Analysing The Effects Of Equestrian Sports On Balance And Equestrian Motor Skills Among Children Between 9-12 Years Old

Ever-growing and ever-changing technology has an impact on our children and makes them be addicted to it. It is
thought to be the reason for physical activity and muscle usage to decrease. It is also the reason of decreasing
muscle movements, loss in muscle force as a result of inadequacy in capability of moving, bad posture, lack of
self-confidence caused by failure in applying the movements and lack of balance. This analysis is to study the
effects of equestrian sports on balance and equestrian motor skills among children between 9-12 years old. 10
children between 9-12 years old participated in this study. 5 of them were females and 5 of them were males. The
research group was chosen after necessary permission was taken from İstanbul Kenan Bey Horse Farm. In this
study, flamingo balance test was used for balance evaluation. The equipment was 50 cm long, 4 cm high and 3 cm
wide metal beam. Trainer tries to keep balance as much as possible by standing on dominant foot for 1 minute.
Every move that the participant makes to keep his/her balance again is equal to 1 point. The one who has 15 moves
will have 0 point. That means that the participant is not able to apply the test properly. 11-14 moves are 1 point,
10-7 moves are 2 points, 4-6 moves are 3 points, 3-1 moves are 4 points. The one who does not do any balancing
moves will have 5 points. Observation method was used in evaluating equestrian motor skills. Mean and average
deviations of statistical values of obtained data were determined in data analysis and Wilcoxan Test was used.
Significant difference in the level of P<0,05 was found. As a result, it is found that equestrian sports have positive
effects for children on the control of mental process, increase in capability of moving and balance skills as motoric
skills.