Abstract:

The 7-10 age range is a period when children experience a period of rapid growth and development. Gender differences also become more apparent in this period. This situation may cause differences between two genders doing the same training in the same branch. For this reason, the aim of this study was to compare the balance, speed and flexibility parameters of 7-10 years old male and female gymnasts. A total of 47 participants, 22 girls and 25 boys, who reside in Kurtköy district of Istanbul and regularly practise gymnastics, participated in the study. Y balance, sit-stand flexibility and 20-metre sprint test were applied to the participants. Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to determine the normality of the distribution. Independent sample t-test was applied for two independent group comparisons in the data determined to be normally distributed. In the study findings, no statistically significant difference was found between the groups in flexibility values and sprint degrees of gymnasts (p>0.05). In balance values, statistically significant differences were found in all balance parameters except right foot-back left value (p<0.05). As a result, we can say that boys have a better balance than girls in all balance parameters except the right foot-back left value of 7-10 years old girl gymnasts, and there is no statistically significant difference between genders in flexibility and sprint values. In line with the results, coaches working with this age group should emphasise balance training for male athletes. Training programmes should be supported with flexibility and sprint exercises for both male and female athletes.