ABSTRACT:

Aim: Present study was aimed to quantify selected physical fitness measures in elite sprinters and compare it with age-matched controls.

Material methods: Sprinters who had participated in different state and national athletic meets with four years of playing history where selected for this study. Ethical committee clearance was obtained and written consent was taken from subjects involved in the study. Database of 30 male sprinters and age-matched controls for flexibility and agility was compiled. After compilation of this data, it was statistically analyzed by unpaired T test and P value of less than 0.05 was noted.

Results: Our study revealed a highly significant (P value < 0.001) relationship in flexibility between sprinters and controls by all three tests used to quantify flexibility. Whereas agility was significant using Burpee’s squat test and highly significant using shuttle run and quadrant jump test in these two groups.

Conclusion: To help sprinters perform successfully in their competitions and reach international levels, important factors related to a successful performance should be identified and all such physical fitness measures should be assessed in selection criteria. In addition to this regular preseason training programs with different means to improve these parameters should be inculcated.

KEYWORDS: Sprinters, Flexibility, Agility, Preseason training programs.