Influence of flexibility in the execution of movements in rhythmic gymnastics (original) (raw)

Flexibility and Strength in Brazilian and Portuguese Gymnasts

2019

Sports Faculty, Porto University, Portugal. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT Introduction: The purpose of this study was: 1) compare the flexibility and strength levels and 2) investigate possible functional asymmetries in flexibility in gymnasts from two National Teams of Rhythmic Gymnastics. Material and Methods: Participants included nine gymnasts from Brazilian National Team (BNT) (20.8±1.9 years) and four gymnasts from Portuguese National Team (PNT) (15.8±1.3 years). Ten specific flexibility tests and six specific strength tests were used. The MannWhitney and Wilcoxon tests were applied. Results and Conclusions: The Brazilian National Team was composed by older gymnasts with more years of practice than Portuguese National Team. The groups obtained similar training volume. Brazilian gymnasts showed an advantage in all strength tests, although significant differences were observed in 66.7% ...

A biomechanical examination of the inclusion of active flexibility in artistic gymnastic movements requiring mobility

Pedagogy of Physical Culture and Sports, 2021

Background and Study Aim. The purpose of the study is a biomechanical examination of the inclusion of active flexibility in artistic gymnastic movements requiring mobility (muscles' ability to stretch), flexibility and other motor abilities such as force, power, etc. Material and Methods. The study included 17 girl gymnasts aged 7-9 years old, with a body height of 140.7±10.2, weight of 34.1±6.4, and a body mass index of 17.6±3.0. Data collection in the study was made by using performance tests developed by FIG such as a Forward-Backward Split, Side Spit, Arm-Trunk Angle Backward, Trunk Bent Forward, Leg Raise forward, Leg Raise Sideward, Bridge, Standing long Jump, Lift Trunk Forward-60secs, Angle Degree of the Leg Split Position in Cartwheel, and Arm-Upper Body Angle Backward in Bridge Technique. The Kinovea 0.8.15 program was used in the data analysis of the variables in the study. The SPSS 24 software program was used for the data analysis. Percentages of the angle degree ca...

Flexibility and Functional Asymmetry in Rhythmic Gymnastics

ATHENS JOURNAL OF SPORTS

This study aimed to compare the flexibility level in Portuguese rhythmic gymnasts across competitive levels, investigate possible functional asymmetries in gymnasts across the competitive levels, and determine which flexibility variables better explain performance. Participants included young gymnasts (n=157) in three competitive levels (Base, 1 st division and Elite), who performed ten specific passive and active flexibility tests were used. The asymmetry index was calculated and a limit of 15% bilateral difference was established as normal flexibility difference in the lower limbs. Upper and lower limbs, as well as multi-joint flexibility increased with higher competition level, although these differences were not significant between 1 st division and Elite in upper limbs and multijoint tests. All groups showed differences in passive and active flexibility between preferred and non-preferred lower limb. In addition, the higher the competition level, the lower the asymmetry level. Functional asymmetry was found in 69% and 71% of the gymnasts in passive and active flexibility, respectively. Finally, active flexibility with preferred lower limb explained 21.8% of the variance in performance with some differences in the variables explaining performance across levels.

Flexibility testing in young competing gymnasts using a trigonometric method: one-year follow-up

… : Medicina de l' …, 2011

Introduction and aims. The aim of the present study was to characterize the evolution of flexibility during a complete gymnastics season in a group of 15 young male gymnasts. Methods. The gymnastics season was divided into three periods, namely general, specific and competitive, and the tests were grouped as follows: a) lower limbs (side and front splits, side and front leg lifts), b) upper limbs (shoulder turn with stick in anteversion and retroversion), and c) multi-joint testing (back bridge and adapted sit & reach test). A series of linear distances and anthropometric measurements were introduced into the trigonometric formulae to provide an indirect estimate of the joint angles. Results. While the passive range of motion of the lower limbs improved between the last two periods of the season, the active type remained unchanged throughout the season. The extension of the shoulder improved quickly and progressively throughout the season, whereas the flexion of the shoulder only improved in the first two periods. The adapted sit & reach test worsened the range of motion during the competitive period. The back bridge showed no significant changes throughout the season. Conclusions. Flexibility evolves throughout the gymnastics season, although with different rates of adaptation depending on the anatomical region analyzed (lower limbs, upper limbs, or multi-joint testing) and the type of flexibility developed (passive or active).

