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Psychomotor abilities of elite handball referees

sports-medicine

Abstract

Background. Handball referees have to be prepared conditionally and mentally for the match. The success of refereeing and making good decisions during handball matches is related to the ability to combine theoretical knowledge and good visual view, reaction and movement times. All these variables influence the game’s sustainable development and overall quality. This study presents an assessment of the selected psychomotor abilities of Polish Elite handball referees compared to the handball players from the PGNiG Superleague, 1st and 2nd division. The study included 40 Polish Elite handball referees and a control group of 40 handball players in the Polish Handball Federation.
Methods. The research method was Test2Drive psychomotor computer tests. To measure the indicators of psychomotor abilities, 3 tests were used, during which the parameters of reaction time (RT), movement time (MT), and parameters determining correct answers were evaluated. Results. The study reveals that Polish Elite handball referees’ psychomotor abilities are comparable to professional players. Varied MT correlate with the referred league, highlighting the competition’s impact. The CHORT test discerns significant differences in RT, emphasizing its potential in assessing referee performance. Young referees exhibit the shortest MT, emphasizing age’s impact. The study also shows correlation between the type of referred league and the movement time of referees. Moreover it was found a statistically significant differentiation, with the youngest referees exhibiting the shortest MT. The analysis of the study results showed what differences in reaction time, movement time and correct decisions exist among handball referees at different level of competition. These findings contribute valuable insights for sustainable officiating, guiding tailored training and holistic development to enhance handball refereeing long-term success. The identified practical implications underscore the importance of a sustainable approach to the handball game, individualized development, holistic fitness approaches, and ongoing preparation and improvement.
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