Effect of water exercises, plyometric exercises and a combination of both on selected physical variables, physiological variables and performance of triple jumpers.
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of water exercises, plyometric
exercises and a combination of both on selected physical variables, physiological variables
and performance of triple jumpers. The scholar selected 40 (N=40) triple jumpers as
subjects in the study to achieve the purpose from Malappuram district, Kerala, India. The
age of the subjects ranged from 15 years to 17 years. The subjects were assigned to four
groups of 10 each one control and three experimental groups. Experimental group I was
denoted as water exercises training group (WEG), experimental group II was denoted as
plyometric exercises training group (PMG), experimental training group III was denoted as
combination of water and plyometric exercises training group (COG) and one control group
was denoted as (CNG). Over a 12-week period, pre- and post-tests were administered to
measure physical variables (cardiovascular endurance, muscular endurance, flexibility,
speed, explosive power, agility), physiological variables (vital capacity, pulse rate, breath
holding capacity), and performance in triple jump. The study utilized standardized test items
to assess the outcomes, with the three types of training serving as the independent variables.
Descriptive statistics and Pre-test and post-test data on physical physiological and
performance variables were examined using ANCOVA. LSD post-hoc tests to identify
differences among adjusted post-test means, with a significance level of 0.05.
Physical variables, the training groups involving water exercises, plyometric exercises, and
a combination of both demonstrated significant improvements in various physical fitness
parameters compared to the control group. Specifically, the post-test adjusted mean values
for cardiovascular endurance were 6.62 for the water exercises group (WEG), 6.43 for the
plyometric exercises group (PMG), 6.30 for the combination group (COG), and 6.94 for the
control group (CNG), with the combination and plyometric groups showing superior
improvement. In terms of muscular endurance, the adjusted mean values were 43.34 for
WEG, 47.54 for PMG, 47.90 for COG, and 37.13 for CNG. Again, the combination and
plyometric groups outperformed the others. For flexibility, the post-test means were 14 for
WEG, 15.4 for PMG, 24.74 for COG, and 9.97 for CNG, with the combination group
showing the most significant improvement. Regarding speed, the adjusted mean values were
6.92 for WEG, 6.68 for PMG, 6.21 for COG, and 7.11 for CNG. All training groups
improved significantly more than the control group, with the combination group performing
the best. Explosive power saw post-test means of 2.09 for WEG, 2.21 for PMG, 2.31 for
COG, and 1.94 for CNG, with the combination group again showing the greatest
improvement. Agility results showed means of 10.9 for WEG, 10.73 for PMG, 10.08 for
COG, and 11.02 for CNG, with the combination group leading in improvement. Water and
plyometric exercises training significantly enhanced cardiovascular endurance, muscular
endurance, flexibility, speed, explosive power, and agility in boy’s triple jump performance.
The buoyancy and resistance provided by water exercises increased muscle efficiency,
neural transmission, and blood flow, while plyometric exercises enhanced explosive power
by strengthening lower extremity muscles. This increased muscle strength and
cardiovascular efficiency further contributed to improved speed and agility. Overall, the
combination of water and plyometric exercises had a significant impact on the physicalperformance of the participants, demonstrating that integrating these training modalities can
effectively enhance multiple aspects of physical fitness in boy’s athletes.
Physiological variables, the study compared the effects of different exercise regimes on
various respiratory and cardiovascular parameters among boys aged 15 to 17, focusing on
vital capacity, pulse rate, and breath-holding capacity. Results indicated that the water
exercises training group (WEG), plyometric exercises training group (PMG), and
combination of water and plyometric exercises training group (COG) demonstrated
significant improvements in vital capacity compared to the control group (CNG).
Specifically, the post-test adjusted mean values for WEG, PMG, COG, and CNG were
840.19, 929.94, 1200, and 600.19 respectively. COG showed the most substantial
improvement. Similarly, pulse rates for WEG, PMG, COG, and CNG were 65.99, 66.12,
65.90, and 68.60 respectively, with the experimental groups exhibiting better outcomes.
Additionally, breath-holding capacity saw enhancements in WEG, PMG, COG, and CNG,
with adjusted mean values of 54.94, 55.76, 60.85, and 46.95 respectively. The combination
of water and plyometric exercises (COG) consistently outperformed other groups. This
improvement in respiratory and cardiovascular parameters highlights the efficacy of
combined exercise modalities in enhancing lung efficiency and cardiovascular health among
young athletes.
Performance variables, Water exercises training group, plyometric exercises training group
and combination of water and plyometric exercises training group showed significant
improvement than the control group on triple jump performance. Post-test adjusted mean
values of the water exercises training group (WEG), plyometric exercises training group
(PMG), combination of water and plyometric exercises training group (COG) and control
group (CNG) were 11.89, 12.16, 12.45 and 11.44 respectively. Combination of water and
plyometric exercises training group (COG) showed better improvement on triple jump
performance than the other two experimental groups and control group. Combination of
water and plyometric exercises influenced the triple jump performance. Triple jump
involves hop, step and jump. Hundreds of muscles are involved in the technique. Efficiency
of heart and lungs are important to supply blood, nutrients, oxygen and eliminate the fatigue
causing substances from the working muscles. Combination of water exercises, plyometric
exercises increased the physical and physiological efficiency of muscles, heart and lungs to
hop, step and jump better. 12 weeks of combination training significantly altered the triple
jump performance of boys. Water exercises make the heart to work closely with the lungs,
exercises improves lung capacity and breathing efficiency. Through this improvement in
breathing processes, exercise also aids in the circulation of oxygen and nutrients throughout
the body, thereby helping it operate more efficiently in the triple jump performance.
Plyometric exercises have been found to be effective in improving the performance of
athletes by enhancing the functioning of muscles, tendons, and nerves. This, in turn, can
lead to improvements in running speed, jumping ability, and overall strength. Physical
power, which is the ability to convert strength into speed rapidly, is an essential component
of athletic performance. To increase power, it is crucial to strengthen the muscle fibers
responsible for this conversion, commonly known as fast-twitch fibers.
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- Doctoral Theses [7]