Şehir ve Kırsal Kesimde Yaşayan İlkokul Çocuklarının Cinsiyete ve Yaşa Göre Fizik Kondüsyon Düzeylerinin Belirlenmesi

Abstract

Objective: Both physical fitness and activity are important health and skill-related parameters. Reference data from a population is important for children after rehabilitation for injuries and for talent identification. The aim of this study was to reveal the physical fitness levels and gender differences of rural and urban children. The survey also aimed to obtain reference data on physical performance in Turkish Cypriot children. Material and Methods: To reveal the differences in the physical fitness of children living in urban and rural districts of Turkish Cypriot population, 7414, male and female elementary school children aged 9-11 years from 90 schools in the Turkish part of Cyprus were tested. Testing procedures were similar to the Eurofit tests. The Eurofit tests included 7 motor and cardiovascular (aerobic) tests. The subjects underwent motor (flexibility, balance, standing broad jump, hand grip, sits ups, and plate tapping, 10 x 5 m shuttle run), and cardiovascular health-related (aerobic) fitness assessments. In addition, height, body mass and skinfold thicknesses were assessed and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Results: The results showed that BMI and sum of skinfold thicknesses were higher in the urban children (p< 0.05). Performance increased with age both for males and females and BMI increased with age with only small differences between genders. Differences in cardiopulmonary and motor fitness were also found between groups (p< 0.05). In addition, jumping abilities and muscle endurance were significantly higher in rural children (p< 0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the children living in the urban have lower flexibility, muscle endurance and strength level than those who live in rural region.