The Effect of Eight-Week Functional Core Training on Core Stability in Young Rhythmic Gymnasts: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

It is suggested that core stability (CS) might improve rhythmic gymnasts’ performance. Nevertheless, the effect of core stability training (CST) in CS performance is not clear. Purpose: Evaluating the effect of an eight-week functional CST on young rhythmics gymnasts’ CS performance. Method: A sample of 45 young female rhythmic gymnasts from a competitive team (age = 10.5 ± 1.8 years, height = 144.1 ± 10.6 cm, weight 38.2 ± 8.9 kg, peak height velocity (PHV) = 12.2 ± 0.6 years) participated in the study. The participants were randomly allocated into the control group (CG) and experimental group (EG) and completed pre-tests and post-tests of specific CS tests using a pressure biofeedback unit (PBU). The CS was assessed by the bent knee fall out (BKFO), the active straight leg raise (ASLR) tests and the pelvic tilt test, all performed on the right and left sides. The EG (n = 23) performed an eight-week functional CST program based on rhythmic gymnastics (RG) technical requirements added to the traditional RG training sessions. Meanwhile, the CG (n = 22) received the traditional RG training sessions. Results: Mixed model analysis showed non-significant interaction effects; however, the ANOVA omnibus test showed a time effect (p < 0.05) in right BKFO (F1,42 = 4.60; p = 0.038) and both pelvic tilt tests (right F1,42 = 22.01, p < 0.001; left F1,42 = 19.13, p < 0.001). There were non-significant interaction effects. The fixed effects estimated parameters for right BKFO showed that both groups had less pressure variation after intervention compared with pre-intervention (β = −1.85 mmHg, 95%CI = [−3.54 to −0.16], t42 = −2.14, p = 0.038). Furthermore, the left pelvic tilt (β = 37.0 s, 95%CI = [20.4 to 53.6], t42 = 4.37, p < 0.001) improved 8.9 s more than the right pelvic tilt (β = 28.1 s, 95%CI = [16.3 to 39.8], t42 = 4.69, p < 0.001) considering both groups together. Conclusions: Adding a functional CST to regular training showed a trend in improving the performance of CS-related variables, which could help improve RG-specific performance. Coaches working with rhythmic gymnasts should consider adding a functional CST to regular training to improve CS performance leading to increased specific RG performance.

The Effects of an Eight-Week Integrated Functional Core and Plyometric Training Program on Young Rhythmic Gymnasts’ Explosive Strength

“…Reviewing the literature, we only found three works that studied the effects of CS training programs in a young rhythmic gymnast population. There were two studies mentioned earlier that showed an improvement in CS parameters and indicated that these improvements might enhance RG performance, although explosive strength was not measured [62,63]. The other RG study found significant improvements in the gymnasts' power, balance, and endurance after the CS training [45].…”

“…To our knowledge, only one prior study has analyzed the impact of an integrated CPT training program on rhythmic gymnasts [14], and one previous work has studied the CS training program's effect on rhythmic gymnasts' power [45]. Elsewhere, it has been suggested that CS training helps improve core performance, which might benefit RG performance [62,63,73]. Most available research has tried to demonstrate a relationship between PT and explosive strength performance in RG [36][37][38] and artistic gymnastics [59,60], while one study has assessed explosive strength after resistance training featuring strength and plyometrics exercises [66].…”

The effects of vertical trunk supportability improvement on one-leg rebound jump efficiency

“…The findings of several studies support those of this study. Trunk stability training has the potential to optimize the ability of the leg muscles to produce force, because it provides a stable base for the leg muscles to contract and it strengthens the neural drive [ 29 , 30 ]. Butcher et al reported that the improvement in the vertical takeoff speed after the three-week trunk stability training was due to changes in neuromuscular control or movement patterns rather than changes in muscle structure [ 6 , 30 ].…”

Acute Effects of Whole-Body Electrostimulation Combined with Stretching on Lower Back Pain

“…The WB-EMS+WBS group performed a specific training of the core and muscles on lumbar spine, as shown in Table 2 [50][51][52][53]. In total there were 12 WB-EMS sessions (20 minutes each with the same parameters as the other group) which were carried out over 8 weeks.In addition, the WB-EMS+WBS group performed a routine of 8 exercises on the WBS bench, immediately after the WB-EMS session (see Table 3 and Figure 4).…”

“…The WB-EMS + WBS group performed a specific training of the core and muscles on lumbar spine, as shown in ▶ Table 2 [50][51][52][53]. In total there were 12 WB-EMS sessions (20 minutes each with the same parameters as the other group) which were carried out over 8 weeks.…”