Document Type : Original Article
Researchers
Department of Corrective Exercise & Sport Injury, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences , University of Allameh Tabatabai,Tehran,Iran.
Ministerial Ethics Committee
Introduction
Hearing loss, as the third most prevalent chronic disorder worldwide, profoundly affects individuals’ physical, psychological, and social health and can impose considerable psychological stress on both the affected person and their family (1). According to World Health Organization data, more than 5% of the world’s population — approximately 430 million people — experience disabling hearing loss in varying degrees, and this figure is projected to exceed 700 million by 2050 (2). In Iran, the prevalence is approximately 5 per 1,000 individuals (3).
Statement of the Problem
The present study aims to examine the effect of physical activity on proprioception, balance, posture, and spatio-temporal gait parameters in an effort to bridge the existing gap in comparisons between the two groups (athletes and non-athletes with hearing loss). The findings of this research can serve as a foundation for developing evidence-based training and rehabilitation programs, reduce healthcare costs associated with falls, and contribute to improving the overall health of deaf individuals. Furthermore, this study will enable the provision of practical recommendations to coaches and health policymakers for designing specialized and effective programs.
Necessity and Importance of the Research
Postural abnormalities such as scoliosis and forward head posture are common among deaf individuals and can lead to balance and movement disorders (43). Although sports activities may help reduce these abnormalities, the lack of focused research comparing deaf athletes with deaf non-athletes has prevented the development of precise, targeted interventions (44).
Literature Review
Overall, existing evidence suggests that sports activities can improve balance and possibly posture in deaf individuals. However, due to the scarcity of comprehensive studies that simultaneously investigate proprioception, posture, balance, and spatio-temporal gait parameters in this population — particularly comparative studies between deaf athletes and non-athletes — the present research is of considerable importance. Although numerous studies have examined these variables separately, the simultaneous evaluation of these factors in deaf individuals can provide deeper insight into the motor differences and similarities within this group.