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This article aims to study the coordination of the defenders' tactical and technical behaviour of successful teams to recover the ball according to contextual variables. A total of 15,369 (480.28 ± 112.37) events and 49 to 12,398 different patterns in 32 games of the 2014 FIFA World Cup's play-offs were detected and analysed. Results evidenced a T-pattern of the first defender pressuring the ball carrier and his teammates concentrating at the same zone to cover him or space, leading to ball recovery. Field zones, first defender tactical and technical behaviours, and ball carrier first touch constituted opportunities for defenders to coordinate themselves. Moreover, the third defender had a predominant role in his teammates' temporisation and covering zone behaviours. In the draw, first half, second-tier quality of opponent and play-offs excluding third place and final matches, the ball regularly shifted from upper to lower field zones in short periods, resulting in ball recovery or shot on goal conceded. Defenders performed behaviours farther from the ball carrier, and player-marking were most recurrent to an effective defence. This study's findings could help coaches give specific tips to players regarding interpersonal coordination in defence and set strategies to make tactical behaviour emerge globally. ; This work was supported by the National Institute of Physical Education of Catalonia (INEFC). We are grateful for the support of the Spanish Government subprojects Integration ways between qualitative and quantitative data, multiple case development, and synthesis review as main axis for an innovative future in physical activity and sports research (PGC2018-098742-B-C31) and Mixed method approach on performance analysis (in training and competition) in elite and academy sport (PGC2018-098742-B-C33) (2019– 2021) (Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities/State Research Agency/European Regional Development Fund), which are part of the coordinated project New approach of research in physical activity and sport from mixed methods perspective (NARPAS_MM) (SPGC201800 × 098742CV0), and the Generalitat de Catalunya Research Group, Research group and innovation in designs (GRID). Technology and multimedia and digital application to observational designs (Grant number 2017 SGR 1405). This work was also funded by the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P. (FCT). TF was the beneficiary of a Ph.D. Research Scholarship (2021.05810.BD) from FCT.

Elderly people often show impairment in several motor skills, such as balance and coordination, and their laterality may also be affected. This study sought to analyse the relationship between fall risk and laterality in an elderly population. Thirty-three elders who were participating in exercise programs were studied using two instruments: the Tinetti Mobility Test (TMT), as a clinical test that predicts fall risk in the elderly, and the Dynamic-LATMO, a tool for observing the use of laterality in motor skills execution. Results showed a significant association between the standing balance score on the TMT and the task of standing on one leg in the laterality test. ; We gratefully acknowledge the support of: x The Spanish government project Observacion de la interaccion en deporte y actividad física: Avances tecnicos y metodologicos en registros automatizados cualitativos-cuantitativos (Secretaría de Estado de Investigacion, Desarrollo e Innovacion del Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad) during the period 2012-2015 [Grant DEP2012-32124]. x The Catalan government Project (GRID) (Referencia: 2014 SGR 971) and The Catalan government Project Progames de motricitat perceptiva i expressiva en gent gran (Grant AGAUR_INEFCP-2012).

We present an exertion interface called the Interactive Slide (Soler, Ferrer, Parés, 2009), a large inflatable slide augmented with virtual reality technology that offers the possibility to children to move freely in a large and diverse spatial area. Diversity of motor skills actions that children do while playing were analyzed with observational methodology and sequential analysis through temporal pattern detection (T-patterns) to obtain behavior motor responses. The results reveal that the strategic virtual games of this Interactive Slide stimulate a large number of motor skills and a rich variability of them. Thus, in a pedagogical sense, it optimizes body movement in children while exergaming. ; Part of this project is funded by the grants from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation:/n"Method for the Control and Regulation of Physical Activity of Children through a Novel Platform for Full-body/nInteractive Experiences called the Interactive Slide" (CRAFTI), grant TIN2010-18268/n"Avances tecnológicos y metodológicos en la automatización de estudios observacionales en deporte", grant/nPSI2008-01179/nWe also gratefully acknowledge the support of the Catalan government Project (GRID) (2009 SGR829).

