Variation measures the relative variability in an athlete’s performance by comparing how widely responses fluctuate around the mean.
Lower CV = Greater consistency
Higher CV = More fluctuation in performance
CV Calculation Formula
CV = (Standard Deviation / Mean) × 100%
Step-by-Step Calculation
1. Calculate the Mean (Average) of the Data Set
2. Find the Squared Deviation – Subtract the mean from each data point and square the result.
3. Compute Variance – Find the average of these squared deviations.
4. Determine Standard Deviation – Take the square root of the variance.
5. Calculate CV – Divide the standard deviation by the mean, then multiply by 100 to express it as a percentage.
By tracking CV alongside reaction time and accuracy, coaches can assess an athlete’s consistency and reliability in cognitive performance.