Objective: The objective of present study was to assess the effect of yoga training on physical components and skill abilities among novice basketball players.

Methods: Sixty male novice Basketball players (n=60), aged 14 to 16 years, from Jalgaon, were selected randomly. All the subjects were assessed for variables of physical fitness and skills viz., agility, flexibility, strength and power, speed and body fat, shooting ability, passing accuracy and dribbling by using standard tests. After the baseline assessment the subjects were divided randomly into two groups viz; Group –A (Yoga plus basketball training group) and Group – B (basketball training). After pre test assessment, all the subjects of Group A were exposed to a practice of Basketball training and yoga practices and Group B participated in the training in Basketball only. The common training of basketball was imparted for both the groups 1 hr. daily in the evening except Sundays and holidays. However, after completion of 1 hr. training group A participated in yoga training for 30 minutes while the subjects of group B participated in cooling down activities for 30 minutes. Post test was conducted after a total experimental period of 6 weeks.

Results: Results of paired sample t- test in experimental group showed significant change in agility (p<0.001); flexibility (p<0.001); speed (p<0.001); strength (p<0.001); body fat (p<0.001); shooting ability (p<0.001); passing ability (p<0.001) and dribbling ability (p<0.001) after yoga training intervention. However, there was significant change in all the variables among control group participants. Further, result of between group comparison revealed that experimental group had significant change in agility (p<0.001); flexibility (p<0.001); speed (p<0.001); strength (p<0.001); body fat (p<0.01); shooting ability p<0.001); passing ability (p<0.001) and dribbling ability (p<0.001) as compared to control group participants.

Conclusion: Yoga practices are effective in improving physical fitness components and basketball skill abilities of novice basketball players.