This investigation aimed to shed light on the potential benefits these training methods can offer athletes attempting to improve their abilities in their game on the field. The complex training group (CMT), the French contrast training group (FCT), and the active control group (ACG) comprised 15 male field hockey players (Total 45 field hockey players) with an average age of 19.42±1.18 years. These players were randomly allocated to three equal groups. There were 36 training sessions in each training group over three months, with CMT and FCT training interventions being carried out thrice weekly. Participants in the ACG group went through their daily hockey practice regimen. In physical outcome measures, there were no significant differences in speed across groups (p=0.280), but significant variations were seen with time (p<0.01) and when groups and time were combined (p<0.01). Significant differences were seen for Change of direction (COD) and muscular endurance (ME) between groups (p<0.01) across time (p<0.01) and in the interaction between groups and time (p<0.01). In physiological outcome measures, anaerobic power (AP), vital capacity (VC), and VO2 max showed significant changes between groups (p<0.01) over time (p<0.01) and in the interaction between groups and time (p<0.01). In contrast, resting heart rate (RHR) showed no significant variations between groups (p=0.317), either across time (p=0.662) or in the interaction between groups and time (p=0.052). It concluded that CMT and FCT enhanced hockey players’ COD, ME, AP, VC, and VO2 max. The FCT group outperformed the CMT group, proving its usefulness in improving athletic performance.

Background and Aim of the Study: The continuous evolution of sports and athletics necessitates innovative training strategies to optimize athletes’ performance and physical fitness. High-Intensity Circuit Training (HICT) has emerged as a time-efficient method that combines high-intensity exercises with minimal rest, targeting various muscle groups to enhance physical fitness components. Therefore, this systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of HICT on physical fitness components among athletes to provide a clear, evidence-based understanding of HICT’s benefits and limitations. Material and Methods: A comprehensive search strategy was employed, retrieving articles published before September 24, 2023, from databases including the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, and Google Scholar. The selection process followed the PRISMA guidelines, focusing on studies that assessed the impact of HICT on athletes’ physical fitness. The quality of included studies was assessed using the PEDro scale, and data synthesis was conducted to summarize findings on various physical fitness components. Results: The review included 13 studies, highlighting HICT’s positive effects on muscle strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, power, body composition, and cardiovascular endurance. Improvements were noted in neuromuscular efficiency, muscle power, coordination, and cardiovascular fitness, which are crucial for athletic performance. However, the review also identified variability in training adaptations and the need for sport-specific exercises to maximize the benefits of HICT for speed and power enhancements. Conclusions: HICT is a versatile and effective training modality that can significantly improve various aspects of athletes’ physical fitness. Incorporating targeted, sport-specific exercises into HICT programs could further optimize performance enhancements. Despite promising findings, the review acknowledges methodological heterogeneity among studies and calls for further research to refine HICT protocols for athletes.

Background. The onset of menopause and the perimenopausal period is often associated with the manifestation of psychological and physical symptoms that can adversely affect a woman’s quality of life. Yoga has been identified as a promising non-pharmacological intervention for alleviating these symptoms. Materials and methods. This randomized controlled trial assessed the effects of a 12-week Hatha Yoga intervention on psychological well-being and quality of life in 100 perimenopausal women (yoga group: n=50; control group: n=50). The participants in the yoga group engaged in Hatha Yoga practices, while the control group received no intervention. The psychological outcomes, including depression, anxiety, sleep quality, stress, climacteric symptoms, and self-esteem, were measured using standardized scales before and after the intervention. Hormonal analysis and anthropometric measures were also collected. Results. The yoga group demonstrated significant improvements in all psychological parameters compared to the control group. Depression and anxiety scores reduced by 6.3 points (p=0.001, d=0.78) and 6.8 points (p<0.001, d=0.82), respectively, while perceived stress, sleep quality, climacteric symptoms, and self-esteem improved significantly (p<0.01). The study also revealed a substantial increase in quality of life in the yoga group (p<0.001, d=0.86), along with a reduction in neuroticism scores (p<0.001, d=0.79). In contrast, the control group exhibited minimal changes across all measures. Conclusions. These findings highlight yoga’s effectiveness in alleviating psychological distress and enhancing quality of life among perimenopausal women. Yoga serves as an accessible and holistic approach to managing menopausal symptoms and promoting mental well-being. It is recommended that further research should focus on investigating the potential long-term benefits and physiological mechanisms underlying these positive alterations.

