Postural Control in Female Rhythmic Gymnasts in Selected Balance Exercises: A Study of Two Cases

Abstract

Introduction. The aim of the study was to determine the differences in the quality of postural control between two female rhythmic gymnasts with different training experience during the performance of balance exercises. In rhythmic gymnastics, the same balance exercises are performed by novice and elite gymnasts. Balance exercises involving standing on the toes of one leg with the free leg raised in different positions are considered to be extreme forms of exercise in terms of the postural balance abilities required. In coaching practice, it is important to have tools which facilitate the objective assessment of the process of maintaining balance in such exercises.Material and methods.The study involved two female rhythmic gymnasts: a younger one (age = 8 years and training experience = 4 years) and an older one (age = 21 years and training experience = 14 years). The athletes performed three balance exercises standing on a Kistler platform: the split with hand support (lateral balance), the ring with hand support, and the back split without hand support (balance on the whole foot). The parameters describing the quality of postural control used in the current analysis were the range and velocity of COP displacements in the anterior-posterior and medial-lateral directions.Results. Postural control in the balance exercises in the younger rhythmic gymnast was characterised by almost two times greater COP displacements in the anterior-posterior direction and more rapid than that of the older gymnast. COP displacements in the medial-lateral direction in all the exercises described did not differentiate the subjects. In the back split without hand support, the older athlete showed greater variability of postural control with smaller COP displacement and velocity than the younger gymnast.Conclusion. Gymnastics training should include exercises strengthening the muscles acting on the ankle and hip joints, which could improve the stability of these joints during the performance of difficult balance exercises. Improving the stabilising function of these muscles helps to minimise anterior-posterior movements in these joints.

The Balance Ability of Top-Level Female Rhythmic Gymnasts: Does It Predict Their Performance Scores?

“…At the univariate level, regression analysis indicated a statistically significant, individual contribution of the BTOE-R variable to the prediction of success in RG in the advanced-level RGs (p=0.01; Table 4a), and in relation to the entirety of the sample (p=0.02; Table 4b), with a positive relationship between this predictor and the criterion variable (b=0.06 and b=0.03, retrospectively). This outcome is not a surprise considering that most of the exercises in RG require an above-average ability to maintain balance on one leg (full foot or relevé position), while the other leg is in various demanding positions (Sobera & Rutkowska-Kucharska, 2019). The reason for the absence of a statistically significant individual contribution of the BTOE-L variable in a sample of advanced-level RGs containing RGs whose left leg is the dominant leg may lie in the consideration of the results of some studies (Shigaki et al, 2013;Frutuoso et al, 2016), which recorded a better stability of the non-dominant legthe preferred limb is used for dynamic activities, thus reducing its role in balance control (in this particular case, the advanced-level RGs' left leg is used for maneuvering, and the right leg is used for stabilisation and balancing).…”

Contribution of Leg Flexibility, Limb Length, Leg Power for the Split Leap Skills of Rhythmic Gymnastics Athletes

“…Gymnasts in hovering require optimal height over a while, this can be achieved by the strength of the leg repulsion or the physical characteristics of the long legs. Hip and ankle strength helps balance every movement in rhythmic gymnastics [27]. One of the important points in this study is the 32% split leap movement supported by the effective contribution of each variable point feet of 12.5%, leg length 14.5%, and jump height of 4.9% (Table 6).…”

Validez y fiabilidad de la batería funcional ARISTO en gimnasia rítmica (BFAGR) aplicada a gimnastas adolescentes de nivel avanzado

“…Sin embargo, son pocos los datos de investigación sobre la estabilidad del equilibrio en la gimnasia rítmica y la medición de esta capacidad sigue siendo un desafío para los investigadores. Rutkowska-Kucharska et al (26) y Sobera et al (27) realizaron un estudio con el mismo equilibrio utilizado en la BFAGR pero sin estar las gimnastas a media punta (relevé), concluyendo que no debería usarse para gimnastas más pequeñas. Igualmente, Vernetta et al (28) la propusieron en el nivel básico de la BFAGR y no dio fiabilidad, corroborando así los estudios de Rutkowska-Kucharska et al (26) y Sobera et al (27) , de ser una prueba no adecuada en edades tempranas ya que se requiere el fortalecimiento de musculatura intrínseca del pie, tobillo y cadera para su realización.…”

“…Rutkowska-Kucharska et al (26) y Sobera et al (27) realizaron un estudio con el mismo equilibrio utilizado en la BFAGR pero sin estar las gimnastas a media punta (relevé), concluyendo que no debería usarse para gimnastas más pequeñas. Igualmente, Vernetta et al (28) la propusieron en el nivel básico de la BFAGR y no dio fiabilidad, corroborando así los estudios de Rutkowska-Kucharska et al (26) y Sobera et al (27) , de ser una prueba no adecuada en edades tempranas ya que se requiere el fortalecimiento de musculatura intrínseca del pie, tobillo y cadera para su realización. Sobre nuestra prueba de equilibrio a media punta propuesta para el nivel avanzado Sobera et al (29) miden igualmente el equilibrio monopodal en relevé en una plataforma de fuerza, concluyendo que la articulación coxo-femoral es la que realiza la estabilización para mantener el equilibrio.…”