Motor Practice on Position Control, Force Control and Corticomusculoar Coherence (Journal - 25-30mins)
Citation: Norup, Malene; Nielsen, August Lomholt; Bjorndal, Jonas Rud; Wiegel, Patrick; Spedden, Meaghan Elizabeth; Lundbye-Jensen, Jesper; (2023) Effects of dynamic and isometric motor practice on position control, force control and corticomuscular coherence in preadolescent children. Human Movement Science , 90 , Article 103114. 10.1016/j.humov.2023.103114.
Abstract: The study examined the impact of motor practice when focusing on either position or force control on motor performance, accuracy, and variability among preadolescent children. Additionally, corticomuscular coherence was assessed to identify potential changes resulting from motor skills development. Notably, findings indicate that children demonstrate improved performance when provided with augmented feedback (information that is given to the learner, that does not come from their own sensory feedback), suggesting that this additional information is used to guide their movements and/or that enhanced feedback increases their motivation, which leads to improvement of overall performance.
License: Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
The Development of the World's Best Sporting Talent - (Article Review - 15mins)
Citation: Rees, T; Hardy, L; Guellich, A; Abernethy, B; Cote, J; Woodman, T; Montgomery, H; ... Warr, C; + view all (2016) The Great British Medalists Project: A Review of Current Knowledge on the Development of the World's Best Sporting Talent. Sports Medicine , 46 (8) pp. 1041-1058. 10.1007/s40279-016-0476-2.
Abstract: This article review examines the differences between sport talent across various levels, including non-elite, junior elite, elite, and super-elite categories. The article discusses multiple factors influencing athletes' skills and abilities, such as Relative Birth Rate (The Performer), genetic profiles affecting strength and speed, anthropometric and physiological factors, psychological skills, motivation, and environmental aspects. Research suggests that small-to-medium-sized communities play a significant role in athlete development. Additionally, support systems, training, and practice (10,000 Hour rule), and early specialization versus sampling and play, provide insight into how talent is developed and factors impacting performance.
License: ©The Author(s) 2016. This article is published with open access at Springerlink.com
Physical Activity and People Experiencing Homelessness (PEH) - (Journal Article- 20mins)
Citation: Dawes, Jo; Rogans-Watson, Raphael; Broderick, Julie; (2024) 'You can change your life through sports'—physical activity interventions to improve the health and well-being of adults experiencing homelessness: a mixed-methods systematic review. British Journal of Sports Medicine 10.1136/bjsports-2023-107562
Abstract: This study discusses the effects of physical activity on people experiencing homelessness (PEH). The article explores sport interventions and various types of physical activities—such as outdoor exercise, adventure training, hiking, and soccer—that impact positive mental health outcomes. Participants (PEH) provide insights related to their own experiences of homelessness and emphasize the importance of physical activity during this time. Within the article, sub-themes highlight how PEH develop self-esteem, confidence, and personal growth through physical activity interventions. In particular, participating in group activities such as soccer helps people experiencing homelessness feel a sense of belonging, especially given the instability of their social networks while living on the streets
License: This is an open-access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, w.hich permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon this work non-commercially.
Supplemental Resources found on Links to Further Readings: Search - Fara Williams and Efe Obada.
Concussions Associated with Common Mental Disorders (Journal - 10mins)
Citation: Gouttebarge V, Aoki H, Lambert M, Stewart W, Kerkhoffs G. A history of concussions is associated with symptoms of common mental disorders in former male professional athletes across a range of sports. Phys Sportsmed. 2017 Nov;45(4):443-449. doi: 10.1080/00913847.2017.1376572. Epub 2017 Sep 13. PMID: 28870119; PMCID: PMC9336050.
Abstract: The study investigates whether sports-related concussions increase the risk of common mental disorders (CMD), such as anxiety, depression, sleep problems, substance abuse/dependency, in retired male athletes from soccer, ice hockey, and rugby union. Findings show that former American football players with one or two concussions are 1.5 times more likely to experience depression than those without a concussion history. Similarly, research on ex-elite rugby players found that depression increases with each additional career-related concussions.
License: This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/), which permits non-commercial re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, and is not altered, transformed, or built upon in any way.
Motor Development in Children with Intellectual Disabilities (Journal - 15mins)
Citation: Zeidabadi, R., Tabar, E.S.A., & Pourazar, M. (2025). The effect of attentional focus based on learning stages on motor learning in children with intellectual disabilities. European Journal of Adapted Physical Activity, 18, Article 3. https://doi.org/10.5507/euj.2024.013
Abstract: This study examined a group of boys with intellectual disabilities, focusing on how different types of instruction affect their ability to learn ball-throwing tasks. The research compared three instruction types: internal (focusing on the movement of their throwing hand), external (focusing on the movement of the beanbag), and mixed (starting with hand focus and switching to beanbag focus halfway through training). The study evaluated how these attentional strategies influenced skill acquisition, retention, and performance improvement. Results indicated that mixed (internal-external) focus instructions led to better motor learning. These findings highlight the need to match instructions to the learner's stage of development for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
License: Submitted for possible open access publication under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Friday Night Lights (Video - 1:29min.)
