Motor Learning Lab 3
Lab 3 - Individual Differences in Balance Ability
Introduction
Purpose: To examine whether our ability to balance is a general ability, or if it is specific to each test of balance. The concept of general motor abilities suggests that individuals have a capacity to perform classes of actions, and tasks that tap the same ability should be performed to an equivalent degree of success by each individual. The concept of specific motor abilities suggests that each task taps a unique ability, and there should be no specific relation among performance on tasks that are similar or different in underlying abilities. In this lab we will compare these concepts by examining performance on a variety of balance tests.
Task and Equipment Needed
There are four tasks to be performed for this lab. Two involve dynamic balance, and two involve static balance. The dynamic balance tasks involve performing the Sideward Leap test and the Book-Balancing Walk Test. The static balance tasks involve performing the Diver’s Stand and the Stork Stand.
Procedures
This experiment is patterned after the procedures used by Drowatzky and Zuccato (1967), an experiment that is reported in the textbook. Each student will perform three trials on each of the four balance tests. The median score for each test will be used for the later analyses.
Static Balance Tests:
The Diver’s Stand has the person standing erect with both feet together, arms extended in front. When ready, he or she rises onto the balls of the feet, closes his or her eyes, and maintains this position for up to 30 seconds.
The Stork Stand measures the length of time that one can maintain balance while in an awkward position. Begin with both hands on hips. On command, raise the non-preferred leg and place the foot on the inside of the knee of the preferred leg. On the next command, raise the heel of the preferred leg off the floor and maintain that position for up to 30 seconds.
Dynamic Balance Tests:
The Sideward Leap
Introduction
Purpose: To examine whether our ability to balance is a general ability, or if it is specific to each test of balance. The concept of general motor abilities suggests that individuals have a capacity to perform classes of actions, and tasks that tap the same ability should be performed to an equivalent degree of success by each individual. The concept of specific motor abilities suggests that each task taps a unique ability, and there should be no specific relation among performance on tasks that are similar or different in underlying abilities. In this lab we will compare these concepts by examining performance on a variety of balance tests.
Task and Equipment Needed
There are four tasks to be performed for this lab. Two involve dynamic balance, and two involve static balance. The dynamic balance tasks involve performing the Sideward Leap test and the Book-Balancing Walk Test. The static balance tasks involve performing the Diver’s Stand and the Stork Stand.
Procedures
This experiment is patterned after the procedures used by Drowatzky and Zuccato (1967), an experiment that is reported in the textbook. Each student will perform three trials on each of the four balance tests. The median score for each test will be used for the later analyses.
Static Balance Tests:
The Diver’s Stand has the person standing erect with both feet together, arms extended in front. When ready, he or she rises onto the balls of the feet, closes his or her eyes, and maintains this position for up to 30 seconds.
The Stork Stand measures the length of time that one can maintain balance while in an awkward position. Begin with both hands on hips. On command, raise the non-preferred leg and place the foot on the inside of the knee of the preferred leg. On the next command, raise the heel of the preferred leg off the floor and maintain that position for up to 30 seconds.
Dynamic Balance Tests:
The Sideward Leap