DETERMINATION OF FEMALE TABLE TENNIS SPORT PERFORMANCE BY SENZOR MOTORIC REACTION TIME

Abstract

In the sport performance structure of table tennis is sensor motor reaction time one of the most important factors for reaching top-level results, both in males and females groups. In this research we watched 23 female table tennis players from Slovakia; 9 mini cadets (12-13 years), 6 cadets (14-15 years) and 8 juniors (16-18 years). Girls were tested by modified agility test for table tennis players (Vacenovsky & Vencurik, 2013) with machine FITRO Agility check. Thus we gained their sensor motor reaction times. By Mann-Whitney U-test we studied differences between age categories, upper and lower extremities, dominant (forehand) and un-dominant (backhand) side, right and left-handed players. We used significance level p<0.05. In our research we did not confirm expected results that the older groups have shorter sensor motor reaction time. We also expected shorter reaction time of upper extremities comparing lower extremities; this was confirmed, though there was found statistical significant difference only in juniors group. Groups of mini-cadets and cadets have better (shorter) sensor motor reaction time from backhand side, while group of junior is better from forehand side. We also confirmed that left-handed players have slightly shorter reaction time.