Identifying Cognitive Patterns of Table Tennis Experts in Talent Identification Using Q Methodology

This research aims to identify cognitive patterns of table tennis experts in the talent identification process using Q Methodology. The study investigates how experts in table tennis prioritize various talent indicators, such as physical fitness, mental skills, and perceptual-motor abilities, in their assessment of potential athletes. A Q-sort technique was employed to collect data from 22 table tennis experts, who ranked 25 talent indicators on a scale from +4 (strongly agree) to -4 (strongly disagree). The data were analyzed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Varimax rotation in KADE software to reveal distinct cognitive patterns and the relative importance of each talent indicator. The findings aim to provide valuable insights into the cognitive frameworks used by table tennis experts during talent identification and may inform future practices in sports talent scouting and development.