Reaction Time and Defensive Sliding Test Versus T-Test: Which Is Better?

Abstract

Introduction: During basketball, players’ movements represent a reaction to an unpredictable single or complex external stimulus (nonplanned agility). Objective: The present study aimed to compare the test of nonplanned agility to the planned agility test and to increase the knowledge of perception, decision-making, anticipation, and motor abilities of female basketball players. Methods: Thirty-six female basketball players (age: 18.81 ± 2.58 years) performed The Reaction Time and Defensive Sliding Test (RTADST) on the first day and the T-test the following day. Results: there were no statistically significant correlations between the RTADST and T-test at the whole sample level or between perimeter and post players. The T-test and Fat % correlation is significant at the 0.05 level, while the other analyzed correlations were insignificant. Perimeter players achieved better results on the RTADST test. There were no significant differences between perimeter and post players on the T-test. Conclusion: The RTADST and T-test are testing different abilities. We recommend the use of the RTADST to coaches and conditioning experts. Level of Evidence II; Diagnostic Study Investigating a Diagnostic Test.