Importance of rhythm for the optimum performance of motor skills
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Date
26/11/2009Item status
Restricted AccessEmbargo end date
31/12/2100Author
MacPherson, Alan Cameron
Metadata
Abstract
The overall aim of the thesis was to appraise critically the role that rhythm can play
as an effective focus for high level athletic performance. This aim was realised
through a series of staged objectives. In a desktop study, the potential importance of
rhythm was investigated across the performance spectrum (chapter 2). Having
established the scope and potential utility of the construct, it was necessary to
determine whether it was possible to isolate rhythm, to establish whether it was
associated with skilled execution, and whether it was a genuine, naturally occurring,
phenomenon (chapter 3). Having established significant differences in recalled
movement patterns between skilled and non-skilled participants, the third objective
was to determine the impact of differing mental sets on elite competitors in a
performance environment (chapter 4). Interestingly, low levels of movement
variability in horizontal jumps were positively associated with jumps of greater
distance in the majority of athletes studied. This finding has implications for the way
performers should be instructed, how high performance interventions are designed,
and it questions the pre-eminent perceptual paradigm in this area of human
performance. Finally, the thesis aimed to determine if rhythm can be applied and
manipulated as a performance aid. To this end, two case studies are presented
(chapters 5 & 6) which outline the varied means through which rhythm can be
manipulated according to the performance needs of the athlete, both in terms of
reducing movement variability, and improving overall performance.