Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of twelve weeks plyometric training on technical skill performance of handball players in Debre Markos handball team players. The total subject for the study were twenty-two (n =22) male handball trainees of Debre Markos handball team players in Ethiopia 2012 E.C. The study populations were little; all are taken as a sample by using comprehensive sampling technique. Through randomization method trainees segregated in to two groups, an experimental group (n=11) and a control group (n=11). The experimental group (EG) performed a twelve-week plyometric exercise, 3-days per week for a total of 60 minutes and the control group (CG) did not perform any plyometric exercise that designed for this study. To achieve the objective of this study, quantitative research approach and True experimental research design was utilized. The data was collected through field technical skill test of study participants and this data were analyzed by using Paired sample t-test and Independent sample t-test statistical tools. Based on the data analyzed, the pre-posttest performance of EG were significantly improved in shooting accuracy and speed dribbling dependent variables(SA, P=0.000, SD, P= 0.002, p<0.05), but passing accuracy was not improved at the level of significance (P= 0.457, p>0.05); similarly, the independent t-test shows the posttest performance of shooting accuracy and speed dribbling of EG where significantly more improved than posttest CG group tests(SA, P= 0.011, SD, P= 0.007, p<0.05), but not in passing accuracy(P= 0.623, p>0.05). The EG had more performance post-test compared to their pre training program performance than the CG improvements in these two variables(p<0.05). The plyometric training group improve speed dribbling of trainees through reduced time compared to the control group(p<0.05). The results of this study show that plyometric training improves shooting accuracy and speed dribbling of handball team player’s technical skill performance, whereas plyometric training has not improved passing accuracy technical skill performance of handball team players. Based on the result and conclusion of the study recommendation will be forwarded for the concerned bodies.
Key words: plyometric training, shooting accuracy, passing accuracy, speed dribbling, technical Skill performance