Investigation of the playing digital games on shoulder flexility, stabilization and reaction speed in volleyball players

Volleyball is a sport that requires high and low intensity activities, technical and tactical skills, and versatile performance such as high endurance, strength, speed, flexibility and balance. While the actions performed by the players may differ in terms of the technical and tactical requirements of their individual roles, common movements include acceleration and deceleration, jumping and multi-directional movement. To perform well, players must have advanced physical and physiological capacities and important motor control and cognitive functions. In volleyball, especially during attack, coordinative abilities such as quick strength and continuity in strength are important. Technology has affected sports and provided the emergence of new sports branches. One of these sports branches is e-sports. E-sports is any activity that is participated in online or offline, individually or as a team, via electronic device. E-sports, like volleyball, requires quick movements to control the game. One of the determinants of speed is muscle strength. Muscle strength can increase in direct proportion to the performance of the video game. Playing games on the console for a long time will increase shoulder-muscle activity; It has been scientifically proven that sitting in the anterior position of the head for five minutes causes a significant reduction in shoulder external rotator muscle strength. It is known that strength development in the shoulder area directly affects the functional capacity of shoulder stabilizers, which in turn increases joint stability. The stability of the glenohumeral joint during acceleration, deceleration and continuation of the stroke becomes one of the most important functions for e-sports. Considering that the competitions last for hours, the importance of flexibility in e-sports. The seated athlete will have shortening of certain muscles of the body while lengthening other muscles based on their postural position. One of the important factors in e-sports is the ability to react quickly. Neurocognitive research has shown that video game gamers display some superior cognitive characteristics. Video games require speed and concentration. These skills significantly reduce correct reaction times. Developing cognitive abilities in this way is vital to the success of the volleyball player; Good performance is directly related to their capacity to anticipate and respond to changes in the environment. The existence of a practice implementation that affects reaction speed, joint stabilization, strength and endurance performance in volleyball athletes has a great importance in the quality of sports skills. E-sports; While it can contribute to reaction time, joint stabilization and strength development in volleyball players, it can reduce flexibility. This study aims to examine the effects of digital game playing status of volleyball players on shoulder stabilization strength, flexibility, and reaction times. Keywords: volleyball, digital game, strength, flexibility, stabilization, reaction time