El presente estudio analiza las respuestas individuales y de grupo de la frecuencia cardiaca de mujeres adultas mientras realizan actividad física. El interés de este estudio recae en comparar como estas respuestas varían entre sesiones de ejercicio rutinario y sesiones que incluyen variedad de habilidades motrices. Participaron 67 mujeres adultas (edad 65.1 ± 11.7) usuarias de programas de actividad física municipales. Analizamos dos sesiones representativas: una estándar de los propios programas de actividad física que realizan y otra diseñada ad hoc con variedad de diversos tipos de habilidades y capacidades motrices. Utilizamos la metodología observacional para obtener datos categóricos de las habilidades motrices realizadas en cada sesión a partir del instrumento de observación OSMOS-in context. Los datos continuos obtenidos de la frecuencia cardíaca individual de cada participante se midieron mediante monitorización en cada sesión. El análisis conjunto de ambos tipos de datos, categóricos y continuos, se realizó mediante la aplicación de Cadenas Ocultas de Markov (HMM). Los resultados obtenidos consideramos que son bastante relevantes puesto que indican que la sesión que aporta mayor riqueza motriz no solo muestra una mayor adecuación cardíaca a la intensidad del ejercicio (según las recomendaciones del American College of Sports Medicine) sino una mayor variabilidad individual, incluso una mayor sincronización entre todas las participantes con respecto a la sesión estándar propia de los programas de actividad física que realizan asiduamente. ; The present study analyzes individual and group heart rate responses in exercising adult women. The specific aim was to compare responses during routine workout sessions within a community exercise program with responses during a purpose-designed workout session targeting diverse motor skills. Sixty-seven adult women with a mean ± SD age of 65.1 ± 11.7 years participated in the study. Two representative sessions were analyzed: a standard workout session the women took at the local community center and an ad hoc session designed to build on a variety of motor skills and capabilities. Observational methodology was used to collect categorical data on motor skill performance during each session using the OSMOS-in context observation instrument. Continuous heart rate data were recorded for all participants during each session. A combined analysis of categorical and continuous data was undertaken using Hidden Markov Models. The results show that the session targeting a greater diversity of motor skills not only met the cardiovascular fitness recommendations of the American College of Sports Medicine, but resulted in greater individual variability and greater synchrony between participants than the routine session. ; We gratefully acknowledge the support of INEFC (National Institute of Physical Education of Catalonia) and three Spanish government projects (Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad): (1) La actividad física y el deporte como potenciadores del estilo de vida saludable: Evaluación del comportamiento deportivo desde metodologías no intrusivas [Grant number DEP2015-66069-P]; (2) Avances metodológicos y tecnológicos en el estudio observacional del comportamiento deportivo [PSI2015- 71947-REDP] (3) Análisis automático de datos experimentales en fisiología cardíaca [DPI2013-44584-R]; and (4) the support of the Generalitat de Catalunya Research Group, GRUP DE RECERCA I INNOVACIÓ EN DISSENYS (GRID). Tecnología i aplicació multimedia i digital als dissenys observacionals [Grant number 2014 SGR 971].

This paper aims to offer a free software program, LINCE PLUS, suitable for systematic observational studies in sports and health, conducted in natural contexts such as training, education or psychology. Using one or several videos simultaneously, different parameters such as behaviors, decision-making or strategies can be analyzed. The software includes several functionalities for studies that researchers need to utilize throughout the observational study process. Collaborative work can be accomplished by using simultaneous videos and multiple observers. The results of all research conducted by LINCE PLUS are offered inside the application in real time, enabling common calculations or including specific analysis with R language without the need for any other external tool. Moreover, LINCE PLUS shows the results of each study with interactive charts or, if needed, it exports the data to specific data analysis software programs (e.g., SAS, Excel, Theme, GSEQ 5, Hoisan). We include examples of sports and health studies that have been conducted with LINCE PLUS to show the suitability of this software program. ; We are grateful for the support of the National Institute of Physical Education of Catalonia (INEFC); the Spanish government subprojects Integration ways between qualitative and quantitative data, multiple case development, and synthesis review as main axis for an innovative future in physical activity and sports research [PGC2018-098742-B-C31] and Mixed method approach on performance analysis (in training and competition) in elite and academy sport [PGC2018-098742-B-C33] (2019-2021) (Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities/State Research Agency/European Regional Development Fund), which are part of the coordinated project New approach of research in physical activity and sport from mixed methods perspective (NARPAS_MM) [SPGC201800X098742CV0]; and the Generalitat de Catalunya Research Group [Research group and innovation in designs] (GRID). Technology and multimedia and digital application to observational designs. [Grant number 2017 SGR 1405].

