INFLUENCE OF 12-WEEK ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS TRAINING ON CHILDREN'S STRENGTH AND BALANCE PERFORMANCE

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the influence of 12-week artistic gymnastics training on children's strength and static balance performance. A total of 32 children attending gymnastic club for kids with mean age 6.09 ± 7.45 years; height 106.81 ± 5.47 cm, body weight 17.00 ± 2.72kg and body mass index (BMI) 14.98 ± 2.57 kg/m2 were included in the study. A training program with 270-minute intensity at a frequency of 3 days a week for 12 weeks has been implemented for all participants. Hand grip strength test, stretched arm hanging duration on high bar and stork balance test for dominant and non-dominant legs were applied to the participants. SPSS 21.0 statistical program was used in the statistical analysis of the data and the statistical significance level was accepted as <0.05. As a result of the study, while a statistically significant difference has not been observed between Non-dominant leg stork balance pre-test and the post-test (p=0.06>0.05), a statistically significant difference was observed between the Dominant leg stork balance pre-test and the post-test (p=0.00<0.05). However, a significant difference was found between both hand grip strength pre-test and post-test (p=0.00<0.05) and stretched arm hanging duration on high bar pre-test and post-test (p=0.00<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference between the participant’s pretest sit and reach and the post-test (p= 0.00<0.05). It can be said with this study that 12-week artistic gymnastics training increased children's forearm flexor muscle isometric strength and balance performance.