Research Journal of Recent Sciences ______ ______________________________ ______ ____ ___ ISSN 2277 - 2502 Vol. 4 ( I YS C - 201 5 ), 1 05 - 107 (201 5 ) Res. J. Recent . Sci. International Science Congress Association 105 Efficacy of Specific Physical Fitness Program on Agility of Male Cricketers Shakti Shrivastava Devi Ahilya University, Indore MP, INDIA Available online at: www.isca.in , www.isca.me Rece ived 2 nd August 201 5 , revised 31 st August 20 1 5 , accepted 5 th September 20 1 5 Abstract The study was planned to investigate the impact of selected fitness training program of agility on male cricket players. To conduct the study, 40 male cricket players (Ave. age 18.03 yrs) from Christian Eminent Cricket Academy in Indore (M.P) were selected as sample. Selected subjects were then divided into two groups i.e. experiment and control group with equal number of subjects assigned randomly in each group. The su bjects of experimental group received three weeks specific physical fitness training program while subjects grouped into control group did not receive such programme apart from their routine exercise. To assess agility of selected male cricket players “Run a Three” protocol of Bourdon et al. (2000) was chosen. The scores on test protocol were assessed before and after the completion of study period for both the groups i.e. experimental and control group. Gain score (post - pre test) indicate that agility of m ale cricket players belonging to experimental group has improved significantly as compared to their counterparts belonging to control group. Therefore it may be concluded that specific physical fitness training is beneficial for improving the agility of ma le cricket players. Keywords: Fitness training, agility, cricket. Introduction In modern cricket the ability to change direction quickly, running between the wickets, catching and chasing ball need agility. Hence in modern cricket agility plays an impo rtant role as far as performance is concerned. Baley 1 defined it is the ability to change direction quickly and effectively while moving as nearly as possible as full speed while Johnson and Nelson 2 defined it is the physical ability that enables rapid a nd precise change of body position and direction. Examine at the definitions of agility it is evident that a modern cricketer needs to be agile to perform at highest level. Even from naked eye one can observe that agile cricketers excel while fielding or t aking a run. It is also very well documented fact that fitness program can improve certain physical and motor fitness aspects of sportspersons 3 . But despite this no scientific study has been conducted so far in which efficacy of specific fitness program o n agility of cricket players is being observed. It is more surprising because researchers like Thompson et al. 4 , Noakes and Durandt 5 , Soni and Sharma 6 , Kanaujia et al. 7 , Partibhan 8 , Kour and Singh 9 have conducted studies with cricketers being central the me, but none focused attention on effect of specific fitness training program on agility of the cricket players. Hence, the present study was planned. Hypotheses : In was hypothesized that three weeks specific physical fitness programme will make selected male cricket players much more agile. Methodology Sample: To conduct the study, 40 male cricket players (Ave. age 18.03 yrs) from Christian Eminent Cricket Academy in Indore (M.P) were selected as sample. These were selected subjects then divided into two groups i.e. experiment and control group with equal number of subjects assigned randomly in each group. The subjects of experimental group received three weeks specific training program while subjects grouped into control group did not receive such progra mme apart from their routine exercise. Tools : To assess agility, “Run a three” protocol of Bourdon et al. 10 was chosen. The subject was asked to warm up sufficiently prior to the test and allowed at least two trials at sub maximal pace. The test was perfo rmed on a cricket wicket which is preferably within an indoor environment. Subject was instructed to presume the starting position, with one foot behind the popping crease line and cricket bat in hand, and physically and mentally ready for taken run The ti ming begins when the subject’s rare foot leaves the ground and finish as the bat crosses the popping crease line at the end of the third run. Subject was given three trials with the fastest average time recorded as the best score. A rest interval of ≥5 min utes is given between trials. The average time from the two stopwatches was recor ded to the nearest 0.1 second. Collection of Data : Run a three test protocol was performed by each subject from experimental and control group before the start of study perio d. Then male cricketers belonging to experimental group were subjected to 03 weeks physical fitness program which includes conditioning, strength, aerobic exercises of 40 minutes with desired repetition and rest in Research Journal of Recent Sciences ______ _ _ _______________________________ ______________ _ ________ ISSN 2277 - 2502 Vol. 4 ( I YS C - 201 5 ), 1 05 - 107 (201 5 ) Re s. J. Recent. Sci. International Science Congress Association 106 between. The intensity of exercises was 6 0 - 70%. The subjects performed these exercise one by one in each day of week under the supervision of fitness expert. Male cricketers belonging to control group were not subjected to any other program apart from their usual exercise routine. After study per iod subjects from both groups once again were made to perform on “Run a Three” test protocol. Gain score (Post - pre test) was computed for experimental as well as control group to find out the changes in scores on Run a Three performance during study per iod. The obtained gain scores for both the groups were then compared with the help of paired sample ‘t’ test. The results were presented in table no. 1 and 2 respectively. Analysis of Data: Statistical entri es depicted in table - 1 indicate significant chan ge