Dr. Kazem Jakhior Bishara (1)
General Background: Scientific training programs play a fundamental role in developing motor and technical abilities in youth sports. Specific Background: In table tennis, rapid motor response and precise execution of forehand and backhand strokes are essential for competitive performance, yet junior players often demonstrate weaknesses due to limited specialized training and insufficient use of modern response-speed devices. Knowledge Gap: There is limited structured application of neuromuscular-based training curricula incorporating electronic response-speed devices within junior table tennis development programs. Aims: This study examined a proposed eight-week training program designed to develop motor response speed and selected basic skills among six junior table tennis players in Najaf Governorate. Results: Pre- and post-test comparisons revealed statistically significant improvements in motor response speed measured using the BATAK MICRO device, alongside significant gains in forehand and backhand technical performance scores. The experimental group outperformed the control group across all measured variables. Novelty: The program integrated device-based response training with progressive, match-simulated technical drills tailored to junior developmental characteristics. Implications: The findings support incorporating structured neuromuscular exercises and stimulus-based drills into youth training curricula to improve response time, coordination, and technical precision in table tennis development programs.
Keywords: Motor Response Speed, Junior Table Tennis, Training Program, Neuromuscular Coordination, Technical Performance
Key Findings Highlights:
Significant gains in reaction metrics were recorded after eight weeks of structured practice.
Forehand execution accuracy showed marked statistical progression.
Backhand stroke consistency improved through progressive stimulus-based drills.
The effect of a training program on improving motor response and some basic skills of junior table tennis players
Dr. Kazem Jakhior Bishara
Ministry of Education / Directorate of Education of Najaf Governorate /Iraq
Corresponding author: Kathem113311@gmail.com
Abstract:
This study aims to examine the effect of a proposed training program on improving motor response speed and developing selected basic skills among junior table tennis players in Najaf Governorate. The researcher employed the experimental method due to its suitability for the nature of the problem, using a purposive sample of six junior players selected through comprehensive enumeration. The training program included specialized exercises to enhance motor response speed using the (BATAK MICRO) device, as well as progressive technical exercises designed to develop the forehand and backhand strokes. The program was administered over eight weeks, with three training sessions per week. The results revealed statistically significant differences between the pre- and post-tests in favor of the post-test for motor response speed, indicating improved reaction time and enhanced neuromuscular coordination among the players. Additionally, notable improvements were observed in the technical performance of both the forehand and backhand strokes, attributed to the use of targeted technical drills and match-like training situations.The study concludes that the training program was effective in developing the motor and technical abilities of junior table tennis players. The researcher recommends adopting similar training programs in sports clubs and youth centers, and emphasizes the importance of incorporating modern devices designed to improve response speed within training curricula.
Keywords: Motor Response – Table Tennis – Training Program.
Introduction
Yuli all staff in The field The athlete majority Their interest On the subject Training The athlete And itself forms a point Launch in numbers The athlete and calendar Performance And its development To subscribe in competitions Sports in Events The different ones , and that effectiveness Programs training And he founded Preparing it And its construction By the roads Scientific that Contributes in to lift level Performance In and events Sports The different ones are from Most important Aspects that He should Taking it into consideration Attention In it . Table tennis from Games Individual that she has Its basic principles Multiple , and depends Mastering it on following Planning The healthy and use Methods Training Modern on according to style Scientific The building on Foundations Correct, With the aim Get on better Results Reaction speed plays a crucial role in table tennis , as it requires rapid movement and high, precise focus on the opponent. This necessitates that table tennis players possess high speed to maintain their physical and technical performance. This can only be achieved through continuous training to develop reaction speed and a high level of responsiveness, enabling them to perform rapid movements.[1] Developing reaction speed is also very important for table tennis players. One of the weaknesses often found in table tennis players is insufficient training, ineffective training, or overly repetitive exercises . In turn He is counted One Ways The guarantor To raise level The game and advancement In it .
