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The objective of the study was to analyze the somatotype, anthropometric characteristics, body composition, and the global flexibility battery test. A total of 48 athletes of both sexes from Women's Artistic Gymnastics, Men's Artistic Gymnastics, and Hoop Sport (mean ± standard deviation, age 12.50 ± 2.67 years, body mass 43.16 ± 11.00 kg, height 150.15 ± 11.91 cm). Anthropometric data were obtained using the ISAK protocol. The somatotype was analyzed using the Heath-Carter method. The results indicate significant differences in fat, bone, and residual mass, as well as in the proportions of endomorphy, mesomorphy, and ectomorphy (p <0.05). The somatocard revealed that most athletes were classified as endomorphic mesomorph or ectomorphic mesomorph, with variations between groups. Positive and negative correlations were identified between the anthropometric variables, somatotype, body composition, and global flexibility. All positions of the global flexibility battery test showed negative correlations with residual mass, indicating that the greater the range of flexibility, the lower the residual mass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Athletes heavily rely on visual perception for performance. This study delves into electroencephalographic (EEG) brain activity among gymnastics, soccer, and esports athletes during resting states with eyes closed (REC) and open (REO) and compares differences in EEG alpha power from REC to REO (∆ EC-EO Alpha) across athlete groups. Forty-two female participants, including 14 from each athletic discipline, underwent two 5-minute EEG recordings, first during REC and then during REO conditions. Absolute EEG power was analyzed for delta (δ), theta (θ), alpha (α), and beta (β) frequency bands across various brain regions, and ∆ EC-EO Alpha values were computed. During REC, soccer players exhibited heightened α power at the midline frontopolar (Fpz) and β power at the midline occipital (Oz). Conversely, during REO, soccer players displayed increased δ power at Fpz and midline frontal (Fz) and reduced α power at the midline central (Cz) compared to gymnasts, along with elevated θ power at Fpz. Esports athletes demonstrated higher δ power and decreased α power at Fpz and Cz compared to gymnasts. Gymnasts exhibited distinct cortical activation patterns characterized by lower ∆ EC-EO Alpha at multiple electrode sites. These findings highlight sport-specific cortical activation patterns linked to visual attention among athletes. Understanding these neural adaptations could refine training methods and enhance performance outcomes in sports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eye Movements and Visual Abilities Characteristics in Gymnasts, Soccer Players, and Esports Athletes: A Comparative Study. JEPonline 2024;27(5):70-80. This study investigated the differences in eye movements and visual ability among female athletes from gymnastics, soccer, and esports. Forty-two female athletes (14 per Group) participated. Eye movements were recorded using Tobii Pro Glasses 2 while the participants viewed standardized video stimuli. Fixation count, fixation duration, and saccade amplitude were analyzed. Visual abilities were assessed through tasks measuring visual working memory, peripheral vision, and near-far accommodation. Gymnasts exhibited significantly longer fixation duration compared to soccer players for single object stimuli. Gymnasts also showed longer total fixation duration compared to both soccer and esports athletes. Esports athletes demonstrated faster mean reaction times in the near-far accommodation task compared to gymnasts. The findings indicate that sport-specific visual demands influence eye movement patterns and performance. The gymnasts exhibited detailed visual analysis, while the soccer players prioritized rapid scanning. The esports athletes demonstrated superior near-far accommodation. These findings highlight the need for sport-specific visual training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elite-level women's artistic gymnastics is (in)famous for the youth of its competitors. Yet if age representation constructs the limits and possibilities of sport, it is important to explore the effects of these representations. Here we examine media coverage of gymnast Oksana Chusovitina, who has competed internationally up to the age of 46. We conduct content analysis of 17 international competitions in which Chusovitina competed, from 2001 to 2018, exploring coverage of her and the younger gymnasts with whom she competed. As hegemonic masculinity structures a gender order in sport and beyond, we argue that gymnastics coverage constructs an age order in the sport by (1) emphasizing the exceptionality of older competitors; (2) focusing on athletes' private lives; and (3) constructing the athlete-coach relationship as familial, where coaches are represented as surrogate parents. These techniques diminish the agency of young gymnasts and produce their youthfulness as hegemonic, treating athletes competing beyond their twenties as unworthy of serious attention. When older athletes like Chusovitina are categorized as outliers, the sports media is free to infantilize younger gymnasts, naturalizing their ostensible lack of agency, as well as the sport's high burn-out and injury rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine the relationship between Achilles-tendon (AT) and patellar-tendon (PT) structure, clinical-examination and tendon pain in young gymnasts; and, to explore the associations between these factors and age, maturation, and training-load. Two hundred and seventy-four female gymnasts (aged 12.1±1.9 yrs) were assessed for anthropometric measures, pubertal-stage, and training-load. They had clinical-tests (pain-on-palpation for AT and pain-on-palpation and Royal-London Hospital-Test for PT), were asked about tendon-pain during-loading and were assessed for tendon-structure. Gymnasts with positive clinical-tests (with and without pain during-loading) presented a significantly higher prevalence of disorganized AT and PT compared to gymnasts with negative clinical-tests (with and without pain during-loading) (p<0.05). A significant pubertyXpositive clinical-test interaction was found for disorganized PT structure, whereby a disorganized structure was more prevalent among post-pubertal gymnasts with positive clinical-tests compared to pre-pubertal participants with negative clinical-tests (F(1, 263)=9.436, p=0.002). In gymnasts with positive clinical-tests, significant correlations were found between disorganized AT and PT structures and age, and training-load (p<0.05). An increased prevalence of disorganized tendon structure (regardless of pain during-loading) was seen in participants with positive clinical-tests. This disorganized tendon-structure was found to be significantly related to increased age, post-pubertal stage, and higher training hours in gymnasts with positive clinical-tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhythmic gymnastics is a sport of asymmetry and lateral preferences, so the main objective of this study was to examine and compare hip and shoulder range of motion (ROM) and inter-limb asymmetry in 44 rhythmic gymnasts (RGs) and 51 age-matched non-athletes (NAs), i.e. controls. The baseline characteristics of 95 female participants, divided into two age- group categories (U8: 6-8 years, N=36; U11: 8-11 years, N=59) were established, as well as their hip (right/left hip flexion, right/left hip extension, right/left hip abduction, in °) and shoulder ROM (right/left shoulder flexion, right/left shoulder extension, in °), and asymmetry index (ASI, in %) was calculated. Significant differences between RGs and NAs were established (the exception is hip and shoulder extension in U8s, p>0.05), with greater ROM values recorded in RGs. Significant age differences were recorded among RGs in hip flexion and left hip abduction (p<0.05), in favor of U11s, and within NAs only in the case of right hip flexion (p=0.017), but in favor of U8s. The presence of asymmetries (ASI>15%), as well as its absence, is established in both RGs and NAs, but statistically significant side-to-side differences were recorded in U8 NAs (shoulder flexion, p=0.044) and U11 NAs (shoulder extension, p=0.057). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the quotidian, people perform voluntary whole-body movements requiring dynamic body balance. However, the literature is scarce of dynamic balance evaluations employing standardized voluntary movements. In this investigation, we aimed to analyze the sensitivity of balance evaluation between gymnasts and athletes from other sports in the performance of balance tasks. Participants were evaluated in upright quiet standing and the performance of cyclic dynamic tasks of hip flexion-extension and squat-lift movements. Movements were individually standardized in amplitude, while the rhythm was externally paced at the frequency of 0.5 Hz. Tasks were performed on a force plate, with dynamic balance measured through the center of pressure displacement. Results showed that in quiet standing and the dynamic hip flexion-extension task, no significant differences were found between the groups. Conversely, results for the squat-lift task revealed a better balance of the gymnasts over controls, as indicated by the reduced amplitude and velocity of the center of pressure displacement during the task execution. The superior balance performance of gymnasts in the squat-lift task was also observed when vision was suppressed. These findings suggest the employed squat-lift task protocol is a potentially sensitive procedure for the evaluation of voluntary dynamic balance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Health History is the property of University of Toronto Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Science of Gymnastics Journal is the property of Science of Gymnastics Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This scoping review presents an overview of physical fitness parameters in rhythmic gymnastics as well as the association of fitness with gymnasts' performance, competitive level, and age. PubMed, Scopus, and Sport Discus databases were searched. Of the 586 records retrieved, 41 studies met the inclusion criteria (n = 1915 participants). The included studies examined flexibility, aerobic capacity, muscle power, muscle endurance, muscle strength, sprint speed, agility, balance, and coordination. Performance was associated with flexibility, aerobic capacity, lower-limb muscle power, agility, muscular endurance, balance, and coordination from a young age. Flexibility, aerobic capacity, and muscle power were, in general, higher in high-level gymnasts than in low-level gymnasts or controls. Older rhythmic gymnasts demonstrated higher scores than the younger ones in flexibility, aerobic capacity, balance, and sport-specific coordination but not in muscle endurance, while some studies reported a decline in muscle power with age. Supplementary physical fitness training improved all physical abilities irrespective of the gymnasts' level. Rhythmic gymnastics training alone improved muscle power, agility, speed, muscular endurance, and balance to a lesser extent than targeted fitness training. Muscular strength, speed, and agility are largely under-researched in rhythmic gymnastics. Emphasis should be given to targeted strength and power training due to the high mechanical loads placed on skeletally immature athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By analyzing the performances of all participants in the continental competitions of women's artistic gymnastics, we aim to create a 'profile' of the potential winning gymnast in team events, individual all-around, as well as apparatus competitions at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The study was conducted by analyzing the scores achieved by gymnasts from four continents at the continental competitions mentioned above. At the African Championships, 25 athletes from 7 countries participated, at the European Championships, 154 gymnasts from 38 countries participated, at the Asian Championships, 46 athletes from 14 countries participated, at the Pan American Championships, 60 athletes from 20 countries participated. Following the execution of this study and monitoring the results of each previously mentioned continental competition, we have gathered a set of valuable data, including: Team competition results; Individual all-around competition results; Apparatus competition results. All of these data/grades/results can provide us with valuable information regarding the skill level of the continental representative athletes, either on a national level, in the individual all-around, or on specific apparatuses, at this training stage. By analyzing the obtained data, we have been focusing on preparation for the most crucial competition concluding this Olympic cycle. We consider that the winners at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, based on the profile obtained from the data collected, will be those who accumulate a minimum total of 166,000 points in the team competition, over 56,000 points in the Individual All-Around competition, an average of over 14,000 points between the two vaults in the Vault competition, a minimum of 14,600 points on Uneven Bars, a minimum of 14,400 points on Beam, and over 14,000 points in Floor Exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The run-up velocity and jumping ground reaction force directly influence gymnasts’ ability to perform more difficult manoeuvres and win competitions on vault. However, the variables influencing them among elite female gymnasts remain inadequately understood and warrant detailed investigation. This study aimed to analyse critical variables including run-up velocity and jumping ground reaction force, and to compare these factors across different vault types while further exploring the correlations among them. The study hypothesized that there are significant differences in run-up velocity and jumping ground reaction force across vaulting types, and that these differences will affect athletes’ performance. To test this hypothesis, the study analyzed data from performance tests on 16 elite Chinese female gymnasts, focusing on vaulting run-up velocity and jumping ground reaction force. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data, and binary logistic regression analysis was employed to investigate the relationships between the variables. The study found significant differences in interval run-up velocities between the Front handspring vaults and the Tsukahara vaults, particularly before the last 10 m (p = 0.04) and the last 5 m (p = 0.03). Specifically, the Front handspring vaults had higher velocities before the last 10 m, while the Tsukahara vaults had higher velocities within the last 5 m. Differences were also noted in the lengths of the penultimate (p = 0.03), last (p = 0.01), and hurdle steps (p = 0.04). The jumping ground reaction force showed a strong negative correlation with run-up velocity before the last 10 m (ρ = -0.469, p

