Psychomotor determinants of children's sports talent for team sports: a case study of mini-volleyball athletes

Abstract

Background: Psychomotor predispositions significantly impact the effectiveness of the training process and achievement in team sports. The aim of the present study was to assess the level of psychomotor indices in 12-year-old children who achieved outstanding sports successes in mini-volleyball. Materials and Methods: The results of the tests conducted on the six medalists of the Polish Mini-Volleyball Championships were qualified for analysis. To assess psychomotor indices, a battery of computer tests was used; the following were measured: simple reaction time, choice reaction time, eye-hand coordination, divisibility of attention, and spatial orientation - accuracy of perception. Results: Four of the six mini-volleyball medalists achieved an outstanding level of psychomotor development; the remaining two children showed an average level on the scale of sports norms. Most often, young champions are distinguished by a short choice reaction time and outstanding (against the background of sports standards) orientation indices: accuracy of perception, and divisibility of attention. Conclusion: The analysis confirmed, as suggested in previous publications, a significant relationship between outstanding sports talent and the level of selected psychomotor and coordination indices in children practicing volleyball.