Research problem
Table tennis is a sport that demands high levels of physical fitness and skill. Therefore, it was essential to find new teaching methods that would enhance the game's fundamental skills. The use of sound training methodologies has become a necessity and a cornerstone of sports training, contributing significantly to improving players' performance levels. researcher And from during His experience As a player and table tennis coach , I believe there is a weakness among junior table tennis players, that their training sessions are insufficient, and that psychological factors are not adequately addressed. Other related factors include a lack of friendly and competitive matches in the league and local and international tournaments. Therefore, the researcher believes that... Curricula training For young players, training programs, especially these, have become an urgent necessity. Effectiveness Need to Consideration some The motor, technical, tactical, and mental skills of young players . And the lack of Use Devices Help in to improve Level Physical And the skill and development of the player's reaction speed , the matter that to push researcher to Start With this the study For training and special exercises and their effect on players in developing their motor, physical and skill abilities, as well as the response speed device that improves the development of response speed in junior table tennis players.
Research Objectives
Research hypotheses
There is a positive effect of exercises using the training method to improve response speed and some basic skills for junior table tennis players.
esearch areas
Research Methodology
that nature The problem studied she that Determine nature Curriculum user , So use researcher Curriculum Experimental Which The closest And most Honestly To solve Many from Problems Scientific and basic idea that He does On it Search Experimental in simplest Image and related By law variable One So He was there Two positions They are similar completely from all Aspects then Add component specific to One The two positions Don The other Van any changing or difference He appears after that between The two positions Attributed to presence this The element The added elementand he what It fits and nature problem Search so that Experimentation It is from more means efficiency To access to knowledge trusted In it .[2]
Research Community
It was completed to set community Search Sabah Al-Karawi Youth Center, Najaf Governorate, for football The table and adult Their number is ( 6) Junior players, and Using the comprehensive enumeration method in selecting the sample , and the amount Their number is (6) Players.
Homogeneity Sample :
In order to avoid influences that may affect the research results due to the individual differences among the players and to reach a single and equal level for the sample, some skills that represent the specifications of the sample were identified in order to ensure its homogeneity in those skills that are influential in the experiment and which must be controlled. Therefore, statistical treatment was carried out using the skewness coefficient, and Tables ( 2) show this, noting that the skewness coefficient in those variables was confined between (1±), and therefore the sample is considered normally distributed, since " the more the values of the skewness coefficient are confined between (1±). The sample was homogeneous .[2]
Table (1): table It shows the variables, the arithmetic mean, standard deviation, median, and skewness coefficient for the research sample.
Equipment and tools used in the research
Research Procedures
It was completed identification on value variables Search By conducting Tests and measurements Under the study, That's Using some Devices and tools These are :
It was completed measurement variable speed The response, and that Using device speed Response Japanese Made Type (BATAK MICRO0) , which measures speed The response: This device contains a number of lights that operate on a random system and within specific timeframes. After setting the time, the tester turns off the lights as quickly as possible. The device includes a control panel with the number of touches and the time in minutes or seconds. We time the device according to the established system , after we have set the desired time for conducting the tests, which was one minute. Then, the tester is given one attempt, and the attempt is counted in the test in terms of number and time, and the data of all players in the pre-tests is recorded. Then, the same test is repeated in the post-test, and then the difference between the pre-test and post-test is calculated. The image below illustrates the test method.
Table(2): It shows value coefficient Steadfastness For tests Used By searching .
*value coefficient Link Tabular ( 0.70) when degree Freedom (2) and level Significance of (0,5)
It means Objectivity " liberation " from Bias and fanaticism And not Input Factors Personality In the Issued from researcher from rulings [3]and Find researcher objectivity For tests on Despite from Being clear Easy Understanding from before Individuals Sample on road an offer Tests on group from Experts and specialists so It was completed to choose Tests that I got on higher rate That's To choose it from more from expert Please on being This is amazing Tests Regulated And it depends perhaps units measurement no maybe manipulation In it .
