Level of psychophysiological functioning in adolescent girls who play basketball and volleyball

Abstract

Background and Purpose. Psychophysiological indicators are key determinants of training and competitive effectiveness in team sports, as they reflect sensorimotor reaction speed, cognitive functions, and neuropsychological characteristics that directly influence game performance. Despite numerous studies, comparative evidence on the psychophysiological characteristics of adolescent girls engaged in basketball and volleyball remains limited. This study aimed to compare psychophysiological indicators in girls playing basketball and volleyball at the stage of preliminary basic training.

Materials and Methods. The study involved 32 girls with 3-4 years of sports experience: 16 basketball players (age 14.1±0.75 years) and 16 volleyball players (age 14.2±0.70 years). A set of iPadOS-based tablet tests was used to assess psychophysiological indicators. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistica 10. Group differences were evaluated using the Mann-Whitney U test. Factor structure was examined using principal component analysis (PCA).

Results. No significant between-group differences were found for most psychophysiological indicators. Volleyball players demonstrated significantly better performance (p<0.05) in choice reaction (Stage 4 of the Visuomotor Choice Reaction test), right-hand reaction time in the Go/No-Go test, and both the number of taps and right-hand reaction time in the Reaction SM Dual test. These findings suggest greater resistance to interference, faster sensorimotor responding, and more efficient cognitive functioning in volleyball players compared with basketball players. No significant differences were observed in neuromuscular function assessed by the Tapping Test (p>0.05). The factor structure in basketball players was more integrated, with choice reaction and spatial perception emerging as dominant components of the model, likely reflecting the need for rapid responses and accurate decision-making under highly variable game conditions. In volleyball players, the factor structure was more differentiated, with a clearer separation of sensorimotor, executive, and neuropsychological components. This pattern may be associated with sport-specific demands for rapid reactions and stable motor performance in more standardized and repetitive game situations. Lability of nervous processes showed independent functional significance in volleyball players, whereas in basketball players it was integrated with other neuropsychological indicators, suggesting different mechanisms supporting game efficiency.

Conclusions. Comparative analysis indicated no statistically significant differences in most psychophysiological indicators between girls playing basketball and volleyball. However, volleyball players showed advantages in choice reaction and executive control, evidenced by better performance in the final stages of testing and in right-hand responses in the Visuomotor Choice Reaction, Go/No-Go, and Reaction SM Dual tests. Factor analysis made it possible to propose models of psychophysiological support of game activity that reflect sport-specific demands. In basketball players, integrated sensorimotor-cognitive mechanisms predominated, with choice reaction and spatial perception playing leading roles in rapid game-situation analysis and decision-making. In volleyball players, the model was more hierarchically differentiated, with executive control and response accuracy being key factors supporting stable and reproducible motor actions under standard game conditions. These results may be considered when optimizing the training process.