2014, Volume 10
Comparison of physical fitness levels of adolescents according to sports participation: martial arts, team sports and non-sports
Gurhan Kayihan1
1Personal Nutrition Training Center, Physical Fitness Department, Ankara, Ankara, Turkey
Author for correspondence: Gurhan Kayihan; Personal Nutrition Training Center, Physical Fitness Department, Ankara, Ankara, Turkey; email: gkayihan[at]yahoo.com
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Abstract
Background and Study Aim: There are limited studies on the physical fitness of adolescent martial arts athletes. This study aimed to knowledge about the physical fitness levels of adolescents according to sports participation: martial arts, team sports and non-sports.
Material and Methods: A total of 236 volunteers participated in this study: 84 martial arts athletes (16.57 years ± 1.06), 72 team sports athletes (16.61 years ± 1.16) and 80 non-sports participants (16.78 years ± 0.98) were investigated. According to AAHPERD and FITNESSGRAM batteries, valid and reliable tests were used to evaluate the physical fitness levels.
Results: Significant differences were found between the results of three sports groups for body weight, body mass index, body height, body fat, skinfold thicknesses, muscular endurance, flexibility and aerobic capacity (p<0.05). Although muscular endurance and flexibility in the martial arts group were significantly higher (p<0.05) than in the team sports and non-sports groups, body height and aerobic capacity in the martial arts group were significantly lower (p<0.05) than in the team sports group. The martial arts group had significantly lower body fat and skinfold thickness values (p<0.05) than the non-sports groups.
Conclusions: The results of this study set forth the positive effects of martial art training on health-related physical fitness for adolescents. Compared to non-sports participation, martial arts has a more positive effect on muscular endurance and flexibility than team sports in adolescents. Therefore, these are important empirical evidence in order to martial arts in a wide range to promote the element of the physical education and the form of the physical activity in leisure time.
Key words: aerobic capacity, body composition, flexibility, ipaq, met, muscular fitness, science of martial arts