ANALYSIS OF PREDOMINENT FACTORS AMONG MALLAKHAMB PERFORMERS

INTRODUCTION
Today life mostly depends upon science technology. In such circumstance people need more exercise to keep the body and mind fit to execute the activity efficiently.
Physical education is an education of and through human movement where many of the educational objectives are achieved by means of big muscle activities involving sport, games, gymnastics, dance and exercises.[1]

The word ‘sport’ occasionally denotes a ‘break of nature’ usually, if refers “either to a pleasant past time or some what hazardous reaction or to some one who is prepared to face during challenge or willing to take a change.
Sports are a dynamic, creative continuous process of shared activities which give meaning to life and reflect and embody the values, beliefs and ethics of participants.

Sport is the way which we use our physical capacities to play. Sports is an important in other ways, when one’s body works better his mind works better, his brain and his body are interrelated. Sports allows you to blow of tension, to forget your problems for a while and to go out and have a good time no matter what other pressures one may be under in his life.
Physical activity is an important and essential element in human health and well-being and its importance has achieved widespread acceptance by the public, professionals organizations and medical community.
Physical Education has been considered traditionally as professional field appropriate only for those who area interested in teaching. History has shown how physical and intellectual activity has determined the survival of the nations. Physical Education encourages, through games and sports, sportsmanship co-operation, loyalty, sociability, self-control, leadership, patriotism, friendship, kindness sympathy, tolerance, for forgiveness and other similar qualities. The habits which area developed through sports and games are useful in both the house and the community. This is large measure we need in national life. Physical Education helps to improve ones ability for work and self-expression in the competitive condition of our modern life John F. Kennedy stated that the feature of the country depends upon the health of the mass. “The primary objective of physical education is to help each individual achieve the maximum mental, physical, social and fitness of which he is capable”.[2]

Physical education helps to improve ones ability for work and self expression in the competitive condition of our motor life. John E. Kennedy stated that the feature of the country depends upon the health of the mass. The primary objective of physical education is to help individual achieve the maximum mental, physical, social and fitness of which he is capable.
Physical education is an education process that has its aim the improvement of human performance and enhancement of human performance and enhancement of human development. Through the medium of physical activities, physical education includes the acquisition and enjoinments of motor skills, the development and maintenance of fitness for optimal health and well begin the attainment of knowledge about physical activities and exercise.
Sports performance is the result and expression of the total personality of the sportsman. The development of sports man to enable to achieve high level performance is usually concentrated in four areas namely physical, power, and social adjustment.

According Charles B. Bucher3 physical education an integral part of the total education process a field of Endeavour which has its aim, the development of physically, mentally, emotionally and socially fit citizens through the medium of physical activities which has been selected with a view to realizing the out comes.
In the field of physical education the overall participation may tend of decrease the efficiency of an individual in a particular sports, but such participation my improve physical fitness which in turn may contribute of to better performance.4

At present physical education and sports is an integral parts of education. Physical educators have been concerned with promoting and developing the quality of “physical fitness” among the populations. This subject has received considerable attention from both researchers and teachers.

According to Robson,5 physical education necessarily indicates the programme of sports and games in the educational institution as a curricular, co-curricular or extra – curricular activity.
Physical education is an essential part of general education and considered traditionally as a professional field means of educating or modifying a person for better living.
The development of physical education programme is brought about by keeping in mind the biological, physiological and psychological aspects of growth and development. Physical education objectives are mainly concerned with attitude, human values and knowledge.
Physical education aims at whole some development of the child through games, sports and other types of participation in the physical activities that have physical, mental and social values. One of the main objectives of physical education is to promote physical fitness which in turn promotes health and happiness. The value of exercise through physical education, sports and games is an established aspect of education. Participation in an enjoyable game definitely increases the zest of life for the child.
During the last decade we have discovered that good health is no longer a matter of chance, but rather a matter of choice. If you choose to take responsibility for your health by exercising regularly and by consistently adopting other positive life style habits, you can not only promote better health, but also and pre mature death6.

