Abstract:

Objective: This research aims to compare the spatial visualizations of children interested in individual and team sports branches. Method: Spatial visualization test was applied as a data collection tool. The spatial visualization test was developed by Lappan et al. (1983). This test was adapted to Turkish by Dursun (2010). The Spatial Visualization questionnaire was applied to 300 child athletes in the study. In statistical operations, a t-test and a one-way ANOVA test were applied. Results: A statistically significant difference was found in comparing spatial visualization scores according to the gender variable (p<0.05). It was determined that there was no significant difference between gender groups in terms of spatial visualization of secondary education achievements of male and female child athletes (p> 0.05). The spatial visualization success of child athletes with a score between 85 and 100 is higher than those with a score of 84 and below (p<0.05). It is seen that there is a significant difference in spatial visualization scores between children who are interested in individual and team sports (p<0.05). It was determined that there was a statistically significant difference between the branches according to the spatial visualization scores (p<0.05). Conclusion: The spatial visualization success of the children dealing with individual sports branches was higher than those dealing with team sports. Studies that will improve spatial visualization can be given more space in training children engaged in team sports. Exceptionally, including studies in the orienteering branch may be beneficial to train other branches. More concrete activities that improve spatial ability can be included to eliminate mediocrity in trainers' training.

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