Catching Performance Research Articles

Effects of cricket ball colour and illuminance levels on catching behaviour in professional cricketers

In recent years there have been many alterations to equipment and technology in professional cricket, including the introduction of white balls during day — night matches. In the present study simulated slip-catching performance and movement initiation time were examined in professional cricketers when ball colour and illuminance levels differed. Five male professional cricketers (mean age: 27.3 ± 1.4 years) volunteered to catch a total of 60 cricket balls, 20 (10 red and 10 white) under each of three illuminance levels (571, 1143 and 1714 lux). Balls were projected from a ball machine at 20 m s−1 (45 mph) over a distance of 8.4 m, to the subject's dominant side. Catching performance was measured using an established catching scale. Movement initiation times for each hand were also calculated for each trial using a motion-analysis system. Data were submitted to separate two-way (ball colour [2] × illuminance level [3]) repeated measures analysis of variance. No significant effects were obtained for ball colour or illuminance levels for either catching performance or movement initiation time. Neither ball colour nor light level (within the range tested) affected slip-catching performance and movement initiation times in professional cricketers. Therefore it was concluded that the changes made to ball colour and light conditions in professional cricket were not detrimental to catching performance.

Ecological relevance of stereopsis in one-handed ball-catching.

The aim of this study was to compare one-handed catching performance between catchers with high (n = 10) and low (n = 10) binocular depth vision or stereopsis. In two sessions of 90 trials, tennis balls were projected at three different velocities towards the subject's shoulder region. Participants with good stereopsis were more successful, although the difference in number of correct catches fell short of significance. More specifically, catchers with low stereopsis made more temporal errors, but no differences in spatial errors. As the velocity of the ball increased, the initiation of the catch was delayed and catching performance decreased. The finding that stereopsis affected timing of the catch challenges the 'monocular tau hypothesis' in the control of interceptive timing, while the velocity effect shows that the act of catching a ball is not initiated at a constant time-to-contact.

Structural Organization of Practice: Effects of Practicing Under Different Informational Constraints on the Acquisition of One-Handed Catching Skill

The question addressed in this study was the effects of the manipulation of the informational constraints of practice conditions on the acquisition of one-handed catching skill. Three groups of poor catchers (8 participants per group) practiced in either a normal-light, ball-only, or interspersed ball-only and normal-light condition (N = 450 trials). All groups exhibited a significant improvement in the number of catches and catching score and a reduction in the number of misses by the end of practice. The structural organization of the practice conditions had a significant effect on catching performance. Practicing in the interspersed condition had a positive residual effect on subjects' performance in normal light. Similarly, there was a positive residual effect of practicing in the ball-only and the interspersed conditions on subjects' normal light, posttest performance. The findings are interpreted as support for the argument that practicing under varying informational constraints can benefit skill acquisition by directing the subjects' search toward relevant sources of information.

I Lost It in the Lights: The Effects of Predictable and Variable Intermittent Vision on Unimanual Catching

In this study, 2 competing views of interceptive action were examined by assessing the influence of variability in the interval between visual samples in a unimanual ball-catching task. Subjects were required to catch tennis balls projected over a distance of 14 m, under conditions of intermittent vision in which the between-sample intervals were either predictable or unpredictable. Results indicated that, although performance was best with shorter between-sample intervals, the temporal predictability of samples did not reliably affect catching performance. This suggests that between-sample retinal expansion provides sufficient information for the timing of the interceptive act.

