Investigation of the effects of respiratory function and respiratory muscle strength on sports performance in fencing athletes

The aim of this study was to determine the respiratory capacity, respiratory muscle strenght, and sports performance of fencing athletes to compare them according to age range and to examine the effects of respiratory functions and respiratory muscle strength on sports performance in fencing athletes. 26 fencers with a mean age of 20.35±5.12 years, who have been professional fencing for at least 1 year, were included in the study. The respiratory functions (spirometer), respiratory muscle strenght, (intraoral pressure measurement ), thoracic mobility (chest circumference measurement), aerobic performance (20 meter shuttle test), anaerobic performance (vertical jump test), balance levels (Y balance test), agility- change direction performance (fencing specific 4-2-2-4 test), visual reaction time (Nelson Hand Reaction test), and wellness level (Hooper Index) of athletes were measured. There were an intermediate positive correlations between FEV1, FEF25-75%, MIP index, MIP peak inspiratory flow and 20 meter shuttle test shuttle number, distance, VO2 max (p<0.05). It was showed intermediate positive correlation between dominant side Y balance test anterior and posteromedial distance and vital capacity, and between posterolateral direction distance and MIP index (p<0.05). There was an intermediate positive statistically significant correlations between the non-dominant side posterolateral direction distance and FEV1, FVC, vital capacity, MVV, MIP index, MIP peak inspiratory flow, and between anterior direction distance and FEV1 prediction value (p<0.05). A negative correlation was found between all measurements of MIP, FEV1, FVC, vital capacity, MVV and agility test duration, and a positive correlation was found between anaerobic power, vertical jump height (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant relationship between visual reaction time, wellness level and respiratory parameters (p>0.05). While there were positive correlations between the number of shuttles, distance, VO2 max and vertical jump height, anaerobic power, negative correlation between agility test duration (p<0.05). The number of shuttle, distance, VO2 max, FEV1 predicting and FEV1/FVC predicting values were statistically higher in athletes under 18 ages (p<0.05). In conclusion, while it was found positive correlation between respiratory function, respiratory muscle strength and agility, balance level, aerobic, anaerobic performance, there was no relationship between visual reaction and wellness level. We think that in order to improve the performance of fencing athletes, exercise programs that increase respiratory functions, respiratory muscle strength and aerobic capacity should be included in athlete-specific training. Keywords: Respiratory capacity, Fencing mask, Respiratory muscle strength, Aerobic performance. Approved by Başkent University Medical and Health Sciences Research Board and Ethics Committee (Project No: KA22/443).