USE OF COMPONENT-SPECIFIC INSTRUCTION TO PROMOTE DEVELOPMENT OF THE OVERARM THROW

The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of a component-s pecific instruction (CSI) intervention to enhance overarm throw develo pment in preschool children. The study also examined the sequence of c omponents within the intervention, a force production sequence (FPS) v ersus a forward-chaining sequence (FCS). During daily inspection of th e data, investigators: noted changes in efficiency levels of nontarget ed components. Therefore, a third research question emerged regarding the ancillary effects of CSI on efficiency levels of nontargeted compo nents. For all participants, intervention was required on hva or more of the following: step, rotation/backswing, elbow/backswing, forearm/f orward, and rotation forward. CSI was found ts be effective for improv ing the efficiency of the targeted component as well as overall throwi ng efficiency. Ancillary effects occurred repeatedly across nontargete d components during all but one condition of CSI. During follow-up, th e degree to which efficiency levels were maintained varied from child to child.