The upstart is commonly used on bars in artistic gymnastics following a release and regrasp skill, where the gymnast will perform a flighted element before catching the bar. The variability of the flighted element leads to varying initial conditions prior to the upstart. The aim of the study was to understand how technique can be manipulated in order to ensure success at the task despite this variability. More specifically, the study aimed to quantify the ranges of initial angular velocity a gymnast could cope with in an upstart using (a) a fixed timing technique, (b) with one additional parameter to modify timings as a function of initial angular velocity, and (c) a further additional parameter to extend the range. Relationships were established, using computer simulation modeling, between the movement pattern parameters, which defined the technique, and the initial angular velocity of the upstart. A two-parameter relationship outperformed both the one-parameter relationship and the fixed timing solution in terms of the range of initial angular velocities the model could cope with. One of the two parameters governed the time by which the initiation of the shoulder extension should be reduced as a function of increased initial angular velocity, and the other parameter performed the same function for the remaining timing parameters at the hip and shoulder. The present study suggests that gymnasts, and, therefore, humans, may be able to modify movement patterns to cope with uncertain initial conditions using a relatively small number of parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: A landing error scoring system (LESS) is widely used to evaluate landing maneuvers. Poor landing maneuvers, such as lateral bending of the trunk, are thought to be associated with a risk of lower-extremity injury. However, no studies have examined the association between landing and trunk muscle function, which is associated with a high risk of lower-extremity injury. Hypothesis/Purpose: This study examined whether an association exists between landing movements and a high risk of lower-extremity injury and trunk muscle function. It was hypothesized that athletes with poor activation of deep trunk muscle (transversus abdominis and internal oblique) would have lower LESS scores. Study Design: Cross-sectional study Methods: The trunk muscle thickness at rest and during the plank was measured using ultrasonography. The percent of change in muscle thickness (during plank/at rest) was calculated. The LESS was measured using the Physimax. Based on the LESS scores, patients were divided into high- (LESS > 6) and low-risk (5 > LESS) groups for lower extremity injury. The relationship between the high-risk group and trunk muscle thickness was examined using a stepwise regression analysis. Results: The high-risk group had significantly lower muscle thicknesses of the transversus abdominis (p=0.02) and transversus abdominis plus internal oblique abdominis (p=0.03) muscles during the plank. Additionally, the high-risk group showed significantly lower percent of change in muscle thickness of the internal oblique (p=0.02) and transversus abdominis plus internal oblique (p=0.01) muscles. Only the percentage of change in the thickness of the internal oblique and transverse abdominal muscles was extracted from the regression as a factor. Conclusion: The findings indicated that athletes with landing movements and a high risk of injury, as determined based on the LESS results, had low trunk muscle function, and a relationship was observed between the change in thickness of transversus abdominis and internal oblique abdominis muscles. Level of Evidence: 3B [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During apparatus dismounts gymnasts land from up to 4 m above the landing surface. The gymnast needs to withstand high impact forces and the use of landing mats allows gymnasts to attenuate the forces with their landing strategy and interaction with the landing mats. Competition landings from various gymnastics apparatus involve the use of a 200 mm thick landing mat, with an additional 100 mm thick mat placed on top. The purpose of this research was to investigate the experimental protocols for measuring forces using force platforms during landings on competition mats. Three experimental protocols were compared, each of which used a force platform underneath landing mats in various set-ups. In Protocol 1 the mats were placed directly onto the force platform; in Protocol 2 the mats were placed on an enlarged raised extension; in Protocol 3 smaller mats were used with the extension. Differences between the vertical landing velocities calculated from kinematic data and from force platform data were used to assess how much impulse was transferred to the force platform in each of the protocols. Protocol 3 was the preferred method for collecting landing forces and resulted in a mean percentage velocity absolute difference of less than 2% for both one-mat and two-mat conditions. This study demonstrates the importance of keeping the landing mats clear of the force platform surroundings during the whole of the landing phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyzes the relationship between the life of Li Ning and his journey from the world of athletics to the world of business. The article explores how historical and social context is indispensable to understanding how everyone writes their history. The premise is that we cannot ignore the context of the athletes when assessing their social contributions. Li, who initially gained success as an Olympic gymnast, became a heavyweight entrepreneur, playing a significant role in the collective imagination of Chinese people. The Chinese huge economic transformations generated the opportunities for Li's journey from athlete to businessman. As a result, the Chinese Communist Party heavily promoted the triumph of Li Ning in both stadiums and markets. The conclusions revisit the debate between determinism and free will and show how the life of Li can offer some insights into this discussion in the context of contemporary China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of elite athletes from the United Kingdom choosing to migrate to the United States is increasing. Grounded in the push–pull framework, this was the first study to exclusively explore the motivations and experiences of elite British female gymnasts who migrated to American universities and competed in the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Data were collected using semistructured interviews with seven former gymnasts and analyzed using thematic analysis. The results document how this pathway provided gymnasts with an opportunity to extend their career in a positive environment, escaping the intense and autocratic culture that dominated gymnastics in Britain. Moreover, this pathway facilitated lasting athletic and personal development including enhanced retirement from the sport. From a practice standpoint, it appears important that gymnasts be educated about the pathways available to them and that British sport organizations be supported in reshaping their environments to create more desirable and sustainable systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessing bilateral differences in paired anthropometric features is an important methodological problem in sports anthropology. The present study included 128 adolescent female athletes (59 rhythmic gymnasts, 58 tennis players, and 11 swimmers). Body composition components were determined using multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance measurements (analyzer InBody 170). Asymmetry coefficients of muscle and fat mass accumulation in the upper (AA) and lower (AL) limbs were calculated using the Nacheva` equation (1986). The percentiles method was applied to distribute the bilaterally studied anthropometric features according to the mean values of the units of asymmetry (UA). Wilkoxon-test was used to assess the statistically significant differences in paired variables. Kruskal-Wallis test was applied to determine the differences in UA between three assessed athlete groups, depending on their age. The differences in body composition components between rhythmic gymnasts (RG), tennis players (TP), and swimmers (SW) were well expressed in all assessed age groups. The most considerable inter-group differences were observed in terms of the asymmetry coefficient in the lean body mass (LBM) with a right direction and body fat mass with a left direction for upper limb fat mass (%, kg), which have signed the highest values in the tennis players group, followed by the RG on the same age. Swimmers had significantly the lowest values of UA for all body segments. A close relation was found between asymmetry in body composition variables and the type of sports activity. Tennis was found as a sport with more pronounced inter-limbs asymmetry.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore changes in symptoms of eating disorders, compulsive exercise, and depression, between two assessments 12 months apart, among elite gymnasts. Method: Factors related to the development of mental health symptoms in male and female Swedish national team gymnasts were investigated using baseline and 1-year follow-up scores in two subscales of the Eating Disorders Inventory 3; drive for thinness and body dissatisfaction, two subscales of the Compulsive Exercise Test; avoidance and rule-driven behavior and exercise for weight control, and the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale-Self report (MADRS-S). Linear mixed models were used to investigate the influence of drive for thinness, exercise for weight control, avoidance and rule-driven behavior, and MADRS-S on body dissatisfaction. Results: Body dissatisfaction increased from baseline to the follow-up assessment, while drive for thinness and depression remained stable. Symptoms of eating disorders and depression were generally low in this group of elite gymnasts at both assessments. Drive for thinness, exercise for weight control, and symptoms of depression were associated with body dissatisfaction. Discussion: Our findings indicate that there were no significant changes over time in eating disorders and depression symptoms but significant associations with body dissatisfaction. Furthermore, we found independent effects of drive for thinness, exercise for weight control and symptoms of depression for body dissatisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acrobatics and Tumbling (A&T), an emerging National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) sport, involves athletes with rigorous training backgrounds, usually extending from youth through early adulthood. This study examines the sleep health, diet quality, and lipid profile of A&T athletes clustered by their performance position. Forty-two A&T athletes, clustered as tops (n = 19; age = 19.6 ± 1.0 years; body mass index [BMI] = 22.3 ± 1.7 kg/m2) and bases (n = 23; age = 19.6 ± 1.3 years; BMI = 25.7 ± 2.5 kg/m2), completed preseason sleep and diet quality (Rapid Eating Assessment for Participants–Shortened [REAP-S]) surveys. Fasting blood samples were collected for lipid analysis. Body composition was assessed via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Most athletes (71.4%; base n = 14, top n = 16) reported insufficient sleep (≤7 hours) and "good" sleep quality (90.4%, n = 38; base n = 18, top n = 20). Average REAP-S score was 29.24 ± 3.74. Approximately 31% (n = 13) displayed at least one undesirable lipid concentration according to medical guidelines for normal levels (total cholesterol [TC] < 200 mg/dL, triglycerides [TG] < 150 mg/dL, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C] > 40 mg/dL, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C] < 130 mg/dL). Approximately 20% exhibited elevated TC (top n = 4, base n = 4), 12.5% had elevated TG (base n = 5), 2.5% showed low HDL-C (base n = 1), and 10% presented elevated LDL-C (top n = 2, base n = 2). Most athletes experienced suboptimal sleep (≤7 hours/night) and 31% displayed at least one undesirable lipid concentration (elevated TC, TG, or LDL-C or reduced HDL-C). Tailoring interventions with sports dietitians is recommended, focused on increasing monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat intake while reducing saturated fat consumption. These interventions could mitigate cardiovascular risks, improve recovery, and possibly enhance athletic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of International Journal of Sport Exercise & Training Sciences (IJSETS) / Uluslararasi Spor Egzersiz ve Antrenman Bilimi Dergisi (USEABD) is the property of International Journal of Sport Exercise & Training Sciences (IJSETS) / Uluslararasi Spor Egzersiz v) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose. In artistic gymnastics (AG) and trampoline (TR), athletes must be able to combine strength, flexibility, and artistry. The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of classical music on balance, emotional state, and perceived effort in precompetitive AG and TR athletes after a 6-week intervention training program. Methods. The sample consisted of 36 athletes (20 AG and 16 TR athletes) who were randomly divided into two equal groups: experimental (with music) and control (without music). Balance ability was assessed with the Balance Error Scoring System (static balance) and the Y-balance test (dynamic balance). Before and after the intervention, participants completed the RPE-FS questionnaire which included a perceived fatigue scale (PFS) and an emotion scale (ES) to assess perceived fatigue (PF) and emotional state. The total sample followed a 6-week intervention training program, twice per week. TR athletes performed all exercises on a TR, whereas AG athletes performed their exercises on the floor. During the 6 weeks, the athletes completed the questionnaire before and after each training session. Results. The results showed a statistically significant improvement in static and dynamic balance in female athletes of both sports (p < 0.05), with the percentage of improvement in AG athletes being comparatively higher than that of TR athletes. There were also significant differences in individual measures of emotional state and perceived fatigue in the examined sample. Conclusions. Classical music differentiates the rate of performance improvement in precompetitive young female athletes in these two sports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this review is to analyze the trend in optical features and flexibility changes of flexible ureteroscopes over the past decades, and determine the correlation of individual parameters with release period as well as with dimensional parameters. Flexible ureteroscopes mentioned in the literature or those commercially available were searched. To minimize the search bias, the instruments were grouped by release date time-periods of < 2000 year, 2000–2009, 2010–2019, and 2020 onwards. The final review included only those instrument models for which data on minimum and maximum depth of field, field of view, direction of view, and deflection degree had been determined. The correlation among features investigated as well as with release period was also determined. 