COMPARISON OF AEROBIC AND ANAEROBIC FITNESS OF BASKETBALL AND NETBALL PLAYERS

Abstract

ABSTRACT

 Background:

Effective field fitness tests help to reveal that a physical structure of an athlete is suitable for a particular type of sports or not. Therefore, sports scientists are focused on physical profiles of players. The parameters to measure physiological fitness are a healthy and strong heart, strong muscles, body composition, power, speed, and agility.

 Objectives:

This study was conducted to compare aerobic and anaerobic fitness of basketball and netball players.

Methodology:

The study employed experimental research design with pre and post-test. The experiment was conducted at two different universities including Lahore College Women University (LCWU) and The University of the Punjab (PU) in which only female players participated. Stratified Random sampling technique was employed to recruit participants in the study. Demographic data were collected through questionnaire. The training program was started with pre-test and training was implemented for three times a week for 8 weeks under direct supervision of trained coaches. Scoring of each training session for each participant for all the tests performed were recorded and Post-test was carried out after 8 weeks of training. Aerobic fitness was measured through 20-meter shuttle run test. Whereas anaerobic fitness was measured through agility and speed tests. Mean comparisons were done under descriptive analysis and Multivariate Analysis of Variance was done for hypothesis testing.

 Results:

Mean scores for aerobic fitness of basketball players (M=13.94, SD=2.02) and for netball players (M=12.50, SD=1.87). Whereas, anaerobic fitness for basketball players was (M=14.28, SD=1.57) and for netball players was (M=12.50, SD=1.87). Mean scores of anaerobic fitness of basketball players were higher than the aerobic fitness. Similarly, mean score of anaerobic fitness of netball players were higher than the aerobic fitness, which indicates anaerobic system is more dominant in both sports. Multivariate Analysis of Variance revealed a significant difference between aerobic and anaerobic fitness of experimental and control group (p=0.002, CI=95%), significant differences at pre and post-test (p=0.000, CI=95%) and significant differences for basketball and netball (p=0.000, CI=95%).