Operational Test Model of Aerobic Gymnastic Flexibility Test for National Development Category

International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences, 2023

A test model or instrument was needed to evaluate the athlete's abilities in order to find out their increase in achievement and talent development. This instrument must be adapted to the athletes’ characteristics and the sport they were involved in. Purpose: to test the aerobic gymnastic test model operation in the national development category and prove its feasibility and effectiveness. Design/ methodology/ approach: This research was experimental with field tests using the research design, namely Quasi Experiment with One Group Pretest-Posttest Design. The sample in this study involved 59 people, determined by the purposive sampling technique. The data analysis used in this study was the paired t-test. Results: The data found included (1) the left leg flexibility pre-test average (mean=132.2034, SD= 27.1056), the right leg flexibility pre-test (mean=133.8983, SD= 24.77603), the left leg flexibility post-test average (mean=143.9831, SD) = 22.29852), the post-test flexibility of the right leg (mean=153.0508, SD= 21.43589); and it was also found that (2) the hypothesis test was using paired t-test analysis (p<0.05), for the right leg flexibility with a p-value of 0.037 and left leg flexibility with a p-value of 0.011. Thus, the test model developed was declared effective for measuring flexibility in the aerobic gymnastics sports category of national development. For further research, designing the norms of this flexibility test model is necessary.

Development study determining motor qualities in rhythmic gymnastics

Geosport for Society, 2023

The purpose of the research is to evaluate and analyze the impact of the means used in training on the development of mobility and coordination of gymnasts. The obtained results underline the positive influence of exercises on sportswomen's performances and through the planning and proper implementation of exercises in training, a holistic and sustainable development of athletes in their sports activities can be ensured.

Experimental Study of Static-Dynamic Stretching and Muscle Strength and Its Effect on the Flexibility of Athletes in Gymnastics

International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Analysis, 2022

The research objectives were to analyze: the effectiveness of static and dynamic stretching exercises for increasing flexibility; the effect of high and low muscle strength abilities on the flexibility of gymnastics athletes; and the interaction of the two types of exercise to increase flexibility in terms of muscle strength. The research method is a 2 x 2 factorial design experiment. The treatment is carried out for 18 times with 2 sets x 30s x 13 exercises, tr.ti: 90s: 2-3 minutes. The population as well as the sample, namely the rhythmic gymnastics athletes of Surakarta City, amounted to 20 people. The instruments used are back dynamometer and sit and reach. Two way ANOVA data analysis technique. The results showed that static stretching exercises had a better effect than dynamic stretching on flexibility in gymnastics athletes. Athletes with high muscle strength abilities were better than low muscle strength athletes with respect to flexibility. Static stretching is suitable for...

Characteristics of Women’s Rhythmic Gymnastics from the Perspective of “Body Difficulty” and Performance Time

Advances in Physical Education, 2017

Tendencies in rhythmic gymnastics were investigated, to obtain basic information about the of performance gymnastics. Participants were gymnasts (N = 27: 22 experienced gymnasts and 5 junior gymnasts) that participated in individual exercises at the 66th Japan rhythmic gymnastics competition. We examined four exercises, hoop, ball, clubs, and ribbons. For each exercise, we recorded the time and the number of "Body Difficulties" and the time taken to execute one Difficulty. Moreover, we recorded the time for each movement. Then, we used these values to examine the reliability and validity of the chronological index of a composition. The correlation between each index and the Difficulty score was calculated for each apparatus. Based on the scoring rules for "Difficulty", the duration of Body Difficulty was defined from preparation to the end of each Difficulty. We conducted a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with the apparatus and movements as independent variables, which indicated a significant interaction effect in the number of Difficulties that were executed. Moreover, there was a significant main effect of apparatus and movement. Furthermore, performance time showed significant interaction effects (all p < 0.01). However, no significant interaction was observed for the time for executing each Difficulty.

Research of the coordination abilities in rhythmic gymnastics

The research is aimed at studying some components of coordination abilities – coordination in rhythm and agility among 72 students from Coach Department of the NSA “Vassil Levski” in Sofia. Four tests were used to assess the coordination in rhythm (Frontal feet and hands hitting against a wall, Feet and hands hitting (in a corner), Jumps in four squares, Cross jumps in four squares) and two tests for assessment of agility (Sideward running 10x5 meters, “T” test). The results from the tests – Jumps in four squares and Cross jumps in four squares – correlate to a great extend with the gymnasts (.707**) and moderately with the athletes practicing other kinds of sports. The results from the tests for agility correlate with gymnasts to a great extent (.702**), and moderately with the athletes practicing other kinds of sports 684**). The coefficients of correlation with the tests for agility do not show any dependence on the tests for coordination in rhythm with both groups of subjects.