Assessment of the reliability and validity of simple and complex reaction speed tests in mixed martial arts athletes using the BlazePod system

Authors

Jacek Polechoński, Institute of Sport Sciences, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, PolandFollow
Jan Pilch, Faculty of Physical Culture, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdansk, Poland
Alan Langer, Institute of Sport Sciences, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, Poland
Magdalena Prończuk, Faculty of Physical Culture, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdansk, Poland
Jarosław Markowski, Department of Laryngology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland
Adam Maszczyk, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Physical Culture, Gdansk, Poland; In-stitute of Sport Sciences, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, PolandFollow

Abstract

The main aim of the research was to evaluate the reliability and validity of measurements of simple and complex reaction speed using the BlazePod system in MMA athletes. Additionally, these motor skills for the right and left hands of the studied athletes were compared. The study involved 34 male professional MMA practitioners (training experience 7.0±4.0 years, age 26.5±5.3 years, body mass 76.9±9.8 kg, height 178.5±5.7 cm). The evaluation of reaction speed utilized the BlazePod^TM system and classic computer tests. The time from the activation of a light stimulus to the hand striking a glowing target in front of the participants was assessed. Measurement reliability was estimated based on the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Correlation analysis was employed to assess the validity of the BlazePod tests. It was found that ICC values for reaction speed tests performed using the BlazePod system were slightly higher than those for computer tests. For simple reactions of the right and left upper limb, ICC values were similar at 0.826 and 0.833, respectively. In the complex reaction test, the ICC value was slightly lower (ICC = 0.785). The correlation of test results using the BlazePod system and computer tests was high: right hand (r = 0.703; p < 0.001), left hand (r = 0.654; p < 0.001), complex reaction (r = 0.640; p < 0.001). The ICC analysis indicates that the simple and complex reaction speed tests performed by MMA athletes using the BlazePod system demonstrate good reliability, and their results strongly correlate with those of classic computer tests. Therefore, the BlazePod light system can be considered a measurement tool allowing for a reliable and valid assessment of the simple and complex reaction speed of MMA athletes.

Recommended Citation

Polechonski J, Pilch J, Langer A, Pronczuk M, Markowski J, Maszczyk A. Assessment of the reliability and validity of simple and complex reac-tion speed tests in mixed martial arts athletes using the BlazePod system. A case study. Balt J Health Phys Act. 2025;17(1):Article2. DOI: 10.29359/BJHPA.17.1.02

Author ORCID Identifier

Jacek POLECHOŃSKI ORCID 0000-0002-3294-7800

Jan PILCH ORCID 0000-0002-2682-4708

Magdalena PROŃCZUK ORCID 0009-0005-1478-3151

Jarosław MARKOWSKI ORCID 0000-0003-3416-7354

Adam MASZCZYK ORCID 0000-0001-9139-9747

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.