Examination from a developmental perspective about acquisition process for perception of gravity to influence motor learning

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 23500742
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Sports science
• Research Institution: National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Kanoya
• Principal Investigator: MORI Shiro 鹿屋体育大学, スポーツ人文・応用社会科学系, 教授 (80200369)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): NAKAMOTO Hiroki 鹿屋体育大学, スポーツ人文応用社会科学系, 教授 (10423732)
• Project Period (FY): 2011-04-28 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 重力認知 / 運動発達 / 捕球方略 / コーディネーション / 一致タイミング / 幼児 / 重力 / 運動学習

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study was to examine the developmental effect and mechanisms of the perception of gravity on catching a falling ball, targeting from young children to adults. The main four results were: 1) catching stratagem (movement start time and tracking velocity) was not influenced by projection speed with advancing age; 2) regarding a coincidence timing task at 3 different falling velocities, the timing task was influenced by free fall with advancing age; 3) regarding movement of the head, young children were more affected by the orbit of the ball after projection when compared with adults; and 4) catching stratagem (movement start time and tracking velocity) was more affected by free fall with advancing age than other gravitational conditions (0.5 G, 2.0 G). This suggests that catching movements are influenced by an internal model of gravity, depending on the stage of development.

Free Research Field

スポーツ心理学、体育心理学