Abstract

Long-term handball training has a significant impact in increasing cardiovascular resistance and the performance of ventilation on the respiratory system. In the present study, we investigated the effects of the long-term handball training of young female athletes on respiratory function and echocardiography (ECG) values. Thirty (30) girls (12.58±0.51 years) participated in the study. Some physical measurements, respiratory function test and ECG values ​​of female athletes were measured in pre and post-training. There were significant differences on physical values (p<0.001). In comparison of pre-training and post-training results for lung function values, significant differences were found in forced vital capacity (FVC) Pred and forced expiration volume (FEV1) Pred values ​​(p<0.05 level). Also, significant differences were found in FVC-MEAS, FEV1-MEAS and FEV1-FVC Pred values (p<0.001). Significant differences were not found in the other respiratory function parameters. When we investigated the effect of pre and post-training values of subjects in ECG parameters, significant differences were not found in PR and QRS values (p>0.05). In heart rate (HR) values, we found a significant difference (p<0.05). Also, there was a significant difference between QT interval and corrected QT (QTc) interval (p<0.001). As a result, it was seen that systematic handball trainings affect the level of physical development, pulmonary functions and ECG values of young girls significantly. Female players achieved major degree at the end of Turkish young women's championships.

Key words: Handball, training, respiration, echocardiography