Explosive power of lower limbs in rhythmic gymnastics athletes in different competitive levels

Amanda Batista Santos,Eunice Lebre,Lurdes Ávila Carvalho

doi:10.1590/1807-55092016000100041

Amanda Batista Santos, Eunice Lebre + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1807-55092016000100041

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Abstract

Abstract The explosive power in Rhythmic Gymnastics shows itself in the great majority of movements and elements performed by the gymnasts, particularly in the jumps, which are essential corporal movements in this sport. The training directed to the development of jumping capacity presents a large quantity of exercises which aim to improve muscular power in the lower limbs and therefore the impulsion capacity. The vertical impulsion is an important measure used to calculate the explosive power of the lower limbs and is directly connected to the success that the gymnast will be able to achieve. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the height of two jumps in the RG (stag jump and Cossack jump) in contact mat Ergojump, which calculates the jump height in connection with the flight timing, executed by national level junior gymnasts and to compare them to the results of the Junior National Team - in total 30 junior gymnasts with 13.73 ± 0.17 years old. Furthermore, to compare the levels of explosive power of preferred lower limb (PLL) and non-preferred lower limb (NPLL) of all gymnasts in the study, in order to verify eventual functional asymmetries. For the statistical analysis we used Parametric Tests (t Test) and Nonparametric (Mann-Whitney Test and Wilcoxon Test). The gymnasts of the National Team achieved superior marks in 33.3% of the tests and 83.3% of the gymnasts of our sample did not present explosive power asymmetries. We conclude that the gymnasts of the National Team did not show the expected superiority in the tests, and the most of gymnasts presented a harmonious development of explosive power for both lower limbs, since they did not show functional asymmetries.

Highlights

In Rhythmic Gymnastics, the gymnast must present powerful muscular groups, to achieve a good performance in the training and competition routines[1]
The strength in RG is part of the great majority of movements performed by the gymnasts, with or without apparatus. e correct technical performance, with the necessary range and intensity are only possible if a high level of strength development is achieved6. erefore is unquestionable that the strength represents a determinant role to the high performances in this sport
Method e explosive power of lower limbs (LL) was analyzed in this study through the evaluation of two basic jumps in RG. e main purpose of the jump selection was the approach of explosive power evaluation to speci c jump used in the sport, in order to guarantee a result close to reality

Summary

Introduction

In Rhythmic Gymnastics, the gymnast must present powerful muscular groups, to achieve a good performance in the training and competition routines[1]. E gymnast depends on the strength capacity for technical performance mastery. 5, the technical failures are often wrongly explained by lack of coordination, ability or training, the authors said that they happen by lack of strength in the muscular groups. According to the authors is necessary for an adequate performance of the movements. For the public often the strength is not considered a relevant motor capacity in RG, since the gymnasts are associated to a high exibility level only. E correct technical performance, with the necessary range and intensity are only possible if a high level of strength development is achieved.

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