COMPARATIVE STUDY OF LEG AND BACK STRENGTH AMONG MALE HANDBALL PLAYERS OF DIFFERENT POSITIONS

Dr. Ashish Phulkar

Abstract

Strength is a conditional ability i.e., it depends largely on the energy liberation processes in the muscles. Strength is direct product of muscle contraction and is considered the most important motor ability. The strength of legs and Back are the most integral component of the handball player. The legs are responsible for constant running, dodging, jumping and diving and needs high explosive power. Whereas back is involved in shooting and throwing the ball. Therefore the purpose of the study was to compare the Leg and Back strength among male Handball players at different positions. 30 Male handball players were selected randomly from Lakshmibai National Institute of physical education, Gwalior who were part of the West Zone Intervarsity team 2016-17. Players were selected from three positions i.e. Centre Forward (CF), Right Back (RB), Goalkeeper (GK) .All the subjects belonged to the age group of 17 to 24 years. considering the primary purpose of the study and appropriateness of variables to be assessed with respect  to Leg strength and back strength the dynamometer was used .Descriptive statistics like mean and standard deviation (SD) were computed . Analysis of variance (ANOVA) statistical technique was used to find out significant difference in mean among three positioned groups. Further in the case of significant difference the LSD post hoc test was applied. All the statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 12.0. The results of the study showed that the mean and standard deviation of criterion test scores for Centre Forward (CF) Leg Strength ( 98.2  +_ 8.81),  back strength (97.2 _+ 6.98) ,  Right Back(RB) Leg Strength(104.1+_11.9) back strength(105.2 +_ 6.57) and Goalkeeper (GK) leg strength (111.2 +_ 6.06 ),back strength (103.5 +_ 8.46). It was evident that there was no significant differences found between Centre forward and right back players group whereas the leg strength of the goalkeepers was found significantly higher than the CF and RB players group. The finding of the study indicated that the goalkeepers in handball had higher leg strength than the players of other two groups. This finding s is in agreement with the results of Cassel (Feb1979) who compared motor ability and physical characteristics of college soccer players by position of play.