In general terms, fitness can be conceived the matching of the individual to his or her physical and social environment. However, there is no universally agreed upon definition of fitness and of its components. The WHO defined fitness as, “the ability to perform muscular work satisfactorily”, in keeping with this definition, fitness implies that the individual has attained those characteristics that permit a good performance of a given physical take in a specified physical, social and psychological environment. The components of fitness are numerous and are determined by several variables including the individual’s pattern and level of habitual activity, diet and heredity.7

Physical fitness is the qualities of the body in terms of its state of adaptation to physical activity.8

Physical fitness is the ability to carryout daily task with vigour and alertness without undue fatigue and with ample energy to engage in leisure time pursuit and to meet emergency situation.9

The capacity of an individual to perform a given physical tasks involving muscular effort.10

According to Clarke and others, physical fitness is the ability to carry out daily tasks with vigor and alertness, with out under fatigue and with ample energy to enjoy leisure time pursuits and to meet unforeseen emergencies. He has further explained physical fitness as the ability to last, top cheer up, to with stand stress and preserve under difficult circumstances where on unfit person would quit.11

Many physical fitness tests have been suggested and used to measure the explosive strength speed, endurance jumping ability etc. of basketball players individually and more skill tests have devised in basket ball than any other sports activity.12

The importance of physical fitness for achieving good performance in well known. Many essential abilities are required to be developed in a player to achieve higher performance in basketball.13

The performances in various sports, including basketball efficiency and psychological conditioning of players. The basketball game is characterized by sudden bursts of speed, unexpected stops, jumps, turns, changes indirection and pace with and without ball in response to the direct action of the opponent, this needs to develop to relationship between technique and players athletic development such as speed, strength, endurance and explosive power.
The lack of agreement regarding the concept of physical fitness basically centers and ability should by include in such a battery. Some authors list only the relatively basic elements, such as strength, muscular endurance and cardio vascular endurance. Others build form this base and include items of ability, flexibility, power, balance, speed and neuro muscular coordination.
Physical fitness promotes a feeling of increased vitality because more energy is available to perform daily tasks. Those who fit are usually eager to getup in the morning and experience more drive through out the day. They exhibit a “zest for life”.14

Since the days of early Greeks, physical fitness has been an important objective of physical education. In fact, the desire to establish a scientific approach to the development of physical fitness was the primary reason for the meeting of physical educators in 1855 that resulted in the birth of our profession. Through the years, interest in physical fitness has been some what cyclic in nature, being affected by draft statistics, the emphasis on fitness during time of war, and the kras – weber test in which American youth well found to be interior when compared with children of other counties with regard to minimum muscular fitness.15

One of the biggest challenges we all face is finding the faces we need to know for best health and performance and getting rid of the muths and fads that seem to be every where overall want a personnel program that takes the least amount of time but doesn’t miss any thing crucial.
Changes are that your busy life style, leaver you little time for exercise. Daily pressures drain your energy eating and the run is a frequent necessity. These and other challenges in our fast – paced world make it harder and harder to get in to your best possible shape – in body, emotions, mind and spirit and that way.
Testing and measurement in physical education and sport in America is only a little a century old. Its history can be divided roughly in to period extending from about 1860 to the present. These periods can be loosely categorized by the preventing interests of the times. It should be realized, how ever, that there are no clear cut lines of demarcation separating than. These periods merely indicate the times when the specific measurement types came into prominence. The first three periods clearly reflected an emphasis on the physical capacity of humans, while the latter periods indicate emphases on efficiency and performance abilities, and on the “wholeness” of the physical performers.16

The physical educator must be stilled in evaluation process. The general objectives that have been set forth by the physical education profession, such as development of organic efficiency and neuro muscular skills, social and emotional adjustments and improved mental performances are indeed worthy goals and certainly ambitions ones. The evaluation of progress in achieving these objectives requires knowledge and skills in different areas of human behaviour. Because general objectives are stated in broad general terms, they are usually vague and difficult to evaluate. Thus, behavioral objectives are formulated to specify the behaviour that reflects successful achievement of a general objective and it is with behavioural objectives that specific measurement is used to determine to what extent the goals are achieved.

