After-school Game-Based Physical Activity Program Improves Physical Fitness of 9-10-Year-Old Children

Body weights were measured using a digital scale (SECA, Hamburg) with an accuracy of 0.1 kg while subjects were wearing as light clothing as possible and barefoot. Heights were measured using a portable stadiometer (SECA, Hamburg) with an accuracy of 0.1 cm while subjects were barefoot, with their feet together and their heads on a horizontal plane 47. The weight(kg)/height2(m) formula was used to calculate BMI.

The hand grip strength test measures the explosive power of the upper body using an adjustable and calibrated hand dynamometer (Takei, Tokyo, Japan). Participants were asked to hold them in their right and left hands and squeeze it slowly and continuously until they reached the max. for at least 2 s. The best of 2 repetitions was recorded as the test score in kg.

Each participant attempted to jump as far as possible across a certain distance while standing, with their arms forward, their feet closed, and landing on the ground. The best of the 2 attempts was recorded in centimeters.

Participants were asked to lie with their arms crossed on their chest, their knees bent, and their feet flat on the floor. Afterward, they were asked to lift their upper bodies with their elbows facing forward, touch their knees, and then return to the lying position. The total number of complete curl-ups performed correctly in 30 seconds was recorded.

The sit and reach tests were applied using a specially constructed box that had a slide runner attached to the top. The accuracy of the instrument used was 0.1 cm, and the length it was able to measure was 80 cm (01285A, Lafayette, USA). Subjects sat on a flat surface with their back, shoulders, and the back of their head close to the wall for the sit-and-reach test. Their arms were straightened, their hands were placed on the tester board with palms facing down, and their legs were positioned straight. Each participant placed their hands side by side on the measurement starting line on the bench and gradually pushed the bar on the sit-and-reach bench forward to the furthest point they could while reaching with their hands without bending their knees. Each participant repeated the test two times, and the best of these two repetitions was taken into statistical evaluation.

Photocells were placed at the beginning and end of the 10-meter track (Smart Speed, Fusion Sport, Brisbane, Australia). Participants waited in a standing starting position 50 cm behind the starting line and started sprinting upon receiving the command when they were ready. Two repetitions were conducted, and the best result was recorded at the end of the trials.