Effects of Training Interventions on Physical Fitness and Performance in Kabaddi Players: A Systematic Review
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Methods
2.1. Search Strategy
2.2. Eligibility Criteria
2.3. Study Selection
2.4. Data Extraction
2.5. Quality Appraisal
3. Results
3.1. Study Characteristics
3.2. Interventions Characteristics
3.3. Main Outcomes
3.3.1. Physical Fitness
3.3.2. Sports Performance Variables
3.3.3. Physiological Variables
3.3.4. Hematological Variables
3.4. Methodological Quality
4. Discussion
5. Conclusions
Supplementary Materials
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
- Pal, S.; Kalra, S.; Kumar, S.; Pawaria, S.; Rishi, P. A Literature Review on Common Injuries and Their Prevention in Kabaddi. Eur. J. Sport. Exerc. Sci. 2021, 9, 1–9. [Google Scholar]
- Kumar, S.; Sudhakara, G. Selected Physical Fitness Components and Kabaddi Performance. Int. J. Acad. Res. Dev. 2018, 3, 908–910. [Google Scholar]
- Sidhu, H. Kabaddi. J. Phys. Educ. Recreat. Danc. 1986, 57, 75–77. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Patel, D.M.P.; Singh, A.; Ghosh, S.; Adhikari, D.R. Season-Wise Performance Analysis of the Gujarat Giants Team in the Pro Kabaddi League. J. Adv. Sport. Phys. Educ. 2025, 8, 155–167. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Dhillon, M.S.; John, R.; Sharma, S.; Prabhakar, S.; Behera, P.; Saxena, S.; Singh, H.; Chouhan, D. Epidemiology of Knee Injuries in Indian Kabaddi Players. Asian J. Sports Med. 2017, 8, e31670. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Singh, P.; Parashar, B.; Agrawal, S.; Mudgal, K.; Singh, P. Kabaddi: A Quantitative Approach to Machine Learning Model in Pro Kabaddi. In Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Computational Electronics for Wireless Communications, Surathkal, India, 9–10 June 2022; Springer: Singapore, 2023; Volume 554, pp. 243–260. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Kumar, D.; Nara, K.; Dhull, S. The Advantage and Disadvantage of Body Composition on Athletic Success: A Kabaddi Player Perspective. Int. J. Yogic Hum. Mov. Sport. Sci. 2023, 8, 151–153. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Sudhakar, H.H.; Majumdar, P.; Umesh, V.; Panda, K. Second to Fourth Digit Ratio Is a Predictor of Sporting Ability in Elite Indian Male Kabaddi Players. Asian J. Sports Med. 2014, 5, 31–34. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Pawar, S.B.; Borkar, P. Effect of Ladder Drills Training in Female Kabaddi Players. Int. J. Phys. Educ. Sport. Health 2018, 5, 180–184. [Google Scholar]
- Shobha, S. Selected Physical Fitness Components of Kabaddi and Kho-Kho Intercollegiate Male Players of Bangalore University: A Comparative Study. Int. J. Multidiscip. Res. Dev. 2019, 6, 23–24. [Google Scholar]
- Kumar, D.; Kumar, S.; Kumar, N.; Sagre, S. Effects of Circuit Training on Selected Physical Fitness Components of Kabaddi Players. Sport. Sci. Health Adv. 2023, 1, 143–148. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Dey, S.K.; Khanna, G.L.; Batra, M. Morphological and Physiological Studies on Indian National Kabaddi Players. Br. J. Sports Med. 1993, 27, 237–242. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Deepak; Kumar, N.; Yadav, A.; Sagre, S. Relationship between Motor Ability and Anthropometric Components of Kho-Kho and Kabaddi Players. Int. J. Physiol. Nutr. Phys. Educ. 2022, 7, 200–203. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Thakur, J.S. Association of Obesity with Agility and Speed of University Level Kabaddi Players. Int. J. Phys. Educ. Sport. Health 2016, 3, 254–256. [Google Scholar]
