Comparison of Development of Physical Fitness Parameters in different Summer School Programs

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare body composition and physical fitness development of children participating in soccer and different education programs. Nineteen adolescence children (age=-12.8 +/- 0.3) participated in soccer training and eleven adolescence children (age=13.4 +/- 1) participated in multi-purpose physical education program for three weeks. Physical fitness tests were applied for determining the motor fitness, flexibility, agility, explosive power, general balance and endurance of children. Tests were applied before and after two educational programs and paired t-tests were applied between pre- and post-tests of the group. According to results, the weight of children who participated in the multi-purpose physical education program did not change significantly, whereas the weight of children in the soccer training program changed significantly (p<0.05). Standing-broad jump performance, 10 x 5 in speed shuttle run performance, flamingo balance test, abdominal sit-ups and medicine ball performance were significantly increased after two multipurpose education programs 6<0.05). Furthermore, strength endurance of abdominal muscle group performance increased in only the soccer training group (p<0.05). In conclusion, both training programs had positive effects on performance. However, soccer training is more effective for development of strength and endurance of the abdominal muscle group, because soccer training is more specific for development of motor abilities.