The effects of the basic gymnastic movements on balance, agility and skill upon pre-pubertal soccer players

This research aims to analyze basic movements of gymnastics that is applied for puberty soccer players in terms of balance, agility and abilities. 40 male students at the age of 11-12, who have been already playing soccer, has attended to the research. Participants divided into two groups such as control group and research group. 20 players from Dudullu Soccer Club were selected as control group. Meanwhile, other 20 players from Bağlarbaşı Soccer Club were selected as research group.The parameters of height, weight, sitting height, BMI, Index of Cornique were used for antropometric measurements. The participants' motor skills were measured by the tests of 20 meters (speed), Illinois ( agility), sit and stretch out (statistic flexibility), steady long jump (stregnth), Flamingo ( static balance). The tests of passing, dribbling, keepy uppy were applied to get valid data about participants' soccer playing abilities. Control group has joined gymnastic practices during 12 weeks in addition to soccer training routines. Research group results have showed that statistically significant differences in terms of balance, flexibility, strength, passing, speed parameters. On the other hand, there were no significant differences on the term of agility. Control group results have showed that statistically significant differences in terms of balace, speed, juggle the soccer ball parameters by contrast with no significant results have found at the parameters of agility, flexibility, pass, dribbling and strength. Data comprasion such as flexibility,agility, pass, strength between the groups indicated statistically significant differences. Contrary, there were no significant differences on the parameters of speed, balance, dribbling, juggle the soccer ball. Antropometric measurements within groups such as test/re-test, the significant differences were found while there were no statistically significant differences by the comprasion of the groups. Key Words: skills, gymnastics, soccer, balance, agility