Gymnastic Events Research Articles

Gymnastics and concussions: A retrospective chart review

ABSTRACT Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical presentation (using PCSS), mechanism of injury, and recovery time of concussions sustained by gymnasts. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed at Boston Children’s Hospital: Sports Medicine Clinic. Patients were identified with the words ‘gymnastics’ and ‘concussion.’ Male and female gymnasts were included if they sustained a concussion during gymnastics training or competition and were between the ages of 6–22 years old. Sex, age, injury site, diagnosis, mechanism of injury, and time to presentation are described. Patients were compared during different types of gymnastics events for overall symptom burden, and individual symptom severities. Results A total of 201 charts were assessed over a 6-year period and 62 patients met inclusion criteria. Floor exercise was the most common event at the time of injury. Loss of consciousness occurred in 20% of injuries. There was no significant association between the type of event and PCSS upon initial clinical visit (p = 0.82). A total of 13 gymnasts returned to the clinic for a subsequent injury after their concussion (Table 3). Conclusions Gymnasts are at risk for sport-related concussions. Most gymnasts reporting to a tertiary care center with the diagnosis of concussion sustain their injuries during floor exercise.

Role Model or Quitter? Social Media’s Response to Simone Biles at Tokyo 2020

During the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Team USA athlete Simone Biles withdrew from several gymnastics events midcompetition, citing mental health issues. Biles, one of the most recognizable stars of the Games, faced intense scrutiny from both the world’s media and the general public in the immediate aftermath. The purpose of this study was to analyze the Facebook narrative surrounding Biles’s withdrawal within the theoretical context of framing, as crafted through user comments on various public high-profile Facebook pages. A total of 87,714 user comments were collected and analyzed using the qualitative software Leximancer. The themes emerging from the data suggested a polarizing narrative, with many users supporting Biles, engaging in the wider discussion surrounding athlete mental health, while others condemned her action, suggesting she quit on the biggest sporting stage.

LIVED EXPERIENCES OF PARTICIPANTS IN THE WORLD GYMNAESTRADA: RECOGNIZING “FOR ALL”

Participation in events is about experiences. These experiences are unique to individuals. From phenomenology, as we live the world, we get to know things and others. This process constructs our identity and expands our being-in-the-world. This article aims to reflect on the lived experiences of 16 participants of a Gymnastics for All (GfA) team at the XVI World Gymnaestrada (WG) event. Observations and in-depth interviews were used, on which phenomenological analysis was performed. The validity and trustworthiness were guaranteed by having a critical friend, member review and data triangulation. The results showed that even when having previous information about the event, the gymnasts and staff did not have the real dimension of WG. This recognition came by being there. They pointed out that it was not just about the high number of people - it was about different people coming together; it was not about a specific discipline of gymnastics but rather all disciplines together; not about the traditional gymnastics apparatus but rather gymnastics using diverse artifacts. For them, the plurality of GfA came alive in the movements, performances, themes, and profiles of the gymnasts. It made them believe they were gymnast. In addition, reflections on a sporting event with no competition and the professional development were recorded. Managing, studying, and researching GfA is important. However, promoting lived experiences in gymnastics events should also be valued as an effective learning space, enchantment, and promotion of GfA.

The relationship between handgrip strength and performance scores in North American Collegiate Division I women’s artistic gymnasts

Maximal isometric handgrip strength (HGS) is used as an indicator of overall muscular strength and has also been found to be predictive of certain athletic events sporting prowess. Women’s artistic gymnastics requires athletes have high levels of relative muscular strength and power to be successful. This study examined the relationship between HGS and gymnastics performance scores for the 4 events of vault, uneven bars, beam, and floor in female collegiate artistic gymnasts. Twenty-five (n=25) female National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I North American collegiate women’s artistic gymnasts (age: 20.1±1.3 yrs; height: 158.9±5.6 cm; mass: 58.2±5.3 kg) were assessed for a one-time measurement of absolute HGS in kg and relative HGS (HGS/height in m2), as well as their average vault, uneven bars, beam, and floor performance scores across a competitive season. Pearson correlation coefficients (r) were determined between HGS and all performance scores. No significant (p > 0.05) correlations were found between absolute HGS (30.8±4.4 kg) or relative HGS (12.0±1.6 kg/m2) and any 4 gymnastics event’s performance scores (r range: -0.07 – 0.50 or r range: -0.06 – 0.31, respectively). In this female collegiate gymnastics’ population, 56% had an absolute HGS and 80% had a relative HGS, respectively, above the 50th percentile of all similarly aged adult females in the United States. In the current population of female collegiate gymnasts, absolute and relative HGS were not related to any gymnastics events performance scores and adds to the existing literature, supporting no relationships between HGS and sports performances where sports movements require a high degree of technical precision and accuracy. Findings from this investigation can be used by athletes, coaches, and practitioners in the collegiate women’s gymnastics realm to assess if athletes have attained sufficient absolute HGS, and especially relative HGS values, to be successful.

