Proffesional basketball players pulmonary functions and physical fitness parameters comparison with sedentery controls

As a result of regular exercises, many adaptations occur in the body at the tissue level, circulatory-respiratory systems and body composition. The capacity to use aerobic and anaerobic energy systems increases. For this reason, regular sports individuals in many health-related and sports-related parameters to prevent sedentary. Respiratory muscle fatigue causes sensory input to the central nervous system (CNS) in professional athletes. This increase activates the metaboreflex mechanism, which reduces blood flow to the locomotor muscles and reduces exercise performance. With the increase in respiratory muscle strength and endurance, activation of the metaboreflex mechanism can be postponed and exercise can be performed for longer periods with less fatigue. In a basketball game, players' performance depends on the ability to repeat high intensity activities of the same quality with the least fatigue throughout the competition. The aim of the study was to compare the professional basketball players and sedentary controls in terms of respiratory muscle strength, respiratory muscle endurance and physical fitness parameters and to investigate the relationship between respiratory function and physical fitness parameters in basketball players. The study included 21 female professional basketball players playing professional basketball and 21 sedentary individuals with similar age and gender. The characteristics of the subjects such as age and sports age were recorded. Mouth pressure measurement (maximal inspiratory pressure-MIP and maximal expiratory pressure-MEP), respiratory muscle endurance test, 20 m shuttle run test, T-test, 20 m speed test and hand reaction speed test were used in the evaluation of the individuals. As a result of the study, basketball players' MIP, MEP, respiratory muscle endurance, shuttle run distance, maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) were significantly higher than sedentary individuals (p <0.05). T-Drill test, 20 m speed test and hand reaction speed test results were found to be significantly lower than sedentaries (p <0.05). Basketball players' body fat ratio measurements and 20 m speed test and T-Drill test values showed statistically significant negative correlation (r1 = -0.648 p = 0.002 and r2 = -0.480 p = 0.028). There was a statistically significant positive correlation (r = 0.450 p = 0.041) between fat free mass (FFM) values and MIP and MEP values. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between basketball players' respiratory muscle endurance and shuttle run distance and VO2max values (r1 = 0.811 p <0.001 and r2 = 0.644 p = 0.002). There was a statistically significant positive correlation between MIP values and shuttle run distance and VO2max values (r1 = 0.518 p = 0.016 and r2 = 0.560 p = 0.008), and between MIP values and hand reaction speed test and T-Drill test. There was a negative correlation (r1 = -0.489 p = 0.024 and r2 = -0.465 p = 0.034). As a result, regular sporting activities such as playing basketball positively improved respiratory functions and physical fitness parameters. In addition, basketball players with better respiratory muscle strength and endurance were found to be more successful in some physical fitness parameters. Therefore, it may be recommended to include respiratory muscle training in the athletes' training programs.