Numeracy and literacy in sports studies students: barriers to skills development

Abstract

Griffiths and Randall (2004) expressed concern about the key skills of numeracy and literacy in sports studies students. Studies of communication development and mathematics education have identified barriers to the development of these skills. The levels of mathematics anxiety and communication apprehension of sports studies students were measured at the beginning of the students' first year, prior to teaching. Following this the results for sport students were compared to students of other disciplines. The study suggests that it may be necessary to take measures to solve the specific problem of apprehension before skills development can take place.