No abstract

Rhythmic gymnastics (RG) is a competitive sport and competition results include multiple components such as difficulty (D) and execution (E) scores. Both coaches and researchers should consider the components of performance scores separately. The aim of the current study was to identify the most indicative apparatus score on total ranking in the individual all-around finals of 37th RG World Championships (WCh), 2019, Baku, Azerbaijan and to determine the most important D and/or E scores on overall ranking. Total of 312 scores of 24 gymnasts competed at individual all-around finals were analyzed. Correlations among total qualification, total D, total E, and total apparatus scores of each apparatus were determined by Pearson correlation analysis. Multiple regression analysis was used and model-fitting performance was assessed by coefficient of determination (R2). When correlations among total qualification score and total D, total E scores of each apparatus were analyzed moderate and strong relationships were found (p < 0.001). The percentages that D and E scores explained the total score ranged between 79.3 and 44%. Total ball D score explained 79.3% of the variability in standings and it was the best predictor score. Total ribbon E score was found to be the second effective score on ranking (71%). Finally, total hoop E score had the least effect by 44%. Apart from these, two different total score estimation models that trainers/gymnasts may use practically were enhanced during this study.

It is predicted that athletes can achieve high efficiency levels when training contents are applied within the scope of annual plans prepared on a scientific basis. Annual plans consist of preparation, competition and interim periods. Topics such as determining target competition where the peak performance will be revealed during competition period are examined under periodization title of training science. This study was carried out to determine the variables of the competition seasons of American and European athletes in jumping events and to identify the similarities and differences between the variables. The study group consisted of elite American and European athletes, who had ranked in the top 100 in the world charts of the 2018 season. The differences between athletes were determined by Mann Whitney U-Test. In terms of the number of competition season days, number of days between competitions and final performance value of season, statistically significant differences were found between the athletes in favor of the American male long jumpers and male triple jumpers (p < 0.05). Significant differences were determined between the European and American high jumpers in terms of number of days between competitions in both genders (p < 0.05). In the pole vault event, the total number of competitions participated by both male and female European athletes were higher than total number of competitions participated by American athletes (p < 0.05). As a result, it was thought that the differences determined between the groups such as the number of days between competitions may be due to the differences in the perception of periodization and different coaching educations embraced by continents.

Vision is a warning that directs muscles of the body to respond and gives information about where and when to move. Visual reaction time amongst athletes is mainly concerned with how fast an athlete reacts to a visual stimulus. However, little information is available on reaction time (RT), hand-eye coordination among athletes from different sport branches. In many sports branches; RT and hand-eye coordination is regarded as a prerequisite for success. For this reason, the aim of the current study was to investigate RT differences for eye-hand coordination of athletes from different sports and sedentary people. Study involved 48 athletes, aged 18-25 from different branches [basketball (n=6), arm wrestling (n=4), boxing (n=6), football (n=13), handball (n=4), rugby (n=8), volleyball (n=7)] and 9 sedentary people. Hand-eye coordination tests were conducted by using reaction development and training system FitLight Trainer™ (Fitlight Sports Corp., Canada). Test protocol consisted of 10 series of simple motor reaction task to visual stimuli; each of the 10 series included 22 reactions. Variables not fitting normal distribution were compared by Kruskal Wallis H test. Mean reaction time (MRT) was found to be different among branches (p=0.009). RT for 10 different trials were found to be different for 3 rd (p=0.038), 4 th (p=0.047), 5 th (p=0.022), 6 th (p=0.044), 7 th (p=0.041), 8 th (p=0.011), 9 th (p=0.019), 10 th (p=0.023) trials. According to results, it can be said that visual reaction times of field players are very specific and insufficient to distinguish. During trainings, it may be advisable to have reaction time development exercises with specific technical/tactical skills related to branches and positions.

Çalışmanın amacı, ritmik cimnastik (RC) branşında küçükler kategorilerinde (KK) ve yıldızlar kategorilerinde (YK) yarışan sporcuların demografik değişkenlerinin, top aleti ile gerçekleştirdikleri çift chainé ve yakalama rotasyonlu dinamik elementinin kinematik değişkenlerinin kategorilere göre karşılaştırılmasıdır. Ayrıca, demografik ve kinematik değişkenlerin birbirleriyle ilişkilerinin belirlenmesidir.

Vault is one of the main apparatuses for both female and male gymnasts in artistic gymnastics (AG). The optimal vaulting technique depends on many variables, such as the approaching run. Gymnastics is one of the early specialization sports as it is necessary to start training at an early age. For this reason, the aim of the current study was to investigate the relationship among age, biomotor and technical components in relation to the approach run velocity and other variables in AG. Furthermore, similarities and differences between genders were researched. Twenty female and twelve male gymnasts took part in the study. Speed, agility, explosive power, run-up velocity were measured. Additionally, Reactive Strength Index (RSI) and Peak High Velocity distances (PHV_Distance) were calculated. Kinematic parameters during the handspring vault were calculated by a two-dimensional video analysis. A statistical comparison between genders was performed by the Mann Whitney U test. The relationships between parameters were given by Spearman correlation coefficients (r). Anaerobic power, 0-20 m speed, 20 m speed velocity, and the hand contact time were significantly different between genders (p<0.05). The approach run significantly correlated with the chronological age (r=0.66; p=0.002 for female and r=0.96; p<0.001 for male gymnasts), PHV_Distance (r=0.69; p=0.001 for female and r=0.97; p<0.001 for male gymnasts) and the biological age (r=0.69; p=0.001 for female and r=0.97; p<0.001 for male gymnasts). As the approach run velocity increases, vaulting performance is affected positively. While speed tests significantly correlated with the approach run in male gymnasts, there was no correleation for females. In addition, trainers should keep in mind that the relationship between bio-motor development and biological age of gymnasts is important in training programs.

