The effect of school sports on the physical development of secondary school students

The aim of this study is to identify the physical differences between middle school students who participate in school sports and those who do not. To achieve this objective, differences among students will be determined based on the variables outlined in the physical measurement form. By analyzing the results, the study aims to encourage students to engage in sports, promote physical activity, raise awareness about their potential success in certain sports, and demonstrate the physiological differences that emerge when students engage in physical activities. The study employed statistical analyses using SPSS 23.0 to examine the physical performance of students and the differences in these performances based on demographic factors. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for pairwise comparisons, the Kruskal-Wallis H test for group comparisons, and the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and Shapiro-Wilk test for normality. Additionally, T-tests and MANOVA were conducted to assess the effects of factors such as gender and participation in sports. The results of the study revealed that participation in sports has a significant effect on students' physical test performances. For instance, students who participated in sports performed significantly better in tests such as push-ups, sit-ups, vertical jump, and arm strength compared to those who did not participate in sports. Furthermore, differences were observed in parameters such as weight. Gender-based analyses revealed that male students generally displayed better physical performance than female students. In push-ups and sit-ups, males outperformed females significantly. In the 20-meter run, male students also ran faster. However, no significant differences were observed between genders in parameters such as height and agility. In the arm strength test, males were found to be stronger. In conclusion, participation in sports and gender have a significant impact on students' physical test results. The results of the MANOVA and T-tests confirm this interaction, showing that students who engage in sports are in better physical condition. These findings underscore the important role of physical activities in students' overall physical development and highlight the potential of sports to enhance these developments.