Effects of Calisthenic Exercises on Balance Parameters in Female and Male Olympic Athletes

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of an 8-week calisthenic exercise program on the static and dynamic balance parameters of male and female Olympic athletes. A total of 24 elite athletes, including 12 females and 12 males registered with the Turkish Athletics Federation, voluntarily participated in the study. The athletes performed calisthenic exercises three times per week for eight weeks, and pre- and post-test measurements were obtained using the SportKat 4000 balance analysis system. Data were analyzed using Paired-Samples t-test, Independent-Samples t-test, and Pearson correlation analysis (p < .05). The results showed significant improvements in all balance parameters for both male and female athletes. The decreases in static and dynamic balance scores indicated enhanced postural control and proprioceptive sensitivity. Male athletes demonstrated higher performance in single-leg tests, whereas female athletes performed better in double-leg tasks, which may be explained by gender-specific motor control strategies. In conclusion, calisthenic exercises were found to be an effective method for improving balance, coordination, an neuromuscular control in elite athletes. Regular implementation of such training programs is recommended to maintain performance and reduce injury risk.