Linear Speed and Cognitive-Motor Responsiveness as Predictors of Elite Kho-Kho Performance in Female National-Level Athletes
Keywords:
Kho-Kho, multidimensional predictors, performance analytics, elite plateau, Reaction Time, linear speedAbstract
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the anthropometric, motor, and physiological correlates of competitive success among elite female Kho-Kho players and to identify the primary predictors of match performance.
Materials and Methods: This correlational study recruited 30 national-level female Kho-Kho players. Multidimensional profiling included assessment of Body Mass Index, resting heart rate, reaction time, linear speed, agility, and explosive strength. In-game performance was evaluated during a competitive event by expert coaches using a structured Likert-scale assessment covering six fundamental skill components. Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficients were used for data analysis after verifying parametric assumptions.
Results: The analysis showed a statistically significant inverse relationship between match performance and linear speed (r = -0.379, p = 0.03), as well as between match performance and cognitive-motor reaction time (r = -0.417, p = 0.02). However, agility, explosive strength, resting heart rate, and other foundational metrics did not show statistically significant correlations with match performance.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that among national-level female Kho-Kho players, linear speed and reaction time are the main factors differentiating match performance. The absence of significant associations for other physical and physiological variables may indicate an “elite plateau” effect, where baseline physical traits are already highly developed. Therefore, elite Kho-Kho training programs should place greater emphasis on targeted neuro-cognitive drills and overspeed training to enhance competitive performance.
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