Prediction of handle playing ability from selected anthropometrical, physical, physiological and psychological variables among college level players

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to predict the Handball playing ability from selected Anthropometrical, Physical, Physiological, and Psychological variables among College level Players. Three hundred and four male inter - collegiate Handball players were randomly selected from various colleges in Tamilnadu state, India and their age ranged between 17 and 25 years. The subjects had past playing experience of at least three years in Handball and only those who represented their respective college teams were taken as subjects. A series of anthropometrical measurements was carried out on each participant. These included Body weight measured by weighing machine, Standing height measured by Stadiometer; seven Length measurements (cm) - Arm length, Arm span, Leg length, Hand length, Hand breadth, Palm length and Palm breadth; eight Girth measurements (cm) - Arm girth relaxed, Arm girth flexed, Forearm, Chest girth, Waist girth, Hip girth, Thigh girth and Calf girth measured by Lufkin Anthropometric Tape; two Breadth measurements (cm) - Humerus breadth and Femur breadth by small bone caliper. The data were collected by following standard testing protocol of International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry. Physical fitness components were measured by the following tests. Speed were assessed by 50 meter dash, Agility assessed by Shuttle run, Flexibility assessed by Sit and reach test, Leg explosive power by Sargent vertical jump, Leg explosive strength assessed by Standing broad jump and Muscular endurance by Modified sit ups. The Physiological parameters namely Cardiovascular endurance were assessed by 20 meter multistage beep test, Resting heart rate by Digitalized Heart Rate Monitor, Peak expiratory flow rate was assessed by Peak flow meter and Breath holding time was assessed by Manual Nose Clip method Psychological factors namely Somatic anxiety, Cognitive anxiety and Self confidence were assessed by Competitive Sports Anxiety Inventory II (CSAI - 2) questionnaire developed by Martens, Burton, Vealey.