For many years the free LINCE software has been used by many researchers needing a tool to tag behaviors using video recordings, coding behaviors and data register. However, as a research group we envisage new challenges with regards to technology novelties, designing a new tool for the future that can be used in any type of device and closely working on line. LINCE PLUS is a free systematic observational research software that will enable including new trends such as artificial intelligence, web management, collaborative work as well as complex statistical packages, such as integrating the same R language compiler inside the application. It's time for LINCE PLUS. ; We gratefully acknowledge the support of: 1) INEFC (National Institute of Physical Education of Catalonia); 2) the Spanish government subprojects Integration ways between qualitative and quantitative data, multiple case development, and synthesis review as main axis for an innovative future in physical activity and sports research [PGC2018-098742-B-C31] and Mixed method approach on performance analysis (in training and competition) in elite and academy sport [PGC2018-098742-B-C33] (Mi nisterio de Economía y Competitividad, Programa Estatal de Generación de Conocimiento y Fortale cimiento Científico y Tecnológico del Sistema I+D+i), that are part of the coordinated project New approach of research in physical activity and sport from mixed methods perspective (NARPAS_MM) [SPGC201800X098742CV0]; 3) Grup de Recerca i Innovació en Dissenys (GRID). Tecnologia i Aplicació Multimdia i Digital als Dissenys Observacionals (Grant number 2017 SGR 1405); and 4) INEFC Barcelona Sport Sciences Research Group (2017 GRC 1703).

Mixed methods studies are been increasingly applied to a diversity of fields. In this paper, we discuss the growing use—and enormous potential—of mixed methods research in the field of sport and physical activity. A second aim is to contribute to strengthening the characteristics ofmixedmethods research by showing how systematic observation offers rigor within a flexible framework that can be applied to a wide range of situations. Observational methodology is characterized by high scientific rigor and flexibility throughout its different stages and allows the objective study of spontaneous behavior in natural settings, with no external influence. Mixed methods researchers need to take bold yet thoughtful decisions regarding both substantive and procedural issues. We present three fundamental and complementary ideas to guide researchers in this respect: we show why studies of sport and physical activity that use a mixed methods research approach should be included in the field of mixed methods research, we highlight the numerous possibilities offered by observational methodology in this field through the transformation of descriptive data into quantifiable code matrices, and we discuss possible solutions for achieving true integration of qualitative and quantitative findings. ; The authors gratefully acknowledge the support of two Spanish government projects (Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad): (1) La actividad física y el deporte como potenciadores del estilo de vida saludable: Evaluación del comportamiento deportivo desde metodologías no intrusivas [Grant number DEP2015-66069-P, MINECO/FEDER, UE]; (2) Avances metodológicos y tecnológicos en el estudio observacional del comportamiento deportivo [PSI2015-71947- REDP, MINECO/FEDER, UE]. In addition, the authors thank the support of the Generalitat de Catalunya Research Group, GRUP DE RECERCA I INNOVACIÓ EN DISSENYS (GRID). Tecnología i aplicació multimedia i digital als dissenys observacionals [Grant number 2014 SGR 971]. Lastly, MA and PS-A also acknowledge the support of University of Barcelona (Vice-Chancellorship of Doctorate and Research Promotion), and OC and MC gratefully acknowledge the support of INEFC (National Institute of Physical Education of Catalonia).

Impulsiveness in adolescents and young adults is an important aspect of psychological research. However, there still is lack of research that relates impulsiveness and motor performance in those. Thus, we aim to detect the levels of impulsiveness related to motor skills, motor laterality, spatial orientation, and individual interaction on the decision-making of adolescents and young adults across three staggered workouts. The study had 71 participants (53 males and 18 females), ranging in age from 17 to 24 years old (Mage = 18.5 years; SD = 1.72) and classified as non-impulsiveness (n = 47), impulsiveness (n = 17), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (n = 7). A Mixed Methods research was conducted throughout four research tools (a) The Observational System of Motor Skills (OSMOS) was used to observe and detect the movement sequences patterns; (b) The Spanish version of Impulsive Behavior Scale (UPPS-P) was administered to obtain the impulsiveness profiles; (c) The Precision and Agility Tapping over Hoops (PATHoops) was carried out to observe the decision-making and temporal-spatial over movement effectiveness; (d) Motor Laterality Inventory (MOTORLAT) was applied to obtain the laterality profiles related to motor skills performance. This Mixed Methods approach has obtained useful results for impulsiveness in motor situations as the results from the different tools converge to established three clear profiles of impulsiveness. Participants with ADHD showed lack of interpersonal interaction, non-resolute decision-making, and lesser richness of motor skills patterns than non-impulsiveness and impulsiveness subjects. Additionally, impulsiveness participants also showed rich motor patterns, dyadic interactions, good decision making in spatial orientation tasks, and more versatile laterality in the lower limbs. ; We gratefully acknowledge the support of INEFC (National Institute of Physical Education of Catalonia) the support of a Spanish government subproject Integration ways between qualitative and quantitative data, multiple case development, and synthesis review as main axis for an innovative future in physical activity and sports research [PGC2018-098742-BC31] (Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Programa Estatal de Generación de Conocimiento y Fortalecimiento Científico y Tecnológico del Sistema I+D+i), that is part of the coordinated project New approach of research in physical activity and sport from mixed methods perspective (NARPAS_MM) [SPGC201800X098742CV0] and the support of the Generalitat de Catalunya Research Group, Research group and innovation in designs (GRID). Technology and multimedia and digital application to observational designs. [Grant number 2017 SGR 1405]. The authors of this study would like to thank Dr. M. Teresa Anguera for her advice and support and the Lleida Institute for Biomedical Research Dr. Pifarré Foundation (IRBLLEIDA).

