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According to the cognitive action architecture approach (CAA-A; Schack, 2002, 2004), mental representations play a central role in movement control, as they are hierarchically structured in long-term memory and differentiate due to expertise. By means of structural dimensional analysis - motoric (SDA-M; Schack, 2012), movements are subdivided into basic action concepts (BACs) that are related to each other, to make mental representation structures visible. The method seeks to psychometrically depict the structural dimensions of conceptually ordered motor knowledge, both case-by-case and group-specific, and has been applied to a variety of sports contexts (Land, Volchenkov, Bläsing, & Schack, 2013). Although the examination of mental representations seems promising regarding the gain of insights into the structure of movements, motor learning processes and the relation of cognitive and movement structures, research in the field of educational research has not been conducted so far. Therefore, the aim of this dissertation project is to address the main research question: What influence can the knowledge about mental representation structures of movements have in the context of physical education and the optimization processes of learning and teaching? The research issue, research program and research questions are presented in the general introduction of this thesis (chapter 1). To answer the main research question, three different perspectives are introduced in the main part. The first perspective focuses on the structure of motor skills and the methodological approach to acquiring the mental representation structures. The practical implementation of the SDA-M is discussed in a text-image comparison of questionnaire items (chapter 2). The study aimed at determining an appropriate item format for the use of the SDA-M in the context of physical education. In light of the findings, the use of text or combined items is recommended when applying the SDA-M to children or adolescents. The second perspective focuses on knowledge about the mental representation structure of learners and their execution of the skill. Based on pupils’ mental representation structure, specific instructions are developed that might contribute to the optimization of movement execution (chapter 3). Results revealed that specific instructions based on pupils’ mental representation of a gymnastics skill have a positive impact on their mental representation structure and on their motor performance. The third perspective focuses on knowledge about the mental representation structure of teachers, here represented by sports students, examining its relation with their evaluation of pupils’ movements (chapter 4). Results indicate that more structured mental representations are linked with a more precise performance evaluation. Therefore, a relation between physical education students’ mental representation structure and their evaluation of gymnastics skills can be assumed. Conclusively, in the general discussion, the key findings are highlighted, limitations are discussed and an outlook concerning practical implications and further research is provided (chapter 5). In sum, according to the findings of this dissertation, the acquisition and analysis of the structure of mental representations might constitute an effective means of optimizing the quality of physical education and can be seen as important for improving physical education teacher training as well as motor learning processes in general.

Sport und Bewegung sind im ständigen Wandel befindlich. Die Sportnachfrage spiegelt die zunehmende Vielfalt von Sportausübung, Motiven, Anbietern, Sport- und Bewegungsräumen sowie von Zielgruppen und Akteuren wider. Darauf möchte auch die Stadt Hildesheim reagieren und bestehende Strukturen des Sports analysieren sowie zukünftige Bedarfe und entsprechende Weiterentwicklungen und Veränderungen in einem Sportentwicklungskonzept thematisieren. An der Sportentwicklungsplanung der Stadt Hildesheim wirkt das Institut für Sportwissenschaft der Universität Hildesheim durch eine entsprechende Studie mit, in der insbesondere das Sportverhalten der Bürger/innen sowie der Ist-Zustand der Sporträume erfasst werden sollen. Inhaltliche Schwerpunkte dieser Erhebung sollen sowohl der institutionelle als auch der informelle Sport sein. Zur Datenerhebung sind quantitative Fragebogendesigns zur Befragung der Bürger und der Vereine sowie die Beobachtung von Sporträumen vorgesehen. Ergänzt werden die Daten durch qualitative Interviews. Auf diese Weise sollen Entwicklungspotentiale für die Stadt Hildesheim hervorgebracht werden, die durch sportwissenschaftliche Erkenntnisse zu innovativen Sport- und Bewegungsangeboten ergänzt werden können.