Modern soccer success depends on mental speed. Goalkeepers (GKs), in particular, face an intense mental game, processing complex visual, spatial, and tactical information in mere milliseconds. Their split-second decisions often determine match outcomes. Recent sports science research led by Filip Skala, PhD, reveals how reactive agility and cognitive attention shape goalkeeper performance, providing new directions for training and testing.

Discover how neurocognitive skills like focus, memory, and reaction time impact elite athletic performance, especially in high-pressure sports like MMA. In this blog, Dr. Olivia Abdoo, sports physical therapist and UFC Physical Therapy Manager, shares expert insights from her work with MMA, WNBA, NFL, and NBA athletes. Learn practical strategies to assess, train, and integrate mental performance into rehab and sport-specific training for lasting results.