The Effects of Environmental Changes on One-Handed Catching

Ball catching involves predicting the time and place of arrival of a mobile object. Visual cues of various kinds may help a ball catcher to perform this task successfully. The aims of the present study were (a) to assess the role of the environment in the spatiotemporal planning of ball-catching movements and (b) to determine what specific cues are actually used for this purpose. In the first experiment described here, subjects' catching performances were compared under four different environmental conditions, namely, normal lighting, ultraviolet light with no background, ultraviolet light with a densely structured background, and ultraviolet light with a sparsely structured background. Our results showed that the sight of the mobile object alone does not provide enough information for a subject to achieve his maximum performance level. Accurately assessing the point of arrival of the ball requires the use of relative visual cues. The environment is also a source of visual cues used to assess the time of arrival of the ball. A second experiment was carried out with a view to determining the exact nature of the visual cues used. Here, the orientation (frontal vs. oblique plane) and the apparent visual angle (6 degrees vs. 42 degrees ) of the background were made to vary. The results of this experiment showed that the orientation of the background affected the percentage of spatial errors produced by the subjects, whereas the apparent visual angle affected the percentage of temporal errors. The relative velocity cue generated by the masking of successive structures in the environment by the oncoming ball seems to have been taking into account in estimating the time of arrival of the ball. This cue seems to be of crucial importance during the 200 ms prior to the time of contact between the ball and the subject's hand. This finding supports the idea that the method used to assess the time to contact may involve velocity information.

HEAT TRANSFER MODELLING OF A CYLINDRICAL ER CATCH

In electro-rheological (ER) devices the control of temperature is often of paramount importance. For a device through which the ER fluid is not able to flow continuously to and from a reservoir, where it may be cooled, this can be a problem. Such a situation occurs in the ER catch. The heat generated there will predominantly be dissipated from the outer surface of the drive/input. The rate of heat transfer is thus principally a function of the speed and area of that surface and the temperatures of the ER fluid and atmosphere. Since these factors reflect on the levels of electro-stress, current requirement and viscosity of the ER fluid, an opportunity exists for optimisation of catch performance. The paper shows the results of an investigation into the effects on the cooling/heating problem of varying the radii of the clutch rotors, their relative rotational speed and inter-electrode spacing. Equilibrium fluid temperatures are confirmed by experimental evidence. The effects of heat generation in run up to speed and clutch locked periods, (through electro viscous drag and dielectric loading respectively) are quantified and compared with the case of a contemporary ER fluid in a cylindrical catch on zero volts idling. At any given operating condition, uniform temperature, viscosity and constant electro stress are assumed throughout the fluid.

The role of binocular information in ball catching.

The role of binocular vision in a ball-catching task involving spatial uncertainty was examined in three experiments. In all three experiments, subjects' catching performance was evaluated during monocular and binocular viewing, in normal room lighting and in complete darkness with a luminescent ball. Subjects' performance was found to be significantly better with binocular than with monocular vision, especially under normal lighting conditions. In the second and third experiments, catching performance was evaluated in the presence of minimal visual frames, consisting of a series of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). In Experiment 2, the visual frame consisted of a single plane of LEDs, whereas in Experiment 3, the visual frame consisted of two planes of LEDs. Catching performance was found to be significantly better with the visual frame than in complete darkness, but this was true only for binocular viewing. This result supports the hypothesis that binocular convergence is used to scale perceived space and that this information enables subjects to contact the ball successfully. It was further found that postural sway varied between lighting conditions and that less sway was accompanied by higher performance. There was no effect of binocular viewing in this respect. In general, the results suggest two additive effects of viewing conditions: a direct effect of binocular vision on ball catching and an indirect effect of lighting on postural stability, which, in turn, affects catching performance.

Children's one-hand catching as a function of age, gender, and ball location.

A sizable body of literature exists on the product characteristics and developmental sequence for two-hand catching, but to date there is no description of the developmental characteristics of simple one-hand catching in young children. This study investigated the influence of age, gender, and ball location on children's one-hand catching. Boys and girls (N = 240) ranging in age from 5 to 12 years attempted to catch a total of 24 tennis balls, tossed from a 9-ft distance. Tosses were directed to four locations: (a) Waist, (b) Shoulder, (c) Above-the-Head, and (d) Out-to-the-Side. Descriptive data consisted of the percentage of successful catches at each ball location, and the hand-arm orientation selected by the child as a function of ball location. Results revealed that catching performance improved with age, boys caught more balls than girls, ball location influenced catching success, and, in general, the location of the toss constrained the child's selection of an appropriate hand-arm orientation. With the possible exception of the Shoulder location for girls, even very young children are sensitive to the perceptual aspects of the toss and respond with an appropriate orientation.

