Diurnal Rhythms in Selected Physical Variables before and During Ramadan Fasting

The purpose of the present study was to assess diurnal variations in selected physical variables before and during Ramadan fasting. The physical variables (speed, speed endurance, agility and power) were documented around the clock at five 4-hourly intervals before Ramadan began and on the twenty-third day of Ramadan (daytime fasting). Ten healthy nonsmoking male handball players volunteers were included in the study after routine clinical and laboratory examinations. These subjects were selected from Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Annamalai University. Their ages averaged 27 ± 1.9 years. Time series were analysed with repeated measures ANOVA which revealed that there was a statistically significant changes as a result of Ramadan fasting among experimental days and times on speed, speed endurance, agility and power. Experimental day and time interaction showed that during Ramadan, compared with control period, time related variations of speed, speed endurance, agility and power changed significantly. To evaluate rhythmicity, the single cosinor method was used. Cosinor analysis clearly shows the shift in acrophase obtained from the subjects before to the 23rd day of Ramadan fasting. Ramadan induces day time changes in speed, speed endurance, agility and power

Comparison of Repeated Sprint Ability and Fatigue Index Among Male Handball Players with Respect to Different Playing Position

The intent of the present study was to compare repeated sprint ability and fatigue index among male handball players with respect to different playing position. I have selected thirty two (32) male handball players from Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Annamalai university, Chidambram, Tamilnadu, India. These players were classified into four groups as backs (n = 12), wings (n = 7), pivots (n = 7) and goalkeepers (n = 6) respectively. These selected subjects, who practice handball regularly and take part in competition. The selected subjects mean age: 21.62 ± 1.90 years; weight: 64.59 ± 7.25 kg and height: 172.07 ± 7.25 cm. The volunteered subjects signed a separate consent form to participate in the study. The repeated sprint ability and fatigue index were selected as criterion variables. To evaluate the repeated sprint ability and fatigue index all subjects completed multiple sprint running protocols, which consisted of 7 × 30 m sprints repeated at 25 s intervals. The total sprint time was calculated by summation of all seven sprint time and fatigue index was calculated from sprint times using the following formulae: Fatigue = {(slowest sprint – fastest sprint) / fastest sprint} x 100. The collected data was analysed using one way Analysis of variance (ANOVA). When F ratio was found significant, Scheffe’s post hoc test was applied to know the difference between the four groups. The result of the study showed that total sprint time (F = 6.163, p = 0.002) and fatigue index (F = 4.577, p = 0.010) showed a significant difference among male handball players in different playing position. It denotes that total sprint time and fatigue index found to be best in wing players and poor in goalkeepers. It is concluded that lower total sprint time and fatigue index by repeated sprint ability is an important for wing players as they are the players who perform the most picks and require high levels of aerobic capacity to aid recovery after high-intensity bouts of activity. However, it also required for back court, pivot and goal keepers. It importance cannot be neglected since all the field players in the court gets equal chance for fast break and quick counterattacks. The role of the repeated sprint ability is greater and which determines the result of the match

Influences of Different Phases of Training on Aerobic Capacity of Male Handball Players

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of different phases of training on aerobic capacity of male handball players. Twelve (12) male handball players were selected. These twelve players represented Annamalai University in South Zone Inter University handball tournament for the year 2011. The criterion variables selected in this study was aerobic capacity, which was measured in treadmill through Bruce treadmill test. Testing took place at four points during the periodized training year; at the beginnings of general preparation (T1), specific preparation (T2), and competition phase beginning (T3) end of competition phases of training and peaking (T4). A full testing battery was conducted at T1 and T4, while two minor testing sessions were conducted at T2 and T3. The ANOVA revealed a significant change in aerobic capacity of handball players during different phases of training (F = 4.953, p < 0.05). Bonferroni post hoc test revealed no significant difference between all comparisons (all ps > 0.05) on aerobic capacity of handball players. It is concluded that aerobic capacity undergoes significant changes during the different phases of training

Effect of High Intensity Interval Training on and Anaerobic Capacity and Fatigue Index of Male Handball Players

The purpose of this study is to find out the efficiency of high intensity interval training on anaerobic capacity and fatigue index of male handball players. To achieve the purpose thirty (30) male handball players were selected from Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamilnadu, India. These subjects were tested on anaerobic capacity and fatigue index before and after eight weeks of high intensity interval training (HIIT). The mean maximal aerobic speed 4.21 m/s was used as a criterion velocity to set running paces for high-intensity interval training. Statistical technique used in the present study was ANCOVA for anaerobic capacity and fatigue index. The result of the study revealed that eight weeks of high intensity interval training resulted in 28.58% in anaerobic capacity (F(1,27) =28.54, p < 0.05) and fatigue index (F(1,27) =14.11, p < 0.05). It is concluded that high intensity interval training for eight weeks resulted in improvement of anaerobic capacity and fatigue index of male handball players

Effect of Daytime Melatonin Administration on Tympanic Temperature Heart Rate and Endurance Capacity