MALLA-KHAMB HISTORY

There is no reference of the exercise on the Malla-khamb in Ramayana and Mahabharat Epics. We trace its origin in the twelth century. Because in Manasolhas there is description wrestlers taking exercise on Malla-khamb. It was very common from of exercise among wrestlers in Deccan in those days. This art however remained in the background for six or seven countries. Afterwards the art was revived by Balambhat Dada Deodhar in the first half of the 19th century. Balambhat Dada was engaged as the physical instructor to the Peshva Bajirao II. He revived the art and made it very effective and as an indispensable aid to art of wrestling. He planned two types of Mall-Khambs—one was made use of after fixing a part of it underground. The second type of Malla-Khamb was kept hanging after attaching it to some beam by a hook. He deviced several feet on Malla-Khamb with the sole intention of using those feats or devices as an aid to the art of wrestling. Much stress was given by him on these Malla-Khamb feats and he proved by open exhibitions that a wrestler wellversed in the art of Malla-Khamb would compete easily with his opponent of about double his weight. For political reasous Bajirao II had to go to the Benaras side. Ballabhat Dada naturally had to accompany him there. He trained there a number of disciples, the most favorites of whom was Kondbhat Nana Godbole.
Kondabhat Nana Godbole tried to establish himself at Benaras, where he found a famous Gymnastic Institution and imparted instruction in wrestling and Malla-Khamb on the lines chalked out by his Guru Balambhat Dada. Meanwhile Balambhat Dada finished his worldly career and his three children with their mother settled at Benaras. Narayan Guru Deodhar was the youngest son of Balambhat Dada. He had a favorable companion in Damodar Guru – a worthy disciple of Kondbhat Nana Gpdbole. Both these youngsters received proper training in Malla-khamb and Wrestling under the guidance of Kondbhat Nana Gadbole. Damodar Guru after acquiring proficiency in these arts moved in different parts of India establishing new gymnastic-institutions and spreading the knowledge he received from his Guru. He introduced a new type of Cane Malla-khamb and made it very popular. All those institutions are even now in flourishing state. Though Malla-khamb could be traced as back as to the 12th century, still the different feats and devices on Mall-khamb were the works of Balambhat Dada and so a major credit for developing the art goes to him. While this art was being spread by Damodar Guru in the whole of India, Narayan Guru Deodhar came to Baroda, and founded an institution for developing the art in this part of India. Mr.Sapre, one of the members of this institution devised still more types of Malla-khambs and improved the exhibitive side of this art. This is a short history of the art of Malla-khamb—an indispensable art as an aid to the science of Wrestling.

Malla-Khamb as an aid to skill in wrestling:-

Holds practiced on the Wrestler’s pillar give many advantages to a wrestler. The hands, legs and thighs ensure the muscular strength. The body becomes light. It enables the wrestler to defeat his opponent of heavier weight. Constant and regular practice on Malla-khamb, makes the body supple, vigorous, tough and singularly active and the wrestler’s stamina is remarkably increased. The wrestler becomes confident of making offensive moves. His defensive power is greatly increased along with the suppleness of joints brought about by serpentine movements on Malla-khamb. Besides, the wrestler can better apply holds.
The arm-pit moves on Malla-khamb facilitate and ensure leg-throws in wrestling. Quick and round moves there on enables the wrestler to escape from the hard locks and holds of his opponent. Upward and downward moves and Dankies thereon invariably save the wrestler from being pinned on his shoulders in wrestling. They not only save him but enable him to get the upper hand over his opponent. They enable him to apply inextricable locks on the opponent confidently. The experience will enable the wrestler to invent new moves for the application of new holds in wrestling.

Malla-khamb as an effective form of exercise:-

One who practices feats on malla-khamb, regularly, develops a beautifully muscular body with an all round tone, within a very short time. Eminent physical culturists state that if sinews, joints and the vertebral column get adequate exercise, the person gains longevity of life. Malla-khamb develops these more than any other form of exercise. Jumps, twisting exercises upward and downward, give sufficient exercise to the body so that kidneys, spleen, liver, pancreas, etc. can work efficiently. Sinews and joints all over the body and spinal column are constantly brought into play in exercises on the Wrestler’s pillar. Circulation of blood becomes vigorous, resulting in the rapid growth of the limbs of the body when the performer is in his teens. The performer gets a sure control and balance on his bodily movements. His digestive organs begin to function effectively owing to the vigorous exercises on Malla-khamb.

Malla-khamb does not check the height development:-

The people in general labour under a great misapprehension that malla-khamb exercises make a man dwarfish. Correct and healthy diet can bestow height upon a person. Healthy weather is another factor, paving the path to the acquisition of height. The following are the examples:- Punjabis are tall, Gurkhas are dwarfish, the Japanese are short, the English are tall. Some Mall-khambists are tall and some are short. Mall-khamb exercises should be taken when the player is in his teens when the body-growth is rapid. This is true in every form of exercise. Little children should indulge in jumping and running exercises which allow free scope to the growth of body. In brief, the objection of dwarfishness in cases of Malla-khamb players is groundless.

Two kinds of Malla-khamb:-

Every institution, therefore, should have two wrestling pillars. One thick and the other thin. The thick one is more useful for practicing wrestling holds and the other will be useful in practicing more instricate feats. The measurements of these are given.

Type of wood:-

They should be prepared out of sheesum or Teak wood. The first is more durable. The part of the pillar to be placed underground should be coated with tar in order to prevent it from being eaten up by white ants.

Surrounding ground:-

The ground in which the pillar is to be fixed should not be sandy leat the pillar will be scratched at every jump or feat.

Dress:-

The performer should not put on a frock and a short but he should wear only a Langot and a loin cover.