Research in soccer has traditionally given more weight to players' technical and tactical skills, but few studies have analyzed the motor skills that underpin specific motor actions. The objective of this study was to investigate the style of play of the world's top soccer players, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, and how they use their motor skills in attacking actions that result in a goal. We used and improved the easy-to-use observation instrument (OSMOS-soccer player) with 9 criteria, each one expanded to build 50 categories. Associations between these categories were investigated by T-pattern detection and polar coordinate analysis. T-pattern analysis detects temporal structures of complex behavioral sequences composed of simpler or directly distinguishable events within specified observation periods (time point series). Polar coordinate analysis involves the application of a complex procedure to provide a vector map of interrelated behaviors obtained from prospective and retrospective sequential analysis. The T-patterns showed that for both players the combined criteria were mainly between the different aspects of motor skills, namely the use of lower limbs, contact with the ball using the outside of the foot, locomotion, body orientation with respect to the opponent goal line, and the criteria of technical actions and the right midfield. Polar coordinate analysis detected significant associations between the same criteria included in the T-patterns as well as the criteria of turning the body, numerical equality with no pressure, and relative numerical superiority. ; We gratefully acknowledge the support of INEFC (National Institute of Physical Education of Catalonia) and the support of two Spanish government projects (Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad): (1) La actividad física y el deporte como potenciadores del estilo de vida saludable: Evaluación del comportamiento deportivo desde metodologías no intrusivas (Grant number DEP2015-66069-P); (2) Avances metodológicos y tecnológicos en el estudio observacional del comportamiento deportivo (PSI2015-71947-REDP); and the support of the Generalitat de Catalunya Research Group, Grup de Recerca i Innovació en Dissenys (GRID). Tecnología i aplicació multimedia i digital als dissenys observacionals (Grant number 2014 SGR 971).

Soccer research has traditionally focused on technical and tactical aspects of team play, but few studies have analyzed motor skills in individual actions, such as goal scoring. The objective of this study was to investigate how Lionel Messi, one of the world's top soccer players, uses his motor skills and laterality in individual attacking actions resulting in a goal. We analyzed 103 goals scored by Messi between over a decade in three competitions: La Liga (n = 74), Copa del Rey (n = 8), and the UEFA Champions League (n = 21). We used an ad-hoc observation instrument (OSMOS-soccer player) comprising 10 criteria and 50 categories; polar coordinate analysis, a powerful data reduction technique, revealed significant associations for body part and orientation, foot contact zone, turn direction, and locomotion. No significant associations were observed for pitch area or interaction with opponents. Our analysis confirms significant associations between different aspects of motor skill use by Messi immediately before scoring, namely use of lower limbs, foot contact zones, turn direction, use of wings, and orientation of body to move toward the goal. Studies of motor skills in soccer could shed light on the qualities that make certain players unique. ; We gratefully acknowledge the support of two Spanish government projects (Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad): (1) La actividad física y el deporte como potenciadores del estilo de vida saludable: Evaluación del comportamiento deportivo desde metodologías no intrusivas [Grant number DEP2015-66069-P]; (2) Avances metodológicos y tecnológicos en el estudio observacional del comportamiento deportivo [PSI2015-71947-REDP]; and the support of the Generalitat de Catalunya Research Group, GRUP DE RECERCA I INNOVACIÓ EN DISSENYS (GRID).Tecnología i aplicació multimedia i digital als dissenys observacionals [Grantnumber 2014SGR971].

