The Effect of Respiratory Muscle Training on Aerobic and Anaerobic Strength in Adolescent Taekwondo Athletes

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of respiratory muscle training on respiratory functions and aerobic andanaerobic strength in adolescent taekwondo athletes. Between the ages of 12–17, 32 taekwondo athletes participated in thestudy. Participating athletes were randomly divided into two groups as „‟experimental group‟‟ (n=15) and „‟control group‟‟(n=17) as to similar characteristics. The experimental group was given respiratory muscle training for 30 min with anadjustable respiratory pressure device for 3 days a week through 8 weeks period. No exercise was given to the controlgroup with the device. A 20 meter shuttle run test was performed for aerobic capacity and a vertical jump test wasperformed for anaerobic strength. The inspiratory pressure was measured. After the respiratory muscle training, statisticallysignificant difference was found in the maximum oxygen consumption capacities (MaxVO2) and anaerobic strength values(p<0.05). In the measurements of respiratory function, forced vital capacity (FVC), slow vital capacity (SVC) and maximalvoluntary ventilation (MVV), significant difference was found in favor of the experimental group (p<0.05). In themeasurements of inspiration pressure, the results of pressure, strength, flow, volume and energy values were significantlydifferent in favor of the experimental group (p<0.05). Respiratory muscle training increased the aerobic and anaerobicstrength capacity of the experimental group in comparison with the control group. Some of the exercises that were used inthe treatment of COPD are thought to facilitate the athletes‟ respiration control.