The Effect of Fartlek Training on the Development of Reactive Agility and Motor Response Speed Among Players of Al-Farahidi University’s Handball Team

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of fartlek training combined with unexpected visual and auditory stimuli on the development of reactive agility and motor response speed among players of the Al-Farahidi University handball team. The researcher employed an experimental approach using a matched-pairs design, the experimental and control groups, each with pre- and post-tests, as this was appropriate to the nature of the problem. The sample consisted of 20 university students, who were randomly divided into two equal groups of 10 players each, after verifying the homogeneity of the sample and the equivalence of the two groups. A standardised fartlek programme was applied to the experimental group, combining changes in running speed and direction with responses to unexpected stimuli, for a period of eight weeks at a rate of three sessions per week, whilst the control group continued with their usual training regime. Reactive agility was measured using a field test based on response to a visual stimulus, and motor reaction time was measured using the reaction time to a simple visual stimulus. The data were analysed using the arithmetic mean, standard deviation and t-tests for paired and independent samples. The results showed a reduction in reaction time in the experimental group from (2.84) to (2.58) seconds, and a reduction in motor reaction time from 312 to 268 milliseconds, representing improvements of 9.2 per cent and 14.1 per cent respectively, with statistical significance in favour of the post-test. Furthermore, the experimental group outperformed the control group in the post-test for both variables. The study recommended the incorporation of fartlek training combined with unexpected stimuli into the training programmes of university handball teams, and the conduct of field studies on larger samples and other age groups.