Name: T.Sathees Kumar & G. Thangavel
Country: India

Year: 2026
Volume: Volume-11, (Special Issue: March 2026)
Page Number: 207-210
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19234464

ABSTRACT
Quickness is a key determinant of athletic performance, enabling players to respond effectively to decisive situations during competition. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of quickness training with equipment on selected performance variables among hockey players. Forty amateur male hockey players aged 18–25 years were randomly assigned to experimental group and control group. The experimental group underwent quickness training using specialized equipment, while the control group for a period of six weeks (three sessions per week). A pretest–posttest
experimental design was employed. Fitness variables assessed included 20-meter sprint time, and Illinois agility test performance. Both groups demonstrated significant improvements from pretest to posttest in all selected performance measures. However, between-group comparison using an independent t-test revealed that the experimental group showed significantly greater improvement than the control group. The findings of this study indicate that quickness training is an effective method for
enhancing selected fitness variables in hockey players.

Keywords: Preseason Training, Maximal Speed, Explosive Movements, Specialized Training Equipment