Effect of anticipation stimulus reduction exercises on some footprint variables of handball goalkeepers

Abstract

Reducing stimuli in motor anticipation requires a combination of physical and mental training. Focusing goalkeepers' attention on specific areas of the goal is the desired reduction, followed by gradually decreasing this focus by increasing the number of these areas and incorporating environmental stimuli. Enhancing awareness of the surroundings leads to the discovery of how the shot-taker's body parts react to specific areas based on their position and the ball's trajectory. This research aims to develop exercises to reduce stimuli in goalkeepers' motor anticipation. We hypothesized that these exercises would have a positive effect on certain footwork variables and increase the motor anticipation index, thus contributing to ball saving. We used an experimental design with a single group, and the research sample consisted of two goalkeepers from the specialized handball school in Al-Diwaniyah Governorate. Each goalkeeper was given five attempts to save the ball at each of the four corners, resulting in a total of 10 attempts per corner and 20 observations across all four sides. All observations were compared between pre- and post-test measurements and between the left and right sides, and these comparisons reflected the goalkeeper's actions towards the corners using different parts of the body. The exercises were implemented in 24 sessions spread over 8 weeks. These exercises varied by focusing the goalkeepers' attention on specific areas (reducing stimuli) and by adding other areas. We used a high-speed camera and the DynaFoot system, in addition to administering a motion prediction test. We considered the variables of maximum force, time to maximum force, percentage of time to reach maximum force, motion prediction, and its index. The results of the exercises showed an improvement in response through energy conservation, improved performance time, and better anticipation of the ball's trajectory.