Abstract:

Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of play education on some physical featuresand growth of girls between 8-12 years of age. Method: 186 girls between 8- 12 years of age were included in the study as the Play Group (PG), and 125 girls were included as the Control Group (CG), which makes a total of 311 girl participants. The PG received educational play activities program that aimed to develop skill, coordination, speed and strength features for 6 months, 3 days a week, for 45 minutes. Before and after the program, the Body Height (H), Body Weight (W) and Body Fat Rate (BFR) values of the students were measured. The data obtained in these measurements were saved in the SPSS Program. In order to determine the differences between the groups and the differences between the groups in terms of age, the t-test in Independent Groups was applied; and to determine whether the difference between the groups was significant or not, the One-Way Variance Analysis was applied. The significance level was accepted as p<0.05.Results: According to the t-test results, there was a significant difference between the first and second BFR measurements (p<0,05). The BFR values decreased in the PGbut increased in the CG. A significant difference was determined between the H and W values between different age groups (p<0,05). Conclusion: Increases that were consistent with the age periods of children were observed in the children who participated in our study, and these increases were at a more significant level in the PG when compared with the CG. However, while there was a decrease in BFR in the PG, an increase was determined in the CG. As a result, it is possible to claim that 6-month play education has positive effects on the increase of the H and W, and in the decrease of the BFR in girls between 8-12 years of age.

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