Resumen de Assessment of procedural knowledge in volleyball players
Jorge Macías Romero, J. A. González-Jurado, Fernando Manuel Otero-Saborido
Procedural knowledge (PK) is an influential in decision-making and technical execution factor in volleyball.The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of applying an observation tool used by volleyball players to assess their procedural knowledge. The research combines quantitative and qualitative methodology.In the quantitative section, which involved a quasi-experimental design with a control group, a total of 20 U-16 players were distributed into a control group (n = 10; 14.70 ± 0.67) and an experimental group (n = 10; 15.00 ± 0.47). The dependent variable was the PK, which was measured using a validated questionnaire. Between the pre-test and post-test of PK, the players belonging to the experimental group observed the game through the Games Performance Assessment Instrument (GPAI) tool. The implementation of the GPAI observation instruments in the experimental groups had four sessions. The group experimental observed whole-games situations of 4 Vs 4. In the qualitative part, these players were interviewed about their experience in the process. The results proved that PK improves after the use of GPAI. The experimental group showed statistically significant differences with the control group in the total score of the questionnaire on PK (p = 0.000) and in two of the three dimensions (attacking: p = 0.031; blocking: p = 0.000). Other statistical evidence like effect size or the analysis of covariance confirmed the improvements of the group that used GPAI. In the interviews, the volleyball players attributed their improvements to the learning generated by the observation instrument used. This work demonstrates that tactical training in volleyball players helps to improve procedural knowledge.