61 models of flexible ureteroscopes (27 fibreoptic and 34 digital scopes) were included. Among the different features investigated among fiberoptic endoscopes, minimum depth of field positively and negatively correlated with channel size and field of view, respectively, whereas maximum depth of view and field of view positively correlated with overall shaft and deflection degree, respectively. Up and down deflection strongly correlated with each other and both were negatively proportional to the distal tip size. For the digital endoscopes, minimum depth of field negatively and positively correlated with distal tip size and working length, respectively. Maximum depth of field positively correlated with field of view, whereas the latter was negatively proportional to the overall shaft. As for the fiberoptic counterparts, up and down deflection strongly correlated with each other. Field of view, up and down deflection of fiberoptic flexible ureteroscopes, were significantly increased among fiberoptic and digital endoscopes over decades. As flexible ureteroscopy technology has evolved, there has been a trend towards increasing field of view with up and down deflection. Given the importance of scope ergonomics, one aspect of this popularity is the improvement of optical characteristics and deflection degree, which significantly correlates with the release period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: The experience obtained from motor expertise may contribute to and enhance the development of particular visuo-spatial abilities. This exploratory and preliminary study compares the response times of a mental rotation task with egocentric and object-based transformation instructions between soccer players of varying performance levels and gymnasts. Methods: Fifty-six male participants were grouped based on their sports experience. Soccer-specific novices (SS-N: n = 19; age = 15.9 ± 0.87), soccerspecific experts (SS-E: n = 17; age = 16.4 ± 0.70), gymnastic-specific experts (GS-E: n = 10; age = 16.6 ± 1.71), and gymnastic-specific novices (GS-N: n = 10; age = 16.0 ± 1.63) were recruited to perform a perceptual task (recognition of soccer-specific poses) and mental rotation tasks with different stimuli (soccer-specific poses, cubes, line-drawings of hands, letters). Results: During the perceptual task with instructions on egocentric transformation and soccer-specific poses, we observed that gymnasts had longer response times than soccer players. Our findings also suggest that experts correctly identified most of the poses in terms of accuracy. In the mental rotation task with object-based transformation, gymnasts processed all stimuli, even the soccer-specific poses, more accurately than both soccer groups. Conclusion: Our results suggest that gymnasts' motor expertise plays a role in their performance on mental rotation tasks involving both egocentric and object-based transformations, regardless of the stimuli presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The hindfoot region is commonly injured in gymnasts, and musculoskeletal ultrasound can be used to identify structural abnormalities in this region. Although prior studies have shown that sonographic abnormalities may not correlate with symptomatic pathology, the presence of asymptomatic sonographic abnormalities of the hindfoot in Division I collegiate gymnasts has not been evaluated. Objective: To identify and describe commonly seen asymptomatic sonographic abnormalities of the hindfoot region in Division I collegiate gymnasts. Design: Cross‐sectional study. Setting: Tertiary care academic medical center. Participants: 39 Division I NCAA men's and women's collegiate gymnasts without current hindfoot pain or history of hindfoot injury. Interventions: Diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound of the hindfoot region. Main Outcome Measures: Sonographic appearance of the hindfoot region, specifically the plantar fascia, plantar fad pad, and Achilles tendon. Results: A total of 37 of 39 gymnasts included in the study were found to have at least one asymptomatic sonographic abnormality of the hindfoot region. A total of 28.2% of athletes were found to have sonographic abnormalities within the Achilles tendon, with Doppler flow being the most common finding, and 35.8% of athletes were found to have a Haglund's deformity. However, only 7% of athletes with a Haglund's deformity demonstrated abnormal sonographic findings within the tendon. Sonographic abnormalities of the plantar fascia and plantar fat pad were seen in 30.7% and 69.2% of athletes, respectively. Conclusions: Asymptomatic sonographic abnormalities of the hindfoot region are common in collegiate gymnasts. Clinicians should use clinical judgment when interpreting these findings as they may not represent symptomatic pathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was the examination of the relationships among gymnasts’ training age, body mass index (BMI), balance control during the execution of handstand, standing scale forward, and stork standing in relevé position, and their performance in competition settings. Forty young competitive gymnasts (20 males; age: 12.20 ± 1.98 years, and 20 females; age: 12.33 ± 2.07 years, mean ± SD) participated in this study. A portable digital platform for posturography was used to measure maximal pressure, center of pressure (CoP) sway area, CoP linear distance displacement and CoP velocity. The resulting data were analyzed using an integrated software module (Foot Checker, version 4.0). The results confirm the reliability of the measurements. Strong positive correlations were found between gymnasts' performance in the gymnastics competition, and their training age and BMI, with relationships also identified between performance and variables related to balance control. Regression analysis revealed that gymnasts' training age, BMI, and balance control in performing the assessed gymnastics skills had predictive significance in determining their performance in the competition, taking into account differences between age groups. Despite the limitations of the study, the results represent a valuable contribution to the literature by expanding knowledge about predicting gymnastics performance in competition. Furthermore, the results provide evidence for the identification of talent in gymnasts, offer coaches insights to improve training efficiency, and provide recommendations for future research in this area.

Objective: This prospective cohort study aimed to determine characteristics contributing to the development of Sever's disease in junior gymnasts. Methods: This study included 74 limbs from 37 junior gymnasts. The Baseline demographic data, flexibility measurements, foot alignments, trunk function tests, and functional balancing tests were used for evaluation. The incidence of Sever's disease among this cohort was assessed for six months after the first evaluations. We categorized those diagnosed by medical specialists as having Sever's disease into a Sever's disease group, while those with no foot pain or other diagnosed pathologies were in a no-symptom group. Results: The Junior gymnasts with Sever's disease had a lower arch height ratio and lower anterior star excursion balance test values. Conclusions: Sever's disease in junior gymnasts may be potentially prevented through using a medial longitudinal arch support and/or undertaking dynamic postural balance training.