The Main Experiment
It was completed procedure Test Tribal For a sample Search in day Wednesday Dated 24/10/2022 Okay the hour Third In the afternoon , as It was completed adjust all Variables from where the time and tools Devices As well as a team the job assistant To be Applying it When (testing) The postural ( i.e. after to implement Curriculum Training It was completed procedure Tests on hall Sabah Al-Karawi Forum in Najaf The most honorable Being suitable To conduct The tests , since He did researcher With the help of a team the job assistant By applying Tests According to sequence situation Preceding , as It was completed a test speed Response Kinetic and registration results Test in form Registration for, and after that It was completed a test skill The strike Imamiyyah Background and photography performance To correct it and its analysis Later .
after Finish from application Tests Tribalism He did researcher By applying Curriculum training Using Exercises Special and start implementing the curriculum on the day Wednesday Dated 26/10/2022, with the following: three units Training Weekly for (8) weeks, And it was done last lonliness Training day Monday, May 1, 2023.
after Finish from to implement The program training It was completed procedure Test The post For a sample The research took into consideration circumstances Time And spatial and means For testing Tribal With the help of a team the job The assistant , was a test speed Response Kinetics , and after that It was completed a test The strike Imamiyyah Background And it was filming Test For the purpose calendar Skills 0
Statistical Tools
The researcher used the socio-statistical toolkit to calculate the following statistical measures:
(Middle) Arithmetic deviation Standard - Median - Coefficient Torsion - Correlation Simple Pearson - T-test for samples (interrelated) .
Presentation, Analysis, and Discussion of the Results
This section includes the presentation, analysis, and discussion of the results of the tests used in the research, namely (the response speed test, the front kick, and the back kick) for the sample in both the pre-test and post-test. The researcher used the (t ) test to determine the significance of the differences between the pre-test and post -test for the members of the research sample according to the model. The researcher had sufficient data on the results of the field experiment that he carried out on the experimental group, as the results indicated the existence of significant differences between the pre-test and post-tests and the achievement of tangible progress among the members of the sample as a result of their application of the specific exercises. Therefore, these results were presented in explanatory tables as follows:
The researcher presented the results of the pre- and post-tests for the sample as shown in Table (3), and the results related to response speed were analyzed and discussed .
Table (3) :The variable shows the response speed of the research sample and the model.
* The tabulated value of ( t ) at a sample size of (6) and a significance level of (0.05) is ( 3.69 )
Table (3) shows that the difference between the pre-test and post-test in the response speed test was significant, favoring the post-test, as illustrated in Figure (1). The mean score in the pre-test was 100.58 ) with a standard deviation of (0.75), while the mean score in the post-test was ( 110.47 ) with a standard deviation of ( 0.82 ). The calculated t- value was (2.78), indicating a significant difference in favor of the post-test.
Figure (1). "It shows the arithmetic means of the pre-test and post-test of response speed."
From Table ( 3 ) and Figure ( 1 ), the median was
Discussion of the results of the response speed variable:
The post-test results showed a clear superiority of the experimental group in the motor response variable compared to the pre-test, as well as to the control group. This clearly indicates the effectiveness of the training program used in developing the speed and accuracy of their response to motor and visual stimuli related to table tennis skills. This improvement is attributed to the training program's reliance on specific exercises aimed at enhancing coordination between the nervous and muscular systems, and increasing the players' ability to perceive and respond to stimuli more quickly and accurately .
This improvement can also be explained by the fact that the nature of the game requires a high reaction speed due to the ball's rapid movement and quick changes in direction. This has allowed players to directly benefit from exercises focused on improving motor anticipation , decision-making time , and rapid transitions between offensive and defensive situations . Consequently, these exercises have enhanced the efficiency of neural processing of stimuli and improved the ability to choose the most appropriate response in the shortest possible time .
