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.