Efficacy of Plyometric Training on the Agility in Police Cadets

Dushyant P. Bawiskar, Pratik Phansopkar*, Chaitanya A. Kulkarni, Waqar M. Naqvi

Ravi Nair Physiotherapy College,Wardha, Maharashtra, India

ABSTRACT

Agility have been defined by the capacity to retain or determine the location of body by shifting its direction rapidly in a sequence of movements. Agility, speed and explosive power are qualifying components of physical fitness and desirable athletic performance, and play a key role in most sports. Agility can enhance the coordination and regulation of locations of the body throughout movement. Objective: To study the efficacy of the 6-weeks and 12-weeks Plyometric training on the agility in police cadets. Method: 40 Cadets aged above 18 years were grouped into two. A group continued their regular activities while rest underwent 2 sessions of plyometric training every week for 6 weeks, along with their daily activities. Analysis was then carried out with assessment of T-test Agility test, Illinois Agility Test, Edgren Side Step Test. Study duration is 6 months and intervention duration is 12-weeks, hence participants will be enrolled during first 3-months of study so 12 week intervention has been completed successfully. Assessment will be done on 1st day of visit then at the end of 6th week and again at the end of 12th week. Participants would have to perform 2 session of Plyometric Training per week in other group. Result: The results show that there is improvement the agility of the police cadets through the outcomes measures taken as a instrument to measure the difference in 1st day, 6th week and 12th week. There is decrease in time period of Agility T-test from 14.04±1.64 to 10.96±1.39 in group A and from 14.16±1.43 to 13.53±1.52 in group B. There is increase in steps of Edgren Side Step test from 34.95±4.84 to 40.93±4.17 in group A and from 34.97±4.17 to 36.31±4.34 in group B. There is decrease in time period of Illinois Agility test from 20.61±4.36 to 18.33±4.14 in group A and from 20.73±4.45 to 20.47±4.42 in group B. Conclusion: This study concludes that plyometric training intervention have improved the agility among the police cadets and it can be implemented among personnel’s from law enforcement agencies.

Keywords:

Plyometric training, Agility, Agility Test, Sports Rehabilitation