- Shelke, A.; Bawari, B.; Adhikari, R.; Kamath, S.; Kumar, R. Anthropometric Characteristics and Somatotypes in Elite Pro Kabaddi League Players. Int. J. Kinanthropometry 2024, 4, 57–62. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Rao Kagitha, V.; Kumar, P.P.S.P. Effect of Complex Training with Yogic Practices on Selected Motor Fitness Variables and Playing Ability Among Kabaddi Men Players. Int. J. Humanit. Soc. Sci. Invent. 2013, 2, 10–14. [Google Scholar]
- Arumugam, S. Effect of Complex Training on Muscular Strength Among Men Kabaddi Players. Int. J. Adv. Res. Innov. Ideas Educ. 2016, 2, 23–26. [Google Scholar]
- Sakthivel, S.; Kumaresan, G. Influence of Specific Skill Training with Kinematic Instructional Analysis Training on Physical Fitness Components and Overall Playing Ability of Male Kabaddi Players. Rev. Res. 2019, 8, 48514. [Google Scholar]
- Page, M.J.; McKenzie, J.E.; Bossuyt, P.M.; Boutron, I.; Hoffmann, T.C.; Mulrow, C.D.; Shamseer, L.; Tetzlaff, J.M.; Akl, E.A.; Brennan, S.E.; et al. The PRISMA 2020 Statement: An Updated Guideline for Reporting Systematic Reviews. BMJ 2021, 372, 71. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Arjunan, R. Effect of Rope Skipping Dands and Baithaks Exercises on Selected Physical Fitness Variables Among Kabaddi Players. Int. J. Humanit. Arts Med. Sci. 2015, 3, 69–74. [Google Scholar]
- Nithin, B.S.; Singh, R.M.; Kaur, D.; Astuti, Y.; Chaeroni, A.; Elayaraja, M.; Orhan, B.E.; Singh, Y.; Kumasi, B.; Balaji, E.; et al. Effects of Bulgarian Bag Training on Bio-Motor Fitness, Physiological, Haematological, and Performance in Young Adult Male Kabaddi Players. Retos 2024, 61, 868–877. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Irandoust, K.; Taheri, M. Effects of 8-Week Plyometric and Strengthtr Aining Programs on Selected Physical Fitness Factors of Elite Kabbadi Players. Indian J. Fundam. Appl. Life Sci. 2014, 4, 3942–3948. [Google Scholar]
- Karuppaiah, M.; Kumar, M.S. Examination of the Changes on Selected Performance Parameters in Response to Circuit Training among Kabaddi Players. Asian Pac. J. Health Sci. 2022, 9, 25–26. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Shanmugam, S.V.; Rameshkumar, S.; Balasundar, G. Impact of Unilateral Bilateral and Complex Training on Selected Motor Fitness Components and Physiological Variables among College Level Men Kabaddi Players. Int. J. Sport. Exerc. Phys. Educ. 2024, 6, 202–204. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Sureshkumar, R.; Venkatachalam, K.; Sankar, A. Effect of Isolated Mixed Interval and Continued Training on Speed Components among College Level Kabaddi Players. Indian J. Nat. Sci. 2022, 13, 51189–51194. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Sureshkumar, R.; Venkatachalam, K.; Sankar, A.; Mohankumar, K. Impact of Isolated Mixed Interval and Continues Training on Physical Fitness and Skill Related Performance Variables Among College Level Kabaddi Players. Eur. Chem. Bull. 2023, 12, 1758–1772. [Google Scholar]
- Tandel, B.S. Effect of Strength Training on elected Physical Variables of Kabaddi Players. Int. J. Physiol. Nutr. Phys. Educ. 2018, 3, 39–41. [Google Scholar]
- Thinakaran, S.; Balasundar, G.; Kumar, S.R. The Impact of Tabata Training and Resistance Training on Motor Performance Component among School Level Kabaddi Players. Int. J. Sport. Exerc. Phys. Educ. 2024, 6, 243–246. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Upadhyay, V.H. Effects of Speed Agility Quickness Training and Plyometric Training on Selected Physical Fitness Variable among College Men Kabaddi Players. Int. Res. J. Manag. Sociol. Humanit. 2023, 14, 86–93. [Google Scholar]
