A Comparative Study on selected Physical Fitness Variables of Inter Collegiate Hockey and Football Players

A Comparative Study on selected Physical Fitness Variables of Inter Collegiate Hockey and Football Players Dr. Harilal* The purpose of the present study was to compare the selected physical fitness variables of professional college football and hockey players who actively participate in inter collegiate sports tournaments. Total sixty four (64) (32 from Football and 32 from hockey) male players from various colleges of U P were selected for this study. Their age ranged between 17-24 years. AAHPER youth physical fitness test was utilized to measure selected physical fitness components. It was hypothesized that no significant difference would be found between selected physical fitness variables for football and hockey players. For analysis of the data Mean & SD were calculated and to examine the significance difference between the group mean of different physical fitness variables, ‘T’ test was applied, and level of confidence was Set at .05 levels. Study concluded that significant difference found between the means of selected physical fitness variables such as speed and agility (shuttle run), explosive strength of legs (SBJ), speed of lower extremities (50mt. dash) and explosive strength, cardio-vascular endurance (12 min run & walk) and no significant difference found between the means of muscular strength (dynamic) and endurance of arm & shoulders (Pull-ups), muscular strength and endurance of trunk (bent-knee sit ups) of college level football and Hockey players. INTRODUCTION : The word of training methodology has crossed many milestones as a result of different types Of researchers in general and their application to the sports development in particular. In the Modern scientific age, athletes are being trained by highly sophisticated means for better achievement in their concerned sports. They are being exposed to the exercises and training methods which have proved beneficial for achieving higher standards. Much progress has been made in the recent years in the acquisition of knowledge about training means and techniques of sports skills. With the constant demand for “high sports performance” the concept of soccer, to date, has been changed. The concept of “Total Soccer” applies skill development, tactical development, development of all important motor components and physiological parameters which are closely associated and contributes to performance in soccer. Not only the technical, physiological and physical development, the sports scientists are also making efforts to develop the intellectual ability of the soccer players. The existing literature in the field of soccer shows that endurance, speed, agility, maximum leg strength, upper body strength, leg power, muscular endurance, flexibility, coordination and reaction time are important pre requisites for efficient soccer performance. Football (Soccer) is a sport, which requires physical, psychological, technical and tactical qualities with all the required conditional abilities, soccer has become faster paced as skilled athletes from all over the world continue to be attracted towards it. It is a sport of rapid acceleration and velocity. Hockey is a sport in which fitness is traditionally not thought of as very important. The importance of fitness in any sport cannot be underlined. The fitter you are the better you’ll Play. But hockey t is one such sport which tests your game skills, mental strength, stamina and physical endurance as well. The success in the 1990s and 2000s of the world beating Australian team has been attributed to their professionalism, and in part to the way they addressed their fitness. Physical fitness is defined as the state of general well-being, physically sound and healthy, along with mental stability. Previously fitness was commonly defined as the capacity of the person to meet the physical demands of daily life and carry out the day’s activities without undue fatigue. However, because of increased leisure time, changes in lifestyles rendered this definition insufficient. These days, physical fitness is considered a measure of the body’s ability to function efficiently and effectively in work and leisure activities. 1Fitness is important at all levels of the game, whilst being essential for top level players. It is beneficial for beginners who will improve both their effectiveness and enjoyment through good standards of fitness. *Associate Professor, Department of Physical Education, D.C.S.K. P.G College, Mau, Affiliated with M.S.D. UNIVERSITY AZAMGARH U.P, [email protected]