Introduction: High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is an established method for improving athletic performance; however, its efficacy in adolescent tennis players remains underexplored. Tennis requires a combination of speed, agility, endurance, and explosive power, making sport-specific HIIT a promising intervention for performance enhancement. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of an 8-week HIIT intervention on key physiological and performance parameters in adolescent tennis players. Methodology: Thirty-six intermediate-level male tennis players (aged 15-19 years) were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=18), which underwent 20 HIIT sessions, or a control group (n=18), which followed conventional training. Performance assessments included maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O₂max), explosive power (countermovement jump, squat jump, drop jump), sprint performance (5m, 10m), and agility (modified t-test). Statistical analyses were conducted using repeated-measures ANOVA. Results: The experimental group demonstrated significant improvements (p < .001) across all parameters: V̇O₂max increased by 4.84%, CMJ by 15.44%, SJ by 10.77%, DJ by 12.40%, while sprint times decreased by 2.73% (5m) and 6.51% (10m). Agility improved by 8.08%. The control group exhibited negligible changes. Discussion: The observed enhancements highlight HIIT’s efficacy in optimizing aerobic and anaerobic capacities, neuromuscular efficiency, and explosive power, aligning with the physiological demands of tennis. Conclusion: HIIT presents a time-efficient, sport-specific training method for improving tennis performance, warranting further exploration for long-term athletic development.

Background: Hypertension, a prevalent cardiovascular condition, is linked to autonomic nervous system dysregulation, often evidenced by reduced heart rate variability (HRV). Yoga, particularly Uddiyana Bandha, may influence autonomic control and improve HRV, thus offering potential benefits for hypertension management. Purpose: This study intended to assess the impact of the regular use of Uddiyana Bandha practice on HRV among hypertensive patients. Methods: This randomised controlled study included 60 hypertensive patients aged between 40 and 60. Participants were randomised into an intervention group practicing Uddiyana Bandha ( n = 30) and a control group with no intervention ( n = 30). The outcome measures included time and frequency domain HRV variables, specifically the standard deviation of NN intervals (SDNN), the square root of the mean squared differences of successive NN intervals (RMSSD), high-frequency (HF) and low-frequency (LF) components in normalised units (n.u), and the LF/HF ratio. These were assessed both before and immediately after the intervention. The intervention group performed three rounds of Uddiyana Bandha under supervision, while the control group rested quietly for an equivalent duration. Results: The Uddiyana Bandha group demonstrated significant ( p < .05) improvements in HRV parameters post-intervention compared to the control group. Mean RR interval, SDNN and RMSSD increased immediately after Uddiyana Bandha practice. The HF component (n.u) increased, while the LF component (n.u) and LF/HF ratio decreased ( p < .05), indicating enhanced parasympathetic activity. No significant changes were observed in the control group. Conclusion: Uddiyana Bandha’s practice immediately has notable effects on HRV in hypertensive patients, showing better autonomic balance and cardiovascular performance. These results suggest Uddiyana Bandha as a possible non-pharmacological strategy for hypertension management. Future studies with larger sample sizes and longer durations are needed to support these results and explore long-term effects.

Objectives. The study aimed to examine the impact of VMBR training on performing certain table tennis skills. Materials and methods. A total of 50 male state table tennis players, aged between 17 and 23, were selected at the Inspire Table-Tennis Academy in Secunderabad, Telangana. These players were randomly divided into two groups: an experimental group and a control group, each comprising 25 participants. The experimental group underwent a 12-week VMBR training regimen three times a week, while the control group simply continued with their regular daily practice routines. Prior to the study and after the 12-week period, assessments were conducted using Pushpendra Purashwani’s table tennis skill tests, specifically the alternate counter test and the forehand drive techniques on target test, developed in 2011. Statistical analyses involved the application of dependent t-tests and descriptive statistics to evaluate the outcomes. Results. The experimental group’s results indicated that both the alternate counter test and the forehand drive on target test had a marked positive effect on players of table tennis at the 0.01 significance level. The study contributes to our understanding of psychological elements’ crucial role in influencing skill performance. Conclusions. The research delves into how various psychological factors affect performance. Previous studies have demonstrated that visualization and images can significantly enhance performance. Table tennis players can overcome mental hurdles through a systematic psychological technique called rehearsal. This process involves mentally replaying an event in a step-by-step manner. The phases of Visual Motor Behavior Rehearsal (VMBR) that lead to better performance include technique refinement, error analysis and correction, preparation for competition, and enhancement of psychological aspects. Future studies could investigate VMBR’s impact on specific table tennis skills or other sports in order to assist athletes in improving their psychological parameters and performance.