An Examination of Volleyball's Impact on Lateralization and Motor Performance Based on the Proprioceptive Task in Female Children Aged 12 to 16

Athletes from different sports may show varying motor performance based on their sport’s demands and individual talents. Volleyball, emphasizing perceptual-motor skills like reaction time and eye-hand coordination, can enhance players’ physical capacities. Comparing volleyball players with same-age sedentary individuals is important to understand the sport’s potential effects. In this context, the present study examined the motor performance of female volleyball players aged 12–16 and compared it with that of sedentary girls in the same age group during a proprioception-based reaching task. In addition, a comparative evaluation of the performance between the dominant and non-dominant arms was conducted to assess lateralization. Speed, reaction time, accuracy, and linearity in a proprioceptive reaching task were analyzed via 2x2 mixed-model ANOVA to compare group (volleyball vs. sedentary) and hand effects in 30 female volleyball players and 30 sedentary girls. The results indicated that volleyball players performed significantly better than sedentary individuals in terms of reaction time and movement linearity. These motor performance parameters may offer valuable insights for talent identification and player development in sports.