Effect of basketball specific endurance circuit training on aerobic capacity and heart rate of high school male basketball players

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.