Is the level of eye-hand coordination and executive functioning related to performance in para table tennis players? – An explorative study

Bas Willemse

doi:10.30827/digibug.57326

Abstract

The goal of this explorative study was to explore whether eye-hand coordination and executive functions (i.e. cognitive flexibility, attention control and information processing) are related to the performance level in para table tennis players. The data of 11 elite (age 15-54) and 11 non-elite para table tennis players (age 13-49) were analyzed. The results showed that the elite players performed better than the median norm values for cognitive flexibility and attention control while the non-elite players demonstrated slower information processing than the median norm values (p 1000 points scored ≥ 24 catches per 30 s in the eye hand coordination task, whereas the players with 1000 and < 1000 rating scores in the executive functions tests. The results present a first profile of para table tennis players regarding their eye-hand coordination and executive functions and the relationship of these constructs with the performance level. Long-term international cooperation is recommended to understand the value of the measured constructs to predict future successes.

Highlights

The 2016 Paralympic games in Rio de Janeiro hosted 29 medal events for individuals and teams in para table tennis
The present study aimed to explore the relationship between eye-hand coordination and executive functions and the level of table tennis performance in para table tennis players
An international approach in which data of the nation’s samples can be combined and analyzed together is recommended for this purpose. This pilot-study intends to serve as a starting-point for searching determinants of performance in para table tennis players

Summary

Introduction

The 2016 Paralympic games in Rio de Janeiro hosted 29 medal events for individuals and teams in para table tennis This relatively high number of medals to distribute is mainly due to the diversity of the players’ impairments; para table tennis includes eleven different sport classes (Table 1) (International Table Tennis Federation, 2018). The para table tennis player’s classification is allocated through an evaluation before competition by a group of classifiers who are trained and certified by the International Table Tennis Federation. This evaluation may include but is not limited to physical, technical and observation assessments both off - and on- table. More awareness to the Paralympic performance from the spectrum of recreational sport participation to elite level (Blauwet & Willick, 2012) in combination with the many classes to win a medal in para table tennis, resulted in more attention for para talent programs from national table tennis associations

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion