Investigation Of Relationship Between Physical Fitness And Attention Levels In Athlete Children

Abstract

Although it is known that physical fitness in children has an effect on cognitive functions, the relationship between physical fitness and attention levels is unknown in children who do regular sports. The aim of our study is to investigate the relationship between physical fitness and attention level in children aged 7-12 who do sports and to compare it with children who do not do sports. 55 athletes (25 boys; 30 girls) and 55 non-athletes (26 boys; 29 girls) participated in the study. The average age of the participants was 11.63 +/- 0.77, respectively; 11.80 +/- 0.67 years. Children participating in the study were divided into 2 groups as athletes and non-athletes. Physical fitness levels of the children were evaluated with the Eurofit Test Battery. Attention levels were determined using the Bourdon Attention Test (BAT). When the two groups Were compared in terms of physical fitness parameters and attention levels, significant difference was found in favor of the athlete (p<0.05). While there is a significant relationship between some physical fitness parameter and BAT in athlete children (p<0.05); there was no significant relationship in children who were non-athletes (p>0.05). As a result of our study, it was found that the attention levels were more developed in athlete children with higher physical fitness parameters. Considering that attention deficit has an important place today, we suggest that children with attention deficit should be directed to sports activities and included in attention deficit treatments.