The Importance of Physical

Activity Experiences

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Defined as: training in, observation of, practice of, or participation in physical activity to increase one’s capacity for physical performance.

Differentiated from subjective physical activity experiences (reactions, feelings, and thoughts; these are the focus of the next chapter).

Kinesiologists are experts at designing and manipulating physical activity experiences to bring about desired ends, such as improvement in skill, performance, and health and well-being.

Is rooted in intricate, intelligent plansCan be used to express aesthetic imagination

and moral reasoningIs flexible and adaptableIllustrates capacity to improve performance

through planned and systematic practice and training

* We were MADE to move!!! (outdoors)

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Human physical activityIntelligence-based physical activity

Our activity tends to be more complex and has more sophisticated goals that lower animals

Animals have relatively simple plansCheetah can outrun a human, but….

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Human physical activityEthically and aesthetically based physical

activityWe use movement to express imagination

and moral reasoningExpress joy, beauty, wonder, other

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Human physical activityFlexibility and adaptability of physical

activityUpright posture and bipedal gateGreat ability for movement

Hand, arms, shoulders, stereoscopic visionFine motorPerform movement in our field of vision

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Human physical activityAbility to improve performance through

planned experience

Systematic and scientifically ways as means of improving health, performance, skill or for rehabilitation

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Enormous disconnect between what we know about benefits of physical activity and our behaviorWhy is this?

Three primary barriers:Lack of timeAccessibilitySafe environment

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GeographyLocal physical activity culture* Historical norm shiftsSocioeconomic considerations

AccessAcceptable activities

Personal attributesSelf-perceptionsFeelings

ParentsPhysically active parents more likely to have

active childrenSame gender parent as child will have most

influencePeers

Will influence activity level along with other areas

Teachers and coaches *

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Teachers and coachesInfluential – can confirm or disconfirm

person’s competency in an activityCan create social environment that discourage

young persons from seeking out physical activity experiencesGatekeepers – may have life long experience

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Self-perceptionsTend to participate in activities we enjoyDifficult to pinpoint factors why

FeelingsResearch shows involvement or avoidance

influenced by feelings of self-esteem or perceptions of competence

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Figure 3.4

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Motor skills: Physical activities in which performers try to attain specific goals by executing efficient, coordinated motor responses

Practice: Physical activity experience that involves cognitive processing and leads to skill improvement

Learning: Permanent alteration in functioning of nervous system that enables performers to achieve a predetermined goal consistently

Skill, Practice, and Learning

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Physical performance capacity: Aspects of physical activity developed through training

Training: Physical activity carried out for the purpose of conditioning one for performance in an athletic or other event

Conditioning: Temporary end state of training reflected in the performer’s possessing adequate strength, endurance, and flexibility in order to carry out desired tasks

Physical PerformanceCapacity, Training, and Conditioning

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A physically fit person can perform the essential activities of daily

living at a high level, has sufficient energy remaining to pursue an

active leisure life, and can meet unexpected physical demands that

emergencies may impose. Types of physical fitness

1. Motor performance fitness2. Health-related fitness

Two major U.S. tests for youth fitness President’s Challenge Physical Fitness Test Fitnessgram Anyone done these???Anyone done these???

Measuring physical fitnessType of physical fitness

Motor performance fitness# curlups/1 minuteAgility test

Health-related fitnessRun on treadmill

Monitor HR, blood pressure, oxygen consumption

Skin fold test for body composition

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Physical fitness activities are training experiences that improve our general capacity for performing

daily activities and prevent disease processes

associated with low levels of physical activity.

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Generalists vs. specialists Generalist: breadth of experience

Exposure to many different types of experiences will increase breadth of capactiy

Advantage: enjoyment from many different physical activity experiences; not at a high level

Specialist: depth of capacityLimit physical activity to single/narrow range will

have increased depth of capacityAdvantage: remarkable proficiency; in a limited

area

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Principle of qualityPrinciple of qualityExperiences that engage us in the critical

components of an activity are most likely to improve our capacity to perform that activity.

Principle of quantityPrinciple of quantityIncreasing the frequency of experiences that

engage us in the critical components of a physical activity will lead to increases in our capacity to perform that activity.

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Critical componentCritical componentThe aspect of an activity deemed most

important for successfully performing that activity

Task analysisTask analysisThe systematic examination of a particular

physical activity for purposes of disclosing its critical components

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If physical activity experiences are to lead to specific improvements in our

learning and conditioning, they must be planned intelligently and systematically. This means that they must engage the individual in the critical components of the activity as frequently as possible.

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Abilities as building blocks for experienceInteractions of experience and abilities

UnderachieversNatural ability; fail to develop abilities

through training and practiceOverachievers

Little natural ability; compensate through practice and training

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Contribution of Practice, Training, and Heredity.

Figure 3.11

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Think about your activity experiences and their influence on your capacity to perform particular skills or achieve certain levels of fitness.

Remember that, as a Kinesiologist, you need to be aware of the experiences of others!

