The aim of this meta-analysis was to aggregate data from studies investigating the risk factors associated with low back pain (LBP) in competitive gymnasts.
Four databases were searched and studies ...reporting demographics, anthropometrics, functional, psychosocial and gymnastics-practice variables in competitive gymnasts with and without LBP were included. For continuous data, the weighted mean difference (MD) and confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated, while odds or risk ratio (OR, RR) were calculated for dichotomous data.
Meta-analysis of six cross-sectional studies involving 284 competitive female gymnasts revealed that artistic were more likely to report LBP compared to rhythmic gymnasts (RR 1.4, 95% CI 1.04-2.0, Z=2.2, p=0.03). Data pooling revealed that age (MD 1.5 years, 95% CI 0.4-2.5, p=0.005) and body weight (MD 3.5 kg, 95% CI 0.1-6.8, p=0.04) were significantly higher in gymnasts with LBP compared to those without. Subgroup-analyses confirmed these differences in artistic but not in rhythmic gymnasts. Moreover, artistic gymnasts with LBP tended to display longer gymnastics-practice history (p=0.09) compared to those without.
Increased age, body weight and, to a lesser extent, longer gymnastics-practice appear to differentiate artistic gymnasts with LBP from those without; conversely, these potential risk factors seem less relevant for rhythmic gymnasts.
The quantitative evaluation of sports motions is a precondition for scientific training and data-driven professional athletic motion analyses. However, the high accuracy and the portability of the ...evaluation schemes are contradictory and it is difficult to simultaneously improve both metrics in one device. In this work, we propose an effective gymnastics motion recognition and evaluation system to solve this problem. The system is a sensor network composed of 11 acceleration and angular velocity sensors. The gymnastics data obtained from each sensor node can be uploaded in real-time via Wi-Fi. The data from different sensor nodes on the body is used to form the corresponding gymnastics motion recognition data sets. Using these sensor node data and the linear discriminant analysis (LDA) algorithm, 6 different sets gymnastics motions could be recognized at an accuracy of 99.18%. Experimental results also showed that, by combining only the data from the left arm sensor node and the right foot sensor node as the gymnastic motion evaluation data set, the LDA algorithm could be used to evaluate three gymnastics motions, all of which delivered an accuracy of no less than 96.0%. This evaluation system meets the needs for accuracy and portability at the same time, and potentially can be extended to evaluate other physical activities, such as yoga and Tai Chi.
Understanding the technical requirements and underlying biomechanics of complex release and re-grasp skills on high bar allows coaches and scientists to develop safe and effective training ...programmes. The aim of this study was to examine the differences in the functional phases between the Tkatchev and Kovacs skills and to explain how the angular momentum demands are addressed. Images of 18 gymnasts performing 10 Tkatchevs and 8 Kovacs at the Olympic Games were recorded (50 Hz), digitised and reconstructed (3D Direct Linear Transformation). Orientation of the functional phase action, defined by the rapid flexion to extension of the shoulders and extension to flexion of the hips as the performer passed through the lower vertical, along with shoulder and hip angular kinematics, angular momentum and key release parameters (body angle, mass centre velocity and angular momentum about the mass centre and bar) were compared between skills. Expected differences in the release parameters of angle, angular momentum and velocity were observed and the specific mechanical requirement of each skill were highlighted. Whilst there were no differences in joint kinematics, hip and shoulder functional phase were significantly earlier in the circle for the Tkatchev. These findings highlight the importance of the orientation of the functional phase in the preceding giant swing and provide coaches with further understanding of the critical timing in this key phase.
SHORT HISTORICAL NOTES XXIII Gajdoš, Anton; Bábela, Michal
Science of gymnastics journal,
03/2022, Letnik:
14, Številka:
1
Journal Article
Odprti dostop
Ph.D. Anton Gajdoš born on 1.6.1940 in Dubriniči (today Ukraine) lives most of his life in Bratislava (ex TCH, nowadays SVK). He comes from gymnastics family (his brother Pavel have world ...championship medals) and he devoted his life to gymnastics. His last achievement is establishment of Narodna encyklopedia športu Slovenska (www.sportency.sk). Among his passion is collecting photos and signatures of gymnasts. As we tend to forget old champions and important gymnasts, judges and coaches, we decided to publish part of his archive under title Short historical notes. All information on these pages is from Anton’s archives and collected through years. Short historical Notes XXIII were written in collaboration with Michal Bábela, PhD.
