The Effect of Manipulating Task and Environment Constraints on Performance of Selected Fundamental Movement Skills

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of task and environment manipulation on the performance of selected basic motor skills. For this purpose, 30 children aged 4 to 6 years were selected using the available sampling method. First, the pre-test of over hand throwing was performed using the accuracy of throwing and kicking, and then the participants were randomly divided into 3 groups: manipulation of task restraints, environment constraints, and control. According to the research plan, the intervention groups performed the program for 6 weeks and two 60-minute sessions each week. The task constraint group practiced according to the task ecological analysis method, the environment constraint manipulation group practiced in the based on enrichment of the environment and the control group had no activity. After the last training session, a post-test was performed and the results were recorded. The data were analyzed with analysis of covariance test and Bonferroni was used for paired comparisons. The results showed that there was a significant difference between the remaining mean scores of kicking and over hand throwing of the subjects in terms of group membership (experimental and control groups) (P <0.05). Also, the results of Bonferroni post hoc test showed that the groups of manipulation of task constraints and performance environment had better than the control group in the studied skills, but the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (P <0.05). The finding generally support and provide an insight into the idea of the effect of constraints manipulation on performance. Therefore, when teaching and working with children, manipulation of task constraints and environment can be used to improve the performance of children's fundamental movement skills.