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chaptechapte

rr 44The Importance of The Importance of Subjective Subjective Experiences in Experiences in Physical ActivityPhysical Activity

Derived from physical activityEmotionsCognitionsDispositionsKnowledgesMeanings

Basically, subjective experiences are how we feel, think, and react to physical activity rather than the actual performance itself.

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1. Always accompanied by subjective experiencesExperiencing an activity means more than just

performing it

2. Subjective experiences are uniqueHow activity makes us feel determines whether

we continue

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3. Might do physical activities without ever asking why or understanding purposeHow does activity fit in larger scheme of life’s

meaning?

4. Will not be meaningful unless enjoyableExperience may be hollow

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One of the primary reasons we participate in exercise and

sport is that they supply us with unique forms of

subjective experience that are not available in other

daily activities.

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1. Subjective experiences can help clarify the bases of our career choices.

2. Subjective experiences can help develop our skills as physical activity professionals.

3. Most important, how we feel and what we think before, during, and after a physical activity largely determines whether we will make that activity part of our lives.

The focus is on internal dynamics rather than external performance.

Immediate subjective experiencesYour best gameHole in one!A “bad” day

Immediate emotional & cognitive impressionsProprioceptive stimulation

Tendon, ligaments, muscles, inner earProvide information about body in space

Biochemical changesCirculatory system

Perceptions of fatigue and effort

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Replayed subjective experiencesDo you remember the feeling? process of examining past

experiencesOpportunity for self reflection

Put experience in a framework that make it more meaningful and comprehensive

What about some of your experiences?

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SensationsRaw, interpreted data collected through sensory

organsPerceptions

Means by which we interpret sensationsEmotions

Different from person to personPerceptions during activity can evoke different

responsesAngry, happy, enthusiastic, etc.

Emotional Expression Tendency to reveal something about our emotional state

Fear – trembleExcited – forceful or rapid movements

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Knowledge and subjective experienceRational knowledge

Facts about history; math formulasDerived from using logic, reason, and analysis

Intuitive knowledgeDerived from subjective experiencesIntuition – how we come to know something

without conscious reasoning

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Knowledge and subjective experiencePsychoanalytic self-knowledge (deep-seated

desires)And the manner in which we pursue physical

activityMystical knowledge (rare and special)

Experience may take you out of the real worldPeak performance

Socratic self-knowledge (we know and don’t know)Play within yourself 42

It can be difficult to find the right words to communicate our subjective experiences

of sport and exercise to others. It is important that we try, however, since this helps us better understand the personal

meanings we find in physical activity.

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Extrinsic approaches (to physical activity)Extrinsic approaches (to physical activity)Valuing physical activity because of the

benefits that come from participating

Intrinsic approaches (to exercise for Intrinsic approaches (to exercise for health)health)Valuing physical activity because of the

subjective experiences embedded within the activity itself

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Even though sport and exercise may provide participants with many

different kinds of benefits, most people likely engage in them because of the unique subjective experiences they

offer.

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Factors related to the activityEvenly matched challenges

Ability and skill go beyond challengeBoredom

Challenge beyond our abilityfrustration

Clear goals and feedbackFeedback from coaches, teacher, etc.

CompetitionAn organizing principle that frames

physical activity

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Factors related to the performerDispositions

Short term, highly variable psychological states influenced by outside factors

Attitudes (see Kenyon ATPA)Relatively stable mind-set toward

concrete objectsMay be favorable or unfavorable

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Alone vs. with othersEnvironmentSense of perceived freedom

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We are more likely to enjoy physical activities when the

challenges of the activity match our abilities, when the activity has clear goals and

feedback, and when the activity is arranged in a competitive framework.

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DispositionsPerceived competencyAbsorptionPerceived control

Attitudes toward physical activity (ATPA)Social experienceHealth and fitnessPursuit of vertigoAesthetic experienceCathartic experienceAscetic experience

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Alone vs. presence of othersRunning on a treadmill vs running in the park

EnvironmentEnriched social environment/leadership may

influence experienceSense of perceived freedom

Or sense of obligation

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Physical activities are never performed in a vacuum; the social context and

immediate environment surrounding them can affect our sense of enjoyment. An example of this is how feeling forced

to engage in an activity rather than freely choosing to do it can make it less

enjoyable.

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Vicarious participationVicarious participationFeeling as though a person is engaged in a

sport contest he is watching

Disinterested sports spectatingDisinterested sports spectatingA form of watching sport contests in which

the observer is nonpartisan in his or her feelings about the outcome

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Watching Sports as aWatching Sports as aSubjective ExperienceSubjective Experience

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Knowledge of game Game spectator knowledge

Enhances watching experience - enjoyment

Feelings toward the competing teams and players Dispositional theory of enjoyment

Spectators applauded failed play of opponents as much as favorite team

BIRG (bask in reflected glory) Greater joy when closely identify with team

Human drama of sports competition Teams must be equal in talent and ability Underdog overcomes heavily favored opponent

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Physical activity involves emotions, thoughts, and reactions.

Physical activity professionals help people appreciate physical activity.

Subjective experiences are gained by participating or watching.

Our enjoyment of an activity is one of the greatest determinants as to whether we continue to engage in that physical activity. (This is significant if maintaining or increasing participation is key.)