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Chapter I

INTRODUCTION

Kabaddi is defined as the team contact sport that

originated in South Asia as well as Indo-Iranian society. The

word “Kabaddi” is originally derived from a Hindi word which

means “holding your breath”. Kabaddi is the National game of

Iran and Bangladesh and the State game of Punjab, Tamil Nadu,

and Andhra Pradesh. The International version of Kabaddi

consists of two teams of 7 members each that occupies opposite

halves of the field of size 13m x 10m (for men) and 12m x 10m

(for women). Each team has five supplementary players held in

reserve. Kabaddi is played with two halves and a 5 minutes

halftime break during which the side is exchanged by the teams.

Kabaddi is a recreational sports activity that is often played in

underwear. The two teams occupy the opposite halves of a field.

The attacking side sends a “raider” who, on a single breath

enters the opponent’s half of the field with continuous chanting

“Kabaddi-Kabaddi-Kabaddi” in order to ensure that player is not

chanting by taking another breath. Raider has to touch any

player on opposite side and return back to his court. The player

who is touched is out. The opposite team will try to hold the

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raider and stop him from returning to his court. Now another

team will get a chance to send a player into opponent’s court

(Bhargava, G.C., 1975).

The world of games and sports has crossed many

milestones, as a result of different achievements in general and

their application in the field of sports in particular. Scientific

investigation into performance of sportsman has been playing an

increasingly importance role to attain excellence of performance

in different sports.

Kabaddi is aptly known as the “Games of The mass” due to

its popularity, simple, easy to comprehend rules, and public

appeal. The game calls for no supplicated equipment what so

ever, which it very popular sport in the developing countries.

Though it is basically an outdoor sport played on clay court, of

late the game is being played on synthetic surface indoors with

great success. The duration of the game if 45 minutes for men &

junior boys with a 5 minutes break in between for the teams to

change sides in the case of women/girls & sub-junior boys, the

duration of 35 minutes with a 5 minute break in between

Kabaddi is a combative team game, played with absolutely no

equipment, in a rectangular court, either outdoors with seven

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players on the ground in each side. Each side takes ultimate

chances at offence and defense (Prasad Rao, E., 2002)..

The basic idea of the game is to score paints by raiding into

the opponents’ court and touching as many defense players as

possible without getting caught on a single breath. During play,

the players on defensive side are called “antis” while the players

of the offense is called the “raider.”

Kabaddi is perhaps the only combative sports in which

attack is an individual attempt while defence is a group effort.

The attack in Kabaddi is known as “raid.” The antis touched by

the raider before the returns to how court. These players can

resume play only when their side scores points against the

opposite side during their raiding turn or if the remaining

players succeed in catching the opponent’s raider (Prasad Rao,

E., 2002).

The game calls for agility, good lung capacity, muscular co-

ordination, presence of mind and quick responses. For a single

players to take on seven opponents is no mean task, requires

dare as well as ability to concentrate anticipate the opponents

moves (Prasad Rao, E., 2002).

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The sport has a long history dating back to pre-historic

times. It was probably invented toward of group attacks by

individuals and vice-versa.

The game was very popular in the southern part of Asia

played in its different forms under different names. A dramatized

version of the great Indian epic, the “Mahabharta” has made an

analogy the game to tight situation faced by Abhiman’s the heir

of the Pandava kings when he is surrounded on all side by the

enemy.

Buddhist literature speaks of the Gautam Budha playing

for recreation. History also reveals that princes of your played

Kabaddi to display their strength and win their brides.

The game, known as Hu-Tu-Tu in western India, Ha-De-Do

in eastern India’s Bangladesh, Chedugudhu is Southern India

and Kaunbada in northern India has undergone a sea change

through the ages. Modern game Kabaddi is a synthesis of the

game played in its various forms under different name.

Now the sports-man have been able to give outstanding

performance because of involvement of new scientifically

substantiated training methods and means of execution of sports

exercise such as sports techniques and tactics, improvement of

sports grass, and equipment, as well as other components and

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condition of the system of sports training (Bhargava, G.C.,

1975).

Physiological and Anthropometric measurement and motor

fitness variable play a vital role in almost all games and sports.

Sportsmen concentrate on the development of speed,

strength, agility flexibility, endurance etc. as a part of

preparation in their respective sports General motor abilities

assist a sportsman in learning specific skills from a solid base

over which he can develop excellence in the particular game he

is involved (Singh, 1991).

Sports in 21st century have gained much popularity and

prominence than in any other period of human history. Now it is

become an absolute necessity that right talents are identified for

the right same.

Sports in now no more a hobby it has become a full time

profession. Modern sports infect compel athletes to take up

sports competitions as a full time vocation besides making name

and fame multi-disciplinary efforts are put together with the

craze of taking human performance to it optimum possible level.

