Author: Dheeraj Kumar
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Sports competition anxiety significantly affects athletic performance in traditional Indian games. Circuit training has emerged as a potential intervention for managing anxiety levels while improving physical performance parameters. This study aimed to investigate the effects of circuit training on sports competition anxiety levels among Kho Kho players, Kabaddi players, and a control group using the Sports Competition Anxiety Test (SCAT). Ninety male participants (n=90) aged 18-25 years were randomly assigned to three groups: Control group (n=30), Kho Kho group (n=30), and Kabaddi group (n=30). The experimental groups underwent an 8-week circuit training program while the control group maintained their regular training routine. Sports competition anxiety was measured using the standardized SCAT questionnaire before and after the intervention period. Both experimental groups showed significant reductions in anxiety scores compared to the control group. The Kabaddi group demonstrated the greatest improvement with a mean difference of 5.33 points (p<0.01), followed by the Kho Kho group with a mean difference of 4.55 points (p<0.01). The control group showed no significant change in anxiety levels (p>0.05). Circuit training effectively reduces sports competition anxiety in both Kho Kho and Kabaddi players, with high anxiety levels being reduced to moderate levels following the intervention. The Kabaddi group showed slightly superior anxiety reduction compared to the Kho Kho group.
Circuit training, sports competition anxiety, SCAT, Kho Kho, Kabaddi, psychological performance, anxiety management, traditional Indian games
This study demonstrates that circuit training is an effective intervention for reducing sports competition anxiety in both Kho Kho and Kabaddi players. The 8-week circuit training program successfully reduced anxiety levels from high to moderate categories in both experimental groups, with the Kabaddi group showing slightly superior adaptation compared to the Kho Kho group. The findings support the integration of circuit training methodologies into training programs for traditional Indian game athletes seeking to optimize both physical and psychological performance. The dual benefits of improved physical fitness and reduced competition anxiety make circuit training a valuable comprehensive training approach. Coaches and athletes can confidently implement circuit training protocols as an effective means of managing competition anxiety while simultaneously developing physical performance capabilities. The standardized approach that benefits both Kho Kho and Kabaddi players makes it particularly valuable for multi-sport training environments and resource-constrained settings. The practical significance of reducing competition anxiety from high to moderate levels, combined with the feasible 8-week intervention duration, makes circuit training an attractive option for athletes and coaches seeking evidence-based approaches to psychological preparation for competition. Future research should continue to explore optimal training parameters, examine long-term psychological adaptations, and investigate the effects of circuit training on actual competitive performance outcomes in traditional Indian games.
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