The purpose of this study is to know the effect of pre-cooling strategy using 3mg of melatonin during daytime on tympanic temperature, heart rate and endurance capacity. Twenty four physically active and healthy males were randomly classified into two groups namely melatonin and placebo, each constitute of 12 players. The age, height and body mass were 21.13 ± 0.80 yr, 1.79 ± 0.5 m, 78.4 ± 5.1 kg, respectively. Tympanic temperature, heart rate and endurance capacity was selected as criterion variable. Single dose of Melatonin (3g) and placebo were supplemented to respective group around 10:00. ANCOVA was administered. The results of this study indicate that the 3 mg of melatonin significantly affected the tympanic temperature (F (1&21) = 12.68, p = 0.002) and heart rate (F (1&21) = 6.48, p = 0.019). However endurance capacity did not show any changes (F (1&21) = 2.308, p = 0.144). It is inferred from the results of the present study that 3mg of melatonin significantly affect the tympanic temperature and heart rate but failed to show any impact on endurance capacity

Estimation of Relationship between Maximal Oxygen Consumption and Repeated Sprint Ability of Male Handball Players

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between maximal oxygen consumption and repeated sprint ability of male university handball players. Twenty seven (27) male university handball players were selected from Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Annamalai University, who voluntarily participated in this study (age: 21.62 ± 1.90 years; height: 172.07 ± 7.25 cm; body weight: 64.59 ± 9.92 kg). Multistage 20 m shuttle run test was used for the estimation of maximal oxygen uptake and total distance covered. Repeated sprint ability was measured by 7×30 meters sprint with 25 second recovery. The results of product moment correlation analysis showed significant correlation between maximal oxygen consumption with fatigue index (r = 0.965, p = 0.000), fast sprint time (r = 0.772, p = 0.000), slowest sprint time (r = 0.875, p = 0.000) and mean sprint time (r = 0.807, p = 0.000). The findings of the present study indicated significant negative correlation among maximal oxygen consumption and repeated sprint ability of male handball players. This clearly shows that players with greater aerobic capacity will have better repeated sprint ability

Effect of Handball Specific Repeated – Sprint Training on Aerobic Capacity of Male Handball Players

The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of handball specific repeated – sprint training on aerobic capacity of male handball players. To achieve the purpose of the study thirty male handball players were selected randomly from Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamilnadu. The selected subjects were assigned into 2 groups: handball specific repeated - sprint training group (n=15) and control group (n=15). The selected subjects mean age: 23.15±3.00 years; weight: 68.74±7.25 kg and height: 176.37±7.67 cm. The criterion variable selected in this study was aerobic capacity which was measured by multistage fitness test. The handball specific repeated - sprint training group underwent eight weeks of training. Pre and post aerobic capacity was measured on the indoor. The data was analysed using Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). The result of the study showed post test (F = 20.13) and adjusted post test mean (F = 10.68) showed significant (p < 0.05) difference among repeated – sprint training group and control group on aerobic capacity. It is concluded that handball specific repeated sprint training for eight weeks is more effective in increasing aerobic capacity of men handball players. The training load adopted in repeated – sprint training which resulted in 11.79% of changes in aerobic capacity

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

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

Comparison of Aerobic and Anaerobic Power between University Men Football and Hockey Players

The purpose of the study was to compare the aerobic and anaerobic power between university men football and hockey players. To achieve the purpose of this study, thirty male football and thirty male hockey players were selected as subjects from the Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Annamalai University and their ages ranged from 19 to 25 years. The criterion variables selected in present study were aerobic and anaerobic power. These were measured using 12 minutes run/walk test and Margaria Kalamen anaerobic power test. To compute the difference between football and hockey players independent t test was calculated. The result showed that there was no significant difference between football and hockey players on aerobic and anaerobic power (p > 0.05). It was concluded that there was no significant difference between football and hockey players in aerobic and anaerobic power. This may due to the fact that, basically football and hockey players having the same qualities aerobic and anaerobic performance. So, the difference may not be achieved between each of them

Effect of handball specific aerobic training on body composition and VO2 max of male handball players

The aim of this study is to assess the effect of four and eight weeks small-sided handball game on body composition and VO2 max of male handball players. Sixteen (16) male university handball players volunteered to act as subjects and were randomly assigned to small sided handball game group (SSHG) and control group (CG). Small-sided handball game was administered three days in a week for eight weeks. Subjects were measured on percent body fat, lean body mass and VO2 max on three occasions first before administration of training as pretest, after four weeks of training as mid test and after eight weeks of training as post-test. A two-way repeated measure ANOVA with last factor repeated revealed that percent body fat and lean body mass remained unaltered after four and eight weeks of training. However, VO2 max improved (p<0.05). VO2 max showed an improvement of 4.75% after four weeks and 8.83% % after eight weeks of small-sided handball game training in male handball players. This study shows that small-sided handball game (4 vs. 4) is effective in improving aerobic capacity in four and eight weeks of training but body composition elicited no changes