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Performance in certain events and activities has already

reached miracle increase in speed performance by 0.01 seconds

seems to be different and challenging task.

In the present era development of science and technologies

has revolutionized the field of sports. Every day the new records

are being established in different sports activities. International

level competitions sports presence bringing honour of their

countries the field of physical education and sports as also

affected from such developments of science and technologies

over the last century, and sports has captured an important

place in the world. This is so because the application to the field

of sports and physical education has enabled modern youth to

develop physical capabilities beyond anything earlier imagined

(Dick, Frank, W., 1992).

The sports scientists and coaches are demanding full time

involvement and round the year dedicated practice of sports to

reach the pinnacle of their performance.

The international community of sports lovers is also

curiously looking for better and superb performance of

sportsman and women in their respective fields.

Aspirations and expectations of the people pertaining to the

performance of sportsman all over the world are going higher

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and higher. The high level of performance by sportsmen and

require a highly scientific approach and it should be done right

from the level of identifying talents (Thelma S. Hoen., 1992).

One of the fundamentals of this approach is the study of

human measurements or anthropometry. Anthropometry plays

an important role in deciding the particular built of the body

with various measurements of the body segments, suitable for a

particular game and sports and essentially helpful to excel in

that game.

Anthropometry is a branch of ergonomics that deals

specifically with the measurement of people, particularly with

measurements of body size, shape, strength and working

capacity. This measurement data is used to describe or paint a

picture of the user population for a particular measure of the

body. By applying anthropometry, we attempt to design the

working environment around the person, rather than placing

constraints on them because they have to adapt to what is

provided. If anthropometric factors are taken into consideration

when products are designed, the outcome is likely to be

increased acceptability, improved ease and efficiency of use, and

therefore greater operational safety and cost effectiveness. When

considering the design and use of equipment, the term ‘average

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person’ is often referred to and used. However, very few people

would actually fit such a pattern. The body is made up

anthropometrically of several functional parts, such as sitting

height, forward grip reach, waist height and head circumference.

Height is often used as a design criterion, but a ‘tall’ person can

either have a long or short body and long or short legs. Thus,

although many people will fit average garments (using clothing

as an example), and garments can be sized to increase the

probability of a reasonable fit, the efficiency of the garment or

ensemble may be compromised, especially when free movement

is further influenced by, for example, wearing breathing

apparatus and a harness. When products are designed around

the ‘average person’, many of the population are excluded from

using them, since they fall well outside of this average (Sutcliffe

and Ganham., 1981).

Current interest in anthropometric measurements on their

areas, growth measurements body types and body composition,

prediction of growth pattern and prediction of success in motor

activities as well as assessments obesity.

The aim of applying anthropometry is to accommodate as

many of the user population as possible. If we look at a

particular anthropometric measure, such as female stature, we

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find that most individuals will be of average stature, and there

will be fewer individuals who are very tall or very short. The

horizontal axis shows a person’s height (stature) and the vertical

axis shows how many people would be of a particular height, or

the frequency with which they occur in the sample of people you

are measuring. For this reason, this type of graph is called a

frequency distribution.

Physical fitness is the fundamental necessity for any

sporting activity. Motor qualities such as speed, strength,

endurance, and flexibility along with physical fitness are

essential for excellence in sports. Sports trainers lay heavy

emphasis on improving the physical fitness and motor qualities

of the players, which is also conditioning. A good conditioning

program is the backbone of the overall training of the

sportsperson.

Conditioning or physical fitness is categorized into

general and specific fitness. General fitness refers to the motor

qualities required in any sportsperson irrespective of the sports

discipline, such as speed, strength, flexibility, endurance and co-

ordination. Each and every sport demands certain motor

qualities above the ordinary. Specific fitness is the intensified

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level of motor qualities achieved by the sportsperson that is

required by the specific sport.

In Kabaddi, the specific fitness is with reference to

strength, speed and co-ordination. Fitness training equips the

sportsperson to face the physiological and psychological

challenges that come his way in his competitive sports career.

Specific fitness enables the player to perform the unusual

movements required by the concerned sport, which the non-

sportsman does not perform in his every day routine. Specific

fitness however depends a lot on general fitness and this is the

reason why the sportsperson has to give equal importance to

both general as well as specific fitness, to succeed (Prasad Rao,

E., 2002).

Since strength and endurance are primary requisites of a

sportsperson, the training program should commence with

physical exercises and activity. Development of co-ordination,

flexibility, speed and the skills of the game are the ensuing steps

in the training process that have to be taken up gradually.

Finally, with the help of exercises resembling the movements

required in the actual game situation, the training programme is

devised to increase specific fitness. Kabaddi being a team game,

every player has a specific role to play in defense and offense.

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The motor qualities differ from player to player and specific

abilities of player occupying different positions or role in the

team game also differ. For example, the specific fitness of a

raider is slightly different from the main defense player, as far as

possible, especially when they reach a certain standard of

performance (Prasad Rao, E., 2002).

