The effect of a training program accompanied by mental training in developing sensorimotor perception and overcoming learning stability in improving the skills of Spiking and Blocking for female volleyball players.

Section: Physical Education and Sport Sciences
Issue
Vol. 28 No. 88 (2025): Al-Rafidain Journal for Sports Sciences
Published
Oct 24, 2025
Pages
352-379

Abstract

Mental training constitutes a fundamental component in preparing athletes for competition. It involves the visualization of movements, their sequence, situational contexts, objectives, and all dimensions of competitive performance. The first aim of the current study was to examine the impact of a training program accompanied by mental training on the development of selected perceptual-motor abilities related to the skills of spiking and blocking, and the second aim was to investigate the effect of a training program accompanied by mental training in overcoming the learning plateau in the skills of spiking and blocking among the female volleyball players of Sanharib (Sennacherib) Sports Club. Using an experimental approach, the program was tested on eight players (excluding setters and liberos) during their 2022–2023 preseason preparation for a regional championship. The results revealed notable improvements: participants significantly boosted their spiking accuracy and perceptual-motor skills (e.g., coordination, timing) after the intervention. However, blocking skills showed only marginal gains, suggesting this technique may require more specialized training. Crucially, the combined mental-physical regimen helped athletes push past the “learning plateau,” a common hurdle in skill mastery. These findings highlight the importance of mental training in sports not just for focus but for reshaping how athletes process complex movements. By blending cognitive exercises with practice, coaches can foster resilience and adaptability, offering a blueprint to refine training programs for competitive athletes. The study underscores the value of holistic approaches in sports science, where mindset and mechanics work hand-in-hand to unlock peak performance

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Author

Mohammed Hasan Mustafa

University of Duhok

Identifiers

https://doi.org/10.33899/rjss.v28i88.53604
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How to Cite

Hasan Mustafa م. . . . . . . . . . (2025). The effect of a training program accompanied by mental training in developing sensorimotor perception and overcoming learning stability in improving the skills of Spiking and Blocking for female volleyball players. Al-Rafidain Journal For Sport Sciences, 28(88), 352–379. https://doi.org/10.33899/rjss.v28i88.53604

Author Biography

Mohammed Hasan Mustafa (University of Duhok)

College of physical Education and Sports Science

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