Investigation of relationship between cognitive performance, reaction time and agility parameters on football players
Thesis Type: Postgraduate
Institution Of The Thesis: Ataturk University, Spor Bilimleri Fakültesi, Antrenörlük Eğitimi, Turkey
Approval Date: 2022
Thesis Language: Turkish
Student: Okan DEMİR
Supervisor: Fatih Kıyıcı
Open Archive Collection: AVESIS Open Access Collection
Abstract:
Purpose: The aim of the study is to examine the relationship between cognitive performance, reaction time, agility and its parameters on football players. Method: 25 football players between the ages of 18-20 (18.16 ± 0.68) who actively continue their football life participated in the research. The agility levels of the athletes were determined by the Illinois Agility Test and the Reaction Time values were determined by the Witty Sem reaction time protocol. Cognitive performance measurements were carried out using the Stroop test. SPSS v23 was used in the analysis of the data and the significance level was taken as p<0.05. Whether the obtained data showed normal distribution or not was evaluated with Shapiro Wilk and Skewness-Kurtosis Tests and the relationship between normally distributed parameters was determined by Pearson Correlation Coefficient. Findings: According to the test results obtained from the research athletes, primarily the agility, reaction time and cognitive performance data of the players were determined (all tests are evaluated in sec) according to the positions they served. According to these data, the average agility test timeof the goalkeepers was 15.81 ± 0.33, the defenders 15.74 ± 0.27, the midfielders 15.56 ± 0.29, and the strikers 15.53 ± 0.38 on average. Reaction time ratings were 21.24 ± 2.15 for goalkeepers, 17.33 ± 3.23 for defenders, 17.39 ± 1.93sec for midfielders and 22.80 ± 0.85 for strikers. Cognitive performance data were determined as 78.64 ± 3.91 for goalkeepers, 72.83 ± 7.38 for defenders, 76.77 ± 5.75 for midfielders and 74.22 ± 9.93 for strikers. Result: A significant (p<0.05) relationship was found between cognitive performance values and reaction time and agility-reaction time parameters in football players. It is thought that improving themselves with cognitive performance-enhancing activities will contribute positively to their performance. In addition, it is believed that periodic cognitive testing during the camp and competition periods, will provide more reliable data on the holistic performance of the football players.