Physiology is the study of the functioning of the human

organism. There can hardly be a science that is more important

for the coach to know, understand, and be able to properly

apply. In its fundamental sense, physiology involves the

functioning of each major body system used in playing Kabaddi

and how those systems interrelate. In its applied sense,

physiology addresses how exercise affects the functioning of

body systems as well as how those systems impact performance.

If a coach knows the basic concepts of exercise physiology and

how to apply them to training, players will not only end up in

“good shape”; they will also be able to physically play the game

as well as they currently know how, while at the same time being

less prone to fatigue-related injuries. As a bonus, they will be

physically prepared to handle the next step up the competition

ladder that the coach (or the opposition) demands (Abstrand, P.

and Rodahl, K., 1970).

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Resting heart rate averages 60 to 80 beats/min in healthy

adults. In sedentary, middle aged individuals it may be as high

as 100 beats/min. In elite endurance athletes heart rates as low

as 28 to 40 beats/min have been recorded. Before exercise even

begins heart rate increases in anticipation. This is known as the

anticipatory response. After the initial anticipatory response,

heart rate increases in direct proportion to exercise intensity

until a maximum heart rate is reached. Maximum heart rate is

estimated with the formula 220-age. But this is only an

estimation, and not particularly accurate. The only direct

method for determining maximum heart rate is to exercise at

increasing intensities until a plateau in heart rate is found

despite the increasing work rate. During prolonged steady-state

exercise, particularly in a hot climate, a steady-state heart rate

will gradually increase. This phenomenon is known as cardiac

drift and is thought to occur due to increasing body temperature.

For player under 30 years of age, the recommended heart

rate at the end of work out is 180 beats per minute. Counting

the pulse for 10 seconds and multiplying the figure by six

determines the heart. The relief pause is not to be for too long a

duration, for this will reduce the aerobic effects of the training.

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The recommended heart rate at the end of the rest interval is

150 beats per minute (“Resting heart rate averages”, 2011).

Cant: The repeated, without break, at a stretch, and clear

sounding chant, of the approved word “KABADDI” within the

course of one respiration shall be called a cant .

Two teams occupy opposite halves of a field and take turns

sending a "raider" into the other half, in order to win points by

tagging or wrestling members of the opposing team; the raider

then tries to return to his own half, holding his breath and

chanting "Kabaddi, Kabaddi, Kabaddi" during the whole raid.

The name often chanted during a game derives from a Tamil

word Kabaddi meaning "holding of breath", which is indeed the

crucial aspect of play (“Two Teams”, 2011).

Fitness can be measured by the volume of oxygen you can

consume while exercising at your maximum capacity. VO2 max

is the maximum amount of oxygen in milliliters, one can use in

one minute per kilogram of body weight. Those who are fit have

higher VO2 max values and can exercise more intensely than

those who are not as well conditioned. Numerous studies show

that one can increase his VO2 max by working out at an intensity

that raises his heart rate between 65 and 85% of its maximum

for at least 20 minutes three to five times a week. A mean value

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of VO2 max for male athletes is about 3.5 litters/minute and for

female athletes it is about 2.7 liters/minute (“Fitness can”,

2011).

When one exercises his muscles work harder than normal

and, as a result, they require more energy than normal. Since

the ATP energy used by his muscle is generated with the aid of

oxygen, it follows that an increase in exercise intensity will result

in an increase in muscular oxygen demands. Therefore,

increased exercise intensity ultimately corresponds to an

increased VO2. This is the reason that one’s breathing gets

progressively faster and deeper as his exercise intensity

increases; his body is trying to provide more oxygen to his

working muscles so that it can generate enough ATP energy to

keep him moving.

In Prediction, results are anticipated beforehand. Usually,

the anticipated results are not chance guesses but are leased

upon some known facts of relationship or carefully conceived

beliefs (Clarke and Clarke, 1972).

The present study has taken into consideration a court

game that is Kabaddi. Court games are unique in the sense that

they are played in a relatively small area and involve the

handling of an opponent or similar object and often an

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implement. It requires a high degree of agility, maneuverability

and total body strength in order to gain good position and

compete with one’s opponent on both offensive and defensive

maneuvers (Jenson and Fisher, 1986).

Statement of the Problem

The study under investigation was intended to identify the

factors predicting the playing ability of Kabaddi players from

selected anthropometrical, physical and physiological variables.

Objectives of the Study

This study aimed to investigate the selected

anthropometrical, physical and physiological variables among

Kabaddi players by achieving the following objectives which are

as follows:

1. To determine the relationship between playing ability

and selected anthropometrical variables among Kabaddi players.

2. To determine the relationship between playing ability

and selected physical variables among Kabaddi players.

