Assessing Physical Performance in Male and Female National Kho-Kho Players Following Intensive Functional Training

Effects of Short-Term Functional Strength and Balance Training on Agility, Functional Movement, and Postural Stability in National-Level Male and Female Kho-Kho Players: An Experimental Study

This clinical trial aims to learn if intensive short-term functional strength training works to improve agility, functional movement, and balance among male and female national Kho-Kho players. It will also teach about the effect of gender on physical performance. The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Does the intensive short-term functional strength training work to improve agility, functional movement, and balance among male and female national Kho-Kho players?
• Which gender brings the greater impact on the physical performance of national Kho-Kho players? Researchers will investigate the impact of intensive short-term functional strength training on agility, functional movement, and balance among male and female national Kho-Kho players and compare the impact of male and female differences on physical performance.

Participants will:

• Both male and female groups of participants received an application of intensive short-term functional strength training and balance training or balance training and intensive short-term functional strength training consecutively for one hour each, six days a week for two weeks.

Kho-Kho and kabaddi are two of the most beloved team sports in rural India, and they are celebrated for their historical roots. As Indigenous games of India, they stand out for requiring players to evade contact with opponents. These games are highly competitive, starting from the elementary level and continuing to the national stage, driving both enthusiasm and rivalry. Playing Kho-Kho not only improves physical fitness but also positively impacts mental health, stress management, and overall well-being, contributing to high performance in sports. Notably, adolescent girls face distinct biomechanical and anatomical challenges in Kho-Kho. Functional Strength Training (FST), a comprehensive method, improves athletes' movement efficiency by engaging multiple muscle groups across different planes, making it ideal for improving athletic performance. Intensive FST is essential for optimizing athlete readiness, offering valuable insights to both scientists and coaches on the effectiveness of training programs.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Kho-Kho players aged between 18 and 25 years, all at the national level.
• Both male and female participants.
• Expressed eagerness to participate in the camp and training.
• Participants needed foundational experience with functional training relevant to Kho-Kho to ensure they could safely engage in and benefit from the specific training protocols designed for this study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• The participants were unable to perform the required tests and training sessions at the outset.
• Participants with a history of serious injuries related to strength and balance training were also excluded to minimize the risk of re-injury.
• Participants who experienced issues such as low back pain, vestibular problems, or lower extremity injuries during the camp training were removed from the final analysis to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the study's results