The function of the need to achieve upon tumbling skill acquisition

The problem of this study was to examine the function of the psychological construct, need to achieve upon the acquisition of tumbling skill. The research question answered was: What is the function of the need to achieve upon the acquisition of tumbling skill if relevant motor performance abilities and body composition variables are held constant? The data for this study were obtained from 80 subjects (39 males and 41 females) who were enrolled in beginning tumbling courses during the Spring Semester of 1979 at the University of Houston, Houston, Texas. The dependent variable was the tumbling skill performance of the students in the classes as measured by the total number of skills successfully completed. The independent variables included the need to achieve as measured by the achievement scale of the Edwards Personal Preference Schedule and a second set of independent variables which measured motor performance abilities (strength and flexibility), body composition characteristics (percent fat), and demographic information regarding the academic major of the subject, the days per week of class meeting, and gender of the subject. The motor performance abilities, body composition characteristics, and demographic variables were statistically controlled in order to assess the influence of the need to achieve upon tumbling skill acquisition. The findings indicated that the basic abilities of strength and flexibility were related to tumbling skill acquisition. The variable days per week was also found to be significantly related to tumbling skill acquisition. This variable indicated that the subjects in the classes which met twice weekly out-performed those subjects in classes which met three times per week. Furthermore, the need to achieve, as measured by the achievement scale of the Edwards Personal Preference Schedule, did not contribute to the acquisition of tumbling skill. This may be an indication that presented theories may not be valid for all physical education activities and/or all levels of skill performance.