Effect of Six Weeks of Plyometric Training on Selected Motor Fitness Components among Male Kabaddi Players

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a six-week plyometric training programme on selected motor fitness components among male kabaddi players. Twenty (N = 20) male kabaddi players aged 15–17 years from Government Senior Secondary School, Faggu, Sirsa, Haryana, were selected through purposive sampling. The study employed a single-group pre-test and post-test experimental design. The selected motor fitness variables included speed, leg strength, and agility. Speed was measured using the 50-Yard Dash Test, leg strength through the Standing Broad Jump Test, and agility using the 4 × 10 m Shuttle Run Test. Following the pre-test, the participants underwent a structured plyometric training programme for six weeks, three days per week, under the supervision of the researcher. Descriptive statistics (Mean and Standard Deviation) and paired-samples t-tests were used to analyze the data at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed significant improvements in all selected motor fitness variables following the training intervention. Speed improved from 7.61 ± 0.09 seconds to 7.33 ± 0.09 seconds (t = 27.33, p < .001), leg strength increased from 195.60 ± 3.48 cm to 209.25 ± 3.45 cm (t = 61.05, p < .001), and agility improved from 11.43 ± 0.11 seconds to 10.96 ± 0.11 seconds (t = 42.11, p < .001). The results indicate that plyometric training significantly enhances motor fitness components by improving neuromuscular coordination, explosive power, movement efficiency, and lower-body strength. The study concludes that plyometric exercises are an effective training modality for improving performance-related fitness components among kabaddi players and should be incorporated into regular conditioning programmes.