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

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.