Effect of Plyometric Training on Agility Performance of Male Handball Players

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.