Effect of Variable Resistance Training versus Resistance Training on Vertical Jump Strength Dribbling Speed and Agility among Young Field Hockey Players

Field hockey is a high-intensity team sport character­ized by bouts of intermittent activity that require players to perform repeated short sprints, tackles, ball strikes, ac­celerations, decelerations, and changes of directions during matches. Hockey players must be able to exert high forces at high velocities to improve their performance. To train athletes’ force and power capabilities. A combination of resistance and plyometric exercises in a single session (i.e., complex training) may be a time-efficient strategy that produces greater neuromuscular adaptions compared to a single training mode.

Vertical jump performance is a marker for explosive power, crucial for generating force during sprints, jumps, and forceful stick swings. Strength underpins all these aspects, with lower body strength particularly important for acceleration, deceleration, and tackling. Dribbling speed and agility are fundamental for effective ball control and maneuvering past opponents.

Traditional RT utilizes constant external resistance throughout an exercise. This can be achieved through elastic bands, chains, or specific equipment that alters resistance throughout the movement. While both RT and VRT have been shown to improve strength and power in athletes