PLYOMETRIC TRAINING ON SPEED AND AGILITY OF CRICKET PLAYERS

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of a six-week plyometric training program on selected physical performance variables- speed and agility among cricket players. A total of 20 male cricket players, aged between 20 and 25 years, were recruited for the study. The physical variables assessed were speed, measured using a 30-meter dash, and agility, evaluated through a shuttle run test. Pre- and post-tests were conducted to determine the impact of the training intervention. Participants were divided into two groups: an experimental group, which underwent plyometric training for six weeks, five days a week, and a control group that did not participate in any specialized training. To analyse the data, Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was employed to compare the performance outcomes between the two groups, with the level of significance set at 0.05. Results: It revealed that there was a statistically significant improvement in both speed and agility in the experimental group compared to the control group. Conclusion: The findings indicate that a six-week plyometric training program significantly enhances speed and agility in cricket players. These results highlight the effectiveness of plyometric training in improving critical physical performance variables that are essential for success in cricket and can serve as a valuable component in the training regimens of athletes. Further research is recommended to explore the impact of plyometric training on other physical and physiological variables in different sports.