Vol. 6, Issue 2, Part D (2024)

This study examined the impact of Tabata training on selected physiological variables like, vital capacity and anaerobic power among female handball players aged 13-17 in Thrissur district, Kerala, India. Thirty participants were purposively selected and divided into two groups: Experimental Group I (Tabata Training, n=15) and Group II (Control, n=15). The experimental group engaged in an eight-week Tabata training program conducted three days a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m., consisting of warm-up, high-intensity Tabata exercises, and cool-down. Each session included two sets of exercises performed at high intensity (75-80% initially, increasing to 80-85% by the fifth week), with a 20-seconds-on, 10-seconds-off protocol and a one-minute rest between sets. Descriptive statistics, paired t-tests, and ANCOVA were applied to assess pre- and post-test changes. Findings revealed significant improvements in vital capacity and anaerobic power within the Tabata group compared to the control group, underscoring the effectiveness of Tabata training as a time-efficient method to enhance respiratory efficiency and explosive power. These results align with handball’s physiological demands, suggesting that Tabata training offers valuable benefits for adolescent female athletes by enhancing key fitness components essential for performance. Coaches can leverage these insights to incorporate Tabata protocols into youth conditioning programs, supporting athletic development and competitive readiness among young handball players.