Spatial and Visual Intelligence and its Relationship to Serve Accuracy Performance in Tennis for Third-Year Female Students

Abstract

This study aimed to develop and implement a spatial-visual intelligence scale for female students in the Colleges of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, and to determine the nature of the correlation between this cognitive variable and indicators of the accuracy of the straight serve in tennis. To achieve this, the researcher adopted a descriptive approach using survey methodology and correlational studies, as these were suitable for the nature of the problem. The research population consisted of 93 third-year female students in the College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences for Girls at the University of Baghdad during the academic year (2025-2026).

The data collection tools consisted of a final version of the Spatial-Visual Intelligence Scale, comprising 21 items distributed across three main dimensions, along with a straight-line serve accuracy test (12 attempts). After statistically processing the data using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), the study concluded that the students possessed distinguished and high levels of spatial-visual intelligence, as evidenced by statistically significant differences favoring the field mean. The results also showed a statistically significant positive correlation between the type of intelligence being investigated and serve accuracy, confirming that skill proficiency is structurally linked to the quality of mental processes involved in processing the dimensions and spatial areas of the court.