The effect of birth weight on some physical fitness parameters of 8-to10- year- old children

Introduction: The concept of physical fitness is a matter of fact that gives direction to our lives and important in the every period of our lives in terms of health. Especially, for a healthy life during adulthood, it's very important that identifying the factors effect on physical fitness and indirectly health in the early years of life and childhood. In this context, the aim of current study is to investigate the effect of birth weight on some physical fitness parameters of 8-to10- year-old children. Materials and Method: The sample consisted of a total of 180 both gender children who living in the central district of Malatya between 8 and 10 years old. According to intrauterine growth curves, children who had low (n=60), normal (n=60) and high birth weight (n=60) joined the research as voluntarily. In the research, some anthropometric measurement (height, weight and BMI) and Eurofit test battery (flamingo balance, plate tapping, sit and reach, standing long jump, handgrip strength, 30 s curl-ups, bent-arm hang and 10x5 m shuttle run tests) were performed to participants. Results: In the study, anthropometric measurements and physical fitness parameters were measured by Eurofit Test Battery of the volunteers who had low, normal and high weight according to the birth weight were examined. According to birth weight among groups were found not significant difference statistically in all anthropometric measurements; height, weight and BMI and scores of Eurofit Test Battery; flamingo balance, plate tapping, sit and reach, standing long jump, handgrip strength, 30 s curl-ups, bent-arm hang and 10x5 m shuttle run tests (p>0.05). Conclusion: Based on the information obtained from the sample of present research, in the 8-to10- aged children have been found made no major effect of only birth weight on anthropometric characteristics (height, weight, BMI) and physical fitness parameters (balance, limb speed, muscular endurance, static the dynamic strength, flexibility, speed, coordination). Keywords: Physical fitness, Birth weight, Eurofit, Performance