This article examines the impact of plyometric training on physical fitness variables among ball badminton players. 30 male ball badminton players between 18-25 years of age were randomly assigned to an experimental or control group. The experimental group underwent 6 weeks of plyometric training while the control group received no training. Testing was conducted before and after the training period to assess muscular endurance and speed. Statistical analysis found significant improvements in muscular endurance and speed for the experimental group compared to the control group, supporting the hypothesis that plyometric training positively impacts physical fitness variables important for ball badminton performance.

1. International Journal JOURNAL OF ADVANCED RESEARCH Technology (IJARET),
INTERNATIONAL of Advanced Research in Engineering and IN ENGINEERING
ISSN 0976 – 6480(Print), ISSNAND – 6499(Online) Volume 5, Issue 1, January (2014), © IAEME
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Volume 5, Issue 1, January (2014), pp. 173-176
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IMPACT OF PLYOMETRIC TRAINING ON SELECTED PHYSICAL
FITNESS VARIABLES AMONG BALL BADMINTON PLAYERS
Dr. K. Devaraju
Director of Physical Education,
Dr. Sivanthi Aditanar College of Engineering, Tiruchendur-628 215.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study was to examine the impact of plyometric training on
physical fitness variables among Ball Badminton players.
METHOD: For the present study 30 male ball badminton players from Dr. Sivanthi Aditanar
College of Engineering, Tiruchendur Tamilnadu were selected at random and their age ranged from
18 to 25 years. For the present study pre test – post test randomized group design which consists of
control group and experimental group was used. The subjects were randomly assigned to two equal
groups of fifteen each and named as Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’. Group ‘A’ underwent plyometric
training and Group ‘B’ underwent no training. The data was collected before and after six weeks of
training. The data was analyzed by applying Dependent‘t’ test to find out the impact of plyometric
training programme. The level of significance was set at 0.05.
RESULT: The findings of the present study have strongly indicates that plyometric training of six
weeks has significant impact on selected physical fitness variables i.e., Muscular Endurance and
Speed of Ball Badminton players. Hence the hypothesis earlier set that plyometric training would
have been significant impact on selected physical fitness variables in light of the same the hypothesis
is accepted.
CONCLUSION: Significant impact of plyometric training was found on Muscular Endurance and
Speed.
KEY WORDS: Ball Badminton, physical fitness variables.
173

2. International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology (IJARET),
ISSN 0976 – 6480(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6499(Online) Volume 5, Issue 1, January (2014), © IAEME
INTRODUCTION
Ball badminton is basically a south Indian game. In India, the game Ball Badminton attained
immense popularity in the nineteenth century particularly in the south. There is no exact record
available when and by whom this game was introduced. But there is evidence that before 1856 the
rulers at Thanjavur played this game. In India the game ball badminton attained immense popularity
in the 19th century particularly in the South. People who migrated from South India carried the game
to different parts of the country. The nature of the game lies mainly on accuracy, stability and
control.
Plyometrics is defined as exercises that enable a muscle to reach maximum strength in as
short as possible. Plyometrics are power improvement workouts designed specifically for athletes
and advanced exercisers who have a well-conditioned body. Training with this mode of exercise
increase muscular strength and improve a specific skill whether it is to jump higher, jump longer,
throw farther or hit harder. Systematic plyometric exercises follow a specific pattern of muscle
contractions. These exercises use movements that develop the ability to generate a large amount of
force quickly. The most common exercises from ordinary exercisers for this type are jumping rope,
jumping jacks, throwing and catching ball on wall, and boxing with a punching bag. These are
usually practiced under supervision by fitness experts or by athletes' coaches. There are techniques
and rules to follow when training with plyometrics especially if you are training for a specific sport.
Plyometrics began being used in the late 1960s by Russian track and field athletes. The actual term
plyometrics was first coined in 1975 by Fred Wilt, one of the America’s more forward-thinking track
and field coaches. The seemingly exotic exercises were thought to be responsible for the rapid
competitiveness and growing superiority of Eastern Europeans in track and field events. Until the
1980s, plyometrics were strictly used by the track and field athlete. After this period of time, other
sports began to apply plyometrics to their training as well.
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The purpose of the study was to investigate the impact of plyometric training on selected
physical fitness variables among Ball Badminton players.
HYPOTHESIS
It was hypothesized that there would have been a significant impact of plyometric training on
selected physical fitness variables among ball badminton players.
PROCEDURE AND METHODOLOGY
For the present study 30 male ball badminton players from Dr. Sivanthi Aditanar College of
Engineering, Tiruchendur Tamilnadu were selected as subjects at random and their age ranged from
18 to 25 years. For the present study pre test – post test randomized group design which consists of
control group and experimental group was used. The subjects were randomly assigned to two equal
groups of fifteen each and named as Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’. Group ‘A’ underwent plyometric
training and Group ‘B’ underwent no training. The data was collected before and after six weeks of
training. The data was analyzed by applying Dependent‘t’ test technique to find out the impact of
plyometric training on selected physical fitness variables among ball badminton players. The level of
significance was set at 0.05.
174

