IMMEDIATE EFFECTS OF POST-ISOMETRIC RELAXATION AND STATIC STRETCHING ON QUADRICEPS MUSCLE DURING VERTICAL JUMP IN VOLLEY BALL AND BASKETBALL PLAYERS

Background and Aim: In today sports such as volleyball and basketball, Vertical Jump is considered as important component that enhance the performance of athlete. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of muscle energy technique on vertical jump performance in volleyball and basketball players. Methodology: This Randomized Clinical Trial was conducted at Islamic International University Islamabad. Twenty-nine athletes of age 18 – 35 playing basketball and volley as part time/domestic level were included. Post isometric relaxation technique was applied on group A (n=15) and static stretching was applied on group B (n=14). Surface electromyography activity of quadriceps and abdominal muscle was recorded, Stable time, airtime and vertical jump height were measured using two-axis force platform and vertical jump height was measured by motion sensor. Measurements were taken at baseline and immediately after applying interventions to both groups. Data entry and analysis were done by using software SPSS version 22. Results:   Of the 29 athletes, 15 were in the group A and 14 were in the group B. Immediate assessment of vertical jump height was not significantly improved by post-isometric relaxation relative to static stretching (p=0.594). Muscle recruitment, ground reaction and vertical jump height improved apparently after post isometric relaxation but not significantly. Conclusion: It appears that post isometric relaxation and static stretching of quadriceps shows no significant difference in vertical jump height.

Evaluation of Biofertilizer for Chickpea-Maize Cropping System in Southern Punjab, Pakistan

Different biotic and abiotic factors limit the plant productivity. Among them, water deficit is most common. It seriously affects the plant physiology, biochemistry and yield. In the southern Punjab region, due to unfavorable environmental conditions, there is severe shortage of water which hampering the crop yield. To ameliorate the effect of water deficit different approaches can be adopted. The most economical and simplest approach is the use of biofertilizer along with the organic sources in chickpea-maize cropping system. Cropping system is important for improving soil health and crop yield as well. A legume has the ability to fix nitrogen by symbiotic relationship with microbe. It helps to maintain soil fertility and organic matter. In chickpea-maize cropping system, chickpea increased the N nutrition of cereal crop can enhanced because the N transfers from the chickpea to the cereal. Chickpea is able to take much of its nitrogen requirement from the atmosphere by forming a symbiotic association with soil bacteria called rhizobium, and thus does not need much fertilizer. Maize is the third major cereal crop and chickpea is an important dietary protein for the rural poor people of the world likewise Pakistan, Combined cropping system of chickpea-maize show a considerable promise in better productivity and help to reverse the decline in soil fertility. Biofertilizer have the potential to mitigate the effect of water deficit stress on growth and yield of chickpea and maize in natural conditions of Southern Punjab through a number of direct and indirect mechanisms. Keeping in view the above said problem, the present study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of biofertilizers for improving the productivity and profitability in chickpea-maize cropping system in southern Punjab. For this purpose already prepared biofertilizer (Rhizogold), Rock phosphate enriched compost and biogas slurry was taken. Rock phosphate enriched compost & biogas slurry were analyzed for various physicochemical properties in the laboratory. Biofertilizer were tested for bacterial population. A series of wire-house and field experiments were conducted for the evaluation of biofertilizer for chickpea-maize cropping system in South Punjab, Pakistan. The pot experiments were conducted to evaluate biofertilizer for improving growth, yield and quality of chickpea and maize crops following chickpea – maize cropping system. For the confirmation of results of pot trials, the field experiments were conducted following the chickpea-maize cropping system on permanent layout. Results of the pot trial showed that combined application of biofertilizer and biogas slurry gave significantly better results and improved grain yield up to 40 and 14% in chickpea and maize, respectively, as compared to control. While, in field trial I and II, the combined application of biofertilizer with biogas slurry showed maximum increase up to 39 and 32%, respectively, in grain yield of chickpea as compared to control. In both the field trials of maize, combined application of biofertilizer and biogas slurry showed maximum grain yield. The combined use of biofertilizer and biogas slurry also significantly improved the nitrogen concentration in soil and soil bacterial population after crop harvest. Biofertilizer also improved the profitability of the chickpea – maize cropping system as shown by the economic analyses of the results. So, it is concluded that use of biofertilizer can be effective in improving soil health and crop yield in chickpea-maize cropping system however its combined use with enriched compost and biogas slurry can be cost effective, economical and more efficient in improving the water and fertilizer use efficiency, microbial community and soil health in water stress area of South Punjab Pakistan.