Altered reaction ability as a function of enhancement in cortical activation

• Main Authors: Naresh Bhaskar, Raj, Soumendra, Saha, Srilekha, Saha, Nurfarah Ezzaty, Mohd Zahir
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: RC1200 Sports Medicine
• Online Access: http://eprints.unisza.edu.my/4734/1/FH02-FPSK-15-02386.pdf; http://eprints.unisza.edu.my/4734/

The present study aims at understanding relationships between different psychological parameters in explaining soccer performance outcome. Attempts have been made to realize the relative significance of perceptual-motor skills influencing relevant psychological, physiological factors required for achievement of performance excellence. One-hundred seventy-six young soccer players living in Kelantan province of Malaysia participated in this study. Regression analyses were done to identify in-depth relationship between the psychological and psychomotor processes with psychobiological autonomic arousal modulation capacity of the players, which would determine higher-order cortical activation in the soccer players. These analyses were associated with performance analyses pertaining to skilful soccer performance. Psychomotor and autonomic processes involved in differential levels of soccer participation and performance were verified in accordance with the level of cortical activation. Generalised lack in motor coordination, delayed movement timing as well as faster reaction ability along with adequate autonomic response habituation were viewed as the most significant intervening variables explaining cortical activation observed in the soccer players.