Furthermore, incorporating neuromuscular exercises into the training program played a key role in increasing neural excitability and improving the speed of signals transmitted between the brain and muscles. This aligns with recent literature in sports training science, which emphasizes that exercises designed to develop motor responses rely heavily on structured repetition, increasing stimulus intensity, and reducing the time between stimulus and response. This training approach led to a reduction in reaction time and improved the efficiency of the central nervous system in processing visual, auditory, and motor information .
On the other hand, the nature of the junior age group is characterized by rapid neuro-motor development, making them more responsive to training that includes diverse and varying stimuli. This is reflected in the development of their ability to respond to unexpected situations during play. This finding confirms that exposing players at this stage to simulated and progressively more difficult game situations clearly contributes to increasing their response speed and their ability to adapt to the demands of actual play .
The statistically significant differences between the two groups can be explained by the fact that the control group relied on a traditional training approach that focused only on basic skill aspects, without including specific exercises to enhance response time, which made their development less than that of the players in the experimental group, who benefited from exercises based on quick reaction, visual and auditory stimuli, direction change exercises, and sudden balls .
The results of this study are consistent with a number of previous studies that have shown that training programs based on diverse motor and visual stimuli contribute effectively to developing the motor response of players in individual and skill-based sports, especially table tennis, which depends on speed of anticipation and instantaneous response .
In order to determine the results of the pre- and post-tests for the sample, the researcher used the Wilcoxon signed-test for small samples to determine the significance of the differences between the pre- and post-tests, as shown in Table (4 ).
Table ( 4 ) : It shows a comparison between the pre-test and post-test in terms of thetechnical performance level of the forehand and backhand strokes.
Table (4): It shows the results of the front and back strokes for the research sample and model.
Table ( 4 ) shows that all differences were significant between the pre-test and post-test in the performance level test for the sample, compared to the model. Figure ( 4 ) illustrates the arithmetic means of the sample. The arithmetic mean for the forehand stroke in the pre-test was ( 3.45 ) with a standard deviation of (0.75), while the arithmetic mean in the post-test was (7.2) with a standard deviation of (1.25). The calculated ( t ) value was (5.7), which indicates a significant difference between the pre-test and post-test in favor of the post-test.
Figure ( 2). "It shows the arithmetic mean of the pre-test and post-test for the forehand and backhand strokes."
Discussion of the Results of the Forehand and Backhand Tests for the Sample
First: Discussion of the results of the Forehand Drive
The results showed a significant improvement in the forehand stroke performance of the experimental group compared to the pre-test and the control group, indicating the effectiveness of the training program in developing the specific skills of this stroke. This improvement can be explained by the fact that the training program included exercises focused on developing fluid movement , timing , and coordination between the arm, torso, and legs —the essential elements upon which the forehand stroke depends .
The exercises, designed according to the principle of progressively increasing intensity, speed, and complexity, also contributed to enhancing the players' ability to control the ball's direction,speed, and spin. This increased the effectiveness of their motor performance, making them better able to maintain body balance during transitional movements, especially at the crucial moment when the ball touches the player's racket .
On the other hand, adopting a training approach that approximates real-life playing situations – such as training with balls that change direction and speed – has led to an improvement in players’ ability to anticipate movements and quickly adjust their body position before executing a shot, which is one of the most important indicators of the development of skill performance among junior table tennis players .
These results align with research literature indicating that the forehand stroke is the most frequently used offensive stroke, and that its development requires progressively increasing the training load on the arm, shoulder, and torso muscles, tailored to the player's age. Therefore, the players benefited from exercises designed to improve initial thrust, stability, and balance, which positively impacted their performance in the post-test .
Second: Discussion of the results of the backhand drive
The results also showed a clear improvement in the backhand stroke performance of the experimental group, with significant differences in favor of the post-test measurement, which shows that the training method used was also effective in developing this stroke, which is more complex than the fronthand stroke in terms of movement mechanisms, body angle and limited range of motion .
This improvement can be explained by the fact that the training focused on enhancing wrist and forearm speed , essential elements for an effective backhand, in addition to exercises in controlling ball bounce and timing contact. Regular practice with short and medium-length balls also helped players understand different shooting angles and how to direct the ball accurately .
