A Comparative Study of Circuit Training and Plyometric Training on Strength, Speed and Agility in State Level Lawn Tennis Players

摘要

Lawn tennis is one of the most admired racquet sports worldwide which is played either individually or in doubles. Circuit training is a simple method of giving a player a variety of exercises that will improve the three main functions i.e. speed, strength and agility, related to performance on the field. Plyometric training involves lengthening of muscle followed by quick shortening contraction that enhances capability of muscle to produce large amount of force.Aim: To compare the effectiveness of circuit training and plyometric training on speed, strength and agility in aspiring state level Lawn tennis players.Materials and Methods: The present study had an experimental study design. Forty male lawn tennis players in the age group of 18-25 years were included in this comparative study and randomly divided into two groups: Circuit training (Group A) and Plyometric training (Group B) with 20 players in each group. All players were evaluated for lower limb strength, upper limb strength, agility, running speed with Vertical Jump Test, Chest press test, agility-T-Test and 50 meter Dash test. Circuit training group performed 5 minutes warm up, 5 minutes sports specific training, Circuit training 28 to 42 minutes and cool down for 5 minutes. Plyometric group performed warm up 5 minutes, Plyometric training 30 to 60 minutes, 5 minutes sports specific training, cool down for 5 minutes. Paired t-test was used to compare the differences within the group and unpaired t-test was used to compare the difference between groups. Data was collected for all variables at baseline, 4th and end of 8th week.Results: Both groups improved significantly after 8th week but circuit training group showed highly significant difference for upper limb strength, lower limb strength, running speed and agility compared to plyometric training group (p<0.05).Conclusion: Circuit training is an important method for improving upper limb and lower limb strength, running speed and agility in lawn tennis players.