IMPACT OF BREATHING PRACTICES ON THE COORDINATIVE EFFICIENCY OF CRICKETER'S FROM TRIBES REGION OF RAJASTHAN

This study investigates the effect of structured breathing practices on the coordinative efficiency of tribalcricketers from Rajasthan, a population often marginalized in sports research and development discourse.Coordinative efficiency encompassing spatial orientation, balance, reaction time, and rhythm is essential forathletic performance, particularly in dynamic sports like cricket. The selected participants, all male tribalcricketers aged 18–25, underwent a structured intervention involving yogic breathing techniques (pranayama)over a 12-week period. The training included Sectional Breathing, Anulom Vilom, Bhramari, andKapalabhati, rooted in ancient Indian systems of holistic well-being (Telles&Desiraju, 1991; Bhavanani et al.,2014).Pre and post-test evaluations using standardized coordinative ability tests revealed a statistically significantimprovement in reaction time, balance, and rhythmic accuracy among the experimental group as compared tothe control group. This aligns with prior studies showing that breath regulation can enhance neuromuscularcoordination and cognitive processing (Saoji, Raghavendra&Manjunath, 2019; Sharma, 2020). Particularlynotable was the increased kinesthetic awareness and postural control, which are crucial for fast decision-makingand field positioning in cricket (Kaur & Sandhu, 2010).Moreover, this research highlights the potential of culturally relevant, cost-effective methods to elevate theperformance of athletes from underserved communities. The integration of breathing practices offers not justphysical benefits but also mental calmness, which further enhances coordination under pressure a valuable traitin competitive cricket (Raghuraj, Ramakrishnan & Nagendra, 1997).In conclusion, the results support the efficacy of traditional breathing practices as an effective, sustainableintervention to improve coordinative efficiency among tribal cricketers, offering implications for inclusiveathletic training strategies in India.