Effects of Addition of Sprint, Strength and Agility Training On Cardiovascular System in Young Male Field Hockey Players: An Echocardiography Based Study

To find training related physiological and cardiovascular changes and adaptations in field hockey players, this interventional study was conducted with 30 male field hockey trainees (age: 15.7±1.55 years, range: 13-20 years) undergoing training in preparation phase. In addition to the their usual routine of 2 hours per day, 6 times a week of aerobic, anaerobic and skill training session of field hockey; a specialized additional training of 2 hours per day3 times a week, consisting of sprint, strength-power and agility was incorporated in the schedule. Selected variables measured before and after the 6 week training were compared with paired t test. Upon analysis we found that lean body mass (LBM) of the participants showed significant improvement (P<0.05) after the 6 week training. Significant reduction (P<0.05) was observed in resting heart rate, resting systolic blood pressure, resting diastolic blood pressure, resting double product or rate pressure product. We also found significant changes (P<0.05) in the echocardiographic parameters – increase in left ventricular posterior wall thickness, left ventricular ejection fraction; and decrease in left ventricular end-systolic volume. However when these parameters were expressed relative to LBM, no significant change was seen. Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter and volume, body weight and body mass index too did not change significantly after the training. This 6 week specialized additional training resulted in improvement of body composition and cardiovascular functions of the participants, indicating favorable physiological, morphological and functional adaptations.