Introduction: In the context of young female athletes, namely elite gymnasts, effective stress management strategies not only enhance performance, but also reduce the risk of injuries and promote overall well-being. This study aims to investigate the effects of biofeedback-based training on stress management in prepubescent elite female gymnasts, recognizing its pivotal role in promoting healthy growth and proper training load management. Methods: Eight elite young female athletes from a top flight French national league club participated in an experimental condition involving four-week biofeedback training program to improve self-regulation skills, during both rest and stress phases. Additionally, each subject experienced a control condition, with entailed exposure to domain-specific motivational videos. Comprehensive evaluations of physiological parameters were conducted to assess the impact of biofeedback training, both before and after the training, as well as during the stress and recovery phases. Furthermore, an interoceptive body awareness test, using the MAIA questionnaire, was performed. Results: The results highlight a significant enhancement of the self-regulatory skills of the gymnasts in managing the selected physiological parameters— peripheral temperature (p  <  0.05) and blood volume pressure (p  <  0.05)—after the biofeedback treatment. Moreover, psychological data from the MAIA questionnaire revealed a noteworthy increase in interoceptive awareness (p  <  0.001), particularly in the subscales of Not Distracting (p  <  0.001), Attention regulation (p  <  0.05), Emotional awareness (p  <  0.05), and Self-regulation (p  <  0.05). Discussion: Thus, we conclude that biofeedback training improves self)regulatory and psychological resilience under stressful conditions, while reducing sensitivity to gymnastics-specific stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The main objective of this study was the development of a specific load platform that would meet the needs of gymnasts and acrobatic coaches. This new platform has larger dimensions and is an identical structure to the plywood floor surface normally used; it was designed to make competitions with gymnasts safer and more like a real training situation. During a landing, there is high body stiffness, especially in the knees and ankles, which can cause injuries due to the number of repetitions performed in this gymnastics specialty. Methods: A group of 10 volunteers, with a mean age of 14.7 ± 2.4 years, performed at least 10 valid vertical jumps on each platform. Results: Despite being a preliminary study, this specific platform was shown to be more suitable for gymnastic use, compared to the industrial one, which represents a significant advantage for the modality. In fact, this platform is similar to the surface used for training and competition, allowing athletes to perform the jump in a similar way, and for the results to be replicable during the practice of the sport. The standard deviation values were lower, which shows that the new platform was more suitable for acrobatic gymnastics. Conclusions: As the maximum vertical load induced during landing after a jump has a significant effect on the likelihood of gymnasts suffering injuries, the development of a new load platform specifically for acrobatic gymnastics is clearly an improvement in this discipline. Knowledge of the load transmitted to the body can help coaches and athletes in defining training, and avoiding the possible occurrence of injuries. Therefore, it is necessary to use a platform that can accurately evaluate the load transmitted to the acrobatic gymnasts during real training and competition conditions, which is achieved with this new platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Science of Gymnastics Journal is the property of Science of Gymnastics Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: This study aims to investigate the impact of shoulder surgery on professional gymnasts through a case series, analyzing the mechanisms of injury and the shoulder lesion patterns, and reporting the clinical outcomes and return to sport. Methods: Twenty-nine surgically treated shoulders in twenty-seven professional gymnasts were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were stratified based on predominant symptoms and anatomical lesions in painful or unstable shoulders. Demographic and injury data, pathological findings, surgical procedure information, and data on time and level of return to sport were collected. Results: The average age of participants was 20.2 ± 3.8 years. Acute traumatic onset was reported in 51.8% of cases. Shoulders were categorized as painful in 13 cases and unstable in 16 cases. The most common pathologies were capsulolabral injuries (72%), biceps injuries (48%), and rotator cuff injuries (40%). All of the athletes returned to training within an average of 7.3 months, while the return to competition rate was 56%, achieved in an average of 10.3 months. The sport-specific subjective shoulder value was 84.8% ± 16.6%. Half of the patients who stopped competition reported reasons related to symptom persistence, while the other half reported personal reasons. No significant difference in the return to sport was reported in the cases of painful or unstable shoulder. Conclusions: Professional gymnasts requiring shoulder surgery commonly present multiple and complex lesions. Returning to training was possible in all cases; however, the possibility of persisting symptoms and other personal factors which may compromise the return to competition should be discussed with the athlete to give them insights into the possible outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jumping performance is considered an overall indicator of gymnastics ability. Acrobatic Gymnastics involves base and top gymnasts, considering the type of training that is performed and the distinct anthropometric traits of each gymnast. This work aims to investigate a hierarchy of variables that influence the force–velocity (F-V) profile of top and base acrobatic gymnasts through a deep artificial neural network model. Twenty-eight first division and elite acrobatic gymnasts (eleven tops and seventeen bases) performed two evaluations to assess the F-V profile during the Countermovement Jump and its mechanical variables, using My Jump 2 (a total of 56 evaluations). A training background survey and anthropometric assessments were conducted. The final model (R = 0.97) showed that the F-V imbalance (F-Vimb) increases with higher force and decreases with higher maximal power, fat percentage, velocity, and height. Coaches should prioritize the development of force, followed by maximal power, and velocity for the optimization of gymnasts' F-Vimb. For training planning, the influences of body mass and push-off height are higher for the bases, and the influences of years of practice and competition level are higher for the tops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intelligent detection of athlete behavior is beneficial for guiding sports instruction. Existing mature target detection algorithms provide significant support for this task. However, large-scale target detection algorithms often encounter more challenges in practical application scenarios. We propose SCB-YOLOv5, to detect standardized movements of gymnasts. First, the movements of aerobics athletes were captured, labeled using the labelImg software, and utilized to establish the athlete normative behavior dataset, which was then enhanced by the dataset augmentation using Mosaic9. Then, we improved the YOLOv5 by (1) incorporating the structures of ShuffleNet V2 and convolutional block attention module to reconstruct the Backbone, effectively reducing the parameter size while maintaining network feature extraction capability; (2) adding a weighted bidirectional feature pyramid network into the multiscale feature fusion, to acquire precise channel and positional information through the global receptive field of feature maps. Finally, SCB-YOLOv5 was lighter by 56.9% than YOLOv5. The detection precision is 93.7%, with a recall of 99% and mAP value of 94.23%. This represents a 3.53% improvement compared to the original algorithm. Extensive experiments have verified that our method. SCB-YOLOv5 can meet the requirements for on-site athlete action detection. Our code and models are available at https://github.com/qingDu1/SCB-YOLOv5. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy imbalance exposes athletes to relative energy deficiency in sports (REDs) syndrome. Data on energy consumption, REDs, and bone mineral density (BMD) in adolescent acrobatic gymnasts, especially in males, are scarce. Our aim was to examine the eating habits, energy balance, body composition, and BMD of these athletes. In this study, 18 healthy adolescents participating in competitive acrobatic gymnastics completed a questionnaire, underwent a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan (DXA), received a food log, and had their activities monitored for 3 days. Eighteen acrobats were enrolled (mean age: 14.3 ± 1.2 years; males: 6/18). The mean total body BMD Z-score was 0.4 ± 1.0. Top-position acrobats (7/18) had significantly lower total body BMD Z-scores than base-positioned acrobats (−0.2 ± 0.3 vs. 0.8 ± 0.3, p = 0.032), though their forearms were not significantly different (0.2 ± 0.5 vs. 0.8 ± 0.7, p = 0.331). No sex differences were found for BMD Z-scores, BMI, or energy availability. The BMD parameters of the acrobats were within the normal range for a healthy pediatric population, although three had low BMDs (<−1 SD) for healthy athletes. Total body and LS BMD Z-scores were significantly lower in top-position athletes compared to base-position athletes. These findings suggest personalized (top vs. base) training programs (high-impact training) that may achieve better health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine if preseason lower extremity ROM, flexibility, and strength differ in collegiate gymnasts (NCAA Division 1) who do or do not sustain an injury during the competitive season. Over four seasons, a total of 15 female gymnasts (age = 20.5 ± 1.0 years) underwent preseason screening (30 gymnast-season). We tested joint ROM (hip: flexion, internal and external rotation; ankle: weightbearing dorsiflexion), muscle flexibility (passive straight leg raise, Thomas,' Ober's, Ely's tests) and strength (hip extensors, abductors, and flexors isometric strength via a handheld dynamometer; knee: quadriceps and hamstring isokinetic strength at 60°/sec). The team athletic trainer tracked overuse lower extremity injuries (restricted gymnasts from full participation, occurred as from participation in organized practice or competition, and required medical attention) during each season. For athletes that tested multiple seasons, each encounter was considered independent, and each preseason assessment was linked to overuse injuries sustained during the same competitive season. Gymnasts were dichotomized into injured and non-injured groups. An independent t-test was used to measure differences in preseason outcomes between injured and non-injured groups. During four years, we recorded 23 overuse lower extremity injuries. Gymnasts that sustained an in-season overuse injury demonstrated significantly lower hip flexion ROM (mean difference: −10.6°; 95% confidence interval: −16.5, −4.6; p < 0.01) and lower hip abduction strength (mean difference: −4.7% of body weight; 95% confidence interval: −9.2, −0.3; p = 0.04). Gymnasts who sustain an in-season overuse lower extremity injury have significant preseason deficit of hip flexion ROM and weakness in the hip abductors. These findings indicate potential impairments in the kinematic & kinetic chains responsible for skill performance and energy absorption during landing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Gymnastics is a sport characterized by acrobatic and postural strength exercises that require great trunk muscles activation and control. Males and females can be characterized by different morphological and neuromuscular characteristics of such muscles, and this might be of importance for training and injury prevention. The aim of this study was to measure different aspects of trunk flexors and extensors characteristics in a sample of young female and male gymnasts. Methods: Twenty-eight sub-elite adolescent female (n = 14, 16 y, 14–17) and male (n = 14, 17 y, 14–18) gymnasts participated in this cross-sectional study. Tensiomyography was used to assess muscle contractile properties of the rectus abdominis (m.RA) and erector spinae (m.ES), while muscle thickness was assessed for abdominal muscles and lumbar multifidus (m.LM) with ultrasound. Flexors, extensors, and lateral endurance tests were performed. Results: Females presented smaller m.ES radial displacement (p < 0.001, pη2 = 0.535), smaller internal oblique thickness (p < 0.001, pη2 = 0.543), and shorter lateral endurance (p = 0.002, pη2 = 0.302). A significant side × sex interaction was found for the external oblique thickness (p = 0.004, pη2 = 0.276). Conclusion: Present findings report sex-based differences in abdominal and lumbar muscles characteristics and support the development of different sex-based training and rehabilitation protocols in adolescent gymnasts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gymnastics' environment has been criticised for producing uncompromising coaching practices, emotional disorders, harassment and abuse. Furthermore, the challenges faced by the young gymnasts can be acute when they live in gymnastics boarding schools, where many aspects of their lives are controlled. Drawing upon a Foucauldian lens, this study explores power relations in the lived experiences of former artistic gymnasts who trained in a gymnastics boarding school in Brazil, and the pedagogical and policy implications. Qualitative data were produced from semi-structured interviews with five former Brazilian artistic gymnasts, who described their everyday lives within and around the gymnastics boarding school. First, we explore how technologies of dominance produced a specific docile gymnast subjectivity and how this subjectivation process impacted the lived experiences of the gymnasts during their careers. Second, Foucault's later work on the technologies of the self helps us in the microanalysis of how gymnasts negotiated the process of moving out of a space with specific discourses and power relations, that impacted their everyday lives. In so doing, we explore the tensions between technologies of domination and technologies of self. We propose the following pedagogical and policy implications: (a) we question the notion that coaches, and even the gymnastics environment, automatically prepare the gymnasts for 'real life' through the application of disciplinary strategies; (b) we advocate for shifting from coercive and punitive strategies to discipline strategies that consider responsive pedagogies and (c) we highlight the importance of the co-responsibility and co-surveillance of stakeholders. Such pedagogical and policy implications might contribute to reflections in gymnastics, in elite athletes' programmes, and boarding school systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Professional trainers and athletes often neglect the importance of cognitive skills yet they are arguably among the keys to improving athletes’ performance. This study aims to investigate the role of cognitive skills in gymnasts’ performance using the correlational method. The research study included thirty-seven young gymnasts (average age of 18.64 ± 0.83 years old) who regularly participated in and were preparing for competitions. Research data were collected from cognitive skills tests and gymnastic performance reviewed by a professional jury. The findings of this study show that better cognitive abilities led to better gymnastic performance, emphasizing the importance of attention, concentration, memory, visuospatial, language, and executive functions. Further research could longitudinally examine the development of athletes’ cognitive skills and focus on implementing cognitive training to enhance gymnastic performance.

