Effect of sports specific circuit training on selected performance related variables among female handball players

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of sports-specific circuit training on selected performance-related variables like passing accuracy, shooting accuracy, and dribbling ability among female handball players. Thirty female athletes aged 13 to 17 from Thrissur district, Kerala, were purposively selected and divided into two groups: Experimental Group I (n=15) engaged in sports-specific circuit training and Group II (n=15) as a control group. Performance was assessed using standardized passing, shooting, and dribbling tests. To analyze the effects of the training regimen, descriptive statistics, paired sample t-tests, and ANCOVA were employed, with significance set at p < 0.05. The results indicated that sports-specific circuit training significantly improved all measured performance variables. This training method promotes skill acquisition through repetitive practice in game-like contexts, essential for enhancing competitive performance. The minimal gains in the control group underscore the necessity of specificity in training. Incorporating sports-specific circuit training is recommended to optimize the athletic development of female handball players.