The effect of preparation period trainings on respiratory muscle strength of hearing impaired judokas

Abstract

Background & Study Aim: The delay in the motor development of disabled people results from a lack of experience, rather than a loss of an ability. Thus, disabled people should be provided with suitable exercise environment, motivated to participate in physical activities and even encouraged to do sports for rehabilitation. The purpose of this study is the effect of 4-week-long preparation period of the judo training programs on the respiratory functions, inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength of male and female hearing impaired judokas. Material & Methods: A total of 27 hearing impaired judokas, 13 male and 14 female, participated in the study voluntarily. Measurements were made 2 days before the training program started and 2 days after the training program ended. The indicators obtained from these measurements were maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), vital capacity (VC), tidal volume (TV), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC, forced inspiratory vital capacity (FIVC), maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) and respiratory rate (RR). A paired samples t-test was used for pre-test post-test differences, while an independent samples t-test was used for differences between genders. Results: Statistical significance was found in all respiration indicators measured in the analysis of pre-test and post-test differences within groups (p<0.05). No statistically significant difference was found in analysis results between groups in terms of gender. A 4-week-long preparation period training program had a positive effect on the respiration indicators and respiratory muscle strength of male and female athletes. A training program had similar effects on the examined indicators in terms of the variable of gender. Conclusion: Since the individuals with hearing impaired formed the experimental group, the benefits of judo training applied to individuals with hearing impaired will be important for the literature and may inspire other researchers in the future.