The utilization of a customised training programme for club level netball players

[摘要] The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of a customised trainingprogramme on the physical components of first league netball players. The keyphysical variables that affect netball performance were identified as aerobic fitness,anaerobic fitness, power, muscle strength, flexibility, speed, agility, and muscleendurance. The fitness tests and norms used in this study were mainly based on theAustralian protocol, 'Physiological Tests for the Assessment of Netball Players.Two netball clubs in the Boland participated in this study. These two teams played inthe same netball league, but they were not matched in any other way. Theexperimental group (n=14) followed the customised training programme, while thecontrol group (n=16) followed their normal training sessions. After baseline testing,the experimental group completed 23 training sessions in which specific aspects ofnetball fitness were addressed. After 16 weeks, both groups repeated all the tests.Through statistical analysis, the effect of the training programme was determined, andthe differences between the experimental and control groups were quantified.Results of the study revealed the following:1. The experimental group was statistically significantly better in all the fitness testsduring baseline testing, compared to the control group.2. Power improved significantly through this customised training programme.3. Although only a few variables changed significantly after the training programme,the experimental group did perform better in most fitness tests after theprogramme.This study shows that a customised training programme has the potential to improvecertain aspects of a netball player's fitness. The programme should, however, belonger and more sport-specific to produce the desired results. Top netball playersshould rely on not only their netball skills to be successful, but should also developtheir physical capacities optimally.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University