THE EFFECT OF SPECIFIC PRE SEASON TRAINING PACKAGE ON SELECTED PHYSICAL FITNESS VARIABLES.

: The purpose of the study was to find out the effect of a pre-season training package on selected physical fitness variables of Volleyball players. In total 100 numbers of students were taken as subjects and were divided equally (50 each) into two groups namely Experimental and Control groups. Pre tests on physical fitness variable was conducted prior to pre season training package to the experimental group and post test was made after a 12 week treatment and comparisons were made between and within the groups were statistical analyzed by using Analysis of Variance prescribed in Mixed Model Least-Squares and Maximum Likelihood Computer Program Pc-2 as programmed by Walter R. Harvey.


Introduction:
The year around Training programmes of players are divided into three phases namely pre-season, in-season and off-season [1]. Pre-season training phase is the period eight to ten weeks prior to competition in which training programmes are designed to increase the capacities of the energy systems to a maximum extent that are predominant when performing a specific event. The pre-season training is the base creation for better performance in the competition [2]. The various performance factors are developed sequentially in this period. This programme should lead to a gradual improvement in physical fitness with the peak being reached during the season [3]. Hilsendager et.al. (1969) in their study, 83 male University subjects were divided into five groups with one group each participating in exercises designed to improve agility, speed, strength and the remaining group participating in lectures [4]. Thirty one tests were administered before and after participation in the 6 week programme, and the data were analyzed by the analysis of covariance technique. The group participating in agility exercises demonstrated statistically significant superiority over one or more of the other groups on four of the seven agility tests. The only other groups which demonstrated superiority on any of the agility tests were the speed groups, thereby leading to the conclusion that agility can best be developed in programmes designed specifically for that purpose and consequently that a unique factor of agility does exist.
The purpose of the study was to find out the effect of a pre-season training package on selected physical fitness variables of Volleyball players.

Methodology:
The Subjects: Total 100 (One hundred) numbers of Boys were taken as subjects of the study.
All the subjects were physical education professional students belonging to C.P.Ed. and [Duration of Exercise in Seconds] X 100

Construction of Specific Pre-Season Training Package
A training package, includes conditioning exercises , physical activities , drills and tactical maneuvers which was designed systematically and scientifically . The package was a comprehensive and thorough one which was supposed to improve the physical fitness. Based on the literature available and the opinion of the experts the following training details were determined for the specific training package .

Periodisation
:Double periodisation Duration of training period :12 weeks Number of days per week :6 days Number of sessions per day :2 sessions Duration of session :Morning -120 minutes ,Evening -120 minutes The load pattern, the volume and intensity of training for physical fitness, technique and tactics, means and methods to be followed and meso-cycle plan were summarized in tables 2 to 6.
International Journal of Physical Education, Fitness and

LOAD PROGRESSION
The principle of progression of load was adopted. The load dynamics was arranged in such a way that the volume increased initially and intensity increased in the end.
The load during the micro cycle was high and medium alternatively and high during the last two days before a complete rest day .

TRAINING MEANS AND METHODS
The following means and methods were adopted for the development of various performance factors during the training . The table 1 indicated the least-squares mean and standard error of parameters on physical fitness through 12 weeks period in experimental group of volleyball players. The CD (Critical Difference) value of all independent variables were calculated and cited along with variables. The least squares mean obtained for all the variables in their pretest and posttests (4wk., 8wk., & 12wk.) were being calculated and differences found were reported.
In case of Agility variable it was observed that pretest least squares mean was 10.97 where as posttest least squares means for 4 week, 8 week, and 12 week were 10.65, 10.33 and 9.50 respectively (Fig. 1). Significant differences existed at .05 level of confidence between pretest and posttests of 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks based on obtained CD value of Agility.
The pretest least squares mean of Muscular Strength variable was 10.14 where as posttest least squares means for 4 week, 8 week, and 12 week were 10.02, 12.38 and 15.54 respectively (Fig. 2). Significant differences existed at .05 level of confidence between pretest and posttests of 8 weeks, and 12 weeks based on obtained CD value of muscular strength. But it was observed that least squares mean difference between pretest and posttest of 4 week duration was not significant at .05 level of confidence.
In Explosive Power, it was observed that pretest least squares mean was 83.60 where as posttest least squares means for 4 week, 8 week, and 12 week were 88.10, 90.46 and 95.52 respectively (Fig 3). Significant difference existed at .05 level of confidence between pretest and posttests of 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks based on obtained CD value of explosive power variable.
International Journal of Physical Education, Fitness and

Sports -IJPEFS
The pretest least squares mean of Speed variable was 7.74 where as posttest least squares means for 4 week, 8 week, and 12 week were 7.61, 7.54 and 7.33 respectively (Fig.  4). Significant differences existed at .05 level of confidence between pretest and posttests of 8 weeks, and 12 weeks based on obtained CD value of speed. But it was observed that least squares mean difference between pretest and posttest of 4 weeks and least squares mean difference between posttest of 4 weeks and posttest of 8 weeks were not significant at .05 level of confidence.
The pretest least squares mean of Cardio Vascular Endurance variable was 85.07 where as posttest least squares means for 4 week, 8 week, and 12 week were 85.48, 85.90 and 89.68 respectively (Fig. 5). Significant differences existed at .05 level of confidence between pretest and posttests of 12 weeks based on obtained CD value of speed. But it was observed that least squares mean difference between pretest and posttest of 4 weeks 8 weeks were not significant at .05 level of confidence.  The table 2 indicated the least-squares mean and standard error of parameters on physical fitness through 12 weeks period in experimental group of volleyball players. The "t" value of all independent variables were calculated and cited along with variables. The least squares mean obtained for all the variables in their pretest and posttests (12wk.) were being calculated and differences found were reported. No significant difference exist between Pretest and Post-test on all variables at (p≤.05).  The observed "F" values (Table-3) of the experimental group were 77.8 (Agility), 183. 47 (Muscular Strength), 103.73 (Explosive power), 5.88 (Speed), 9.53(Cardiovascular Endurance) and were significant at 0.05 level of confidence. Since the observed "F" values were greater than the table "F" value for the df 3/196 i.e., 2.60, it was concluded that the changes occurred across the treatment period was statistically significant. The observed "F" values (Table-4) of the control group on physical fitness variables were .51 (Agility), 1.15 (Muscular Strength), .16 (Explosive power), .57 (Speed), .001 (Cardiovascular Endurance) and were not significant at 0.05 level of confidence. Since the observed "F" values were less than the table "F" value for the df 1/98 i.e., 3.92, it was concluded that the changes occurred across the 12 week period was statistically not significant.
International Journal of Physical Education, Fitness and

CONCLUSION:
Basing on the results obtained in the present study, the following conclusions were being made.
1. The specific pre season training programme for 4 week/ 8 week or 12 weeks duration enhanced the agility of the players significantly. But 12 week participation in the specific pre-season training package had marked maximum gain on the agility.