Combining Physical Education and unstructured practice during school recess to improve the students' decision-making and execution

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of a unit of basketball based onTeaching Games for Understanding model combined with a program of unstructured practice based on small-sided games (experimental group), in comparison to the only application of the unit (control group), on the decision-making and execution in Physical Education students. Participants were 31 students with ages between 12 and 14.The intervention was conducted over four weeks, developing eight PE lessons and eight school recess to unstructured practice.The decision-making and the execution of the pass action were measured by systematic observation, using the Game Performance EvaluationTool instrument. Results showed in the experimental group, significantly higher values in post-test with respect to pre-test, in both variables (decison-making, p =.001; execution, p =.024). Regarding to the control group, these differences were found only in the decision-making (p =.021). Findings demonstrated that the joined application of a unit with unstructured practise is more effective to improve decision-making and skill execution that if students are expose only in the Physical Education lessons.Therefore,we recommend teachers promote opportunities to students to have experiences in school recess.