in “run a three” test scores of male cricket players belonging to experimental group during study period (t=2.22, p.01) but no significant change was observed in “run a three” test score male cricket players belonging to control group (t=1.67, p�.01). It shows that agility of male cricket players belonging to experimental group has increased significantly during study period as compared to male cricket players of control group. The changes in run a three test scores of male cricket players belonging to experimental and control group during study period was tested with the help of gain score (Posttest - pretest). The statistical calculation is presented in table - 2. A perusal of entries reported in table - 2 indicate that agility of male cricket players belon ging to experimental group has improved significantly during study period (M= - 0.10) as compared to agility of male cricket player belonging to control group during study period (M = 0.03). This inference has been drawn from reduced timings on “run a three” test protocol performance after completion of study period as compared to timings on “run a three” test protocol before the commencement of study period. In order to verify this result and as a way to exerting statistical control over pre - existing differ ence, ANCOVA technique was also applied to find out the efficacy of specific physical fitness training program on agility of selected male cricket players belonging to experimental and control group. The ANCOVA results are presented in table - 3 and 4 respe ctively. Table - 1 Pre and Post - Test Statistics of Run a Three Test Scores (seconds) in Selected Male Cricket Players of Experimental and Control Group Groups Before Study Period Mean±S.D. After Study Period Mean±S.D. Mean Difference ‘t’ Experimental (N=2 0) 10.23 ± 0.39 10.13 ± 0.35 0.10 2.22* Control (N=20) 10.44 ± 0.58 10.47 ± 0.56 0.03 1.67(NS) ** Significant at .01 level; NS - Not Significant Table - 2 Comparison of Gain Score on run a three test between Experimental and Control Group Experimental Gr oup (N=20) Control Group (N=20) ‘t’ Sig. Gain Score (sec.) - 0.10 0.03 2.67 .01 Table - 3 Analysis of Co - variance of Subjects Post Test Performance on “Run a Three” Test on the Basis of their Pre - Test Scores Source Df Sum of Squares Mean Squares F Sig. Pr e 7.531 1 7.531 330.296 .01 Groups 0.244 1 0.244 10.72 .01 Error 0.844 37 0.023 Total 4256.266 40 Table - 4 Research Journal of Recent Sciences ______ _ _ _______________________________ ______________ _ ________ ISSN 2277 - 2502 Vol. 4 ( I YS C - 201 5 ), 1 05 - 107 (201 5 ) Re s. J. Recent. Sci. International Science Congress Association 107 Adjusted Mean Scores of Male Cricket Players on Run A Three Test After Controlling Pre - Test Scores Groups Adjusted Mean Experimental Group 10.22 Control Group 10.38 Co variants appearing in the model are evaluated at the following values Pre test = 10.33 A closer look at entries shown in table - 3 and 4 clearly indicate a statistically significant difference in adjusted mean scores in run a test performance between experimental (M=10.22) and control group (M=10.38). This fact is verified by obtained F=10.72 which is statistically significant at .01 level. The results also justify the findings presented in table 2 in the form of gain score. Results and Discussion Results : On the basis of statistical analysis it was observed that agility in male cricket players belonging to experimental group in which three weeks of specific fitness program was imparted, have improved significantly as compared to male sportspersons of control group who did only regular routine exercises. Discussion : The beneficial effect of fitness training program on motor fitness components of sportspersons have been highlighted in their studies by Perez - Gomez (2008) 11 also. Hence, the findings of the study are consistent with the previous results in the same area. Conclusion It was concluded that specific physical fitness training regime of certain duration is a good tool to enhance agility of male cricket players. Referen ces 1. Baley J. A. , Illustrated guide to developing athletic strength, power and agility. West Nyack, NY: Parker (1977) 2. Johnson B.L. and Nelson J.K. , Practical measurements for evaluation in physical education . Edina, MN: Burgess Publishing (1986) 3. Rahimi R. , E valuation of plyometrics, weight training and their combination on angular velocity, Facta universitatis - series: Physical Education and Sport , 4(1), 1 - 8 (2006) 4. Thompson D. , Nicholas C.W. and Williams C. , Muscular soreness following prolonged intermittent h igh - intensity shuttle running , Journal of Sports Sciences , 17, 387 - 395 (1999) 5. Noakes T.D. and Durandt J.J. , Physio logical requirements of cricket, Journal of Sports Sciences, 18, 919 - 929, (2000) 6. Soni V.K. and Sharma V. , Concentration to success in cricket , Journal of Sports Science, (2003) 7. Kanaujia S., Mishra O.P. and Choudhary V. , A Study of psychological Variables of East Zone University Cricket Players in Relation to Specific Categories in Team , Indian Journal of Movement Education and Exercises Science s , II(2), (2012) 8. Partibhan J.I. , Comparative Analysis of Socio – Psychological Differentials Among Anna University Men Football Hockey and Cricket Players , Indian Journal of Applied Research , 2(3), 162 - 163 (2012) 9. Kour R. and Singh S. , A study on personalit y traits of combative (judo) and non - combative (cricket) sports players , International Journal of Research Pedagogy and Technology in Education and Movement Sciences , 1(4), 104 - 111 (2013) 10. Bourdon P., Savage B . and Done R. , Protocols for the Assessment of C ricket Players. Physiological Tests for Elite Athlete s , Australian Sports Commission, (2000) 11. Perez - Gomez J.P.G.J., Effects of weight lifting training combined with plyometric exercises on physical fitness, body composition and knee extension velo city durin g kicking in football, Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism, 33(3), 501 - 510 (2008)