Effect of pranayama practices on selected physical fitness variables among women cricketers

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the changes on selected health related physical fitness after twelve weeks of pranayama practices among women cricketers. To achieve the purpose of the study, thirty women cricketers from various classes and departments from Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India were selected as subjects at random in the age group of 18 years to 25 years. The selected subjects were randomly assigned into two groups of 15 each, in which, group – I (n = 15) underwent pranayama practices, group – II (n = 15) acted as control which did not participate in any special training. The training program me was carried three days per week for twelve weeks (alternative days). Prior to and after the training period the subjects were tested for, cardio respiratory endurance and muscular strength endurance. Cardio respiratory endurance was measured by cooper’s 9 minutes run / walk test muscular strength endurance measured by bent knee sit-ups. The statistical tool were used for the present study is ‘t’ ratio. The result of the study was a significant improvement on cardio respiratory endurance and muscular strength endurance after twelve weeks of pranayama practice. However the improvement was favour of experimental group. There was a significant difference was occurred between pranayama practice group and control group after twelve weeks of pranayama practice.