The aim of this research was to define the optimal kinematic parameters of performance of the Clear hip circle to handstand on uneven bars (KOVT). The optimal kinematic model defined in this case ...study represents an example of the successful performance of the Clear hip circle to handstand on the uneven bars. The exercise was performed at the 39th and 40th World Cup in Artistic gymnastics in Maribor (SLO). The kinematic parameters were specified by the APAS 3-D video system (Ariel Dynamics Inc., San Diego, CA), using 16 anthropometric reference points and 8 body segments (Foot, Ankle, Knee joint, Hip joint, Wrist, Elbow joint, Shoulder joint and Head), in which one of the points represents the center of gravity of the body. The female gymnasts (N=15), mean age 17.5 yrs, who performed one Clear hip circle on the uneven bars performed two KOVTs in their gymnastics routine, while the rest performed one KOVT on the uneven bars, mean age 17.5. The main method in this research was kinematic, and the additional one was statistical. Optimizing the technique of successful performance of the KOVT is important for detecting different styles of the technique that occur in female gymnasts.
The relationship between balance ability and sport injury risk has been established in many cases, but the relationship between balance ability and athletic performance is less clear. This review ...compares the balance ability of athletes from different sports, determines if there is a difference in balance ability of athletes at different levels of competition within the same sport, determines the relationship of balance ability with performance measures and examines the influence of balance training on sport performance or motor skills. Based on the available data from cross-sectional studies, gymnasts tended to have the best balance ability, followed by soccer players, swimmers, active control subjects and then basketball players. Surprisingly, no studies were found that compared the balance ability of rifle shooters with other athletes. There were some sports, such as rifle shooting, soccer and golf, where elite athletes were found to have superior balance ability compared with their less proficient counterparts, but this was not found to be the case for alpine skiing, surfing and judo. Balance ability was shown to be significantly related to rifle shooting accuracy, archery shooting accuracy, ice hockey maximum skating speed and simulated luge start speed, but not for baseball pitching accuracy or snowboarding ranking points. Prospective studies have shown that the addition of a balance training component to the activities of recreationally active subjects or physical education students has resulted in improvements in vertical jump, agility, shuttle run and downhill slalom skiing. A proposed mechanism for the enhancement in motor skills from balance training is an increase in the rate of force development. There are limited data on the influence of balance training on motor skills of elite athletes. When the effectiveness of balance training was compared with resistance training, it was found that resistance training produced superior performance results for jump height and sprint time. Balance ability was related to competition level for some sports, with the more proficient athletes displaying greater balance ability. There were significant relationships between balance ability and a number of performance measures. Evidence from prospective studies supports the notion that balance training can be a worthwhile adjunct to the usual training of non-elite athletes to enhance certain motor skills, but not in place of other conditioning such as resistance training. More research is required to determine the influence of balance training on the motor skills of elite athletes.
Background: Explosive strength is essential for rhythmic gymnasts’ performance. It has been suggested that core stability (CS) and plyometric training can enhance athletes’ explosive strength. ...Nevertheless, there is some uncertainty about the effects of integrated core and plyometric training (CPT) programs on rhythmic gymnastics (RG) performances. Purpose: to evaluate the effects of an integrated functional CPT program on young rhythmic gymnasts’ explosive strength and jump/leap performance. Method: We recruited 44 young (age = 10.5 ± 1.8 years old; peak height velocity, PHV = 12.2 ± 0.6 years old) female rhythmic gymnasts and randomly allocated them into a control group (CG) and an experimental group (EG). Pre and post-intervention, the explosive strength of both groups was assessed using countermovement jump (CMJ) and single-leg CMJ (SLCMJ) tests, conducted using a force platform, and expert RG judges evaluated their performance of RG-specific jumps. Before the post-test, the EG (n = 23) completed an 8 week functional CPT program based on RG technical requirements. Meanwhile, the participants in the CG (n = 21) received their regular training sessions. Linear mixed model analyses were applied to evaluate the effects of an intra-subject factor (TIME: pre-post) and an inter-subject factor (GROUP: control-experimental) on each dependent variable. When no significant interaction effect was found, Cohen’s d effect size was calculated. Results: After 8 weeks, the EG obtained significantly better results in all variables measured by the CMJ and SLCMJ (p < 0.01) tests. The judges’ scores indicated greater improvements in the EG after the CPT program in the stag and the split leap. Conclusions: An integrated functional CPT program improved explosive strength in a group of young rhythmic gymnasts and had a large impact on aspects of RG-specific performance. Coaches should consider using this CPT to improve RG performance.
This article discusses everyday acts of resistance through two stories of bread in competitive gymnastics through the lens of infrapolitics and hidden transcripts. The author discusses how the ...culture of elite competitive gymnastics sometimes makes it difficult to distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate methods of coaching and care—often giving rise to infrapolitical acts. Furthermore, the article centers Larry Nassar’s cooptation of gymnasts’ hidden transcripts—particularly around food—as a strategy to further his abuse of hundreds of athletes. Finally, through the concept of the civic imagination, the author encourages the gymnastics community to begin to engage in open discussions over meals toward change in gymnastics cultures.
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