Ab. No. 84 Athlete Mindful Skills Associated With Reaction Time Among Recreational Football Players: An Analytical Study

Abstract

Introduction: To examined the association between mindful skills and reaction time on sports performance among recreational football players. There has been less attention, to mindful skills and sports performance within an adolescent population. Mindful skills have been important factors in the area of sports with a focus on improved performance across recreational populations. Methods: 69 football players age between 10-16years old, minimum playing football as last 2 years and 8-10 hours per week were included. History of fall in last month, any surgery performed by last 3 months, diagnosis with psychometric disorders, upper limb injury due to which reaction drop test cannot be performed were excluded. An observational analytical study was conducted at different sports academy in Ahmedabad using purposive sampling. Written consent was taken from parents of players. Each individual performed reaction drop test to assess the reaction time and mindfulness sport inventory was taken to assess the athlete mindful skills. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 20 and Microsoft excel 2007. Prior to statistical tests, the data was screened for normality. Sample size was >50 in Kolmogorov–Smirnov test was used to check normality. Spearman correlation was used between reaction drop test and mindfulness sport inventory. Results: Total 69 participants, completed the study. Mean age of participants was 13.58±2.58 years. Moderate negative association between mindful skill and reaction time in recreational football players (r=-0.596, p<0.05). Conclusion: Present study concluded that fast reaction time; brain reacts more quickly in players. That is helpful for the adolescents while playing football as well as increased playing capacity and also can be prevent injury and become more resilient against potential damage in the players. Implication: Mindful skills intervention programmed in the curriculum may be a feasible approach to improve reaction time and performance level in recreational football players.