Citation: Movie clips. “Coach Gaines on Being Perfect”. YouTube video, 3:27. 2004.
Abstract: Coach Gaines’ halftime speech about ‘Being Perfect’. Class Exercise Suggestion: Educators are encouraged to ask students for examples regarding Coach Gaines' PEP Talk that may illustrate healthy or unhealthy perfectionism, as Coach Gaines considers the meaning of perfection. These concepts relate to "Perfection(ism) in Sport," an audio-video resource by Dr. John Dunn.
License: CC-BY
Concussion Affects 1-10 Youth Athletes. (News Article – 2mins read)
Citation: Emery, C. (2020, May 26). Concussion affects 1 in 10 youth athletes every year. Here's what needs to be done. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/concussion-affects-1-in-10-youth-athletes-every-year-heres-what-needs-to-change-130061
Abstract: The article discusses the high incidence of sport-related concussions among youth, including rugby, ice hockey, and football. Prevention measures include rule changes, training strategies, equipment recommendations, and policy changes regarding legal body checking in hockey, beginning at 13 years old.
License: CC-BY-ND
USC Athletes on What Makes a Body Beautiful. (Video – 3:03mins).
Citation: The Players' Tribune. (2018, September 27). USC Athletes on What Makes a Body Beautiful [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6ab3hdUXis
Abstract: A group of female university athletes discuss their own individual experiences when coping with societal pressures to conform to an ideal body type, while navigating the physical challenges necessary to excel in their sport. Central themes include social comparisons within athletics, changing attitudes towards food, the impact of social media, and developing self-acceptance.
Message: ‘Don’t just look at my body. See my Game’.
License: CC-BY
Story of Resilience: Fara Williams (News Article - 3mins)
Citation: Creighton, J. (2014, May 31). England midfielder Fara Williams: I was homeless for six years. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/27644997
Abstract: Fara Williams, England’s most capped women’s football (soccer) player, is an example of how sport can transform lives. Williams discusses how she spent six years living on the streets or in hostels before achieving success in her career. Her story highlights perspectives on people experiencing homelessness (i.e. feeling judged, or family breakdown leading to homelessness), but also shows how sport can serve as a motivating path out of poverty and towards accomplishment.
License: bbc.co.uk – © copyright [2014] BBC (Non-Commercial Use).
Story of Perseverance: Efe Obada (News Article - 3mins)
Citation: Reynolds, Tom. (April 5, 2019). Efe Obada: The NFL Star Abandoned on London's Streets at Age of 10. BBC Sport. https://www.bbc.com/sport/american-football/47819317
Abstract: Efe Obada’s inspiring story began when he immigrated from Nigeria to London with his family at the age of eight. By ten years old, he and his sister experienced homelessness and spent their childhood in ten different foster homes. While employed at a factory in England, Obada was offered the opportunity to play football as part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program, despite never playing competitive sports before. Through perseverance, attitude, and dedication, Obada successfully established a career within the NFL and found a sense of belonging in a sport that provided him with a renewed purpose in life.
License: bbc.co.uk – © copyright [2019] BBC (Non-Commercial)
The Olympic Museum (Website)
Citation: Olympic Museum. (n.d). www.olympics.com/museum/
Abstract: The comprehensive website offers a collection of resources for educators, academics, and students interested in exploring the history of the Olympic Games from the beginning to the present day. The site features materials on the Paralympics and Youth Olympics, including selected videos, athlete interviews, and sports documentaries appropriate for both primary and secondary school students. The platform also provides academic content about the Ancient Olympic Games, for example, along with information and facts on sports from around the world, Olympic values, sports photography, the importance of the Olympic flame, the meaning of the Five Rings, and inspiring Olympic stories.
License: Publicly Available website.
A Note from KOREN: Educators should be aware that certain research resources available on the website may be subject to various copyright licenses. It is important to verify that all resources used comply with their respective copyright attributions.
A Perfect 10? (SSHRC Article - 1minute )
Citation: Anonymous. (2008, January 25). A perfect 10? Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. https://www.sshrc-crsh.gc.ca/society-societe/stories-histoires/story-histoire-eng.aspx?story_id=37
Abstract: Dr. John Dunn discusses the motivations behind healthy and unhealthy perfectionism and explains how athletic identity is closely related to performance. Short Extract: Research by Dr. Dunn and University of Alberta graduate students examined American collegiate athletes, concluding that unhealthy perfectionism is associated with lower self-esteem in both males and females.
License: CC-BY