Investigation effects of recreational ballet and gymnastics training on balance, flexibility, and joint mobility in children 6-8 years of age

This study aimed to investigate the effects of recreational gymnastic and ballet training on body flexibility, balance, and joint mobility in twenty healthy children aged between 6-8 years. Twenty healthy children who came to the child development center in Şanlıurfa were allocated into two groups; the ballet group(N 10, mean age 6.5 ± 0.7 years, BMI 17.47 ± 1.21 kg / m²) and the gymnastics group (N 10, mean age 6,8 ± 0,92 years and BMI 17,29 ± 1,06 kg / m²). One of the groups received six weeks of recreational ballet and the other group received six weeks of recreational gymnastics training. Flexibility, balance, and joint mobility of the children were assessed before and after the education. Children's flexibility was assessed sit-reach test, the dynamic balance was assessed by Y balance test and Beighton criteria was used for evaluation of the joint mobility.Six-week recreational ballet training has shown an increase in balance and flexibility parameters for children aged 6-8 (p<0,05).Six-week recreational gymnastic training has shown an increase in balance and flexibility parameters for children aged 6-8 (p<0,05). No change in joint mobility was observed. When comparing groups, no difference was found between the groups in the Y balance test after anterior training (p> 0.05). After six weeks of recreational ballet and gymnastics training, there was an increase in both groups in the posteromedial and posterolateral directions (p <0.05). Since the initial values of the Y balance test were higher in the ballet group, the rate of increase in the posteromedial direction was higher in the ballet group. rates are similar for both groups (p < 0.05). Six-week recreational ballet and gymnastics training, there was no difference between groups in the sit-and-lie flexibility test (p>0,05). In childhood, planned and structured recreational activities are recommended to increase the level of physical fitness, including flexibility and balance parameters. Keywords:Childhood, recreational activity, gymnastics, ballet