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Motor performance of correctional institution inmates

University of British Columbia

The problem of this investigation was to test the motor performances of Haney Correctional Institution inmates, compare their performances to various norm populations, find out if their motor performances improved after they stayed for a short period of time in the Institution, determine whether their motor performances were typical for the dominant physique type of delinquents and decide whether factors such as size, maturity and mental performance had any relationship to their motor performances. The purpose of the investigation was to arrive at some kind of a "motor performance picture" of delinquents, as compared to the "normal population." It was hypothesized that: (a) inmate motor performances and mental performances would be lower than those of the norm population; (b) inmate motor performance would not be typical of their dominant physique type; (c) inmates would improve motor performances after a short stay at the Institution; and (d) relationships would be-found between size, maturity, mental performance and motor performance. The subjects were 670, male inmates of the Haney Correctional Institution, British Columbia, ranging in age from l4 to 4O, but with the majority between 17 and23 years of age. Of this population of 670, only 280 were given the Motor Educability test, one of the motor performance items. Tests were given to inmates on their arrival and again after four months and the pertinent data recorded. The re-test population decreased in size from 670 to 255 and from 280 to 129 for the Motor Educability test. Transfers, discharges, medical and various other reasons not connected with physical education and out of the investigator's control caused these reductions. The reductions and some missing data further reduced the size of the population to 111 when the inter correlation matrix of all variables was calculated by the computer. A computer was used for the majority of the statistical; work to obtain means, standard deviations, inter correlation matrix of all variables and t statistic of differences between initial and re-test motor performance scores. Other calculations, such as the t statistic of differences between H.C.I. inmates' scores and those of the norm populations, and preparation of frequency distribution polygons, were done by the investigator. The results, in all but a few instances, supported statistically the hypotheses stated by the investigator. It was concluded, therefore, that Haney Correctional Institution inmates had lower motor performances than the various norm populations, had motor performances that were not typical for the dominant physique type of delinquents, had inferior mental performances, had heights and weights that were shorter and lighter than the norms and had typical relationships between mental performance, size, maturity and motor performance.

Text

2011-09-13

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/37274

Physical Education

University of British Columbia

Graduate