The Effect of Technical Competence in Balance Elements of Rhythmic Gymnastics on the Sportive Success of Taekwondo Poomsae Athletes

Sezen Çimen Polat

doi:10.11114/jets.v6i9.3375

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the effect of technical competence in certain balance elements, an important parameter in rhythmic gymnastics, on sportive success in taekwondo poomsae athletes and the relationship between them. The study was conducted on 12 female taekwondo athletes (age: 17.6±1.2; height: 159.26±3.1 cm; weight: 50.79±1.82 kg; BMI: 20.88±0.98 kg/m2). The participants were selected from successful athletes who were in the top 6 in their own category in the national taekwondo competition held this year. The athletes performed 6 balance elements in rhythmic gymnastics, i.e. side passé (SP), 90° forward (90°F), side split with hand support (SSWHS), Arabesque with trunk forward (A), Cossack (C) and free leg to the side (FLS), and the Y balance test. The relationship between these balances that were assessed by 3 international judges and success rating was identified using the Spearman correlation test. The level of significance was accepted as p<0.05. As result, a statistically significant difference was found between side passé and split with hand support, balances used in rhythmic gymnastics, and success ratings (p<0.05). While no statistically significant difference was found between other balances, i.e. 90° forward, arabesque with trunk forward, cossack and free leg to the side and sportive success, there was a high relationship between them. In addition, there was no statistically significant difference between sportive success and right and left anterior (RAB, LAB) posteromedial (RPMB, LPMB) and posterolateral (RPLB, LPLB) reach distances. In conclusion, since the study found a high relationship between sportive success and technical competence of poomsae athletes in the two technical side balances, it is suggested that basic gymnastics training can be effective in improving the balancing skills of taekwondo poomsae athletes.

Highlights

Gymnastics is considered as the basis of all sports and gymnastics training is important for all sports branches
While there was no significant difference between other balances, i.e. 90°forward, arabesque with trunk forward, cossack and free leg to the side, and success ratings, a high relationship was found between them
At the end of the study, a statistically significant difference was identified between side passéand side split with hand support, balances used in rhythmic gymnastics, and success ratings (p

Summary

Introduction

Gymnastics is considered as the basis of all sports and gymnastics training is important for all sports branches. Rhythmic gymnastics and taekwondo poomsae are two different sports branches that require the execution of movements with the right technique, a sense of aesthetics and visual harmony. Both are among rare branches in which successful execution of movements is as important as gaining sportive achievement. Balance is one of the elements that should be included in rhythmic gymnastics series according to the rules set by the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) (FIG Code of points, 2017-2020) As for taekwondo, it is an Olympic sports characterized with extensive use of kicking techniques that require a considerable amount of explosive force and agility (Valenzuela et al, 2016). Strength, speed, balance, flexibility, coordination and resistance that athletes need to perform highly challenging kicking

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