Abstract:
The main purpose of this study was to determine effects of strength training on selected physical fitness qualities and technical skills level of junior volleyball players. The study employed true experimental research design. 24 male volleyball players of shendi with the age of (EG= 18.08±0.793, CG= 18.17±1.030) were participated by using comprehensive sampling technique and randomly assigned in to two equal groups. Both the experimental group (EG, N=12) and control group (CG, N=12) participated in the regular volleyball training, but only EG performed additional strength training for 12 weeks, with 3 sessions per week, each lasting 30-50 minutes. Subjects were measured on tests of 90 degree pushup for muscular endurance, vertical jump for explosive power, sit and reach test for flexibility, over arm serving test for serving skill and wall volley passing test for passing skill on two occurrences first before administration of strength training as pre-test and after 12 weeks of the training as post-test. The data collected from the study subjects by using primary data sources were analyzed using SPSS version 23 software by paired t-test to compare within groups of pre and post tests; independent t-test to compare between groups pretests and ANCOVA to compare between groups post tests and to observe the effect sizes of strength training on physical fitness qualities and technical skills level at 0.05 level of significant. The results showed that strength training significantly improved muscular endurance, explosive power, flexibility, serving and passing skills in EG at (P<0.05). But no significant improvements were found in all the variables in CG (P>0.05). Based on this finding, it can be concluded that strength training has significant effect on improvement of physical fitness qualities and technical skills level of volleyball players. Therefore, this type of training method is suggested to volleyball players and coaches to include in their training sessions for improvement of physical fitness qualities and technical skills level.
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