Effect of Teaching Races for Understanding in Youth Sailing on Performance, Knowledge, and Adherence

Abstract

Purpose: To know whether an intervention using an adaptation of Teaching Games for Understanding approach (named Teaching Races for Understanding -TRfU) led participants to improve skill execution, decision-making, race performance, race involvement, race knowledge, enjoyment, intention to continue practicing sailing, and perceived competence.

Method: Participants were 67 children from a randomly selected sailing school (age: M = 9.32, SD = 2.60 years old) and two coaches. We designed and validated the TRfU lessons, and one coach was trained in the approach. The TRfU group participated in 11 lessons. This study followed a mixed-methods data approach. Quantitative data were evaluated using a quasi- experimental pretest-posttest design with control group. The intervention consisted of teaching sailing using TRfU approach. Children and coaches’ perception were evaluated through an interview on completion of the study. Data were collected using an adaptation of Game Performance Assessment Instrument, a knowledge questionnaire, two psychological scales, and interviews with children and coaches.

Results: The TRfU group showed statistically significant improvements in skill execution, decision-making, race performance, compared with the control group, as well as significant improvements in race involvement, race knowledge, and enjoyment (range of ES = .64 - 2.63). Conclusion: TRfU can be used in sailing to improve students’ capacity to reflect and connect the theoretical knowledge with their motor performance in the race.