Investigation of the relationship between motor skills, physical fitness and social skills in primary school students (Bursa province sample)

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between physical fitness and social skills in primary school students aged 9–10 years. The study was conducted with 4th-grade students from Cavit Çağlar Primary School in the Osmangazi Central District of Bursa Province. Physical fitness and social skills rating scales were applied to a group of 107 participants, comprising 52 girls and 55 boys. For anthropometric measurements, the participants' height and weight were recorded, and their Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated. Physical fitness assessments included the 20-meter sprint, 10x5 shuttle run, sit-and-reach (flexibility) test, discus touch test, trunk lift (shuttle) test, standing long jump, flamingo balance test, grip strength test, hanging test, and vertical jump tests, all of which were part of the Eurofit Test Battery. The social skills rating system's parent form was distributed via Google Forms to the participants' parents, and the responses were tabulated using Microsoft Excel. The data collected were analyzed using the SPSS 24.0 statistical software package. The results of the Social Skills Assessment Scale (Mother-Father Form) revealed no statistically significant differences in attitude averages between male and female students based on the parents' role as mothers or fathers, or their educational status. However, a statistically significant difference was observed between male and female students in terms of BMI, a component of physical fitness. No significant differences were found in the total averages based on the educational status of the participants' parents.