The Effect of Balance Exercises on Speed and Agility in Physical Education Lessons

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of 8-week balance exercises on the speed and agility in 10-12 year-old children in physical education lessons. A total of 789 students participated in the study voluntarily. The students were randomly divided into two as experimental group (n=399) and control group (n=390). In addition to their physical education lessons, the experimental group participated in the balance training program 3 days a week, for 8 weeks. The control group students only participated in physical education lessons. Height, body weight, body fat ratio measurements were taken before and after exercise program, flamingo balance test, 20 m speed test and Illinois agility test were applied. The data were evaluated in SPSS 16 program. T-test was used in dependent and independent groups in statistical analysis (p<0.05). In the experimental group significant difference was found in 20m speed, agility and balance values at the end of 8 weeks (p<0.05). In the control group, there was no significant difference was found in these values (p>0.05). As a result of the study, it was determined that balance exercises have a positive effect on speed, agility and balance performance.