Abstract:The purpose of the study was to determine whether eight weeks of plyometric training can improve male handball players agility. To achieve the purpose thirty (30) male handball players were selected randomly from Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamilnadu. These players were divided into two groups namely, plyometric training group (15) and control group (15). The plyometric training group performed 2 days per week for eight weeks of plyometric training program and the control group did not perform any plyometric training. Agility of these players was measured by specific agility test T-test. The data was collected before and after training in both the groups. The collected data was analysed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). The result of the study showed that adjusted post test mean showed significant (F = 17.96, p < 0.000) difference among the groups on agility. It elicited that 0.61sec (4.91%) improvement was noticed in plyometric training group. It is concluded that plyometric training is an effective training technique to improve male handball players agility.Keywords: Agility, T-test, Handball, ANCOVA. IntroductionIn handball players perform more often repeated short sprinting with change of direction [1]. These players perform180 degrees turns over a small distance [2] and this sports to a great extent demand agility. Agility is the ability to start (or accelerate), stop (or decelerate and stabilize), and change direction quickly, while maintaining proper posture [3]. Agility requires high levels of neuromuscular efficiency to be able to maintain one's center of gravity over their base of support while changing directions at various speeds. Handball players undergo various types of training to maximize their performance.

Abstract:The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a basketball specific endurance circuit training on aerobic capacity and heart rate of high school male basketball players. To achieve the purpose of the study twenty four (24) male high school basketball players were selected from Neyveli Lignite Corporation Sports School, Neyveli and St. Joseph Higher Secondary School, Manjakuppam, Cuddalore. These subjects were randomly distributed into two groups namely basketball specific endurance circuit training group (N=12) and control group (N=12). The mean age of the selected players was 16.85 ± 0.67. Aerobic capacity, resting heart rate and peak heart rate were selected as criterion variables. Aerobic capacity was measured by multistage fitness test and resting and peak heart rate was measured using polar heart rate monitor. The basketball specific endurance circuit training was administered 3 days per week for six week. They performed 2 minutes of work at 90 to 95% of targeted heart rate using Karvonen method. They performed 8 repetitions during first and second week, followed by 10 repetitions during third and fourth week and 12 repetitions during fifth and sixth week of training. This was followed by 2 minutes of active resting at 60 to 70% of targeted heart rate. In this study 1:1 work rest ratio was followed. Both the groups were tested before and after training, the collected data was analysed using ANCOVA. The result of the study showed that aerobic capacity, resting heart rate and peak heart rate between the groups was significant, it indicate that after adjusting pre-test scores, there was a significant difference between the two groups on post-test scores. The findings of the study show that significant increase in aerobic capacity and decrease in resting and peak heart rate. It can be concluded that basketball specific endurance circuit training is effective in improving aerobic capacity and increases the cardiovascular fitness of male high school boys during competitive phase. Keywords:Endurance, Circuit training, resting heart rate, peak heart rate, aerobic capacity. IntroductionTraditionally, the coaches and trainers have planned conditioning programs for their teams by following regimens used by teams that have successful win-loss records. This type of reasoning is not sound because win-loss records alone do not scientifically validate the conditioning programs used by the successful teams. In fact, the successful team might be victorious by virtue of its superior athletes and not its outstanding conditioning program. Without question, the planning of an effective athletic conditioning program can best be achieved by the application of proven physiological training principles. Optimizing training programs for athletes is important because failure to properly condition an athletic team results in a poor performance and often defeat.The importance of developing good conditioning programs based on the specific physiological demands of each sport is considered a key factor to success [1...

Abstract:The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between maximal oxygen consumption and repeated sprint ability of male university handball players. Twenty seven (27) male university handball players were selected from Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Annamalai University, who voluntarily participated in this study (age: 21.62 ± 1.90 years; height: 172.07 ± 7.25 cm; body weight: 64.59 ± 9.92 kg). Multistage 20 m shuttle run test was used for the estimation of maximal oxygen uptake and total distance covered. Repeated sprint ability was measured by 7×30 meters sprint with 25 second recovery. The results of product moment correlation analysis showed significant correlation between maximal oxygen consumption with fatigue index (r = 0.965, p = 0.000), fast sprint time (r = 0.772, p = 0.000), slowest sprint time (r = 0.875, p = 0.000) and mean sprint time (r = 0.807, p = 0.000). The findings of the present study indicated significant negative correlation among maximal oxygen consumption and repeated sprint ability of male handball players. This clearly shows that players with greater aerobic capacity will have better repeated sprint ability.

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