Title

Visual Tracking Speed Is Related To Basketball-Specific Measures Of Performance In Nba Players

Keywords

Decision making; Fitness assessment; Reaction time methods; Sport science; Visual perception; Visual tracking speed

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between visual tracking speed (VTS) and reaction time (RT) on basketballspecific measures of performance. Twelve professional basketball players were tested before the 2012-13 season. Visual tracking speed was obtained from 1 core session (20 trials) of the multiple object tracking test, whereas RT was measured by fixed- and variable-region choice reaction tests, using a lightbased testing device. Performance in VTS and RT was compared with basketball-specific measures of performance (assists [AST]; turnovers [TO]; assist-to-turnover ratio [AST/ TO]; steals [STL]) during the regular basketball season. All performance measures were reported per 100 minutes played. Performance differences between backcourt (guards; n = 5) and frontcourt (forward/centers; n = 7) positions were also examined. Relationships were most likely present between VTS and AST (r = 0.78; p < 0.003), STL (r = 0.77; p < 0.003), and AST/TO (r = 0.78; p < 0.003), whereas a likely relationship was also observed with TO (r = 0.49; p < 0.109). Reaction time was not related to any of the basketball-specific performance measures. Backcourt players were most likely to outperform frontcourt players in AST and very likely to do so for VTS, TO, and AST/TO. In conclusion, VTS seems to be related to a basketball player's ability to see and respond to various stimuli on the basketball court that results in more positive plays as reflected by greater number of AST and STL and lower turnovers.

Publication Date

9-1-2014

Publication Title

Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research

Volume

28

Issue

9

Number of Pages

2406-2414

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000000550

Socpus ID

84920606165 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/84920606165

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