Means required:-

Castor oil is slightly rubbed round the pillar to prevent slipping. A napkin should be used for cleaning the pillar. Rasin or wax should be used if the interlaced fingers slip. The teacher may use a stool while teaching the feats.

Grouping of feats:-

Feats are generally arranged on two methods-convenience and varieties. The first varies with every instructor and every learner. It is the most practical one. But this volume shows the arrangement according to the second method from which every instructor is expected to select feats according to his needs.

Malla-khamb feats are formed into 13 groups as under:-

(1) Front Leg-grips.
(2) Jumps.

(3) Salutations.

(4) Back Leg-grips
(5) Arm-pit Grips.

(6) Repetition Grips

(7) Turnings.

(8) Descending

(9) Creeping.

(10) Needle-thread moves.

(11) Balances.

(12) Yogic postures.

(13) Exhibition feats.

Performance Related Physical Fitness Variables

The performance of most motor task probably involves same combination of health – related and performance related physical fitness. However, some aspects of fitness may be more strongly related to a specific sp0ort or to a general factor found in a cluster of activities than health related fitness. Fitness specific top a sport is often referred to as performance – related physical fitness.17

Motor fitness is of particular important during growth, when the child explores his or her movement potential and develops basic motor skills. Ability, balance, speed of movements and motor co-ordination are major facts of the motor component of fitness. Ability is usually described as a high score on a test that requires agile movements, such as a shuttle run. Balance like wise, is described by scores on various tests of whole body equilibrium or by measures of body way. Speed of movement and motor co-ordination are characterized by fast responses to simple and complex choice reaction tasks. Motor fitness contributed only marginally to physical and physiological fitness as seen in a health perspective, with the possible exception of preventing falls and avoiding accidents, particularly in elderly people.18

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The purpose of this study was to find out the predominant characteristics among Mallakhamb performers such as strength endurance, flexibility, balance, cardio respiratory endurance, speed, shoulder strength, elastic power.

Delimitations

The study was delimited in the following aspects.

1. The total number of subjects was delimited to thirty students who attended the summer Mallakhamb coaching camp at villupuram during the year 2007-08.
2. The age of the subjects ranged from 16-22 yrs.
3. Accomodation was provided by the Tamilnadu Mallakhamb Association to all the subjects, hence the food habits of the subjects were almost same.
4. This study was confined to the following variables namely strength endurance, flexibility, balance, cardio respiratory endurance, speed, shoulder strength and elastic power.

limitations

1. When testing the subjects, the meteorological variations such as air temperature, atmospheric pressure, relative humidity etc. were not taken into consideration.
2. Physiological factors such as diet, nutrition, rest and practices were not taken into consideration.
3. The subject’s socio-economic status, habits and family back ground were not taken into consideration.

hypotheses

It was hypothesized that there may be significant relationship between selected physical fitness variables and Mallakhamb performance.

definition and explanation of the terms
Strength Endurance
Strength endurance is defined as the force that muscle or a group of muscle can exert against a resistance for a prolonged period.[3]

Flexibility
Flexibility is the functional capacity of the joint to move through a full range of movement.[4]
Balance
The ability to control the body’s position, either stationary (or) while moving.[5]

Cardio-respiratory Endurance
According to Morehouse and Miller, “Cardio respiratory endurance is the ability to carry a work load for relatively prolonged period”.[6]

Speed

According to Carl and Daniel speed may be defined as the capacity of the individual to perform successive movements with the same pattern at faster rate.[7]

Shoulder Strength

It may be defined as the ability of a muscle or muscle group to overcome a given resistance.

Elastic Power
Elastic power is ability of the muscle or a group of muscles to release maximum force in the shortest possible time.
significance of the study

1. The results of the study will help to the physical education teachers and coaches for selecting mallakhamb performers.
2. The result of the study will give an additional knowledge to the area of research in physical education and sports.
3. The results of the study would be useful to Mallakhamb performers to know their fitness level.
4. The results of this study would be helpful for the upcoming researchers for further or deep investigation.

