Comparison of some motoric and physical characteristics of amateur athletes in football, athletics, court tennis, wrestling, and swimming branches

The aim of this study is to compare some motoric and physical characteristics of amateur athletes in football, athletics, court tennis, wrestling and swimming branches. The study includes some motor performance measurements of 125 children aged between 10 and 12, who participated in athletics, football, tennis, swimming, and wrestling branches between 3 and 4 years in Samsun province. Paired comparisons in statistical operations were determined by t-test and multiple comparisons were determined by analysis of variance and Tukey multiple comparison test. In the comparison of the children participating in the study according to their ages, it was found significant that their body weights and heights were different from each other (p<0.001). A statistically significant difference was found in the comparison of motor performance parameters according to the age of the children (p<0.05 and p<0.001). Children's agility, 10 meters and 20 meters speed values, standing forward jump distance, back strength, Power Anaerobic Power, and Anaerobic Average Power values are statistically significant at the level of 0.001. Only the vertical jump value of the children was found to be significant at the level of 0.05 according to age groups. A significant difference was found in the values of 20 meters sprint, vertical jump, back strength, anaerobic power, and anaerobic average power according to the Body Mass index of the children (p<0.05 and p<0.001). When the children were compared according to the branches they did, differences were found to be significant in 10 meters, 20 meters sprint and back strength (p<0.05 and p<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between the motor performance parameters according to the hand preferences of the children (p>0.05). A significant difference was found in the 10-meter speed and agility tests according to the foot preferences of the children (p<0.05). Conclusion: There were differences in motor performance parameters of boys aged between 10 and 12 in athletics, football, tennis, swimming, and wrestling branches according to age. When the children were compared according to the branches they did, it was revealed that there were differences in sprint and back strength. In general, the better motor performance parameters of 12-year-olds compared to 10- and 11-year-olds can be attributed to their age-related development and possibly longer training age. Directing children to sportive activities at an early age can be seen as an important factor for sportive success. For this reason, it is recommended that children turn to sports at an early age.