Effects of Eight Week Plyometric Study on the Balance Performance of Hearing Impaired Athletes

Ersin Nacaroglu,Onder Karakoc

doi:10.5539/ies.v11n6p1

Abstract

This is an experimental study and it was aimed to identify the effects of 8-week plyometric training of hearing-impaired athletes on balance. 24 Male hearing-impaired volleyball players participated in the study. Random method was used when experimental and control groups were identified. Subjects used in the study were divided into two groups as experiment (12 male age = 19.08 ± 1.62) and control group (12 male age = 17.75 ± 1.28). 3 days/90 min. volleyball training programme was applied for two groups per week.For the experimental group, plyometric training was applied after warming before the volleyball training sessions. The control group continued their regular volleyball training. Statistical results were evaluated at 95% confidence interval and p <0.05 significance level. Because the pre-test and post-test measurements of the groups were normal and homogeneous distribution, the Paired Samples T-Test was applied for the significance between them. To analyze the differences between the experimental group and control group, Independent Samples T-test was used.As a result of the plyometric exercises, the mean values of the pre-test and post-test differences of the static balance measurement parameters for the experimental and control groups were found to be significant in the values of overall stability R, medial lateral R, and overall stability L values (p <0.05). But, in the mean values, there was no significance of anterior posterior R., anterior posterior L. and medial lateral L. mean (p> 0.05).Consequently, it can be said that plyometric exercises have a positive effect especially on static balances of hearing-impaired volleyball players.

Highlights

Prevention of hearing impairment is very important, while important developments are being made in the training of hearing-impaired individuals.The most important problem with hearing impaired people is the functional failure of balance centers that work in coordination with each other because they cannot perceive external stimuli as auditory stimuli.The absence of vestibular system functions causes the balance in dynamic and static situations influenced totally negatively even if the proprioceptors, visual perceptions and anti-gravity muscles work well
Plyometric training was applied after warming before the volleyball training sessions
Both groups consisting of volunteers selected by the randomly and 3 days / 90 min. volleyball training programme was applied for two groups in a week. 20-minute warm-up exercises were applied to experimental and control groups

Summary

Introduction

The absence of vestibular system functions causes the balance in dynamic and static situations influenced totally negatively even if the proprioceptors, visual perceptions and anti-gravity muscles work well. For those who suffer from hearing loss afterwards due to any reason, there is a disturbance of vestibular system dysfunction in the connections between balance structures because they only perceive external auditory stimuli for a short time. It has been identified that sporting activities contribute to the development of physical performances and balance skills of children with hearing impairment It is quite common in the literature that sporting skills enhance the ability to work in coordinated, especially among vestibular coordination structures (Butterfield, 1991)

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Results

Conclusion