Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of an eight-weeks Speed, Agility, and Quickness (SAQ) training program on selected motor fitness variables among handball players. Thirty (N=30) male handball players were selected as subjects for the study. The age of the subjects ranged between 18 to 22 years. The selected variables for the study were speed, explosive power, and agility. Speed was measured by the 30-meter dash, explosive power by the standing broad jump, and agility by the 10-meter shuttle run test. A pre-test was conducted before the training program and a post-test was conducted after eight-weeks of SAQ training. The collected data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, and paired sample t-test. The results revealed that there was a significant improvement in speed and agility among handball players after the SAQ training program, whereas no significant improvement was observed in explosive power. It was concluded The present study investigated gender differences in anthropometric, physical, and motor fitness variables among handball players. A total of 60 university-level players (30 male and 30 female) aged 18–25 years participated in the study. Variables such as height, weight, BMI, speed, handgrip strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, agility, and reaction time were assessed. Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) revealed a significant overall effect of gender (Pillai’s Trace = .957, F = 109.424, p < .001, η² = .957). Univariate analysis showed significant differences in all variables. Male players demonstrated superior performance in height, weight, BMI, strength, speed, endurance, balance, agility, and reaction time, while female players showed better flexibility. These findings emphasize the importance of gender-specific training interventions in handball.
Keywords: Handball, Gender differences, Anthropometry, Physical fitness, Motor fitness, MANCOVA.
Authors Name: -Amit Kumar Singh, Dr.Kamini M. Mamarde