The Adaptation and validation of selected stroke accuracy tests for elite Para table tennis players

Abstract

Purpose: To adapt and validate selected tests assessed the accuracy and precision of flip shots and bottom spin backhand
strokes precision hitting for Para table tennis players: Manual quickness & ability Forehand (Manual Q&A FH), Manual
quickness & ability Beckhand (Manual Q&A BH), Alternate push test.
Methods: The study group includes 23 table tennis players (age 28.10±13.7 years, 26.1% of females), with impairment
belonging to the senior national team of Poland. A battery of three specific tests evaluating stroke accuracy was assessed. The
conventional Cronbach’s alpha (α) and McDonald’s omega (ω) coefficients were calculated to determine the tests’ reliability.
Results: The highest absolute agreement was found for the Manual Q&A FH test (ICC= .838) and the lowest for the Manual
Q&A BH test (ICC= .652). For most trials, the results obtained at three consecutive time points were similar (P< .01), and the
strength of this concordance was close to .70.
Conclusions: The research on the reliability and accuracy of the specific tests confirmed the need for the indicated special
technicaltests on table tennis players with impairment for the three integrated classes of disabilities. Analysis of the data
obtained from the tests can provide coaches with important information on the level of selected technigue elements of elite
Para table tennis players.