foot note
[1]Ajmer Singh, et al., Essential of Physical Education, (New Delhi : Kalyani Publishers, 2004),p.142.
[2] John C. Thompson, Physical Education for the 1970’s, (New Jersy: The Prentice Hall Inc., 1970), p. 8.
3 Charles A. Bucher, Dimensions of Physical Education, (Saint Louis : The C.V. Mosby Co., 1969), p.10.
4 Harrison Clarke, M., Elementary Physical Fitness, Physical Fitness Research Digests. (January 1965), p. 15-16.
5 Moses Robson. Annalgamation of Physical Education and Sports in India, Cited by Y.M.C.A College of Physical Education Souvenir, Madras (1983), p.33.
6 Robert Hockey, Physical Fitness: The Pathway to Healthful Living (7th Ed)”, CST. Louis, Missouri: Mosby – Year Book Inc., 1993), p.2.
7 Claude Bouchard, Physical Activity, Fitness and Health Consensual Statement, (South Australia: Human Kinetics Publishers, 1993), p.15.
8 Lawrence E. Monehouse and Angustus T. Miller, Physiology of Exercise (Saint Louis : The C.V. Mosby Co., 1976), p.230.
9 Barry L. Johnson and K. Nelson, Practical Measurement for Evaluation in Physical Education, (New Delhi : Surjeet Publications, 1985), p.180.
10 Barry L. Johnson, Jack K. Nelson, Practical Measurement of Evaluation in Physical Education, (3rd Ed), (Delhi : Surjeet Publication, 1982), pp. 40-42.
11 Harrison H. Clarke, Physical Fitness Research Digest, (Washington D.C. President’s Council on Physical Education and Sports, 1971), 1.
12 Hodges and Gillins, Comparative Guide to Sports Skills Tests and Measurements, (U.S.A.: Charles C. Thomas Publishers, 1978), p.35.
13 Jension and Fisher, Scientific Basis of Athletic Conditioning, (London: Lea and Febiger, 1979), p.34.
14 Ibid, p.23.
15 Barry L. Johnson and K. Jack Nelson, Practical Measurements for Evaluation in Physical Education (3rd), p.74.
16 Harold Barrow, et al., Practical Measurement in Physical Education and Sport, (Bekanlam, U.R : Len Fehgir Publishers, 1989), p.6.
17 Margaret Safrit, Introduction to Measurement in Physical Education and Exercise Science, (St. Louis, Missouri : A Division of the C.V. Mosby Company, 1990), p.397.
18 Robert Hockey, Physical Fitness : The Pathway to Healthful Living (7th Ed), p.14.
[3] S.M. Johnson and P.C. Stolberry, Sports Experience and You, (New York: McGraw Hill Book Company, 1961), p.461.
[4] Donald, K. Mathews, Measurement in Physical Education, (Philadelphia W.B. Saundirs Company, 1973), p. 19.
[5] Dr. Ajmeer Singh, Essentials of Physical Education, p. 276.
[6] Laurence E. Morehouse and Angustus T. Miller, Physiology of Exercise, (St. Louis: The C.V. Mosby Company, 1963), p.67.

[7] Carl Kalata and Daniel O. Aruchein, Modern Principles of Athletic Training, (St. Louis: A Division of the C.V. Mosby, Co., 1969), p. 53.



METHODOLOGY
The methods and procedures adopted for selection of subjects, selection of variables, selection of tests, tester’s competency, reliability of the instruments, collection of data, orientation to the subjects, administration of the tests, experimental design and statistical procedures were presented in this chapter.

selection of subjects
The purpose of the study was to analysis of predominant factors among Mallakhamb performers such as strength endurance, flexibility, balance, cardio respiratory endurance, speed, shoulder strength, elastic power. To achieve this purpose of the study thirty men mallakhamb performers from who attended the summer coaching camp at villupuram organized by Tamil Nadu Mallakhamb Association during the year 2007-08 were selected as subjects. The age ranged between 16 to 22 years.

Selection of Variables
The investigator has selected the following variables namely strength endurance, flexibility, balance, cardio respiratory endurance, speed, shoulder strength, elastic power as independent variables. The Mallakhamb performance was selected as dependent variable.

Selection of Tests
Based on the availability of the instruments, feasibility and also based on the reviews, the selected variables were tested by using standardized test items. The following test items were selected to test the variables for the study and it was presented in Table I.
TABLE I
TESTS SELECTION
S. No. Variables Tests
1. Strength endurance ------- Sit ups
2. Flexibility -------- Sit and reach test
3. Balance Stork stand test
4. Cardio respiratory endurance Cooper’s 12 min run/walk test
5. Speed 50m run
6. Shoulder strength Push ups
7. Elastic power Bunny hops

Reliability of the Instruments
The required instruments such as stop watch and measuring tape were taken from Tamilnadu Mallakhamb Association at villupuram and the above instruments were in good condition and they were purchased from the reliable and reputed companies. Their calibrations were found to be accurate enough to serve the purpose of the study.