Background and objectivesThe experience obtained from motor expertise may contribute to and enhance the development of particular visuo-spatial abilities. This exploratory and preliminary study compares the response times of a mental rotation task with egocentric and object-based transformation instructions between soccer players of varying performance levels and gymnasts.MethodsFifty-six male participants were grouped based on their sports experience. Soccer-specific novices (SS-N: n = 19; age = 15.9 ± 0.87), soccer-specific experts (SS-E: n = 17; age = 16.4 ± 0.70), gymnastic-specific experts (GS-E: n = 10; age = 16.6 ± 1.71), and gymnastic-specific novices (GS-N: n = 10; age = 16.0 ± 1.63) were recruited to perform a perceptual task (recognition of soccer-specific poses) and mental rotation tasks with different stimuli (soccer-specific poses, cubes, line-drawings of hands, letters).ResultsDuring the perceptual task with instructions on egocentric transformation and soccer-specific poses, we observed that gymnasts had longer response times than soccer players. Our findings also suggest that experts correctly identified most of the poses in terms of accuracy. In the mental rotation task with object-based transformation, gymnasts processed all stimuli, even the soccer-specific poses, more accurately than both soccer groups.ConclusionOur results suggest that gymnasts’ motor expertise plays a role in their performance on mental rotation tasks involving both egocentric and object-based transformations, regardless of the stimuli presented.

Background and Study Aim. It is increasingly important to know the influence of age characteristics on the development of motor skills necessary for gymnastics. Currently, this influence is taken into consideration in the training of young female gymnasts. This study aims to determine the anthropometric indices impact on static and dynamic balance parameters in young female gymnasts. Material and Methods. A group of 24 young gymnasts, from the Arad Municipal Sports Club of Romania, participated in this study. The athletes, aged 6-10 years, were divided into two groups: G1 (6-8 years, n=17) and G2 (9-10 years, n=7). Anthropometric indices were measured by means of Tanita scale. The following indices were monitored: Height (cm), Weight (kg), FATP (%), FATM (kg), FFM (kg), BMI (kg/m2). Balance was evaluated with the Sensamove MiniBoard platform. There were used tests as follows: Static Bipedal Balance (SBB), Lateral Bipedal Balance (LBB) and Vertical Bipedal Balance (VBB). Measured parameters: performance (%); front and back inside (LBB, %); left and right inside (VBB, %); front and back avg. deviation (grade); left and right avg. deviation (degrees). The influence of anthropometric indices on balance parameters was determined using Pearson correlation coefficient. Results. The comparative analysis between groups highlights: average age; relation between weight and height; values of body composition indices. The comparative analysis shows better performances by 2.23% in G1 at SBB and values smaller by 0.35 degrees at average vertical deviations. LBB has better performances in G1 by 10.05% and higher values by 1.79% at keeping inside the vertical space. There is a smaller difference between Confidence Limit of Mean (CLM). As for VBB, the performances are better by 0.41% in G2, keeping inside the space to the left in G1 and to the right in G2. The correlation analysis regarding SB reveals 20% strong connections, 83.3% positive connections with performance and 45.8% negative ones with average deviations in G1. The following were noticed in G2: lack of strong connections, 33.3% positive connections and 25% negative influences. In terms of LBB, G1 has no strong connections, but it has 72.2% positive connections and 45.8% negative connections. G2 is characterized as follows: 7.1% strong connections, absence of positive connections, 75% - negative connections. VBB presents the following values in G1: 28.6% - strong connections and 45.8% - negative connections. G2 has 9.5% - strong connections, 94.4% - positive connections and 75% - negative ones. Conclusions. By determining the anthropometric indices, the age characteristics of female gymnasts were highlighted. The comparative analysis results of balance parameters reveal better performances and lower values at the average vertical and lateral deviations. Comparing the relationships between anthropometric indices and balance parameters reveals strong connections. It also shows the weight of positive and negative connections with performance, keeping inside the space and value of average deviations. These data can serve as methodological recommendations in future studies.

This scoping review presents an overview of physical fitness parameters in rhythmic gymnastics as well as the association of fitness with gymnasts’ performance, competitive level, and age. PubMed, Scopus, and Sport Discus databases were searched. Of the 586 records retrieved, 41 studies met the inclusion criteria (n = 1915 participants). The included studies examined flexibility, aerobic capacity, muscle power, muscle endurance, muscle strength, sprint speed, agility, balance, and coordination. Performance was associated with flexibility, aerobic capacity, lower-limb muscle power, agility, muscular endurance, balance, and coordination from a young age. Flexibility, aerobic capacity, and muscle power were, in general, higher in high-level gymnasts than in low-level gymnasts or controls. Older rhythmic gymnasts demonstrated higher scores than the younger ones in flexibility, aerobic capacity, balance, and sport-specific coordination but not in muscle endurance, while some studies reported a decline in muscle power with age. Supplementary physical fitness training improved all physical abilities irrespective of the gymnasts’ level. Rhythmic gymnastics training alone improved muscle power, agility, speed, muscular endurance, and balance to a lesser extent than targeted fitness training. Muscular strength, speed, and agility are largely under-researched in rhythmic gymnastics. Emphasis should be given to targeted strength and power training due to the high mechanical loads placed on skeletally immature athletes.

Copyright of International Journal of Sports Science & Arts - English is the property of Helwan University, Faculty of Physical Education for Girls and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The purpose of the study was identified by the effort to complement the standard sports training programme with a portfolio of innovative means and methods to optimise the process of achieving performance in gymnastics competitions. The group of subjects investigated was female and consisted of 19 gymnasts, aged 10 - 12 years. They were tested initially and finally to determine the effects that going through the training program had on the analysed indicators. The Matorin, Flamingo, Balance Plate Position Maintenance and the "Y" tests were used in the research. We used descriptive statistics (Arithmetic Mean, Standard Deviation, Median, Confidence Interval and Coefficient of Variation) and significance tests which were used to assess the statistical significance of the difference between the means for two sets of scores (STUDENT paired sample t-test and Wilcoxon test). Based on the results recorded, we identified a significant difference between the mean values for the two tests. Following the results obtained, we can confirm that they help to form an overall picture from the perspective of motor skills on gymnasts and that there is a significant effectiveness of the motor intervention program in the sports training process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]