The Effects of Four Instructional Methods (Constraints-Led Approach, Differential Learning, Traditional, and Hybrid) on Simplifying Information Processing, Decision-Making, and Handball Shot Execution: An Experimental Test of Simplified Information Processing Theory During Action

The effect of constraint-based, differential, combined, and explicit learning methods on information processing, decision-making, and shooting performance in handball.

The statistical population includes 80 first-year female physical education students at Kharazmi University (age range 20-30 years, novice in handball, no competitive training history). A sample size of 80 participants was determined using G*Power software . Participants were randomly divided into four groups of 20: Differential Learning group, Constraint-Based Learning approach group, Combined group (DL + CLA), and Traditional group. The training intervention will consist of 15 sessions of 60 minutes each over 5 weeks (3 sessions per week) with handball shooting drills under simulated game conditions (presence of two defenders and a dual-task countdown). Kinematic data will be measured using an IMU system, eye-tracking data with an eye-tracker, and decision-making quality through video evaluation by two expert reviewers. A pre-test will be conducted before the intervention, and a post-test will be performed after its completion.

kharazzmi University Sports hall

20 to 30 years old, complete beginners in handball, no competitive training history, willing to participate, and free from injury or illness.

Intervention groups included four experimental groups and one control group. In the experimental groups, handball shooting skills were taught using constraint-based, differential, combined, and explicit learning methods.

Shooting accuracy, decision-making quality, movement variability, movement coordination, and temporal indicators of the Behavioral Classification Approach, including response time in the SDA-M software.

Randomization in this study is of the simple randomization type, and the unit of randomization is the individual. A total of 80 participants will be randomly allocated in equal numbers into one of the four intervention and control groups (20 participants per group). The random allocation sequence will be generated using an online random sequence generation system (Sealed Envelope website). To ensure allocation concealment and prevent bias, the generated codes will be placed inside sequentially numbered (1 to 80), opaque, sealed envelopes. Upon the entry of each eligible participant into the study, the corresponding envelope will be opened in the order of entry, and their training group will be determined. The generation of the sequence and preparation of the envelopes will be performed by an individual outside the main research team to ensure that the judgment regarding the realization of random allocation remains completely independent.

No further information is available.

De-identified participant-level data, study protocol, and statistical analysis plan. The shared data will include only anonymized information and may be provided upon reasonable request after publication of the study results.

Data and documents will be available 6 months after publication of the study results.

Qualified researchers affiliated with academic or scientific institutions.

Data may be used only for scientific research purposes, in accordance with the approved research proposal, with proper citation of the original study, and without any attempt to re-identify participants.

Requests should be addressed to the corresponding author via email:std_fanian@khu.ac.ir

Requests will be reviewed by the research team. If the request is approved, the requested documents or de-identified data will be shared within a reasonable timeframe, usually within 4 weeks.