One of the skills that should be possessed by block players in volleyball is reaction
speed. It effectively influences the player’s ability to block strong shots from the opponent
correctly. However, response time is influenced by how much the play
er benefits from the
prime which is provided around him to prepare for the next movement. When a player
effectively prepares for the required movement in advance, these information are processed
more rapidly, and thus, we notice an improvement in the player’s reaction time.
Thus, we have conducted this study to find out the effect of special exercises
designed for motor preparation on reaction speed for block players center (3) in volleyball .
For the current study, we have used the priming test, suggested by Rosenbaum and
Kormblum (1982) as a prior test and a follow-up test for both test group and blocked
group, in order to figure out the effect of providing primes on the player’s reaction time.
The primes provided were either identity for the required movementor neutral. We have
followed the method of calculating the number of correct attempts executed by the players,
in order to infer the change in their reaction speed.
The results revealed improvement in the number of correct attempts for test group
after applying the suggested training program in the two situations (identity-neutral).
Therefore, we find that the applied program has contributed to an increase in the number of
correct executed attempts, which suggests an increase in the speed of processing the
information, leading to enhancing the reaction speed in block players center (3). In light of
these findings, we have recommended the necessity of using the suggested training
program as part of the training plans provided for Syrian volleyball teams. This
recommendation is due to the program’s importance in improving reaction speed, on which
most offensive and defensive skills in this game depends. We have also recommended the
necessity of conducting further research and study, based on modern training methods.