Catch performance of small prawn pots in terms of selectivity and escape

The size distribution of entrapped prawns in a pot may be governed by the construction of the pot entrance. The selectivity of entrances was studied. To clarify how the pot entrance design affects the size distribution of entrapped prawns in a pot, a series of tests were carried out with live prawns in a tank. In each case, the variations in the mode of sizes could be explained satisfactorily by the differences in the diameter of the opening. The escapement ratio, a could be used as the principal index to evaluate the selectivity of the entrance. The results suggest that the pots with large openings accelerate the escape of the prawns.

Skipjack pole-and-line operations in east Indonesia: A comparative analysis of catch performance

There is a wide geographical spread of skipjack pole-and-line fishing bases in east Indonesia. The article identifies and analyses the relative importance of several interactive factors on pole-and-line vessel catch performance, including the effects of the vessel (eg its size, horse power and age), baitfish (its availability and abundance), the crew (number and skill), season, weather, use of Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs), geographical location of the fishing ground, and ‘fleet congestion’. The importance of FADs in improving catch performance is particularly highlighted. Partly from this comparative analysis, it is postulated that the resident stock in this area is supplemented by large seasonal migrations of skipjack from the western tropical Pacific stock. As the bulk of this migration passes through the waters north of Irian Jaya, this region must offer some of the best fishing opportunities, and hence will have the highest priority for the future development of skipjack pole-and-line and purse seine bases in Indonesia.

Developmental Sequences for Catching a Small Ball: A Prelongitudinal Screening

Developmental sequences are identified for many skills (e.g., hopping and throwing). Sequences are hypothesized but not validated for catching. Two purposes of this investigation were to validate hypothesized catching sequences and examine the importance of task constraints on catching performance. Seventy-two subjects (5-12 years of age) were videotaped as they attempted to catch a small (10-cm) ball, tossed to three locations: (a) directly to the body, (b) at the forehead, and (c) to various other locations. Trials were categorized using developmental sequences including four components: arm preparation, arm reception, hands, and body. The data were analyzed by catching condition using the prelongitudinal screening procedure described by Roberton, Williams, and Langendorfer (1980). Preliminary screening resulted in clarification of descriptions for several developmental levels. Movement sequences for hand and body components were comprehensive and age-related for the groups studied. Task conditions differently constrained children of different ages. Arm components did not meet the Roberton et al. criteria. Combining them may be warranted. Varying ball size or type is needed to test the comprehensiveness of the proposed sequences for other catching skills.

Developmental differences in the use of peripheral vision during catching performance.

Recently, it has been argued that peripheral vision may control adequate orientation of catching limbs, although questions have been raised of whether this remains the case as skill develops. The aim of the present study was to remediate previous methodological deficiencies to verify whether developmental differences exist in the extent of the functional visual field. A further aim included examining the importance of peripheral vision as a control process for effector orientation during catching without recourse to an occlusion technique. Previous arguments that peripheral vision may be necessary in controlling one-handed catching performance were extended to a two-handed catching task. Male subjects (n = 80) were required to perform a two-handed catch and simultaneously process a peripheral visual signal presented either early in, in the middle of, or late in flight. Developmental differences were noted between the age groups (mean ages = 10, 12, 16, and 20 years) in the ability to divide visual attention between the ball in flight, location of hands, and the peripheral cue acting as a probe. Evidently, the ability to allocate control of effects to the articular proprioceptive system develops with age because there was an obvious improvement in peripheral visual processing performance during the late segment of flight. Specifically, it appears that between the ages of 12 and 15 years catchers develop the capacity to increase the functional control of the articular proprioceptive system, as indicated by a significant decrease in peripheral visual errors during the late segment made by the latter age group. Limited evidence is also presented suggesting that the successful allocation of greater control to the articular proprioceptive system changes as a function of practice and experience with the specific central task, thus overcoming initial reliance on sight of the catching hands.

