Motor Anticipation and Its Relationship to Visual Perceptual Speed in Handball Goalkeepers

HOSSAM ELDIN SHABAN, GHADA; Mokhtar Al-Morsi, Mona; Radwan Labib, Heba

doi:10.21608/ijssaa.2025.391726.2449

Motor Anticipation and Its Relationship to Visual Perceptual Speed in Handball Goalkeepers

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ handball goalkeeper for Al-Ahly Club and the Egyptian national team.

² Professor of Sports Psychology, Department of Educational, Psychological, and Social Sciences, Faculty of Sports Sciences for girls, Helwan University.

³ Professor of Handball Training, Department of Theory and Application of Team Sports and Racket Games, Faculty of Sports Sciences for Girls, Helwan University.

10.21608/ijssaa.2025.391726.2449

Abstract

This study aims to determine the relationship between motor anticipation and visual perceptual speed, as well as measure the contribution of motor coordination and transitional speed in predicting perceptual speed. A descriptive methodology with statistical analysis was employed. Tests included motor anticipation (time, distance, and of place perception) and visual perceptual speed (matching visual shapes rapidly). Data were analyzed using SPSS, with correlation coefficients and linear regression applied to a sample of 40 female goalkeepers from the Egyptian Women’s Handball League (aged 18–30 years).

Key findings revealed a statistically significant inverse relationship between direction anticipation and visual perceptu al speed, indicating that improved motor anticipation correlates with faster visual processing. Direction anticipation emerged as the most influential factor in predicting perceptual speed (56% contribution rate). Time and distance perception tests showed no significant correlation with perceptual speed.

Conclusions: Motor anticipation—particularly direction prediction—is critical for enhancing visual perceptual speed. Goalkeepers require integrated training programs emphasizing the synergy between visual and motor skills to optimize performance.

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