Understanding the Relationship between selected motor Abilities and Smashing Accuracy in Recreational table tennis Players: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Table tennis, also known as ping-pong, is a fast-paced racket sport requiring precise motor abilities. Among these, dynamic balance, eye-hand coordination, agility, and reaction time are considered essential for performance, particularly in executing accurate smashes. However, the extent to which these abilities influence smashing accuracy in recreational players remains unclear. Objective: This study aimed to examine the relationship between dynamic balance, eye-hand coordination, agility, and reaction time with smashing accuracy among recreational table tennis players. Methods: A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted with 50 recreational table tennis players aged 16 to 25 years. Smashing accuracy was assessed based on five consecutive smashes on a pre-marked target area of the table. Dynamic balance was evaluated using the Y Balance Test, eye-hand coordination via the Plate Tapping Test, agility through the Table Tennis Agility Test, and reaction time using the Ruler Drop Test. Results: Pearson correlation analysis revealed negligible or no significant relationships between the measured variables—dynamic balance, eye-hand coordination, agility, and reaction time—and smashing accuracy (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The findings suggest that smashing accuracy in recreational table tennis players may not be significantly influenced by the selected motor abilities. Other factors such as technique, experience, or cognitive strategies may play a more critical role and warrant further investigation.