Player position and mental rotation times in Turkish soccer players

• Published in: Journal of sports science & medicine 2007-01, Vol.6
• Main Authors: Akkus, S, Koz, M, Kiziltan, E, Gelir, E
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1303-2968; 1303-2968

OBJECTIVES The ability to react to sensory impulses is a fundamental physiological process for athletes (Montes-Mico et al., 2000). Especially in soccer, players often require a fast reaction to stimuli, as instantaneous judgment influ-ences their success and game results. Moreover, soccer players react quickly mainly to visual stimuli such as movement of the ball and movement of the other players. In soccer, for various areas in the game, players with different physical and physiological features are required. The purpose of this study was to determine the affects of player position on mental rotation (MR) times in male soccer players. METHODS Thirty six 17.00 plus or minus 1.00 aged male soccer players, who are playing in regional youth league in Ankara par-ticipated in the study. For descriptive purposes, players were divided into the following groups: defence, midfield, and forward. Measurement of mental rotation times were done via computer supported Finger Tapping test tool (Kiziltan et al. 2006). One-Way ANOVA was used to analyse the data. RESULTS According to the positions of the players (defence, midfield and forward), significant relationships (P < 0,05) are determined in MR test parameters. The results showed that forward players had better results in MR-Ttime, MR-AvTime, MR-TTime/True, compared to the defence players, and in MR-TTime/True compared to the midfield players. DISCUSSION Position of players affected the MR time, and forward players responded to stimuli faster than midfield and defence players. With regard to literature indicating that reaction time could be improved in the transition period from childhood to puberty (Johnson 1989), this study suggested that MR test could be used as a test tool in evaluation and improvement of spatial perception and decision making ability.