The Effect of Special Gymnastic Exercises on Developing Motor Speed among Futsal Goalkeepers

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the effect of gymnastic exercises on developing motor speed among futsal goalkeepers, through designing a set of specialized exercises that simulate the actual performance requirements of the goalkeeper. The researchers employed the experimental method using a one-group design with pre- and post-tests. The experiment was conducted on a sample of six goalkeepers from clubs in Thi-Qar city during the 2024/2025 sports season, with ages ranging between 21–23 years. The pre-test was carried out on July 1, 2025, and the post-test on September 1, 2025, using specific tests to measure motor speed.

      The results revealed statistically significant differences between the pre- and post-tests in favor of the post-tests. The study concluded that gymnastic exercises effectively contributed to improving motor speed and response speed among the goalkeepers, due to their close similarity to the actual performance of futsal goalkeepers. The researchers recommend integrating these exercises into training programs of clubs and sports federations, and conducting future studies on larger samples to verify the generalizability of the results.