The aim of this study is to examine the isometric strength levels of leg muscles in sailors through dynamometric measurements performed in vertical and horizontal positions, and to evaluate the effects of these positions on muscle strength and athletic performance. The study group consists of a total of 30 licensed male sailing athletes: 15 from the Marmara Sailing Club (Experimental group) and 15 from the Derince Sailing Club (Control group). Data were collected by applying specific strength training protocols whose validity and reliability had been previously established in the literature. The training program included exercises targeting the leg, shoulder, and arm muscle groups. The effects of these exercises were quantitatively evaluated through dynamometric measurements. During the statistical analysis process, the Friedman test, Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test, and Mann-Whitney U test were used. The findings revealed that the post-test body weight measurements of the participants in the experimental group showed a statistically significant decrease compared to the pre-test values (Z = -2.065, p = .039). A statistically significant increase was observed in vertical jump performance between the pre-test and post-test (Z = -4.448, p .001). Additionally, significant improvements were recorded in vertical leg strength (Z = -3.663, p .001) and horizontal leg strength (Z = -2.994, p = .003) measurements. Similarly, in the handgrip strength test, which evaluates upper extremity strength, significant increases were observed in both the right hand (Z = -3.266, p = .001) and the left hand (Z = -3.302, p .001). On the other hand, no statistically significant change was found in flexibility measurements (Z = -1.648, p = .099). Based on these findings, it can be concluded that the specific strength training program had positive effects on the athletes in the experimental group, and that these effects were more pronounced compared to the control group.
Alajimi et al. (Sun,) studied this question.