THE EFFECT OF BOSU, KANGOO JUMP, NINTENDO-Wii BALANCE BOARD TRAININGS ON AGILITY IN HEARING IMPAIRED SEDENTARY

In this study, it was aimed to determine the effect of different balance training on the agility variables of hearing impaired female sedentaries. 51 hearing impaired female students between the ages of 14-22 were included. We have created training groups who hearing impairment close to each others. Nintendo-wii, (n=13), Bosu (n=13), Kangoo Jumps (n=15) and control group (n=10). The training groups received 60 minutes of training for 2 days a week for 8 weeks. The control group, on the other hand, continued its daily education programs by not participating in any activities. Hexagonal Obstacle Test ’was used to measure agility score. Arithmetic mean and standard deviation values were determined in order to define the age, height, weight and hearing impairment levels of the participants. Kruskal-Wallis test was used to examine whether there was a significant difference between the pre-test measurements of the groups, and Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to observe the change between pre-test and post-test measurements. The dynamic balance pre-test and post-test values of all groups were compared by means of two-way analysis of variance for repeated measures. End of the 8-week training programs, the agility scores of the Nintendo-Wii, Kangoo Jumps and Bosu groups were found to be significantly different in favor of the post-test between the pre-test and post-test mean scores. To conclude effect size we used Eta square test. As a result of this, training with the Bosu ball was found to improve agility values, but not as much effect size as Nintendo and Kangoo Jump shoes. We recommend the use of these equipment that improve agility skills in individuals with hearing impairment, but it is thought that better results will be obtained if longer training programs are implemented.