Analysis of the effect of socio-economic factors on physical fitness parameters in primary school students (A private school example

This study was conducted to analyze effects of socio-economic factors on physical fitness parameters in primary school students. A total of 83 students, 44 girls and 39 boys, studying at a private primary school voluntarily participated in the study. Eurofit Test Battery was used to assess physical fitness levels of students. Body weight and body height values were measured in the scope of Eurofit test battery. In order to determine motoric performances flamingo balance, touching to the disc, sit and reach, standing long jump, sit up, bent-arm hang, and 5x10 meter shuttle tests were used. Personal information form prepared by the researchers was used to determine demographic properties. Kurtosis and skewness values were used to control whether data had normal distribution. At statistical analysis; descriptive analysis (medium, standard deviation, median, minimum-maximum value, rate, frequency), independent samples t test, and unidirectional variance analysis (ANOVA) were used. In addition, Scheffe and LSD post hoc analysis were made. Study findings demonstrated that parents' level of education did not affect physical fitness levels of students (p>0.05). Paternal education level was only demonstrated to make a significant difference in flamingo balance test scores (p<0.05). A significant difference was found in body heights, body weights, and sit up test scores of students based on maternal vocation (p>0.05). Based on paternal vocation, significant difference was found only in terms of standing long jump test scores of students (p>0.05). Number of family members and existence of licensed athletes in the family also did not create a significant difference in terms of physical fitness levels (p>0.05). A weak negative relationship was found between average incomes of families and sit and reach test scores (r=0.30; p<0.05). When having athlete licenses is considered, meaningful difference was found at body height, standing long jump test, crunch test, bent-arm hang test, 5x10 meter shuttle run test scores of students (p>0.05). When participation of students in traditional children's games is considered, meaningful difference was found at body height, body weight, standing long jump test, crunch test, bent-arm hang test, 5x10 meter shuttle run test findings (p>0.05) As a result, it was determined that maternal education level did not affect physical fitness levels of students, paternal education level was effective only on balance levels of students, maternal vocation was effective on body height, body weight and core strength resilience while paternal vocation was effective on standing long jump values representing explosive strength. Number of family members and having licensed athletes in the family were found to not impact physical fitness levels of students. It was found that with increase in monthly average income of family, there was a weak decrease in flexibility levels of students. It was found that having athlete licenses of students positively affected standing height, explosive strength, core strength resistance, upper extremity strength resistance, agility while participation of students in traditional children's games also positively affected body height, body weight, explosive strength, core strength resistance, upper extremity strength resistance, and agility of students. Key words: Physical fitness, primary school students, socio-economic level.