ScholarOne - Exploring the Link between Smartphone Social Media Use and
Performance, Focus of Young Table Tennis Players
Abstract
This study aimed to explore the immediate effects of smartphone-based
social media use on table tennis performance variables such as reaction
speed, stroke execution accuracy, and focus. A total of 14 young
athletes, consisting of 7 males and 7 females (10.86 ± 1.83 years; 2.43
± 0.65 years of experience in table tennis) participated in a randomized
and counterbalanced quasi-experimental study divided into two groups:
(a) social media group (SMG) and (b) table-tennis videos group (TTVG).
The study assessed four variables: Stroop Test, reaction speed, a
specific table tennis test, and focus (Toulouse-Piéron Test). The
results indicated significant pre- and post-differences in hits, errors,
and total points for both groups (p< .01), with no significant
differences between groups in the three field tests. In conclusion, a
30-minute exposure to either game-related videos or social media stimuli
in children led to improved scores, hits, and errors in the Stroop Test.
These results suggest that acute exposure to virtual stimuli, regardless
of type, enhances inhibitory control and attention abilities