Focused Attention, Reaction Time, and Reactive Agility in Football Referees: A Cognitive and Physical-Based Comparison

Barış Baydemir

doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1756526

Focused Attention, Reaction Time, and Reactive Agility in Football Referees: A Cognitive and Physical-Based Comparison

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study is to compare the focused attention, reaction time and reactive agility performances of the referees. Method: 76 male referees (38 referees, 38 assistant referees) participated in the study. In the study, Stroop Focused attention test was used to determine the attention performance of the referees, computerized reaction test was used to determine their response performance, and reactive agility test was used to determine the reactive agility performance. The data were analyzed with SPSS, and after the descriptive statistics, the normal distribution was checked, and the Mann-Whitney U test was applied. Results: There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of age, height, weight, BMI, general scores of the attention test, and response time (p>0.05). However, significant differences were observed in the error and correction scores in Card 1 and Card 3 and the reactive agility time (p<0.05). Conclusion: While the focused attention spans and reaction time of the referees and assistant referees were found to be similar, significant differences were found between the groups in terms of some attention sub-dimensions and reactive agility performance. These results show that specific cognitive and physical skill requirements differ according to job descriptions.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Sport and Exercise Nutrition , Sports Medicine

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Barış Baydemir ^*
0000-0002-8653-0664
Türkiye

Publication Date

October 1, 2025

Submission Date

August 1, 2025

Acceptance Date

September 21, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 16 Number: 4

DOI

https://doi.org/10.31067/acusaglik.1756526

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA98LF24HC

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

EndNote

Baydemir B (October 1, 2025) Focused Attention, Reaction Time, and Reactive Agility in Football Referees: A Cognitive and Physical-Based Comparison. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 16 4 658–664.