Linear Speed and Cognitive-Motor Responsiveness as Predictors of Elite Kho-Kho Performance in Female National-Level Athletes
Predictors of Elite Kho-Kho Performance
Keywords:
Kho-Kho, multidimensional predictors, performance analytics, elite plateau, Reaction Time, linear speedAbstract
Kho-Kho is a fast-paced traditional indigenous sport demanding explosive motor movements. While foundational physical conditioning is essential, the specific multidimensional factors differentiating match performance at the highest competitive tiers remain underexplored. The objective of this study was to evaluate the anthropometric, motor, and physiological correlates of competitive success to identify the primary predictors of performance among elite athletes. A cross-sectional observational design was employed, recruiting 30 national-level female Kho-Kho players. Multidimensional profiling included Body Mass Index, resting heart rate, reaction time, speed, agility, and explosive strength. In-game performance was concurrently evaluated during a competitive event by expert coaches using a structured Likert-scale assessment. Data were analyzed using Pearson's product-moment correlation coefficients following the verification of parametric assumptions. The correlational analysis revealed a statistically significant inverse relationship between match performance and both linear speed (r = -0.379, p = 0.03) and cognitive-motor reaction time (r = -0.417, p = 0.02). Conversely, foundational metrics such as agility, explosive strength, and resting heart rate did not demonstrate statistically significant correlations. In conclusion, these findings suggest an elite plateau effect, where baseline physical traits are uniformly developed at the national level. Raw linear velocity and neural processing speed emerge as the primary performance differentiators, providing empirical validation for integrating targeted neuro-cognitive and overspeed drills into elite training frameworks
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