3. International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology (IJARET),
ISSN 0976 – 6480(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6499(Online) Volume 5, Issue 1, January (2014), © IAEME
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS ON FINDINGS
The findings pertaining to‘t’ test between experimental group and control group on selected
physical fitness variables among ball badminton players for pre-post test respectively have been
presented in table No.1 to 2.
Table – 1: Significance of Mean Gains & Losses between Pre and Post Test Scores on Selected
Variables of Plyometric Training Group
S.No
Variables
1
2
Muscular Endurance
Speed
Pre-Test
Mean
29.86
13.52
Post-Test
Mean
32.53
12.99
Mean
difference
2.66
0.53
Std.
Dev (±)
σ DM
‘t’ Ratio
3.22
0.52
0.83
0.13
3.20*
3.90*
An examination of table-I indicates that the obtained‘t’ ratios were 3.20 and 3.90 for
muscular endurance and speed respectively. The obtained‘t’ ratios on the selected variables were
found to be greater than the required table value of 2.14 at 0.05 level of significance for 14 degrees
of freedom. So it was found to be significant. The results of this study showed that statistically
significant and explained its effects positively.
Figure: 1 Comparisons of Pre – Test Means Post – Test Means for Experimental Group in Physical
Fitness Variables
Table – 2: Significance of Mean Gains & Losses between Pre and Post Test Scores on
Selected Variables of Control Group
S.No
Variables
1
2
Muscular Endurance
Speed
Pre-Test
Mean
28.93
13.53
Post-Test
Mean
29.18
13.45
Mean
difference
0.25
0.08
Std.
Dev (±)
3.23
0.63
σ DM
0.83
0.16
‘t’ Ratio
1.82
1.35
An examination of table-2 indicates that the obtained‘t’ ratios were 1.82 and 1.35 for
muscular endurance and speed respectively. The obtained‘t’ ratios on the selected variables were
found to be lesser than the required table value of 2.14 at 0.05 level of significance for 14 degrees of
freedom. So it was found to be insignificant.
175

4. International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology (IJARET),
ISSN 0976 – 6480(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6499(Online) Volume 5, Issue 1, January (2014), © IAEME
Figure: 2 Comparisons of Pre – Test Means Post – Test Means for Control Group in Physical
Fitness Variables
In case of physical fitness variables i.e. Muscular Endurance and Speed the results between
pre and post (6 weeks) test has been found significantly higher in experimental group in comparison
to control group. This is possible because plyometric training is currently one of the most commonly
practised adult fitness activities which directly contribute to performance enhancement of ball
badminton players. Hence the hypothesis earlier set that plyometric training programme would have
been significant impact on selected physical fitness variables in light of the same the hypothesis was
accepted.
CONCLUSIONS
On the basis of findings and within the limitations of the study the following conclusions
were drawn: Significant impact of plyometric training was found on Muscular Endurance and Speed.
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