ELEVATING ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE: THE BODY TECHNIQUE PROTOCOL'S EFFECT ON VITALITY AND RESPIRATORY WELLNESS

Abstract

Engaging in regular exercise and sports can inadvertently lead to habitual movement patterns, restricting specific body parts' range of motion and diminishing joint elasticity. This decline in muscle flexibility impacts energy levels during physical activities, thus affecting overall vitality. Subjective Vitality State (SVS) captures the essence of feeling alive, reflecting an individual's energy reserves. The study involved 36 healthy young athletes aged 22.48±3.54 years, categorized into control and treatment groups. The treatment group followed a novel Body Technique exercise protocol (BT), while the control group adhered to a familiar conditioning protocol. Both protocols included five exercises targeting various muscle groups. The study focused on subjective vitality, perceived intensity load, and chest girth differences during breathing. Analysis of subjective vitality change within groups showed no significant difference for the control group before and after treatment (p=0.44), while the treatment group exhibited significantly higher subjective vitality after BT exercises (p=0.00). Significant differences were found in the "exhale-inhale" variable for the treatment group before and after treatment (p=0.00), but not for the control group (p=0.15). BT protocol demonstrated superior effects on SVS and chest girth, highlighting the significance of innovative, unconventional exercise in sports. By addressing concerns such as fatigue and injury, BT protocol may offer the prospect of better results in forthcoming training sessions. The study encourages a paradigm shift in exercise approaches, emphasizing conscious intervention to address novel movement patterns and enhance well-being in athletes.