Rhythmic physical activity to improve the motor abilities of junior students-athlete in gymnastics: randomized control trial

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the effect of Rhythmic Physical Activity (RPA) on enhancing the motor abilities of junior athlete-students enrolled in gymnastics courses at the university level. Materials and Methods. This study employed a randomized control trial method conducted over an 11-week period. A total of 29 junior athlete-students from Singaperbangsa State University Karawang (Indonesia) in their first year were involved. They were divided into the CON (n = 14) and RPA (n = 15) groups. Instruments to measure motor abilities included the standing long jump, handgrip strength, seated straddle stretch, foot tapping, and an obstacle course taken in reverse. Paired sample t-tests were employed to examine the differences in motor abilities scores at both the baseline and post-intervention stages for the CON and RPA groups. Results. The primary findings indicated that RPA significantly impacted motor ability components. These components were the standing long jump (p ≤ 0.05, d = −1.97), handgrip strength (p ≤ 0.05, d = −2.30), seated straddle stretch (p ≤ 0.05, d = −1.02), foot tapping (p ≤ 0.05, d = −2.00), and the reverse obstacle course (p ≤ 0.05, d = −1.26). For the CON group, the results related to the standing long jump (p ≥ 0.05, d = −0.26), handgrip strength (p ≥ 0.05, d = −0.13), seated straddle stretch (p ≤ 0.05, d = −0.66), foot tapping (p ≥ 0.05, d = 0.12), and reverse obstacle course (p ≥ 0.05, d = −0.21). Conclusions. The results underscore the significance of employing RPA to bolster the motor abilities of junior student-athletes in their first year at the university level.