The results also indicate that the use of exercises based on correct technical repetition and progressive intensity has contributed to building a sound motor memory for performing the backhand stroke, which has led to a reduction in common errors among juniors, such as excessive racket tilting or poor follow -through after executing the stroke .
The exercises, based on defensive and offensive playing situations, also helped enhance the ability to quickly transition between strokes, which requires precise eye-hand-torso coordination. The experimental group demonstrated better ability in this area compared to the control group, which followed a traditional approach that did not sufficiently emphasize the precise adjustments required in the backhand stroke .
These results are consistent with what has been stated in specialized studies that confirm that developing the backhand stroke in youngsters requires continuous training on using the upper body with high efficiency while maintaining the stability of the body's kinetic center, which has been achieved through the current training program .
The researcher believes that the noticeable improvement in the forehand and backhand strokes of junior table tennis players reflects the effectiveness of the training program used, as it was able to clearly raise the level of skill performance, accuracy, and ball control. The results also proved the importance of training based on real-life game situations, gradual increase in workload, and a variety of skills, given its direct role in improving the technical aspects of players at this age . ( 2 )
Conclusions
Based on the research findings, their analysis, and discussion, the researcher reached the following conclusions :
Recommendations
References
[1] J. Abdel Hamid and A. Kazem, Research Methods in Education and Psychology. Cairo, Egypt: Dar Al Nahda Al Arabiya, 2000.
[2] F. Al-Rousan, “Preparing and training workers in the field of special education in Arab countries,” New Education Journal, vol. 34, Beirut, 1999.
[3] Q. H. Hussein and F. Al-Mahshash, The Gifted Athlete: His Traits and Characteristics in the Field of Sports Training, 1st ed. Amman, Jordan: Arab Thought House for Printing, Publishing and Distribution, 2001.
[4] Q. H. Hussein, The Science of Sports Training at Different Ages. Amman, Jordan: Dar Al-Fikr, 1998.
[5] M. J. Al-Yassiri, Theoretical Foundations of Physical Education Tests. Najaf, Iraq: Al-Bayda Printing and Design House, 2002.
[6] M. H. Alawi and O. Rateb, Scientific Research in Physical Education and Sports Psychology. Cairo, Egypt: Arab Thought House, 1999.
[7] W. Y. Al-Tikriti and M. H. Al-Obaidi, Statistical Applications and Computer Uses in Physical Education. Mosul, Iraq: University of Mosul Press, 2000.
[8] R. A. Schmidt, Motor Control and Learning: A Behavioral Emphasis, 3rd ed. Champaign, IL, USA: Human Kinetics, 1982.
[9] R. A. Schmidt and T. D. Lee, Motor Control and Learning: A Behavioral Emphasis, 5th ed. Champaign, IL, USA: Human Kinetics, 2011.
[10] V. M. Zatsiorsky and W. J. Kraemer, Science and Practice of Strength Training, 2nd ed. Champaign, IL, USA: Human Kinetics, 2006.
[11] T. O. Bompa and C. Buzzichelli, Periodization: Theory and Methodology of Training, 6th ed. Champaign, IL, USA: Human Kinetics, 2019.
[12] W. D. McArdle, F. I. Katch, and V. L. Katch, Exercise Physiology: Nutrition, Energy, and Human Performance, 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA, USA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2015.
[13] J. Magill and D. I. Anderson, Motor Learning and Control: Concepts and Applications, 11th ed. New York, NY, USA: McGraw-Hill Education, 2017.
[14] B. J. Wrisberg, Sport Skill Instruction for Coaches. Champaign, IL, USA: Human Kinetics, 2007.
[15] D. L. Gallahue, J. C. Ozmun, and J. D. Goodway, Understanding Motor Development: Infants, Children, Adolescents, Adults, 7th ed. New York, NY, USA: McGraw-Hill Education, 2012.