Correlation Between Selected Physical Fitness Components and Psychomotor Abilities Among University-Level Football Players

This study investigated the correlation between selected physical fitness components and psychomotor abilities among university-level football players. A total of 60 male intercollegiate football players (30 from public and 30 from private universities), aged 18–28 years, were assessed using field-based tests. Physical fitness was evaluated through measures of speed (50-yard dash), explosive strength (standing broad jump), flexibility (sit and reach), and endurance (800-meter run), while psychomotor abilities were assessed via reaction time (audio-visual timer) and coordination (plate tapping test). Descriptive analysis revealed that public university players exhibited superior performance in speed (6.35 sec), explosive strength (2.35 cm), flexibility (31.03 cm), and endurance (2.73 min), while private university players demonstrated better reaction time (0.22 sec). Correlational analysis showed no significant relationships between physical fitness and psychomotor abilities within public university players. However, a significant positive correlation was found between flexibility and coordination among private university players (r = 0.417, p < 0.05). When data from both groups were combined, significant negative correlations emerged between overall physical fitness and psychomotor abilities (r = -0.618, p < 0.01), particularly between endurance and reaction time (r = -0.587, p < 0.01). These findings suggest that higher levels of physical fitness are associated with improved psychomotor performance.