COMPUTER-ASSISTED FUNCTIONAL TRAINING IN HIGH-LEVEL AEROBIC GYMNASTICS

Abstract

This study is correlated to the concerns of the Romanian specialists in top aerobic gymnastics with continuously optimizing the training process, in order to keep our gymnasts' supremacy in the World elite. Because of the increased difficulty of the competitive routines, required by the new FIG Code of Points and by the close value level of the medal aspirants, an essential aspect of the preparation management is represented by the assessment of the functional exertions imposed by the specific elements in different training stages. The aim of this paper is to highlight the efficiency of the electronic devices and software programs in monitoring the effort intensity level and in designing some training contents able to facilitate the athletes' body adaptation to the functional demands specific to the competitive events. The participants in this study were components of the senior national team of Romania (aged between 20 and 27), who were in the pre-competitive stage, before the World Championship - Sofia 2012. We used the following methods: bibliographical study, observation, the computerized method to assess the effort zones by means of the Polar ProTrainer S625X heart rate (HR) monitor and the graphical method. The computerized data analysis was rendered possible by using the Polar ProTrainer 5 software that emphasized the biological response of the training effort in the individual, mixed pairs and trio events. The collected data proved the existence of some maximal functional exertion picks, during some high plateaus with values comprised between 180 and 195b/min., a fact that provides a picture of the increased effort difficulty and of the athletes' higher adaptation capacity. By taking into account the exigencies related to the performance of technical elements involving the body and the segment positions, the movement amplitude, the execution speed, the action angles, directions and trajectories, the movement coordination and rhythm, it is necessary for the gymnast to have an increased effort capacity allowing the athlete to exert a good neuromuscular control in maximal and sub-maximal functional exertions. Thus, the coach can include computerized sequences in the training programs, by using heart rate monitors that enable him to make decisions about the effort administration. Depending on the HR values recorded with the Polar ProTrainer S625X and on the athlete's reactivity to the specific stimuli, the coach establishes the number of repetitions, the break duration and type, the exercise load, by permanently adjusting the preparation program in order to reach the expected adaptation of the gymnast's body.