Aim of this study was to determine variables of elite athletes’ competition seasons in vertical jumping events and to determine relationships between these variables. Also, to constitute prediction models of season best (SB) and season performance average based on season first performance to offer a new insight for coaching education. Research group consisted of male and female elite athletes who ranked in the top 100 in high jump (HJ) and pole vault (PV), during 2018 season. Athletes’ competition information was reached from 2018 world rankings. Ages, total number of days in season, days between competitions, total number of competitions, number of competitions that season’s best score was performed, ratio of SB to total number of competitions, percentages of first, end, average scores were calculated. Statistical comparison of gender groups was analyzed using Independent Samples t-Test. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to express relationships. Polynomial regression analysis was used to find coefficients of determination for relationships. Quadratic equations were calculated to predictive SB performance and season average performances according average of first two performances by gender/events. In PV, there were differences between genders for season first, end, and average percentages calculated according to SB (p < 0.05). Strong relationships were determined between season average and season first performances in female athletes. Predicted models created according to season first performance may be considered as early evaluations for coaches. Coach can use these prediction models as a new and different education material for their training plans. By doing so, in case of calculating a prediction far away from the coach’s aim it is possible that coach can take necessary measures at the beginning of season.

Aim: The purpose of training planning in performance sports is to achieve the desired performance in the target competition. Maintaining the desired performance in the major competition is the main subject of periodization. But at this point, the prediction of the season best, which will serve as a showcase for preparations, is a question as old as the history of training science for coaches. The aim of the study is to examine the variables in the competition period of female and male athletes participated in the top 100 places in the 2018 world lists in the long jump event, to compare by gender, and to create prediction models for the season best and season average performances (SPA) according to the average of first two performances (AF2P). Methods: Ages, total number of days in a season, the number of days between the competitions, total competitions, the number of competitions in which the season's best (SB) performance was achieved, the ratio of the SB to the total number of competitions, the percentages of the first, end, and average scores were analysed. Statistical comparison of female and male athletes was carried out using Independent Samples t-Test. To express the relationships between parameters Pearson correlation coefficients (r) were used. Besides, polynomial regression analysis was used. Finally, the quadratic equations were used to predict SB performance and SPA according to the AF2P. Findings: SB competition, season initial, AF2P, SB, SPA and season-end variables were found to be statistically different between genders. Season initial and SB showed significant relationships for both genders (women; r=0.68; p<0.001; men; r=0.51; p<0.001). AF2P explained 54% of the SB performance for women and 48% for men. Conclusion: The prediction model found in the current study to predict SB performance was applied to the male and female athletes from 2019 season. Models predicted the actual performance with an average of 1.15%. Depending on the close estimation of the actual SB performance of the models; It is thought that the prediction models will enable the trainers to predict the performance of their athletes in target competitions at the beginning of the season.   Özet Amaç: Performans sporlarında antrenman planlamasının amacı hedef yarışmada istenilen performansı yakalamaktır. İstenen performansın da majör yarışmada gerçekleştirilmesi periyodizasyonun ana konusudur. Fakat bu noktada hazırlıkların vitrini niteliğinde olacak sezonun en iyi derecesinin gerçekleşeceği öngörüsü antrenörler için antrenman bilim tarihi kadar eski bir sorudur. Çalışmanın amacı, uzun atlama branşında 2018 dünya listelerinde ilk yüz sırada yer alan kadın ve erkek sporcuların yarışma periyodundaki değişkenleri incelemek, cinsiyetlere göre karşılaştırmak, ilk iki performans ortalamasına göre sezonun en iyi ve ortalama performansları için tahmin modelleri oluşturmaktır. Metot: Çalışmada sporcuların yarışma verileri [yaş, bir sezondaki toplam gün sayısı (SGS), bir sezondaki toplam yarışma sayısı (TYS), sporcunun sezondaki en iyi derecesi (SB), SB performansının gerçekleştiği yarışma (SBY), sporcunun sezonun ilk iki yarışmasındaki performansının ortalaması (İ2PO), sezon en iyi derecesine göre; sezon ortalama (SORT), başlangıç (SBAŞ) ve bitiriş (SBİT) derecelerinin yüzde oranları] incelenmiştir. Parametreler arasındaki ilişkiler için pearson korelasyon (r) istatistiği, ilişkilerin belirleme katsayılarının (r2) bulunmasında polinom regresyonu, cinsiyete göre İ2PO’dan SB ve sezon ortalama performanslarının tahmin modellerinde karesel regresyon modeli kullanılmıştır. Bulgular: SBY, başlangıç, İ2PO, SB, SORT ve SBİT değişkenleri cinsiyetler arasında istatistiksel olarak farklı bulunmuştur. SBAŞ değerleriyle SB performansı arasında iki cinsiyet için anlamlı ilişkiler bulunmuştur (kadınlar; r=0,68; p<0,001; erkekler, r=0,51; p<0,001). İ2PO; kadınlarda SB performansının %54’ünü, erkeklerde; %48’ini açıklayabilmektedir. Sonuç: Çalışmada bulunan İ2PO’na göre SB tahmin modeli, 2019 yılında dünya listelerinde yer alan erkek ve kadın sporculara uygulandığında, modelin SB performansını ortalama %1,15 farkla tahmin ettiği görülmüştür. Modellerin gerçek SB performansını yakın tahmin edebilmesine bağlı olarak; tahmin modellerinin antrenörlerin sezon başında sporcularının hedef yarışmalardaki performanslarını öngörebilmelerine olanak sağlayacağı düşünülmektedir.