Foundations of Sports Science: Motives, Models, Disciplines, and Movement Design

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering fundamental concepts of sports science, including basic motives (Grundmotive), meaning orientations (Sinnrichtungen), the five sport models, classical sport definitions versus movement culture, sub-disciplines of sports science, and movement design parameters and principles.

Disport

The English root word of 'sport', historically meaning pastime, amusement/pleasure, and play.

Constitutive Elements of Classical Sport

The core defining criteria of traditional sport: physical movement, performance orientation (Leistungsprinzip), social norms and rules, purposelessness/unproductive effort (Zweckfreiheit), and institutional organization in clubs.

Purposelessness and Unproductive Effort (Zweckfreiheit und unproduktiver Aufwand)

A constitutive characteristic of sport indicating that it is practiced solely for its own sake rather than to manufacture a utilitarian product or economic good.

Sport according to Tiedemann

Physical activity centered on social comparison with other people, governed by explicit rules and ethical values, aiming to develop skills and evaluate performance outcomes.

Movement Culture according to Tiedemann (Bewegungskultur)

An active engagement with nature and the environment where individual or shared movement experiences take center stage, developing, shaping, and expressing bodily capabilities.

Traditional Competitive Sport Model (Traditioneller Wettkampfsport)

A sport model embodying all four constitutive elements of sport, focused on athletic achievement, comparative performance, and self-purpose, typically organized in clubs or federations (e.g., ski jumping in competition).

Professional Spectator Sport Model (Professioneller Schausport)

A sport model that retains physical movement, competition, and rules, but is primarily driven by entertainment value and commercial interests (e.g., professional soccer).

Expressive Sport Model (Expressives Sportmodell)

A sport model focusing on personal joy and the direct experiential feeling of movement, where performance is secondary and rigid rulebooks do not exist (e.g., free skiing).

Functionalist Sport Model (Funktionalistisches Sportmodell)

A sport model where physical exercise is used functionally as a tool to achieve specific external outcomes, most notably health maintenance and relaxation (e.g., yoga or health jogging).

Traditional Game and Sports Culture (Traditionelle Spiel- und Sportkultur)

A sport model in which movement practices are deeply rooted in heritage, cultural customs, and local community identity (e.g., folk dancing or Castellers).

Impression, Experience, and Enjoyment (Eindruck, Erleben, Genuss)

A movement orientation and basic motive focused on sensing and appreciating the unique sensory stimuli and emotional pleasures of bodily movement (e.g., the sensory thrill of speed).

Expression, Aesthetics, and Design (Ausdruck, Ästhetik, Gestaltung)

A movement orientation and basic motive centered on self-expression and giving movements an artistic or aesthetically pleasing form (e.g., choreographing a dance routine).

Tension, Triumph, and Adventure (Spannung, Triumph, Abenteuer)

A movement orientation and basic motive where individuals intentionally seek risky or uncertain situations and overcoming difficult challenges (e.g., completing a demanding climbing route).

Achievement, Activation, and Self-Awareness (Leistung, Aktivierung und Selbstbewusstsein)

A movement orientation and basic motive focused on striving toward goals, measuring personal performance against tasks, and exploring one's physical limits (e.g., setting a personal record in the long jump).

Togetherness, Sociability, and Community (Miteinander, Geselligkeit, Gemeinschaft)

A movement orientation and basic motive focused on social interaction, cooperation, and bonding within a group (e.g., playing volleyball together).

Physicality, Fitness, and Health (Körperlichkeit, Fitness, Gesundheit)

A movement orientation and basic motive centered on challenging the body, experiencing physical well-being, and systematically improving general health (e.g., swimming regularly for fitness).

Sport as an Integrative Science (Sport als integrative Wissenschaft)

The conceptual framework treating sports science as an interdisciplinary field integrating insights from multiple distinct scientific disciplines to study human movement comprehensively.

Movement Science (Bewegungslehre)

The sub-discipline of sports science focused on analyzing, describing, and understanding movement patterns and biomechanical actions.

Training Science (Trainingslehre)

The sub-discipline of sports science dedicated to structuring exercise routines to systematically improve physical performance.

Sports Biology (Sportbiologie)

The sub-discipline of sports science that investigates the physiological and anatomical systems of the human body during physical activity.

Sports Medicine (Sportmedizin)

The branch of sports science dealing with physical health, injury prevention, rehabilitation, and medical supervision in sports.

Sports Sociology (Sportsoziologie)

The sub-discipline of sports science examining the interactions between sport and society, including social structures and institutional dynamics.

Sports Psychology (Sportpsychologie)

The sub-discipline of sports science exploring mental, cognitive, and emotional processes ('the head/mind') in athletes.

Sports Pedagogy (Sportpädagogik)

The sub-discipline of sports science focused on education, character building, and pedagogical values through physical exercise.

Sports Didactics (Sportdidaktik)

The field of sports science concerned with instructional methods and curriculum planning, addressing the core questions of 'how and why' sport is taught.

Sports Philosophy (Sportphilosophie)

The sub-discipline of sports science that contemplates fundamental questions regarding meaning, ethical principles, and values in sporting activities.

Sports History (Sportgeschichte)

The branch of sports science dedicated to studying the origins, historical development, and past forms of sports and games.

Sports Informatics (Sportinformatik)

The sub-discipline of sports science applying electronic data processing (EDV), computational tools, and digital technology to athletics.

Design Parameters (Gestaltungsparameter)

The structural categories describing the specific characteristics or variables along which a physical movement can be designed and modified.

Design Parameter: Space (Raum)

The spatial dimension of movement design encompassing direction, movement size, spatial levels (e.g., ground-level vs. elevated), and movement pathways (e.g., straight or circular).

Design Parameter: Time (Zeit)

The temporal dimension of movement design addressing duration, velocity/tempo (e.g., rapid sequence vs. slow motion), and the tactical insertion of pauses or abrupt stops.

Design Parameter: Force / Dynamics (Kraft bzw. Dynamik)

The energetic dimension of movement design specifying the intensity, muscular tension, or effort exerted during execution (e.g., powerful, gentle, explosive, flowing).

Design Parameter: Form / Formal Structure (Form bzw. formaler Aufbau)

The compositional dimension of movement design describing how individual movements are arranged, structured, and transitioned (e.g., repetition, contrast, opening, climax, ending).

Design Parameter: Group Relations (Gruppenbezüge)

The relational dimension of movement design describing how multiple performers interact spatially and temporally (e.g., in unison, in canon, arranged in circles, or in pairs).

Design Principles (Gestaltungsprinzipien)

Methodological concepts that describe how individual movements can be modified, varied, and placed in relationship to one another.

Imitation and Assimilation (Sich ähnlich Machen und Nachmachen)

A movement design principle where an action or movement pattern is replicated from a model or synchronized across dancers (e.g., all group members performing the same arm gesture).

Omission and Reduction (Aussparen und Reduzieren)

A movement design principle where certain elements of a movement sequence are left out or restricted to a single body part (e.g., executing an entire dance sequence using only the arms).

Rhythmizing (Rhythmisieren)

A movement design principle in which movements are structured chronologically and adapted to follow a distinct musical or metric rhythm.

Contrasting and Polarizing (Kontrastieren und Polarisieren)

A movement design principle where starkly opposing qualities are placed directly against each other (e.g., a very slow movement immediately following a rapid, dynamic movement).

Modifying and Defamiliarizing (Verändern und Verfremden)

A movement design principle where an everyday, familiar action is modified to make it look surprising or unusual (e.g., performing a standard walking motion exaggeratedly slow with a bizarre posture).