- Silverman, S.R.; Schertz, L.A.; Yuen, H.K.; Lowman, J.D.; Bickel, C.S. Systematic Review of the Methodological Quality and Outcome Measures Utilized in Exercise Interventions for Adults with Spinal Cord Injury. Spinal Cord 2012, 50, 718–727. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Sardar, S.; Kumar Pandey, A. An Estimation of Kabaddi Performance on the Basis of Selected Physical Fitness Components. Indian J. Phys. Educ. Sport. Appl. Sci. 2016, 6, 27–35. [Google Scholar]
- Cao, S.; Liu, J.; Wang, Z.; Geok, S.K. The Effects of Functional Training on Physical Fitness and Skill-Related Performance among Basketball Players: A Systematic Review. Front. Physiol. 2024, 15, 1391394. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Xiao, W.; Bu, T.; Zhao, F.; Zhang, J.; Bai, X.; Geok, S.K. Effects of Functional Training on Skill Performance and Movement Quality among Skilled Youth Male Tennis Players: A Cluster Randomized Control Trial. BMC Sports Sci. Med. Rehabil. 2025, 17, 43. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Markovic, G.; Mikulic, P. Neuro-Musculoskeletal and Performance Adaptations to Lower-Extremity Plyometric Training. Sport. Med. 2010, 40, 859–895. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Seirulo, F. La Técnica y Su Entrenamiento. Apunts 1987, 24, 189–199. [Google Scholar]
- Newell, K.M. What Are Fundamental Motor Skills and What Is Fundamental about Them? J. Mot. Learn. Dev. 2020, 8, 280–314. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Bennasar-García, M.I.; Romero, O.S.; Durán, Á.L. Importancia de La Coordinación Motriz Para El Desarrollo de Capacidades Físicas En Estudiantes de Primaria. Rev. Multi-Ensayos 2024, 10, 64–76. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Antony, B.; Maheswri, M.U.; Maheswri, U.; Palanisamy, A. Impact of Battle Rope and Bulgarian Bag High Intensity Interval Training Protocol on Selected Strength and Physiological Variables among School Level Athletes. Int. J. Appl. Res. 2015, 1, 403–406. [Google Scholar]
- Mohamed Fayez Fouad, A. The Effectiveness of Using the Bulgarian Bag on the Level of Some Physical Variables and the Digital Level of Javelin Throwers. Assiut J. Sport Sci. Arts 2020, 2020, 305–315. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Bhaskara, D.R.; Murthy, D.K. Physical Fitness Components As Predictors Of Kabaddi Performance. Indian Fed. Comput. Sci. Sport. 2016, 23, 103. [Google Scholar]
- Hajji, S.; Aldimkhi, B. Effect of Bulgarian Bag Exercises on Anticipation and Certain Physical Variables for Kuwaiti Sabre Fencers. Sci. Mov. Health 2022, 22, 172–176. [Google Scholar]
- Jasim, N.M.; Rahim, H.R.; Kazem, T. Bulgarian Bag Exercises and Their Effect on Some Physical and Motor Abilities to Develop Handball Scoring Skills. In Proceedings of the ZAC Conference Series: Social Sciences and Humanities, Baghdad, Iraq, 9–10 June 2024; Volume 1, pp. 1–157. [Google Scholar]
- Atan, T.; Alacam, H. The Effects of Acute Aerobic and Anaerobic Exercise on Blood Parameters. Anthropologist 2015, 19, 87–93. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]

| First Author (Year), Design | Sample | Intervention | Outcomes | Results (p < 0.05) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arjunan (2015) [20] Design: RCT | Participants (n): 45 players (15 EG1; 15 EG2; 15 CON) Sex: Male Age, years (range): 21–28 | Duration: 6-weeks Frequency: 5 days/week Volume: NR Intensity: NR EG1: Rope skipping dands EG2: Dands and baithaks exercise training CON Activities: Do not participate any training | Physical fitness:
| Intra-group ↑ Flexibility in EG1 and EG2 ↑ Agility in EG1 and EG2 Inter-group: EG1 and EG2 > Agility than CON EG2 > Agility than EG1 EG1 and EG2 > Flexibility than CON EG2 > Flexibility than EG1 |
