The Impact of Combination of Plyometric Training and Asana Practices on Selected Physical Fitness Variables in College Level Men Handball Players
Author : Manivannan TA, Dharani S and STN Rajeswaran
Abstract :
Background: Impact of combination of plyometric training and asana practices can significantly improve selected physical fitness variables, such as strength, speed, agility, power, balance, flexibility and mental focus in college level handball players. This complete approach optimizes both the explosive power, strength, flexibility and mental clarity required for high-performance in handball leading to enhanced performance and reduced injury risk.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of combination of plyometric training and asana practices on selected physical fitness variables in college level men handball players.
Materials and Method: In this study, total thirty subjects (N = 30) college level men handball players were selected from the Department of Physical Education, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore aged between 18 and 25 years. These players were divided into two equal groups of fifteen each: an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group underwent a six week training program consisting combination of plyometric training and asana practices while the control group did not participate in any specific training during the study. The selected physical fitness variables assessed in this study included explosive power, muscular strength and flexibility. The experimental group engaged in training sessions lasting forty-five minutes per day over five days a week for six weeks.
Statistical Applications: To assess significant differences in the mean values between groups for the selected variables, a paired samples t-test was performed. The hypothesis testing was conducted with a significance level set at 0.05.
Results: Results revealed that there were significant differences of explosive power (2.67%, p<0.05), muscular strength (4.93%, p<0.05) and flexibility (2.7%, p<0.05) in college level men handball players of the Bharathiar University, Coimbatore.
Conclusion: The findings showed a significant improvement in the experimental group in terms of explosive power, muscular strength and flexibility compared to the control group. This improvement was attributed to the combination of plyometric training and asana practices provided to the experimental group.
Keywords :
Yogic practice, plyometric training, flexibility, explosive power, muscular strength and handball players.
