Contralateral Muscle Imbalances and Physiological Profile of Recreational Aerial Athletes

Abstract

Background: Aerial fitness is quickly gaining popularity; however, little is known regarding the physiological demands of aerial athletes. The purpose of the study was to examine contralateral muscle imbalances, compare dominant versus non-dominant hamstrings-to-quadriceps (H:Q) ratios, and to establish a physiological profile of recreational aerial athletes. Methods: Thirteen aerialist women visited a local aerial studio to participate in a data collection session to examine isometric levels of upper and lower body strength, muscle endurance, flexibility, balance, and cardiovascular fitness. Results: No significant differences were found between dominant and non-dominant hand grip strength (p = 0.077), dominant and non-dominant isometric knee flexion (p = 0.483), dominant and non-dominant isometric knee extension (p = 0.152), or dominant and non-dominant isometric H:Q ratios (p = 0.102). In addition, no significant difference was found between isometric dominant H:Q ratio and the widely-used value of 0.60 (p = 0.139). However, isometric non-dominant H:Q ratio was significantly lower than the 0.60 criterion (p = 0.004). Aerial athletes demonstrated to have excellent flexibility, balance, cardiorespiratory fitness, and average strength. Conclusions: Aerial fitness may be another recreational activity that could be used to maintain higher levels of flexibility, balance, cardiorespiratory fitness, and strength. Aerialists may want to consider focusing on strengthening the lower body and balancing the hamstrings and quadriceps muscle strength.

The relationship between handgrip strength and performance scores in North American Collegiate Division I women’s artistic gymnasts

“…To our knowledge, the normalized relative HGS values (in height in m 2 ) are the first to be reported on any female athlete population and therefore there are no studies to compare to. However, there are numerous studies to compare the current investigations female collegiate gymnasts absolute HGS values to (Cronin et al, 2017;Haynes & DeBeliso, 2019;Ruggieri & Costa, 2019;Suazo & DeBeliso, 2021). Indeed, Kaplan et al reported comparable dominant absolute HGS values to the current investigation in elite Turkey female athletes (~20 yrs old), including basketball (32.00±0.04 kg), volleyball (29.95±3.27 kg), badminton (31.57±3.38 kg), and handball (33.51±3.68 kg).…”

Prevalence of muscle imbalance and its potential influence on injury among female acrobatic dancers

“…A consensus could be reached that female dancers experience a significant number of injuries, 9 specifically of the lower limb, 2 and female acrobats in South Africa are seen to possibly show a similar finding. However, it must be noted that further investigation with larger sample size groups of injury prevalence in acrobatic dancers is needed before decisive claims can be made.…”

“…Dancers require extreme ranges of motion to prevent injury and achieve their sport’s demands. 11 According to Ruggieri and Costa, 9 ballet dancers were reported to have a sit-and-reach flexibility of 22.8±4.1 cm. Gymnasts were reported to have sit-and-reach flexibility of 36.4±4.2 cm, indicating that the acrobats in this current study had a noticeably greater sit-and-reach flexibility than ballet dancers and gymnasts.…”

“…The Hamstring:quadriceps peak torque ratio is a common influence on muscle imbalances associated with sport-related injuries. 9 In a study done by Kuni and Schmitt, 10 isokinetic testing found a balance deficit between the plantar flexors and dorsiflexors in professional dancers. Testing the isokinetic strength of the ankle joint of female acrobats would be useful to note if similarities to this study are present and if they possibly may be linked to injury onset.…”

“…A method in which muscle imbalance can be tested and identified is through isokinetic testing. The Hamstring:quadriceps peak torque ratio is a common influence on muscle imbalances associated with sport-related injuries 9. In a study done by Kuni and Schmitt,10 isokinetic testing found a balance deficit between the plantar flexors and dorsiflexors in professional dancers.…”