Recep Kurkcu
BACKGROUND: There is a need for a practical, inexpensive method to assess body composition in primary school students. In this study, we aimed to compare elementary school boys’ (10-13 age group) body composition who exercise and do not exercise by the method of bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). METHODS: A total of 38 male primary school students participated in the study. The experimental group consisted of 22 male students with an average age of 11.27 ± 0.63 years, average height of 142.7 ± 8.06 cm, and average weight of 37.95 ± 7.68 kg, who regularly practiced football for 2 hours a day, 3 days a week. The control group comprised 16 male students with an average age of 11.87 ± 1.40 years, average height of 147.0 ± 10.99 cm, and average weight of 37.55 ± 11.04 kg, who did not exercise regularly. Both groups' body compositions were evaluated by the method of bioelectrical impedance analysis. RESULTS: Significant differences were found in the body mass index of the experimental and control groups (p<0.001), resistance measurement value, and the phase angle (p<0.005). CONCLUSION: Regular exercise has a positive effect on the body composition of children.