| Nithin et al. (2024) [21] Design: RCT | Participants (n): 30 young adult players (15 EG; 15 CON) Sex: Male Age, years (mean; SD): EG: 20.73 ± 1.83 CON: 20.80 ± 1.69 | Duration: 12-weeks Frequency: 3 days/week Volume: 60 min Intensity: NR EG: Bulgarian Bag training (BBT) Activities: following the BBT component, merged with those in the CON to finish the remaining section of their standard kabaddi-specific training routine. CON Activities: participated only in kabaddi-specific training | Physical fitness:
Physiological Variables:
Hematological Variables:
Sports Performance: Playing Ability | Intra-group ↑ Shoulder Strength in EG ↑ Explosive Strength in EG ↑ Muscular Strength in EG ↑ Agility in EG ↑ Resting Heart Rate in EG ↑ VO2Max in EG ↑ White Blood Cells in EG ↑ Red Blood Cells in EG ↑ Hemoglobin in EG ↑ Playing Ability in EG Inter-group: EG > Agility than CON EG > Shoulder, Explosive and Muscular Strength than CON EG < Resting Heart Rate than CON EG > VO2Max than CON EG > White Blood Cells, Red Blood Cells and Hemoglobin than CON EG > Playing Ability than CON |
| Irandoust & Taheri (2014) [22] Design: RCT | Participants (n): 48 elite players (12 EG1; 12 EG2; 12 EG3; 12 CON) Sex: Male Age, years (mean; SD): 23.58 ± 0.51 | Duration: 8-weeks Frequency: 3 days/week EG1: Strength training Volume: NR Intensity: 60–86% 1 RM EG2: Plyometric training Volume: NR Intensity: low-high exercises EG3: Combined (strength + plyometric) training Volume: NR Intensity: 60–86% 1 RM; low-high exercises CON Activities: Do not participate any training | Physical fitness:
| Intra-group ↑ Leg explosive power in EG1, EG2 and EG3 ↑ Agility in EG1, EG2 and EG3 ↑ Speed in EG1, EG2 and EG3 Inter-group: EG1, EG2 and EG3 > leg explosive power than CON EG1, EG2 and EG3 > Speed than CON EG1, EG2 and EG3 > Agility than CON |
| Karuppaiah & Kumar (2022) [23] Design: RCT | Participants (n): 30 college level players (15 EG; 15 CON) Sex: Male Age, years (range): 18–25 | Duration: 12-weeks Frequency: NR Volume: NR Intensity: NR EG: Circuit training CON Activities: Do not participate any training | Sports Performance:
| Intra-group ↑ Knee Hold in EG ↑ Kicking in EG Inter-group: NR |
| Shanmugam et al. (2024) [24] Design: RCT | Participants (n): 80 college level players (20 EG1; 20 EG2; 20 EG3; 20 CON) Sex: Male Age, years (range): 18–28 | Duration: 12-weeks Frequency: NR Volume: 60 min Intensity: NR EG1: Game specific with unilateral training EG2: Game specific with bilateral training group EG3: Game specific with complex training group CON Activities: not inducted into any specific training program | Physical fitness:
| Intra-group: ↑ Speed EG1, EG2 and EG3 ↑ Aerobic capacity EG1, EG2 and EG3 Inter-group: NR |
| Sureshkumar et al. (2022) [25] Design: RCT | Participants (n): 60 college level players (15 EG1; 15 EG2; 15 EG3; 15 CON) Sex: Women Age, years (range): 18–25 | Duration: 8-weeks Frequency: 3 days/week Volume: 60 min Intensity: NR EG1: Interval training EG2: Continues training EG3: Combined interval and continuous training CON Activities: do not participate any kind of activities. | Physical fitness: Stride Length | Intra-group NR Inter-group: EG1, EG2 and EG3 > Stride Length than CON |
| Sureshkumar et al. (2023) [26] Design: RCT | Participants (n): 45 college level players (15 EG1; 15 EG2; 15 CON) Sex: Women Age, years (range): 18–25 | Duration: 12-weeks Frequency: 3 days/week Volume: 60 min Intensity: NR EG1: Interval training EG2: Continues training CON Activities: do not participate any kind of activities. | Physical fitness:
Sports Performance:
| Intra-group NR Inter-group: EG1 and EG2 > Agility than CON EG1 and EG2 > Leg explosive power than CON EG1 and EG2 > Speed than CON EG1 and EG2 > Hand touch than CON EG1 and EG2 > Toe touch CON EG1 and EG2 > Ankle touch than CON |
| Tandel (2018) [27] Design: RCT | Participants (n): 30 young adult players (15 EG; 15 CON) Sex: Male Age, years (range): 17–21 | Duration: 6-weeks Frequency: 3 days/week Volume: 60–75 min Intensity: NR EG: Strength training CON Activities: Do not participate any training | Physical fitness:
| Intra-group ↑ Muscular Endurance in EG ↑ Agility in EG ↑ Speed in EG Inter-group: EG > Agility than CON EG > Muscular Endurance than CON EG > Speed than CON |
| Thinakaran et al. (2024) [28] Design: RCT | Participants (n): 45 school level kabaddi players (15 EG1; 15 EG2; 15 CON) Sex: Male Age, years (range): 14–17 | Duration: 12-weeks Frequency: 5 days/week Volume: 80 min Intensity: NR EG1: Tabata training Activities: The load was increased by every four weeks of their training program EG2: Resistance training Activities: The load was increased by every four weeks of their training program CON Activities: participated only in kabaddi-specific training | Physical fitness:
| Intra-group: ↑ Speed EG1 and EG2 Inter-group: EG1 and EG2 > Speed than CON |
| Upadhyay (2023) [29] Design: RCT | Participants (n): 45 college level players (15 EG1; EG2; 15 CON) Sex: Male Age, years (range): 19–23 | Duration: 6-weeks Frequency: 4 days/week Volume: NR Intensity: NR EG1: Speed agility quickness training EG2: Plyometric training CON Activities: asked to refrain from any special training except their leisure time pursuit as college students. | Physical fitness:
| Intra-group ↑ Speed EG1 and EG2 ↑ Agility EG1 and EG2 ↑ Power EG1 and EG2 Inter-group: EG1 and EG2 > speed than CON EG1 and EG2 > agility than CON EG1 and EG2 > power than CON |
| Authors (Year) | Items | Quality Rating | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | Score | ||
| Arjunan (2015) [20] | Y | + | − | − | − | − | − | + | + | + | − | 4/10 | Fair |
| Nithin et al. (2024) [21] | Y | + | + | + | − | − | − | + | + | + | + | 7/10 | Good |
| Irandoust & Taheri (2014) [22] | Y | + | − | − | − | − | − | + | + | + | + | 5/10 | Fair |
| Karuppaiah & Kumar (2022) [23] | Y | + | − | − | − | − | − | + | + | − | − | 3/10 | Fair |
| Shanmugam et al. (2024) [24] | Y | + | − | − | − | − | − | + | + | − | + | 4/10 | Fair |
| Sureshkumar et al. (2022) [25] | Y | + | − | − | − | − | − | + | + | + | − | 4/10 | Fair |
| Sureshkumar et al. (2023) [26] | Y | + | − | − | − | − | − | + | + | + | − | 4/10 | Fair |
| Tandel (2018) [27] | Y | + | − | − | − | − | − | + | + | + | − | 4/10 | Fair |
| Thinakaran et al. (2024) [28] | Y | + | − | − | − | − | − | + | + | + | − | 4/10 | Fair |
| Upadhyay (2023) [29] | Y | + | − | − | − | − | − | + | + | + | − | 4/10 | Fair |
Disclaimer/Publisher’s Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s). MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content. |
© 2026 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license.
Share and Cite
González-Devesa, D.; Iglesias Vieites, L.; Blanco-Martínez, N. Effects of Training Interventions on Physical Fitness and Performance in Kabaddi Players: A Systematic Review. Sports 2026, 14, 37. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports14010037
González-Devesa D, Iglesias Vieites L, Blanco-Martínez N. Effects of Training Interventions on Physical Fitness and Performance in Kabaddi Players: A Systematic Review. Sports. 2026; 14(1):37. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports14010037
Chicago/Turabian StyleGonzález-Devesa, Daniel, Lidia Iglesias Vieites, and Nerea Blanco-Martínez. 2026. "Effects of Training Interventions on Physical Fitness and Performance in Kabaddi Players: A Systematic Review" Sports 14, no. 1: 37. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports14010037
APA StyleGonzález-Devesa, D., Iglesias Vieites, L., & Blanco-Martínez, N. (2026). Effects of Training Interventions on Physical Fitness and Performance in Kabaddi Players: A Systematic Review. Sports, 14(1), 37. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports14010037