3. To determine the relationship between playing ability

and selected physiological variables among Kabaddi players.

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4. To predict the Kabaddi playing ability from selected,

anthropometrical, physical and physiological variables among

Kabaddi players.

Assumptions

Validity of this study will rely on the following

assumptions:

1. With the exception of the research testing, subjects

neither increased nor decreased their daily activity from levels

previous to the study.

2. Subjects neither increased nor decreased their daily

caloric intake from levels previous to the study.

3. Participants were not performed any vigorous exercise

during the course study.

4. Participants were tested accurately by standardized test

items.

5. Participants complied with the best of their ability to the

testing directions.

Delimitations

1. To achieve the purpose of this study, one hundred

Kabaddi players were selected as subjects who were participated

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in the Manonmaniam Sundaranar University Intercollegiate

Kabaddi Tournament during the academic year 2012-2013.

2. The age of the subjects were ranged between 18 to 25

years.

3. The following independent variables selected for this

study were

Anthropometric Variables

Height

Weight

Arm Length

Leg Length

Physical Variables

Speed

Agility

Strength

Flexibility

Physiological Variables

Resting Heart Rate

Breath Holding Time

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Vital Capacity

Respiratory rate

4. The standardized tests were used to collect relevant data

on the selected independent variables.

5. Playing ability was selected as dependent variable and it

was assessed by expert rating method.

Limitations

1. The previous experience of the subjects in the field of

sports and games, which might be influencing on the data

collection, was not considered.

2. Psychological factors, food habits, rest period; life style

etc could not be controlled.

3. The weather conditions such as atmospheric

temperature, humidity and meteorological factors during testing

period were also not considered.

4. Though the subjects were motivated verbally, no attempt

was made to differentiate the motivation level during the period

of testing.

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Hypotheses

The following research hypotheses were framed for this

study and it was tested at 0.05 level of significance.

1. It was hypothesized that there would be significant

relationship between the playing ability of Kabaddi players with

selected anthropometrical, physical and physiological variables

separately.

2. There would be significant relationship between the

playing ability of Kabaddi players with the combined effect of

selected selected anthropometrical, physical and physiological

variables.

3. Playing ability might be predicted from the selected

anthropometrical, physical and physiological among the players

of Kabaddi.

Significance of the Study

1. The ultimate goal of research in physical education is to

help coaches and physical educators to train their sports

persons based on new concepts in improving their performance.

2. A unique aspect of this work is that it includes

recommendations for the practical use of research findings.

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3. The result of the study may be useful to the professional

colleges of physical education and sports in improving their

knowledge intend about skills related factors and its effects.

4. The results of the study may provide the standards of

the Kabaddi players in various predictor variables of

anthropometrical, physical and physiological variables.

5. The findings of the study may be used as a screening

tool and technique in analyzing and classifying the players.

6. This study may enable the coaches and the trainers to

develop sound training.

7. This study may motivate other sports lovers and

scholars to take up similar studies.

Definition of the Operational Terms

Anthropometry

Anthropometry is the science of measuring the human

body and its parts. It is used as an aid to the study of human

evaluation and variations (Clarke and Clarke, 1976).

Height

Height is the vertical measurement from the heel to top of

the head of the human body (Sutcliffe and Ganham, 1981).

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Weight

Body weight is described as the mass of an organism's

body and it was measured in kilograms (Sutcliffe and Ganham,

1981).

Arm Length

It is the distance from glenoid fossa of shoulder joint to the

tip of the middle finger (Johnson and Nelson, 1982).

Leg Length

Leg length is defined as the distance between greater

trochanter to the floor (Johnson and Nelson, 1982).

Speed

The capacity of moving a limb or part of the body's lower

system or the whole body with the greatest possible velocity

(Dick Frank, 1992).

Strength

The ability to exert maximum force contraction of your

working muscles (Singh, 1991).

Agility

It is the ability of the human body to change the direction

quickly and effectively (Singh, 1991).

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Flexibility

Flexibility can be defined as the ability to perform

movement with greater range of motion or large amplitude

(Uppal, 1992).

Breath Holding Time

Breath Holding Time is defined as the duration of time

through which one can hold his breath without inhaling or

exhaling after a deep inhalation (Strukic P.J, 1981).

Resting Heart Rate

Pulse rate or heart rate is the rate of beats of the heart per

minute (Morehouse and Miller, 1976).

Respiratory rate

Respiratory rate is the number of breaths a human being

takes within a certain amount of time (frequently given in

breaths per minute) (Eva Lurie Weinreb, 1984).

Vital Capacity

The amount of air that can be forcibly expelled from the

lungs after breathing in as deeply as possible (The American

Heritage Dictionary (4th Ed.)., 2000).

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Playing ability

In the present study playing ability refers to as the ability

of the players to play Kabaddi game and it was assessed by the

experts as subjective rating.