Original Research Article
Year: 2019 | Month: June | Volume: 9 | Issue: 6 | Pages: 60-66
Comparison of Swiss Ball Exercises and Plyometric Training for Improving Speed and Agility in Inter-University Level Male Field Hockey Players
Sarika1, Amit Amaresh Sahoo2, Shweta Shenoy3
1Asst. Professor, 2MPT (Sports), 3Professor, Head & Dean;
MYAS-GNDU Department of Sports Sciences and Medicine, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005, Punjab, India
Corresponding Author: Amit Amaresh Sahoo
ABSTRACT
Objectives: The purpose of the study was to compare the effects of six weeks Swiss ball exercises & plyometric training techniques on speed & agility in inter-university level male field hockey players.
Study Design: Randomized controlled trial.
Study Setting: Guru Nanak Dev University.
Interventions: Fifty-six male hockey players of inter-university level were randomly allocated into 3 groups: Swiss ball exercise (group A), plyometric training (group B) & control (group C) with subjects 18, 18 & 20 respectively. After the baseline measurements of speed and agility the participants in the group (A) & group (B) performed exercises program according to the protocols and group (C) did the routine training protocols. Post-reading of speed and agility were taken after the 6 weeks training programme.
Results: ANOVA revealed significant improvement in speed composite score of group(A) (post training, 6.375±0.123), group (B) (post training, 6.348±0.111) & group(C) (post training, 6.608 ± 0.08) (p<0.05).There is also improvement in the agility composite score of group (A) (post training, 16.29 ±0.09), group(B) (post training, 16.07±0.11) & group (C) (post training, 17.46±0.20)(p<0.05).
Conclusion: The study concluded that both Swiss ball & plyometric training activities enhanced speed and agility in hockey players, but plyometric training is more effective as compared to swiss ball training in improving agility.
Key words: Speed, Agility, Swiss ball Exercises, Plyometric training, Male Hockey Players.