Reliability of the Data
The reliability of the data was established by using test and retest method. Ten subjects were randomly selected and they were tested twice by the same testers under the similar conditions on selected variables. The intra class correlation was used to find out the reliability of the data and they were presented in Table II.
TABLE II
INTRACLASS CORRELATION COEFFICIENT VALUES ON SELECTED VARIABLES

Tests ‘R’ Value

Sit ups 0.92*
Sit and reach test 0.91*
Stork stand test 0.89*
Cooper’s 12 min run/walk test 0.82*
50m run 0.89*
Push ups 0.92*
Bunny hops 0.91*
* Significant at .05 level of confidence.
(The table value required for significance at .05 level of confidence with df 9 was 0.767).

Competency of the tester
The test items were conducted with the help of physical education teachers near by villupuram. Before conducting the test, the testers were oriented and the purpose of the test and method of scoring were specifically explained as well as demonstrated by the investigator to enrich the tester’s reliability.

Orientation to the Subjects
The purpose of the study was explained to the subjects. The procedures for each test were explained clearly and demonstrated for clear view. The subjects were motive to perform better during the test. The recordings of measurements of each test item were made known to the subjects to familiarize them about their performance. All the subjects performed all the tests to their maximum ability.

Administration of the Tests
Bent knee sit-ups
Purpose
To asses abdominal strength and muscular endurance.
Equipments
A mat and a stopwatch.
Procedure
To subjects were asked to take a supine lying position on the mat, knees bent to an angle less than 90 degrees, and hands clasped behind neck. The ankles were held firmly on the ground by a partner. To perform the sit-ups, the subjects lifted his trunk, head and elbows forward in curt-up motion elbows touching the knees and then lowered his trunk touching the done continuously without pause for one minute. Numbers of correctly executed sit-ups were recorded as his performance.
To facilitate counting and recording the subjects were paired one subjects performed the exercise. While his partner counted. After the score was recorded, the subject inter changed their positions, i.e., the partner become the performer and vive versa.
Scoring
Recorded the number of correctly executed sit-ups performed with in one minute.

Sit and Reach Test
Purpose
To measure the flexibility of the subjects.
Equipment
The equipment for this test consist of a platform, scale, two gymnasium (Stall bar) benches and a piece of rubber moulding about 4 feet square. The scale is drawn on a piece of plywood 24 by 8 inches. The centre line is marked 0, inches lines or side are marked 1, 2, 3 and so on to 12 and those on the other side –1, -2, -3 and so on up to –12. The support for the scale is in the form up and elongated sign made of 11 inch – wide boards resting on their edges. These are referred to as the cross-board and stem board, food prints are outlines on the surface of the cross-board. One on either side of the upper edges of the support in such a way that when the subject is selected on the floor with the feet against the foot prints, the zero-line condides with the near surface of the cross board and the minus workings towards the subject. Two benches are placed side by side their sides, about 12 inches apart, with their legs against a wall. The scale is placed between the benches with the cross-board placed against them. The rubber mouldity is spread on the floor in front of and partially under the side.
Procedure
In taking the test, the subjects sites on the rubber matting with shoes removed, legs separated enough to stable the stem board. The feet are placed on the foot prints and pressed firmly against the cross board. The arms are extended forward with the hands placed palms down on the upper surface of the scale in this position, the subject bobs forward four time and holds the position of maximum reach on the fourth count. The knees must remain straight. If the hands reach unevenly, the hand reaching the shorter distance determines the score. The score is recorded to the nearest half inch.

Stork Stand
Purpose
To measure the static balance of the performer while supported on the ball of the feet of the dominant leg.
Equipment
Stopwatch
Procedure
From a stand on the foot of the dominant leg place the other foot on the inside of the supporting knee and place the hands on the hip upon a given signal, raise the heel from the floor and maintain balance as long as possible units moving the ball of the foot from its initial position or letting the heel touch the floor.
Scoring
The score is the greatest number of seconds counted between the time and heel is raised and the balance is best on three traits with the preferred foot.

Cooper’s 12 Minute Run/Walk Test
Purpose
To measure the cardio respiratory endurance.
Equipments and Facilities
To conduct this test on 400 meters track, stopwatch, a whistle, score sheets and pencil.
Procedure
The test was administered in two groups, the 30 subjects being period of making fifteen in each group, when one group running the partner in the other group served as the lap score. For this test 400 meters track was prepared with making at every 10 meters. The first group with 15 subjects was asked to stand on the standing line and was given instructions to cover as much distance as possible by running, jogging or walking throughout the 12 minutes period. They were instructed to continue till the final whistle was blown and to stop before with the starting whistle they started and at the end of twelve minutes the whistle was blown. The number of minutes left was announced to the subjects every minute. The subject jogged in the spot without moving forward after the final whistle. The distance covered by each subjects was reported by the concerned partner who served as the lap score and the distance was recorded to the nearest 10 minutes. After one group completed the run the other group also had its turn to run for 12 minutes, the subjects of the first group serving as lap scores.[1]
Scoring
The distance covered by each subjects in 12 minutes was noated

50 mts run
Purpose
To assess speed
Equipment
An area on a track and two stop watches.
Procedure
The test was administered to two subjects at a time. Subjects took a position behind the starting line. The starter used the commands “Are you ready” and “Go” the latter was accompanies by a downward sweep of the starter’s arm to give a visual signal to the timers who stood at the finish time.
Scoring
Score was recorded to the one-tenth of a second.

