<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<italic>Study aim</italic>: This study aimed to examine the effects of a six-week complex-contrast training (CCT) intervention on the physical fitness of male field hockey athletes.
<italic>Material and methods:</italic> Participants were randomized into a CCT (n = 8) or control (CG; n = 6) group. Physical fitness was assessed pre- and post-six-week intervention using a 30 m linear sprint test, medicine ball throw, standing long jump (SLJ), countermovement jump with arm swing (CMJA), modified T-test (MAT), and unilateral isokinetic maximal strength test (knee flexion and extension) of both legs. The six-week CCT intervention was integrated as three weekly sessions within the sport-specific training schedule of field hockey athletes. Each session included four contrast pair exercises (e.g., squat + squat jump). ANCOVA with baseline scores as a covariate was used to analyze the specific training effects.
<italic>Results</italic>: Significant differences between CCT and CG were observed in the 30 m sprint, CMJA, MAT, and isokinetic strength (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.001–0.013) after the intervention, favoring the CCT group. Further, post-hoc analyses revealed significant pre to post improvements in all dependent variables for the CCT group (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.001–0.001; effect size [g] = 0.28–2.65; %Δ = 3.1–16.3), but not in the CG (<italic>p</italic> = 0.169–0.991; g = 0.00–0.32; %Δ = 0.0–2.6).
<italic>Conclusion</italic>: Supplementing regular field hockey training with CCT is recommended as an effective training strategy to improve the performance of linear sprints, vertical jumps, changes of direction, and muscle strength in amateur male field hockey athletes.
</abstract>

Study aim: This study aimed to examine the effects of a six-week complex-contrast training (CCT) intervention on the physical fitness of male field hockey athletes.
Material and methods: Participants were randomized into a CCT (n = 8) or control (CG; n = 6) group. Physical fitness was assessed pre- and post-six-week intervention using a 30 m linear sprint test, medicine ball throw, standing long jump (SLJ), countermovement jump with arm swing (CMJA), modified T-test (MAT), and unilateral isokinetic maximal strength test (knee flexion and extension) of both legs. The six-week CCT intervention was integrated as three weekly sessions within the sport-specific training schedule of field hockey athletes. Each session included four contrast pair exercises (e.g., squat + squat jump). ANCOVA with baseline scores as a covariate was used to analyze the specific training effects.
Results: Significant differences between CCT and CG were observed in the 30 m sprint, CMJA, MAT, and isokinetic strength (p < 0.001–0.013) after the intervention, favoring the CCT group. Further, post-hoc analyses revealed significant pre to post improvements in all dependent variables for the CCT group (p < 0.001–0.001; effect size [g] = 0.28–2.65; %Δ = 3.1–16.3), but not in the CG (p = 0.169–0.991; g = 0.00–0.32; %Δ = 0.0–2.6).
Conclusion: Supplementing regular field hockey training with CCT is recommended as an effective training strategy to improve the performance of linear sprints, vertical jumps, changes of direction, and muscle strength in amateur male field hockey athletes.

Effects of complex-contrast training on physical fitness  in male field hockey athletes

Symbiosis School of Sports Sciences, Symbiosis International (Deemed University)

Department of Exercise Physiology, Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education

School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences

Division of Training and Movement Sciences, Research Focus Cognition Sciences

High Institute of Sports and Physical Education of Kef

Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences

Biomedical Human Kinetics

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Study aim: This study aimed to examine the effects of a six-week complex-contrast training (CCT) intervention on the physical fitness of male field hockey...

Effects of complex-contrast training on physical fitness in male field hockey athletes

Published Online: Aug 29, 2023

Page range: 201 - 210

Received: Apr 15, 2023

Accepted: Jul 28, 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/bhk-2023-0024

Keywords
Plyometric exercise, Human physical conditioning, Resistance training, Muscle strength, Exercise, Athletic performance

© 2023 Rohit K. Thapa et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Effects of complex-contrast training on physical fitness in male field hockey athletes

Published Online: Aug 29, 2023

Page range: 201 - 210

Received: Apr 15, 2023

Accepted: Jul 28, 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/bhk-2023-0024

KeywordsPlyometric exercise, Human physical conditioning, Resistance training, Muscle strength, Exercise, Athletic performance

© 2023 Rohit K. Thapa et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
Plyometric exercise, Human physical conditioning, Resistance training, Muscle strength, Exercise, Athletic performance