Effect of perception and decision making mechanisms on agility performance in elite female volleyball players

Aim: The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors affecting perception and decision making mechanisms as components of agility in elite female volleyball players (visual scanning, knowledge of state, model recognition, estimation) and to determine the relationship between agility performance and these components. Material and Method: A total of 14 female volleyball players from Manisa Büyükşehir Belediye and Manisa Akşehir Belediye teams participated voluntarily in the study. Values of the participants were recorded as following: Average age 22,07±3,09 (years), average body height 178,43±0,08 (cm), average body weight 68,85±7,62 (kg). Agility performance of the participants was measured by using Newtest Powertimer 300 and Psychotechnics Vienna test system was used to measure perception and decision making parameters. Spearman correlation statistics was not applied since the number of the participants was below 30. Findings: The results obtained show that there is a relationship between agility performances of female volleyball players and number of correct responses in perception and decision making parameters (CR number of corrects), duration of correct response (CR duration), speed - range estimation (SRE), dual-process skill and angle of view (DPS angle of view); and that there is no statistical relationship between values of visual perception and reasoning ability. Considering the correlation between perception and decision making parameters, it was found that there was a statistical relationship between CR duration and SRE (r = ,723, p<0,1). CR duration and DPS angle of view were found to be statistically related (r = ,732, p<0,1). As a result; at the end of this study, it is important to include visual stimulus, response and estimation studies in the content of the exercises with the purpose of improving agility. It is also believed that perception and decision making parameters should be considered in the election and guidance of players. Further research is necessary to investigate perception and decision making mechanisms affecting agility performance with different sports branch and with more samples.