PUSH UPS
Purpose
To measure the arm/ shoulder strength
Equipment
Mat
Description
The exercise started by the subject in a prone positon on the mat. The body was raised straighting the arms in a strainght line, with on sagging or pumping action permitted. In the return, the subject’s chest touched and the exercise was performed unitl theexhaution.
Rules
No scores are permitted if:
The subjects arms were bent at the top of the movement.
the hip sagged.
a pumping motion in which the shoulders, there the hips were raised, or vice versa was noted.
Scoring
The numbers of correctly executed push ups were recorded as the score of the subject.
Bunny Hops
Purpose
To measure the elastic power.
Equipment
Measuring tape.
Procedure
The procedure prescribed by Loren Seagrave[2] was employed to measure the elastic power. The subject took the position on the take off line. When he completed the five strides bounding (Bunny hops) the performance was measured from the nearest break to the take off line. Three trials were given. The five stride bounding test (Bunny hops) for distance will provide the best assessment of an individual’s power capacity.
Scoring
The best performance was recorded to the nearest 0.01

Experimental Design and Statistical procedures
The design used for this study was static group design. The mode of analysis of data on selected dependent variables and Mallakhamb performance among the selected performers has been statistically analyzed in two parts. In part I product moment correlation was found between Mallakhamb performance and selected independent variables and in part II the order of priority was found out by using multiple correlation. In all the cases .05 level of significance was fixed to test the hypothesis.

foot note
[1] Harrison H, Clarke, Application of Measurement of Health and Physical Education, (Englewood cliffs, N.J. Prentice Hall, Inc. 1976) p. 171.
[2] Loren Seagrage, “Introduction to Sprinting”, New Studies in Athletics, Vol. 2, No.3, (September, 1996), 100.

Chapter IV
Analysis and interpretations of the data
The analysis and interpretations of data, and detailed results of the study have been discussed in this chapter.
The purpose of the study was to analysis of predominant factors among Mallakhamb performers such as strength endurance, flexibility, balance, cardio respiratory endurance, speed, shoulder strength, leg elastic power. To achieve this purpose of the study thirty men mallakhamb performers from who attended the summer coaching camp at villupuram organized by Tamil Nadu Mallakhamb Association during the year 2007-08 were selected as subjects. The investigator has selected the following variables namely strength endurance, flexibility, balance, cardio respiratory endurance, speed, shoulder strength, leg elastic power as independent variables. The Mallakhamb performance was selected as dependent variable. Data were collected for the seven independent variables in relation to Mallakhamb performance. The collected data was subjected to statistical analysis as explained below. To determine the relationship between dependent variable and independent variable Pearson product moment correlation was used. The computation of multiple correlation was also and to find out the predominant factors which were highly correlated to the performance of Mallakhamb performers. Forward selection method of multiple correlation was used in this to find out the predictor variables that has highest correlation with the criterion variables and the results were presented below.
Analysis of Data
The data on selected independent variables for Mallakhamb performers were statistically analysed by using Pearson product moment correlation and the results were presented in table III.
TABLE III
PEARSON PRODUCT MOMENT CORRELATION BETWEEN THE SELECTED VARIABLES AND PERFORMANCE OF MALLAKHAMB PERFORMERS
Dependent variable Independent variables Pearson r12 value

Strength Endurance 0.891*
Flexibility 0.813*
Mallakhamb Performance Balance 0.876*
Cardio Respiratory Endurance 0.213
Speed 0.224
Shoulder Strength 0.285
Elastic Power 0.152
*Significant at .05 level with 29 is 0.355



The table III shows that the correlation values between Mallakhamb performance and strength endurance, Mallakhamb performance and balance, Mallakhamb performance and flexibility 0.891, 0.876 and 0.813 respectively which are greater than the required table value 0.355 with df 29 at .05 level of confidence. And also it shows that correlation values between Mallakhamb performance and shoulder strength, Mallakhamb performance and speed, Mallakhamb performance and cardio respiratory endurance, Mallakhamb performance and elastic power 0.285, 0.224, 0.213 and 0.152 which are lesser than the required table value 0.355 with df 29 at .05 level of confidence.
Hence, it is evident from the table III that there was significant relationship between Mallakhamb performance and strength endurance, Mallakhamb performance and balance and Mallakhamb performance and flexibility.
Multiple correlation was computed by forward selection method on data obtained for the high achievers in soccer and the results were presented in table IV.

