Effects of practice frequency on the physical fitness profile of Talent Identification in fourth graders practicing soccer and swimming

Abstract

Introduction: The physical fitness profile of children is one of the Talent Identification and Development (TID) methods, but there is little evidence to support the measurement data. In this study, we investigated the effect of practice frequency on the physical fitness profile of fourth grade children participating in a TID project. Methods: We surveyed the sports habits of children who applied for children’s sports lessons and the number of practices the children attended each week. The children were engaged in soccer (n=220) or swimming (n=256). For the TID, height, weight, and performance in the 20 m Shuttle Run, 30 m Sprint Run, Standing Long Jump, and Horizontal Jump Repetition were assessed. Results: Regarding the 20 m shuttle run, children in both the soccer and swimming groups that practiced 3 to 4 times a week and 5 or more times a week performed significantly better than children practicing 1 to 2 times a week. Regarding the 30 m run, in the soccer group, children that practiced 5 or more times a week performed significantly better than children practicing 1 or 2 times a week. There were no significant differences in the number of practices per week and performance in the Standing Long Jump and Horizontal Jump Repetition in both groups. Discussion and Conclusions: Our results suggest that fourth grade children who participated in either soccer or swimming and who practiced more often had more endurance ability, but similar power or agility compared to children who practiced less often. These results indicate that children's endurance ability during this period is easily acquired, but should be used with caution as a method for evaluating talent.