The Effect of a Combined Training Program on Physical Fitness Factors among Deaf Boy Students: A Randomized Clinical Trial Study

Abstract

Introduction: The deaf usually have different motion and social behaviors, some of which are quite evident to detect. These characteristics are usually seen in balance, strength, and stability of body. These characteristics can be categorized in the field of physical fitness factors; the deaf are reportedly seen as less capable in these factors than their normal counterparts. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the combined training program (endurance and core stability) on the physical fitness of deaf boy students. Materials and Methods: 24 deaf boy students were randomly divided into two equal groups of experimental and control. Static balance was examined via evaluating balancing errors, dynamic balance via using Y balancing test, trunk muscular endurance by using Sorensen test, abdominal muscular endurance using sit-up, and cardiorespiratory endurance by using stairs. The experimental groups did a combined training program (endurance and core stability) for 8 weeks, 3 sessions a week (each session 60 minutes). In order to analyze the data, dependent and independent t tests were used. Results: In the experimental group, using paired t test, there were significant differences between pretest and posttest results of static and dynamic balances, trunk muscular endurance, abdominal muscular endurance, and cardiorespiratory endurance (P < 0.001 for all). Besides, using independent t test, there were significant differences between the experimental and control groups in terms static and dynamic balances, trunk muscular endurance, muscular endurance, and cardiorespiratory endurance showing the effect of combined training (endurance, core stability) (P < 0.001 for all). Conclusion: According to the findings, it is notable that a set of core stability and endurance exercises leads to improvement of health status among deaf students.

Keywords

• Exercise training
• Physical fitness
• Deafness