Laterality is a key aspect of the analysis of basic and specific motor skills. It is relevant to sports because it involves motor laterality profiles beyond left-right preference and spatial orientation of the body. The aim of this study was to obtain the laterality profiles of young athletes, taking into account the synergies between the support and precision functions of limbs and body parts in the performance of complex motor skills. We applied two instruments: (a) MOTORLAT, a motor laterality inventory comprising 30 items of basic, specific, and combined motor skills, and (b) the Precision and Agility Tapping over Hoops (PATHoops) task, in which participants had to perform a path by stepping in each of 14 hoops arranged on the floor, allowing the observation of their feet, left-right preference and spatial orientation. A total of 96 young athletes performed the PATHoops task and the 30 MOTORLAT items, allowing us to obtain data about limb dominance and spatial orientation of the body in the performance of complex motor skills. Laterality profiles were obtained by means of a cluster analysis and a correlational analysis and a contingency analysis were applied between the motor skills and spatial orientation actions performed. The results obtained using MOTORLAT show that the combined motor skills criterion (for example, turning while jumping) differentiates athletes' uses of laterality, showing a clear tendency toward mixed laterality profiles in the performance of complex movements. In the PATHoops task, the best spatial orientation strategy was "same way" (same foot and spatial wing) followed by "opposite way" (opposite foot and spatial wing), in keeping with the research assumption that actions unfolding in a horizontal direction in front of an observer's eyes are common in a variety of sports. ; We gratefully acknowledge the support of INEFC (National Institute of Physical Education of Catalonia), and the IRBLLEIDA (Lleida Institute for Biomedical Research Dr. Pifarré Foundation), University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain and the support of two Spanish government projects (Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad): (1) La Actividad Física y el Deporte Como Potenciadores del Estilo de Vida Saludable: Evaluación del Comportamiento Deportivo Desde Metodologías no Intrusivas (Grant number DEP2015-66069-P); (2) Avances Metodológicos y Tecnológicos en el Estudio Observacional del Comportamiento Deportivo (PSI2015-71947-REDP); and the support of the Generalitat de Catalunya Research Group, Grup de Recerca i Innovació en Dissenys (GRID). Tecnología i Aplicació Multimedia i Digital als Dissenys Observacionals (Grant number 2017 SGR 1405).

Teaching is now experiencing a new centrality due to the fast socio-cultural transformations, the vertical growth of digital media and, therefore, the new ways children and young people learn. New paradigms and teaching methodologies are emerging to meet the new educational needs; among them, the "Episodes of Situated Learning" approach (EAS in Italian) was chosen for this study. This approach broadly refers to the "Flipped Class" model, in which the lesson structure reverses the traditional teaching/learning cycle with a positive outcome on engagement and learning. The present study aims to explore whether the EAS teaching methodology, according to literature about the Flipped Class model, has a positive outcome on student engagement, focusing on its emotional, cognitive and behavioral components. In particular, we hypothesize that the EAS teaching methodology changes teachers' behavior in classroom, increasing their movements and body expression during the lesson. Moreover, we expect higher levels of self-efficacy and positive emotions and lower levels of perceived anxiety in teachers, thus improving students' level of engagement. The research was conducted in a secondary school, in Milan, and includes a classroom of sixteen students and three teachers. We chose a quasi-experimental nested design, a mixed-method approach that combines the qualitative and quantitative collection and analysis of data, in order to reach, as far as possible, a holistic, effective and exhaustive representation of the studied phenomenon. Pre-post measures, including video-recording, systematic observation and questionnaires, of both students and teachers were collected during the 8 months of experimentation. This research project could foster positive outcomes for participants as well as the broader society, in which school dropout is increasing. Many authors positively associate low levels of students' engagement to high rates of school dropout; for this reason, working on improving teaching methodologies and students' engagement measurement, could be an effective way to enhance learning and opposing school dropout. ; BD, VZ, MC, OC, and MTA gratefully acknowledge the support of the Spanish government subproject, Integration ways between qualitative and quantitative data, multiple case development, and synthesis review as main axis for an innovative future in physical activity and sports research (PGC2018-098742-B-C31) (Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, Programa Estatal de Generación de Conocimiento y Fortalecimiento Científico y Tecnológico del Sistema I+D+i), that is part of the coordinated project New approach of research in physical activity and sport from mixed methods perspective (NARPAS_MM) (SPGC201800X098742CV0). In addition, MC, OC, and MTA thank the support of the Generalitat de Catalunya Research Group [Grup de Recerca i Innovació en Dissenys (GRID), Tecnología i aplicació multimedia i digital als dissenys observacionals] (grant number 2017 SGR 1405).