Newcomb Ball: Training Effect on the Physical Fitness of Women at Midlife

The aim of the study was to examine the effect of Newcomb ball training on the physical fitness of women at midlife. One hundred and eighteen women, aged 29-45, were assigned to an experimental group (EG) – amateur players, and a control group (CG) – non-active women, and completed two similar sets of tests before and after seven months of training. While the EG performed two Newcomb ball training sessions a week, the CG remained non-active throughout the seven months. Leg power, arm power, agility, speed and aerobic scores were significantly higher for the EG compared to the CG at baseline (p± 0.9 vs 5.6 ± 0.9 m), agility (10.68 ± 0.95 vs 10.37 ± 0.89 sec), speed (4.11 ± 0.45 vs 4.01 ± 0.33 sec) and aerobic fitness (563 ± 328 vs 680 ± 378 m) (ES = 0.45 – 0.61, p.05), were found for the CG in any of the fitness variables following training. No significant changes were found following training for either group in anthropometric or resting physiological values, except for a significant increase in body weight for the CG (ES = 0.43, p.05). The findings indicate that Newcomb ball training can be used as an efficient and enjoyable tool for fitness development among midlife amateur women players.