The effect of roller skating as a recreative activity on balance and agility in individuals

Aim: This study aims to examine the effect of roller skating as a recreational activity on balance and agility in individuals. Materials and Methods: Materials and Methods: A total of 30 university students, 17 male and 13 female, who were studying at Manisa Celal Bayar University (MCBU), Faculty of Sports Sciences (SBF) and had no previous experience of skating or roller skating skateboarding participated in the study. Fifteen of the participants were in the experimental group (7 male mean age=19.14 ± 1.06, 8 female mean age=18.75 ±0.70) and 15 were in the control group (10 male mean age=18, 6 ± 0.69, 5 women mean age= 18.6 ± 0.89). The control group did not participate in any activity, and the experimental group practiced roller skating 3 days a week for 8 weeks. Before and after the 8-week training program, height, weight measurement, Y balance test and T agility test were applied to the participants. The materials used in the study and the planned program were carried out in open and closed areas in Manisa, which provide mobility in accordance with roller skating exercises. The data obtained in the pre- and post-test were evaluated with the statistical package program and the level of significance was determined as p<0.05. Mann-Whitney U test was used for the analysis of the difference between groups and Wilcoxon test was used for the statistical analysis of the within-group difference. Results: According to the results of the analysis, a statistically significant difference was found between the right foot balance, left foot balance, and agility values of the experimental group (p<0,05). While a significant difference was found between the right foot balance (p<0,05) values of the control group, no statistically significant difference was found between the left foot balance and agility values (p>0,05). According to the analysis results, no significant difference was found between the right foot balance pretest, left foot balance pretest, and agility pretest values of the experimental and control groups (p>0,05). A statistically significant difference was found between the right foot balance posttest, left foot balance posttest, and agility posttest values (p<0,05). Conclusion: As a result of the study, it was observed that roller skating training applied to the experimental group increased their balance and agility skills (p<0,05). It was concluded that roller skating training increased both balance and agility skills in recreational participants and provided statistically significant gains in balance and agility skills. Key words: Recreation, Roller Skating Training, Balance, Agility