Smith, Chloe Georgina (2024) Describing the Physical and Cognitive Determinants of Performance in Goalball players. Masters thesis, York St John University.

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Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the physical and cognitive characteristics of Goalball and whether the characteristics had a significant difference on Goalball performance and whether the significant characteristics differed between levels of performance. The aim of this research was to identify the physical characteristics applicable to Goalball and whether cognition also influenced performance. Coaches may then use these tools to identify the athletes with potential to be elite and can place athletes into groups based upon their physical attributes. It will aid in the conditioning of athletes and the recruitment process. Twenty -five UK Goalball athletes participated in this study. Of these athletes, ten were High -Performance athletes, five were Talent athletes and ten were Academy athletes. Participants completed testing on one occasion and this included tests which focused on Sprint performance, Aerobic capacity, Shoulder strength, Maximal strength, Core stability, Lower limb Power and Cognition. Data was analysed through Jeffreys Amazing Statistic Programme (JASP), and a one-way ANOVA was completed for all tests as well as a post-hoc Bonferroni test. Findings found that Lower limb Power, Sprint performance, Maximal strength, Shoulder strength and Core stability were all significant characteristics in relation to Goalball performance. This thesis highlighted the importance of training physical characteristics relevant to Goalball . These characteristics can enhance performance and help athletes become elite in Goalball which would in turn help with competition success. It may also help coaches to optimize training plans to improve performance. Future research is required to deeply investigate characteristics of Goalball on a larger scale to increase generalization of results. Higher sample sizes may have a more positive difference on results as well as ensuring all levels of performance conduct each test to see if there is a significance between more groups which was not possible in this thesis.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Status:	Published
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure > GV0861-1017 Ball games: football, etc.
School/Department:	School of Science, Technology and Health
URI:	https://ray.yorksj.ac.uk/id/eprint/12314

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