Evaluate the physical fitness levels of Turkish primary school male and female children between ages 7-14

The purpose of this study was to determine and evaluate the physical fitness levels of Turkish primary school male and female children between 7-14 ages. 1955 female and 2044 male, totally 3999 students participated in this study on a voluntary basis. Height, weight, upper body lenght, lower limb lenght, arm lenght, resting hearth rate, lung capacity and functions were measured and subjects performed 20 meter sprint test, vertical jump test, sit-and-reach test, 30 seconds curl-up and 30 seconds push-ups tests. 800 meter run and walk test for 7-11 age groups, 1600 meter run and walk test for 12-14 age groups were carried out. Additionally, anaerobic power was calculated according to the results of vertical jump test.The data obtained from the subjects were primarily analyzed through descriptive statistics by gender and age groups, and percentage (percentiles) values were calculated between a very good-very low range. Furthermore, Two-Way ANOVA was used to analyze whether the data differentiate gender and age groups and to compare both gender-related characteristics of the same age; and One-Way ANOVA was used to determine the differences among the age groups for the same gender. The relation of physical characteristics and respiratory parameters with performance test were analysed by Pearson?s Correlation method. In the analyzing of the gained data, significance level was set at 0.05.As a result, rapid increases in height were observed in females between 9-12, in BMI between 10-12, in 20 meter sprint between 9-10, in vertical jump between 11-13, in flexibility between 10-12 and in curl-up between 9-12 years old. While a rapid increase in height was observed in males between 9-10 and 12-14, in BMI between 10-12, in 20 meter sprint 11-14, in vertical jump between 10-14, in curl-up between 9-11, in push-ups between 10-13, decrease on flexibility was observed between 9-13 years old. In this study through analysis of gender-based differences depending on age factor, the results showed significant differences between male and female student?s body weight, 800-1600 meter run-and-walk, 20 meter sprint, vertical jump, 30 seconds curl-up and the anaerobic power values in favor of males(p <0.001).According to correlation analysis results of physical characteristics and respiratory parameters related with performance tests, it was observed that the increases in height, weight, upper body lenght, arm lenght, VC and FVC values effected the sprint and jumping performances depending on age factor in females (p<0.001). In males ,depending on age progression; height, upper body lenght, lower limb, arm lenght, increases on V.C., F.V.C have been found to effect the performances of speed, jumping and muscular endurance.When all the consequences of the research evaluated, the sharp increases were observed in female student?s performance at earlier ages compared with male students. On the other hand, it was determined that endurance, sprint, vertical jump, curl-up and anaerobic power values of males were higher than the females. Depending on physical development, it was observed that speed and jumping increased for both girls and boys; furthermore muscular endurance improvement was detected in boys.Keywords: primary school student, Physical fitness