Performance Variables Associated with the Competitive Gymnast

Bale, Peter; Goodway, Jackie

doi:10.2165/00007256-199010030-00001

Cited by 39 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Research has suggested that body composition is a determinant of success in gymnastics [3]. In the current study, performance was correlated with LBM of the arms and right leg.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 51%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Gymnastics is one such sport, in which leanness is thought to provide aesthetic and biomechanical advantages [1,3,8]. Previous research has identified leanness as a contributor to success in gymnastics, with body fat (BF%) levels generally ranging from 13–16% amongst elite female gymnasts [3]. While much of the current body of gymnastics literature pertains to the international level of competition, Falls and Humphrey [8] observed significantly lower body fat in placers compared to non-placers in a collegiate gymnastics meet.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Body Composition, Muscle Quality and Scoliosis in Female Collegiate Gymnasts: A Pilot Study

et al. 2015

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Research has demonstrated an elevated prevalence of body weight concerns and scoliosis among female gymnasts. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate relationships between body composition, muscle quality, and performance in female collegiate gymnasts (n=15), and to evaluate the prevalence of scoliosis. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to evaluate body composition and lateral spinal curvature using a modified version of the Ferguson method. Echo intensity (EI) and cross-sectional area (CSA) of the vastus lateralis were determined from a panoramic cross-sectional ultrasound image. For returning athletes (n=9), performance scores from the previous season were averaged to quantify performance. Average performance score was correlated with lean mass of the arms (R=0.714; P=0.03) and right leg (R=0.680; P=0.04). Performance was not correlated with total mass, fat mass, or body fat percentage (P>0.10). Scoliosis was identified in three of fifteen scans (20%). Echo Intensity and CSA of the vastus lateralis were inversely correlated with each other (R= −0.637, P=0.01), but not with other measures of body composition or performance. Results suggest that limb LBM may be a determinant of performance in competitive gymnasts. It may be preferable for gymnasts to prioritize the accretion of LBM in the offseason.

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“…Research has suggested that body composition is a determinant of success in gymnastics [3]. In the current study, performance was correlated with LBM of the arms and right leg.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 51%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Body Composition, Muscle Quality and Scoliosis in Female Collegiate Gymnasts: A Pilot Study

et al. 2015

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“…Whereas heart rate (HR), oxygen uptake (VO 2 ) and blood lactate have been assessed in prepubescent athletes using treadmill [1, 17, 25], or bicycle ergometer tests [4], strength, power, flexibility and agility have traditionally been considered the most important attributes for success in artistic gymnastics [2, 14]. Because artistic gymnastics require a combination of explosive and quasi-maximal contractions to perform many difficulties, HR has been reported to be generally high.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physiological Demands of Young Women’s Competitive Gymnastic Routines

Marina¹,

Rodríguez²

2014

Biol Sport

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The objective of this study was to investigate the physiological indices of competitive routines in women's artistic gymnastics by characterizing post-exercise heart rate (HR), oxygen uptake (VO2) and peak blood lactate concentration (Lmax) in a group of eight young elite-oriented female gymnasts. HR was continuously monitored with Polar RS400 monitors during the test event simulating a competition environment. Within 5 s of the end of each routine, the breath-by-breath gas analyser mask was placed on the face to record VO2. VO2max was calculated by the backward extrapolation method of the VO2 recovery curve. Lmax was obtained during recovery (min 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10) subsequent to each event. One week later, HR, VO2 and Lmax were measured during an incremental continuous treadmill test. The treadmill test was confirmed as the assessment with the highest physiological demand. The gymnasts reached their highest values of HR (183-199 beats · min-1), VO2/Bm (33-44 ml · kg-1 · min-1) and Lmax (7-9 mmol · l-1) in the floor and uneven bars exercises. The vault was the event with the lowest HR (154-166 beats · min-1) and Lmax (2.4-2.6 mmol · l-1), and the balance beam had the lowest VO2 (27-35 ml · kg-1 · min-1). The mean relative peak intensities attained in the different events, which ranged from 65 to 85% of the individual VO2max and HRmax recorded in the laboratory, suggest that cardiorespiratory and metabolic demands are higher than previously indicated. The high percentage of VO2 measured, particularly after the floor event, suggests that aerobic power training should not be neglected in women's artistic gymnastics.

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“…61 Poorly equipped and/or designed training facilities are also considered to be risk factors associated with gymnastics injuries. 4 39 40 50 62 In an epidemiological study of over 6000 female gymnasts, Bale and Goodway 62 reported that most of the facilities in which the injured gymnasts trained were poor (32%) or only adequate (44%); the lowest percentage of injured gymnasts trained in superior facilities (24%). In contrast, the results of a retrospective study showed that injury rates were no different for clubs with five or more safety devices compared with those with only one or two pieces of safety equipment.…”

Section: Performance Techniquementioning

confidence: 99%

Balancing the risk of injury to gymnasts: how effective are the counter measures?

Daly

Bass²,

Finch³

2001

Br J Sports Med

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Background-To minimise injury risk and maximise gymnastics performance, coaches, parents, and health professionals working with young gymnasts need to understand and practise safe gymnastics. Aims-To (a) identify the various injury counter measures specific to gymnastics, (b) critically review the literature describing each injury prevention measure, and (c) assess, using available risk factor and injury data, the weight of evidence to support each of these counter measures. Specific recommendations for further research and implementation strategies to prevent injury and improve safety are also given. Methods-The relevant literature was identified through the use of Medline (1966 to May 1998) and SPORT Discus (1975 to May 1998) searches, hand searching of journals and reference lists, and discussions with key Australian gymnastics organisations. Results-The key gymnastics injury counter measures identified in this review include coaching (physical preparation, education, spotting, and performance technique), equipment, and the health support system (medical screening, treatment, and rehabilitation). Categorisation of the type of evidence for the eVectiveness of each of these counter measures in preventing injury showed that most of it is based on informal opinion/anecdotal evidence, uncontrolled data based studies, and several prospective epidemiological studies. There is no evidence from formally controlled trials or specific evaluation studies of counter measures for gymnastics. Conclusions-Although gymnastics is a sport associated with young participants and frequent high volume, high impact training, there is a paucity of information on injury risk factors and the eVectiveness of injury practices. Further controlled trials are needed to examine the extent to which injury prevention counter measures can prevent or reduce the occurrence of injury and re-injury. Particular attention should be devoted to improving training facilities, the design and testing of apparatus and personal equipment used by gymnasts, and coaching and the role of spotting in preventing injury. (Br J Sports Med 2001;35:8-20)

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Performance Variables Associated with the Competitive Gymnast

Cited by 39 publications

References 18 publications

Body Composition, Muscle Quality and Scoliosis in Female Collegiate Gymnasts: A Pilot Study

Body Composition, Muscle Quality and Scoliosis in Female Collegiate Gymnasts: A Pilot Study

Physiological Demands of Young Women’s Competitive Gymnastic Routines

Balancing the risk of injury to gymnasts: how effective are the counter measures?

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