Vol. 7, Issue 2, Part H (2025)

The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between reaction ability and Kho-Kho performance among Mysore University intercollegiate women players. Sixty (N = 60) women Kho-Kho players aged between 18 and 25 years, who participated in the intercollegiate tournaments during the academic year 2022-2023, were randomly selected as subjects. Reaction ability was assessed using the Reaction Time Test, while Kho-Kho performance was evaluated through a standardized performance rating scale covering both offensive and defensive skills, scored by expert coaches. Descriptive statistics and Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation were employed to analyze the data, with the level of significance set at 0.05. The results revealed that reaction ability did not show a significant relationship with offensive skill performance. However, a statistically significant negative relationship was found between reaction ability and defensive skill performance, indicating that players with faster reaction times demonstrated better defensive efficiency. The findings suggest that reaction ability plays a crucial role in defensive aspects of Kho-Kho performance, while offensive performance is more dependent on technical and tactical factors. The study highlights the importance of incorporating reaction-based training programmes to enhance defensive performance among intercollegiate women Kho-Kho players.