Comparison of anthropometric, biomechanical, proprioceptive and postural characteristics of hearing impaired and non-hearing impaired child athletes

Aim: The aim of the study is to examine the anthropometric, biomechanical, proprioceptive and postural effects of having hearing impairment on child athletes and to compare these characteristics with child athletes without hearing impairment. Material and Method: The research was carried out on 17 hearing impaired and 20 non-hearing impaired athletes between the ages of 8-18. Proprioception is measured with the angle repetition test, biomechanical features is measured with quadriceps angle, femoral anteversion angle and genu requartum angle measurements, anthropometric features is measured with diameter, circumference, length measurements as well as body mass index and body fat percentage measurements, and postural features is measured with New York Posture Analysis Scale. Results: A statistically significant difference was found in the measurement of 90° shoulder flexion in the evaluation of proprioception (p<0.05). When the biomechanical properties of the groups were evaluated, no statistically significant difference was found (p>0.05). In terms of anthropometric characteristics, there was a significant difference in total lower and upper extremity length measurements (p<0.05), but no significant difference was found in other measured parameters (p>0.05). When the postural characteristics of the groups were compared, no statistically significant difference was found (p>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference was found in terms of navicular decline values (p>0.05). Conclusion: According to the results of the research, the sense of proprioception is weaker in athletes with hearing impairment than child athletes without hearing impairment. Child athletes without hearing impairment have longer measurements in terms of limb lengths. In terms of biomechanical and postural characteristics, hearing impaired child athletes show similar characteristics to child athletes without hearing impairment. Keywords: Anthropometry, Hearing Impaired, Proprioception, Sport