落網の網型模型に対する魚群行動の水そう実験

In order to compare the performance of trap nets, water tank experiments of fish behavior to the model nets constructed by PVC plate were conducted, using bitterling Rhodeus ocellatus ocellatus as an experimental fish and a video behavior analyzer system for observing and analysing the fish behavior. Six different types of trap nets as the model net were examined; two mouth trap net with two bags, two mouth trap net with a left bag, two mouth trap net with a right bag, single mouth trap net with two bags, single mouth trap net with a left bag and single mouth trap net with a right bag. For the fish school comming from the left hand side of the leader net, the rate of right turn behavior just after entering the net was extremely high; 89% for the two mouth trap nets and 76% for the single mouth trap nets. The rate of remaining, which was employed as an index of the catching performance, showed the maximum in the right bag net and the minimum in the left bag net for both the two mouth trap nets and the single mouth trap net. The results seem to support an empirical rule that the bag net should be set to the same side as the leader net in the single mouth trap net.

Response Time and Grip Strength as Possible Factors Affecting Children's Catching Performance

This investigation was designed to determine the influence of response time (reaction time + movement time) and grip strength on a catching task. 30 boys and 30 girls in Grade 3 were subjects. A standard hand dynamometer was employed to measure grip strength while a unique timing apparatus consisting of two digital stop watches and a strobe light was constructed to measure both reaction time (RT) and movement time (MT) while simulating the act of catching. Subjects were allowed 8 attempts to catch a tennis ball which was mechanically projected a distance of 30 ft. Boys were more proficient on the catching task than girls even when adjusting for differences in RT, MT, and grip strength. A significant but weak relationship was found between grip strength and catching performance for the girls.

Effects of Varying Ball Diameters on Catching Ability of Young Children

10 boys and 10 girls (60 subjects) were randomly selected from kindergarten, first, and second grades. Each subject attempted to catch balls of 6-, 8.5-, 10-, and 13-in. diameters through 28 trials (seven attempts per ball per subject). A special apparatus was designed to roll the ball consistently into the subject's arms from a horizontal distance of approximately 4 ft. The quality of each attempted catch was evaluated using a five-point scale. The main effects of ball size, grade, and sex were significant. A linear trend described the relation of ball size and grade. The over-all quality of the catching performance improved from kindergarten to second grade and from the small ball to the larger sizes.

Effects Ball and Background Color Have upon the Catching Performance of Elementary School Children

Abstract Subjects in grades 2, 4, and 6 were asked to attempt to catch plastic balls in three colors—blue, yellow, and white—against two different colored backgrounds—white and black. A 5-point catching scale was used to evaluate each catch attempt. It was hypothesized that neither ball color nor background color would influence the catching performance of elementary youngsters. The older youngsters performed significantly better on the catching tasks. Blue and yellow balls produced significantly higher catching scores than the white balls. The significance of interaction effects suggested that various combinations of ball color and background color produced high catching scores. Blue balls projected against white background produced the highest catching score.

Dynamic Visual Acuity and Performance in a Catching Task

Each of 30 Ss was given tests of dynamic and static visual acuity and then participated in a ball-catching task. Performance in the latter task was an inverted U-shaped function of duration of the occluded period, the time between the termination of the 80-msec. viewing period and the estimated onset of the "latency period" (the point in time at which the ball could no longer serve to cue Ss response). Dynamic and static visual acuity scores were not significantly correlated but, with static visual acuity partialled out, dynamic visual acuity and catching performance were significantly correlated.