EFFECT OF VARIOUS STRENGTH TRAINING MODALITIES ON SELECTED PERFORMANCE VARIABLES AMONG INDIAN FOOTBALL PLAYERS

Abstract

This study was carried out with the aim of evaluating the impact of different modes of Strength training on selected performance variables in football players in the age range of 18 to 21 years. A total of eighty (n=80) male district level athletes were selected from Malappuram district of Kerala, India and were divided into four groups of twenty players (n=20) in each age group.  The first group (Group I) served as control group and did not undergo any specific training regime. The other three groups were given training interventions for strength endurance (Group II), explosive strength (Group III), and maximum strength (Group IV) respectively. The training period was kept for 12 weeks, and a separate regime was formulated for each training intervention Programme with different intensities, repetitions and types of exercises. The study primarily examined the four performance parameters Passing, Dribbling, Tracking and Kicking. These variables were assessed using the appropriate tests and equipment. For statistical analysis, ANOVA was used to assess the significance among groups (p<0.05) and Fisher's post hoc test was used to assess the significance of the paired mean differences. The ANOVA demonstrated a significant improvement in all performance indicators over time, indicating that all three experimental groups progressed across the 12- week period. However, the groups did not differ from one another in overall performance, and the Time × Group interactions were not significant, confirming that the pattern of improvement was similar across all training conditions. The control group showed no significant difference in any of the performance variables. These findings support the integration of strength endurance, explosive strength and maximum strength training into football conditioning programs to optimize technical performance outcomes.