Investigation of the effets of forward head posture and kyphotic posture on respiratory parameters and aerobic capcity in different sports branches

Postural disorder, which is common in sedentary people, especially in individuals who spend long time in front of computer or smart phone, is also encountered in some sports branches. The most common posture problems in athletes are the forward positioning of the head and the accompanying kyphotic posture. This posture can also cause shortness and tension in the muscles taht surrounding the shoulder joint and neck, including the accessory respiratory muscles. The resulting disordered posture structure negatively affects the interaction between the muscle groups of the athletes. The aim of this thesis is to determine the respiratory capacity of athletes with impaired spine posture and head posture and to examine trelationship between aerobic performance test in bicycle ergonometry. For this purpose, 14 female boxers and 14 female taekwondo athletes who training at least two days a week were included in the study and posture and aerobic capacity analysis were performed. Anthropometric characteristics, respiratory volume and capacity of the athletes were also measured. The criteria for inclusion in the study are doing active boxing and taekwondo training for at least four months, and to have a kyphosis and forward head posture deviating from the normal alignment in the Grid Chart postural analysis evaluation. Exclusion criteria included physician-diagnosed neck and thoracic herniation, severe pain during or after training, a diagnosis of scoliosis, and having any systemic or respiratory disease. According to spirometry measurements, the FEV1 and FVC values of the athletes were measured below the expected. In the measurements made, the average VC and TV values of taekwondo athletes are higher than boxers. In the aerobic performance test, the RER and AT@RER values of the boxers were lower than taekwondo athletes. The VO2max values of the athletes with a high forward head posture were measured low. The average recovery times of boxers were higher than those of taekwondo athletes. Their heart rates did not differ with increasing load during CPET.