TABLE IV
MULTIPLE CORRELATION COEFFICIENT FOR THE PREDICTORS OF PERFORMANCE OF MALLAKHAMB PERFORMERS
S. No. Variables (Forward Selection) R R square Adjusted R Square R Square Change
1. Strength Endurance 0.925 0.841 0.845 0.832
2. Strength Endurance & Balance 0.951 0.892 0.891 0.030
3. Strength Endurance, Balance & Flexibility 0.971 0.946 0.942 0.016

From the table IV, it was found that the multiple correlation coefficient for predictors such as strength endurance, balance and flexibility is 0.971 which produce highest multiple correlation with Mallakhamb performance. R square values showed that the percentage of contribution of predictors to the Mallakhamb performance (dependent variables) in the following order.
1. About 84% of the variation in the Mallakhamb performance was explained by the regression model with one predictor strength endurance.
2. About 90% of the variation in the Mallakhamb performance was explained by the regression model with two predictors, strength endurance and balance. An additional 3% of the variance in the Mallakhamb performance is contributed by balance.
3. About 93% of the variation in the Mallakhamb performance was explained by the regression model with three predictors, strength endurance, balance and flexibility. An additional 2% of the variance in the Mallakhamb performance is contributed by flexibility.

Discussion of Findings
The analysis of data for Mallakhamb performers reveals that when an attempt is made to identify those variables which have influence as in strength endurance, flexibility and balance as the variables which produce the highest multiple correlations with Mallakhamb performance. Obviously these variables need to be given special attention while preparing players for competitions. Thus, the investigation clearly points out that the Mallakhamb performance is mostly based on the strength endurance, balance and flexibility and lastly, it depends upon the remaining variables namely speed, shoulder strength, cardio respiratory endurance and elastic power.

The results of the present study indicate the strength endurance, balance and flexibility are playing an important role at Mallakhamb performance, whereas other selected variables do not have much significant role in Mallakhamb performance.
Discussion on Hypothesis
At earlier, it was hypothesized that there may be significant relationship between selected physical fitness variables and Mallakhamb performance. The results of the study showed that there was a significant relationship between Mallakhamb performance and strength endurance, Mallakhamb performance and balance and Mallakhamb performance and flexibility. And also it was found that there was no significant relationship between Mallakhamb performance and cardio respiratory endurance, Mallakhamb performance and speed, Mallakhamb performance and shoulder strength and Mallakhamb performance and elastic power. Hence, the researcher’s hypothesis was partially accepted.

Chapter V
Summary, conclusions and recommendations
summary
The purpose of the study was to analysis of predominant factors among Mallakhamb performers such as strength endurance, flexibility, balance, cardio respiratory endurance, speed, shoulder strength, elastic power. To achieve this purpose of the study thirty men mallakhamb performers from who attended the summer coaching camp at villupuram organized by Tamil Nadu Mallakhamb Association during the year 2007-08 were selected as subjects. The investigator has selected the following variables namely strength endurance, flexibility, balance, cardio respiratory endurance, speed, shoulder strength, elastic power as independent variables. The Mallakhamb performance was selected as dependent variable. Data were collected for the seven independent variables in relation to Mallakhamb performance. The collected data was subjected to statistical analysis as explained below. To determine the relationship between dependent variable and independent variable Pearson product moment correlation was used. The computation of multiple correlation was also and to find out the predominant factors which were highly correlated to the performance of Mallakhamb performers. Forward selection method of multiple correlation was used in this to find out the predictor variables that has highest correlation with the criterion variables. In all the cases, .05 level of confidence was fixed to test the significance which was considered as an appropriate.

Conclusions
From the analysis of the data, the following conclusions were drawn.
1. The strength endurance, balance and flexibility had a high correlation with Mallakhamb performance.
2. Mallakhamb performance was mainly depends on the strength endurance first then balance and flexibility.

recommendations
With the help of results derived from the present study, the following recommendations can be made.
1. The results of the present study can be very much useful for physical educators, coaches and trainers for screening and selecting potential Mallakhamb performers.
2. Further, the result of the study can help to frame different methods of training by laying emphasis on the development of factors which are significantly related to performance.
3. It may be recommended that the present study may be repeated by selecting subjects belonging to lower age groups.
4. It may be recommended to carry out similar study with national performers.
5. Intensive research study of this nature may be done in other games and sports where criterion used for measuring success will be performance in game/sport.