The effect of a weight training program on developing the respiratory efficiency of futsal players

Abstract

The effects of the respiratory system on performance are particularly evident in sports requiring sustained effort, such as futsal. Developing this aspect is therefore crucial for improving athletic performance. This study aimed to develop a weight training program to enhance the respiratory efficiency of futsal players and to identify the impact of this program on their respiratory performance. The researcher employed an experimental approach with a two-group design (experimental and control) to best suit the nature of the research problem. The study population consisted of twelve futsal players representing the Islamic University futsal team. This population was divided into two groups of six players each. Weight training had a clear effect on increasing the anthropometric measurements of the working muscles. Consequently, the athletes' ability to perform the exercises improved as a result of training, demonstrated by enhanced resistance in the inhalation and exhalation muscles, improved breath control and depth, and the ability to regulate the respiratory system within the available space. This, in turn, increased the vital capacity of the futsal players, as the results showed. Therefore, the researcher recommends that one of the essential duties of football players is to focus on strengthening and improving the flexibility of their core muscles on the day they train in the gym, and not just on leg muscle exercises.