Physiological changes associated with lateral movement training of netball players

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of a six-week lateral movement trainingprogramme on selected physiological variables in netball players. Calf and thigh girthmeasurements, mass, body fat percentage, lateral agility, lateral flexibility, dynamic balance, heartrate and isokinetic concentric and eccentric quadriceps, hamstring, abductor and adductor musclestrength, were measured. A pre-recorded, six-week slide board training programme was followedin order to: increase calf and thigh girth measurements, decrease mass, decrease body fatpercentage, increase lateral agility, increase lateral flexibility, better dynamic balance, meet theprescribed guidelines in terms of heart rate and increase the isokinetic muscle strength.The subjects (n=23) were between the ages of 18-23 years. They either played netball for the 1st or2nd netball teams of the Maties Netball Club, or for the 1st or 2nd netball teams of the residenceNerina. They entered the study voluntarily. All of the subjects participated in the pre- and posttests.Fourteen subjects completed the six-week lateral movement training programme.Various significant differences (p < 0.05) were found between the pre- and post-test measurements:a significant decrease in body fat percentage, an increase in lateral agility, a decrease in mass, anincrease in dynamic balance, an increase in concentric and eccentric abductor and adductor musclestrength, as well as an appropriate aerobic heart rate response.It was concluded that the lateral movement training programme proved to be beneficial to netballplayers at any level of fitness and participation. The programme provided an excellent aerobicworkout, with either improvement or maintenance of the selected variables.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University