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Introduction: The success of the karate player mainly depends on the balance and core strength. Improvement in these physical variables depends upon the type of exercise training used by the athletes. In the Indian context, there is lack of literature that supports the use of Pilates and Plyometric Training (PT) programme in training of Karate players. Therefore, to achieve success in the sport, best training method should be chosen by athletes or coaches. Aim: To compare and evaluate the effectiveness of two training programs Pilates and Plyometric on balance and core strength of National level male Karate athletes. Materials and Methods: The design of this study was experimental and sampling technique was simple random sampling. This study was conducted on a sample of 120 with 40 subjects in each group i.e., Experimental group A (Plyometric, N=40), Experimental group B (Pilates, N=40) and Control group C (N=40). The data was collected during 20th May 2018 to 10thFebruary 2020. The national level male karate players in the age group of 18 to 24 years with playing experience of five years were included in the study. The plyometric and pilates training were carried out in experimental groups for three days per week for eight weeks and no training method was implemented in the control group. Three reading were recorded, at the baseline, at the end of 4th and 8th week. Dynamic balance and core strength were the outcome measurements which were measured by modified Star Excursion Balance Test (mSEBT) and isometric core strength tests respectively. All the data was analysed by SPSS version 2.0 and the descriptive stats noted as mean±SD. ANOVA post-hoc analysis were calculated with p-value significance set at <0.05. Results: After eight weeks of intervention, both experimental groups showed significant improvement in dynamic balance and core strength comparisons between the groups. When the pre-test and post-test values of the experimental groups have been compared at the 4th week and 8th week of the study showed significant improvement (p-value <0.001) in the mSEBT and Core strength of the plyometric group compared to pilates and control group. Conclusion: The findings of the present study revealed that plyometrics and pilates both can improve balance and core strength of karate players but the PT method had more positive and statistically better effects on core strength and dynamic balance than pilates group in the view of sports performance.

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Background: Chronic neck pain is observed to be commonly kindred with forward head posture (FHP). Rib cage mechanics is found to be altered that decreases thoracic mobility. This reduced mobility of thorax reduces the effectiveness of diaphragm, intercostals, and abdominal muscles in terms of ventilation. Therefore this study was done to evaluate the effectiveness of exercises meant for enhancing the stability of the neck with feedback on neck stabilization exercises with feedback in improving the respiratory status. Methods:This was an experimental study. Based on inclusion & exclusion criteria, 100 subjects(54 males and 46 females)enrolled for the study, which was further allotted into Experimental and Control groups. The experimental group was given Cervical Stabilization Exercise with feedback in addition to routine Physiotherapy treatment. Control group was given only regular Physiotherapy treatment for six weeks. The digital camera assessed the FHP by measuring of Craniovertebral Angle (CVA). Spirometry assessed pulmonary function (FEV1) and Micro RPM assessed inspiratory muscle strength (PImax). All measurements were taken on the day of study, on 3rd and 6th week.Results: Significant reduction in forward head posture measured by improvement in Craniovertebral angle, improvement in Inspiratory muscle strength (PIMax) and pulmonary functions (FEV1) were found in the group that received cervical stabilization exercises with feedback along with the conventional Physiotherapy (p< 0.05). Therefore it is suggested that cervical stabilization exercises correct the head posture and helps to improve the biomechanics of respiratory muscles. Conclusion:Cervical stabilization exercise is an effective approach to correct the forward head posture, and it should be included in the intervention measures of patients with forward head posture.