Physical fitness of deaf females

Abstract

Summary Study aim: The aim of the study was to examine the differences in physical fitness between deaf female soccer players and their deaf peers who did not practise any sport. Material and methods: The research involved 13 deaf female soccer players and 16 deaf untrained girls. Physical fitness was assessed by a jump test and the Eurofit test. In the jump test, each participant performed an akimbo counter-movement jump (ACMJ), a counter-movement jump (CMJ) and a spike jump (SPJ) on a force plate. The following trials of the Eurofit test were performed: flexibility – sit-and-reach; static strength – hand grip; functional strength – bent arm hang (arm and shoulder muscular endurance); explosive strength – standing broad jump; and trunk strength – sit-ups (abdominal muscular endurance). Results: Soccer players jumped significantly higher than untrained females in the ACMJ, CMJ, and SPJ, and developed significantly higher power of the CMJ. Relative power developed in the ACMJ and SPJ did not differ between the examined groups. Soccer players were physically fitter than girls who did not play any sport. Significant differences between the groups were observed for all measured trials except for the bent arm hang. Conclusions: Hearing loss does not significantly determine the physical development or physical fitness of deaf people. Playing sports improves the physical fitness of deaf people in comparison with untrained deaf people.