The Effects of Proprioceptive Exercises on Vertical Jump and Balance Performance in Individuals with Different Somatotype Characteristics Engaged in Regular Fitness Training

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effects of proprioceptive exercises on vertical jump and balance performance in individuals with different somatotype characteristics. A total of 67 male volunteers were included in the study and classified into endomorph (n=22), mesomorph (n=22), and ectomorph (n=23) groups. Participants engaged in an eight-week proprioceptive exercise program performed twice weekly. The exercise protocol included movements selected for stable and unstable surfaces. Vertical jump performance was assessed using the Smart Jump Mat, while postural stability and balance skills were evaluated with the Sigma Balance Platform under both eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions. Balance performance was analyzed based on parameters such as center of pressure (COP) sway area and balance speed. To examine the effects of somatotype (between-subject factor: endomorph, mesomorph, ectomorph) and time (within-subject factor: pre-test and post-test) on vertical jump and balance parameters, a 3×2 mixed (Mixed ANOVA) design was applied. Prior to the analysis, normality and homogeneity of variance assumptions were assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk and Levene tests, respectively. The significance level was set at p < 0.05. A significant time effect was observed only for vertical jump performance (p<0.001). In the between-group comparisons, a significant difference was found solely in balance speed (p=0.016), favoring mesomorph individuals over ectomorphs. While no significant differences were detected in other balance parameters, a moderate improvement trend was observed in the mesomorph group. Proprioceptive exercises may effectively support explosive power development in the short term. However, their impact on balance Performance appears to vary depending on somatotype characteristics. Mesomorph individuals demonstrated a more favorable response to proprioceptive stimuli, whereas improvements were limited in ectomorph individuals.

Keywords

• Proprioceptive Exercise
• Balance
• Vertical Jump
• Somatotype
• Postural Stability

Düzenli Fitness Egzersizleri Yapan Farklı Somatotip Özelliklere Sahip Bireylere Uygulanan Proprioseptif Egzersizlerin Dikey Sıçrama ve Denge Performanslarına Etkisi

Abstract

Bu çalışmanın amacı, proprioseptif egzersizlerin farklı somatotipe sahip bireylerde dikey sıçrama ve denge performansı üzerindeki etkilerini incelemektir. Araştırmaya, endomorf (n=22), mezomorf (n=22) ve ektomorf (n=23) olmak üzere toplam 67 gönüllü erkek katılımcı dâhil edilmiştir. Katılımcılar, sekiz hafta boyunca haftada iki gün uygulanan proprioseptif egzersiz programına katılmıştır. Egzersiz programının içeriği stabil ve stabil olmayan zemin üzerinde uygun olan hareketlerden seçilmiştir. Dikey sıçrama performansı Smart Jump Mat ile değerlendirilirken; postüral stabilite ve denge becerileri, Sigma Balance Platform kullanılarak, gözler açık ve kapalı koşullarda uygulanmış ve COP (Center of Pressure) salınım alanı ile denge hızı gibi parametrelerle analiz edilmiştir. Verilerin analizinde Somatotip (gruplar arası faktör: endomorf, mezomorf, ektomorf) ve zaman (grup içi faktör: ön test ve son test) değişkenlerinin dikey sıçrama ve denge parametreleri üzerindeki etkilerini incelemek amacıyla 3×2 karma (Mixed) ANOVA analizi uygulanmıştır. Analiz öncesinde normallik varsayımı Shapiro-Wilk testi ve varyans homojenliği Levene testi ile kontrol edilmiştir. Anlamlılık düzeyi p < 0.05 olarak kabul edilmiştir. Zaman etkisi açısından yalnızca dikey sıçrama performansında anlamlı bir gelişim tespit edilmiştir (p<0.001). Gruplar arası karşılaştırmada ise yalnızca denge hızı parametresinde anlamlı farklılık bulunmuştur (p=0.016); bu fark mezomorf bireylerin ektomorflara göre daha iyi performans göstermesinden kaynaklanmıştır. Diğer denge parametrelerinde istatistiksel anlamlılık gözlenmemekle birlikte, mezomorf grupta orta düzeyde gelişim eğilimi saptanmıştır. Proprioseptif egzersizler kısa vadede patlayıcı kuvvet gelişimini desteklemekte etkili olabilir. Denge performansı üzerindeki etkiler ise somatotip özelliklerine bağlı olarak farklılık göstermektedir. Mezomorf bireylerin proprioseptif uyaranlara daha olumlu yanıt verdiği, ektomorf bireylerde ise gelişimin sınırlı kaldığı gözlemlenmiştir.

Keywords

• Proprioseptif Egzersiz
• Denge
• Dikey Sıçrama
• Somatotip
• Postüral Stabilite

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