Balance, strength parameters and cognitive levels in wind surfers: An investigation on professional and recreational participants

In this study, it was aimed to determine the relationships between balance, strength parameters and cognitive levels of professional and recreational windsurfers participant in windsurfing. In addition, the factors affecting cognitive levels of windsurfing participants such as changes in balance and strength parameters, ability to make decisions under anxiety and stress were investigated. At the same time, the differences between the balance and strength parameters of professional and recreational surfers were investigated. This research has been an experimental study by examining two different groups. Body fat ratio, static force measurement and static-dynamic posturography with determination test and mental endurance scale were applied to the participants. While the mean age of the professional group (n: 19) was 22.63 ± 9.94 years, the mean age of the recreational group (n: 18) was 27.27 ± 6.93 years. In terms of surfing experience, the mean of the professional group was 4.94 ± 4.67 years and the mean of the recreational group was 4.88 ± 6.15 years. While there was a significant difference between the two groups of athletes in dynamic balance measurement parameters (p≤0.005), no significant difference was found in static balance parameters (p> 0.005). As a result of the comparison of the participant's dynamic proprioceptive balance values, the average values of professional athletes were found to be low (38.63 ± 8.69) and the mean values of recreational athletes as high (53.33 ± 13.80). According to these data, significant differences were found in favor of professional athletes (p≤0.005). There were significant differences in the constancy dimension in favor of recreational surfers, but no differences were found in the confidence and control dimensions in test results. No significant difference was found according to the results of determination tests. Keywords; Windsurfing, dynamic and static balance, mental toughness.