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ABSTRACT
This cross-sectional study compared selected physical attributes, physiological parameters, and psychological traits between physical education (PE) students and Senior Division National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets enrolled in higher education institutions in Tripura, India. A purposive sample of 60 male participants (n₁ = 30 PE students; n₂ = 30 NCC cadets), aged 18–25 years, was drawn from Ramkrishna Mahavidyalaya, Kailashahar, Unakoti District. Physical attributes assessed included; linear speed (50-m sprint test), agility (SUMO Agility Test), and lower-body explosive power (standing broad jump). Physiological parameters comprised resting heart rate (RHR; manual palpatory method) and cardiovascular endurance (12-minute Cooper Run and Walk Test). Psychological profiling was conducted using the Eysenck Personality Inventory (EPI). Independent-samples t-tests were employed with the significance threshold set at α = .05. Results revealed no statistically significant between-group differences in linear speed (t [58] = −0.905, p = .369) or RHR (t [58] = −1.596, p = .115). Significant group differences were identified in agility (t [58] = −2.517, p = .014), explosive power (t [58] = 3.464, p = .001), and cardiovascular endurance (t [58] = 2.295, p = .025), with NCC cadets outperforming PE students on agility and cardiovascular endurance, while PE students demonstrated greater explosive power. No significant difference emerged in EPI personality scores (t [58] = −1.888, p = .063). These findings underscore the differential impact of military-disciplined versus academic physical education training on select components of fitness, while affirming comparable personality profiles and sprint performance across the two populations.
Keywords: Linear Speed; Explosive Muscular Power; Cardio-Vascular Endurance; Resting Heart Rate; Personality Traits; Physical Education Students; National Cadet Corps Cadets