier, sex and motor ability did not modify the effects of the lockdowns.ConclusionsThe COVID-19 lockdowns in the Netherlands did not negatively affect motor skill development of young children in our study. Due to the complexity of the factors related to the pandemic lockdowns and the dynamic systems involved in motor skill development of children, caution must be taken with drawing general conclusions. Therefore, children’s motor skill development should be closely monitored in the upcoming years and attention should be paid to individual differences.
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Horse riding falls under the “Sport for Life” disciplines, where a long-term equestrian development can provide a clear pathway of developmental stages to help individuals, inclusive of those with a disability, to pursue their goals in sport and physical activity, providing long-term health benefits. However, the biomechanical interaction between horse and (disabled) rider is not wholly understood, leaving challenges and opportunities for the horse riding sport. Therefore, the purpose of this KIEM project is to start an interdisciplinary collaboration between parties interested in integrating existing knowledge on horse and (disabled) rider interaction with any novel insights to be gained from analysing recently collected sensor data using the EquiMoves™ system. EquiMoves is based on the state-of-the-art inertial- and orientational-sensor system ProMove-mini from Inertia Technology B.V., a partner in this proposal. On the basis of analysing previously collected data, machine learning algorithms will be selected for implementation in existing or modified EquiMoves sensor hardware and software solutions. Target applications and follow-ups include: - Improving horse and (disabled) rider interaction for riders of all skill levels; - Objective evidence-based classification system for competitive grading of disabled riders in Para Dressage events; - Identifying biomechanical irregularities for detecting and/or preventing injuries of horses. Topic-wise, the project is connected to “Smart Technologies and Materials”, “High Tech Systems & Materials” and “Digital key technologies”. The core consortium of Saxion University of Applied Sciences, Rosmark Consultancy and Inertia Technology will receive feedback to project progress and outcomes from a panel of international experts (Utrecht University, Sport Horse Health Plan, University of Central Lancashire, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences), combining a strong mix of expertise on horse and rider biomechanics, veterinary medicine, sensor hardware, data analysis and AI/machine learning algorithm development and implementation, all together presenting a solid collaborative base for derived RAAK-mkb, -publiek and/or -PRO follow-up projects.
AANLEIDING In het RAAK-MKB project ‘Gelijkspanning breng(t) je verder’ heeft De Haagse Hogeschool, specifiek de opleiding Elektrotechniek, ervaren dat de opkomst van het onderwerp ‘Gelijkspanning’ (ook wel DC) in het beroepenveld sterk samenhangt met ontwikkelingen in het vakgebied van ‘Vermogenselektronica’ of ‘Power Eletronics’. Het beroepenveld vraagt steeds vaker om steeds meer kennis op dit vakgebied, in het kader van bijvoorbeeld de energietransitie, Smart Grids, Internet-of-Things etc. Om deze kennis op een goed gestructureerde wijze over te dragen aan studenten, moeten er een aantal belemmeringen worden weggewerkt. Een van deze belemmeringen is de beperkte beschikbaarheid van kennis; het vakgebied is relatief nieuw en nog sterk in ontwikkeling. Binnen De Haagse Hogeschool is door de opleiding Elektrotechniek (met kennis van de nog weg te werken belemmeringen) de bewuste keuze gemaakt om zich binnen Nederland te willen profileren met het onderwerp ‘Gelijkspanning’. Vanuit het eerdere RAAK-MKB project ‘Gelijkspanning breng(t) je verder’ werden hiertoe een eerste vak en practicum ontwikkeld: Vermogenselektronica 1. Hierin worden beginselen van DC-DC omvormers behandeld. DC-DC omvormers zorgen voor het transformeren van DC-spanningen, om energie bij hoge spanningen en dus lage verliezen te kunnen transporteren. Vanaf het huidige collegejaar (2015-2016) is ook een tweede vak op dit gebied toegevoegd aan het curriculum: Vermogenselektronica 2: hierin worden DC-AC omvormers op hoofdlijnen behandeld. Deze omvormers zorgen ervoor dat veel gebruikte types motoren aangedreven kunnen worden met gelijkspanning. Deze hoofdlijnen staan in de ogen van het beroepenveld nog (te) ver af van toepassingen waarmee zij werken. Daarbij moet gedacht worden aan bijvoorbeeld elektrische mobiliteit (specifieke types motoren), verlichting (DC-DC), distributietechnieken (DC-DC op hogere vermogens) of slimme netten (integratie van energietechniek, communicatietechnologie en regeltechniek / embedded systems). DOELSTELLING Het doel van het project is het opstellen van een implementatiewijze ter verdere invulling van de onderwerpen ‘Gelijkspanning’ en ‘Vermogenselektronica’ in het curriculum van de opleiding Elektrotechniek voor de teamleider van Elektrotechniek van De Haagse Hogeschool om de gewenste profilering te kunnen realiseren. ACTIVITEITEN Vanuit de curriculum commissie van de opleiding Elektrotechniek wordt opdracht gegeven aan een apart team om het implementatievoorstel voor te bereiden. Hierin werken twee docent/onderzoekers samen met de teamleider en enkele extern specialisten. In vijf opeenvolgende stappen wordt op een top-down manier gewerkt aan 1. Formuleren competenties voor DC 2. Hoofdstromen curriculum inrichten 3. Uitwerken vakinhoudelijke gebieden Elektrotechniek (‘leeg vel papier’) 4. Koppelen opzet aan bezetting en kennis in het team en bij partners 5. Voorbereiden besluitvorming RESULTAAT Op deze wijze wordt een heldere visie ontwikkeld op het benodigde onderwijs om het onderwerp gelijkspanning gestructureerd aan te kunnen bieden. Daarbij gaat het om vakinhoudelijke kennis in vakken, met bijbehorende practica en projecten. Om deze kennis goed aan te bieden wordt nadrukkelijk ook de samenwerking met andere kennisinstellingen (zoals Zuyd Hogeschool en de TU-Delft) gezocht.
The project goal is to contribute to a generation of universities and students who can use “design thinking” to overcome challenges and create an overview of exciting new concepts and designs for future sports centers in Europe.Consortium partnersIstanbul Teknik Universitesi, Stichting Orange Sports Forum, Instituto Politecnico de Beja, QXotc Unipessoal LDA, Nederlands Olympisch Comite-Nederlandse Sport Federatie Vereniging (NOCNSF)
