Jeki Haryanto, Boryi Becerra-Patiño, Padli
Introduction: Backhand drive stroke is very important in table tennis, demanding a harmonious connection between the eyes and hands. Although many studies describe the importance of eye-hand coordination in sports, its precise correlation with backhand drive stroke accuracy in table tennis requires further investigation. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the tricky connection between eye-hand coordination and backhand drive stroke accuracy in table tennis while considering factors such as gender, height, and weight among participants. Method: The study group comprised 42 participants, consisting of 32 males (average age 19.10±0.30 years) and 10 females (average age 18.18±0.39 years). All participants were enrolled in table tennis II courses in the coaching department. Consequently, eye-hand coordination data were collected using a specialized test, and data on backhand drive stroke accuracy were obtained through a validated and reliable test. Descriptive analyses utilized included mean, standard deviation, and other measures, while bivariate and multivariate analyses made use of Pearson's correlation coefficient, the multiple correlation coefficient, and the RV coefficient. Inferential analyses consisted of the two-means t-student test, multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), and various correlation tests. Results: The results showed that there was a significant positive correlation between eye-hand coordination and backhand drive stroke accuracy in table tennis (r=0.53, p<0.05). The marginal evaluation showed statistically significant differences in both backhand stroke accuracy (p<0.05) and eye-hand coordination (p<0.05). Specifically, males significantly outperformed females in both variables, scoring higher (0.49, p<0.05) than females (-0.46, p=0.17). Conclusions: Athletes with superior eye-hand coordination tended to achieve higher accuracy in backhand drive stroke. Also, this study showed the practical importance of integrating eye-hand coordination development into table tennis training programs. Coaches were encouraged to incorporate targeted exercises such as eye-hand coordination drills and rapid reaction exercises to improve the total performance of athletes. © JPES.
Coaching Department, Faculty of Sport Science, Universitas Negeri Padang, Indonesia; Group Management and Pedagogy of Physical Activity and Sports (GPAFD), Faculty of Physical Education, National Pedagogical University, Bogota, Colombia