Performing Meaningful Movement Analysis From Publicly Available Videos Using Free Software – A Case of Acrobatic Sports

This paper illustrates how movement analysis could be performed using publicly available videos and freeware to generate meaningful information for sports practitioners and researchers. Using acrobatic sports as a case, we performed kinematic analysis on 206 YouTube videos of high-level competitions in diving and gymnastics using Kinovea. Results revealed good to excellent inter-rater reliability of variables analyzed. Significant differences in angular speed (p < 0.001, η2p = 0.213) and flight time (p < 0.001, η2p = 0.928) were found among eight different events. Divers had longer flight time (p < 0.001, η2p = 0.569) and were somersaulting faster than gymnasts (p = 0.021, η2p = 0.026). Angular speed was higher in tuck than pike somersaults (p < 0.001, η2p = 0.214). Shorter the flight time was significantly correlated with faster angular speed (rho = −0.533, p < 0.001) in gymnastics events. Coaches and scientists can consider applying the proposed method to monitor the athletes’ performance and to identify errors (e.g., insufficient flight time). The kinematics measurements can also be used to guide the transition plan across different apparatus and categories (e.g., 10-m platform to 3-m springboard). In conclusion, the present study highlights the potential of using readily available information and open-source freeware to generate scientific data for sports applications. Such data analysis approach can accommodate a wide range of video qualities, is easily accessible, and not restricted by situations such as social distancing, quarantine, lockdown or other restrictive measures.

Angry Gymnastics: Representations of Simone Biles at the 2019 National and World Championships

This paper analyzes representations of Simone Biles in media coverage of two major gymnastics events in 2019. It asks which, if any, gendered and racial stereotypes identified in previous scholarship about media coverage of Black and women athletes are also present in coverage of Biles. It also interrogates in what ways these stereotypes intersect as distinct forms of representation of Biles as a Black woman. Employing the tenets of feminist theory and Black feminist thought through an intersectional lens, a qualitative textual analysis of 34 articles revealed that both gendered and racial stereotypes were present in coverage of Biles. The most prominent stereotypes include feminized emotions, lack of mental fortitude, negative attitudes, and physicality. These intersecting representations underscore the persistence of these stereotypes in contemporary discourse. This paper contributes to, and advances, the literature on media representations of women athletes, Black athletes, and Black women athletes.

Reliability and agreement in technical and artistic scores during real-time judging in two European acrobatic gymnastic events

ABSTRACT The study investigates reliability measures for performance scores given by random judges (Execution and Artistic scores) and the agreement between more expert judges (Control Scores) and the two middle Execution/Artistic scores (Panel scores) during Qualifying and Final competitions performed at the 10th European Age Group Competition (EAGC) and at the 29th European Acrobatic Gymnastics Championships (ECh). To assess agreement, mean absolute Control-Panel score deviations were calculated using Bland-Altman and Kaplan-Meier plots. Reliability average measures ranged from 0.88 to 0.97. Control Score reliability was higher in ECh for Execution and Artistic scores. Artistic scores showed higher variability and lower agreement between judges in Qualification for ECh. Significant differences were found in Control and Panel score mean deviations for Execution scores at the EAGC and for Artistic scores at the ECh. No significant reliability differences were found between competitions. Control-and-Panel score correlations ranged from 0.862 to 0.915 for Execution scores and from 0.864 to 0.899 for Artistic scores. Overall results exceeded 80% agreement for Execution and Artistic scores. Reliability and strength of agreement of judging were high and very acceptable respectively. We suggest that judging reliability should be regularly examined to optimise technical and artistic criteria set by FIG for fairer competition.

The origin and development of gymnastics events in France

The article analyzes the main stages of the origin and formation of gymnastics events in France since the beginning of the XIX century to 1942 on the basis of the works of leading French scientists. The development of gymnastics in France does not attract much attention of Ukrainian specialists whose scientific interests are related to the study of physical education and sports in European countries, so the practical issues of our research will complement and expand the relevant courses on the history of physical education for students in Ukraine. The purpose of the article is to study the main historical aspects of the development of gymnastics events in France. To achieve it, the following tasks should be performed: to analyze the literature on research issues; to identify key dates in the history of gymnastics in France; to describe the role of personalities who have contributed most to the evolution of the field in this country. According to the results of the study, we conclude that the greatest influence on the development of gymnastics in France since the beginning of the XIX century to 1942 was made by Francisco Amorós, Napoléon Laisné, Eugène Paz, Charles Cazalet, Joseph Sansbœuf, Georges Demenÿ, Philippe Auguste Tissié. In the middle of the XIX century the institutionalization of gymnastics took place at the level of hospitals (1847), military services (1852) and school (1854). In the last quarter of the XIX century, physical education became a compulsory subject in primary and secondary schools for boys and girls. The Union of Gymnastics Societies of France was founded September 28, 1873 by Eugène Paz. In 1942, it was merged with the French Womenʼs Gymnastics and Physical Education Federation, which formed French Gymnastics Federation. French gymnasts since the beginning of Olympic Games in Paris (1900) have always shown consistently high results at competitions and tournaments of various scales, but since the 1930s it has begun to decline. Our further research will focus on a thorough study of the history of womenʼs gymnastics in France as well as the evolution of this sport in the period since 1942 to 2022.

Kinematics and joints moments profile during straight arm press to handstand in male gymnasts.

Biomechanical features of the handstand, one of the most fundamental skills required for artistic gymnastics events, have not been well documented. The purpose of this study was to clarify the kinematics and joint moment profiles during straight arm press to handstand in different highly skilled male gymnasts. Fifty-nine male gymnasts performed a straight arm press to handstand on a force platform and were judged on their performance by experienced certified judges. Subjects were divided into two groups (highly-skilled and less-skilled). Kinematic data were obtained using a video camera synchronized with force platform. Joint moments (wrist, shoulder, hip) during each straight arm press to handstand were calculated using the inverse dynamics solution. Larger shoulder flexion moments were observed in less-skilled compared with highly- skilled performers (at 3–59%, p < 0.001) while larger hip flexion moments were observed in highly- skilled performers at 52% (p = 0.045) and 56% (p = 0.048) and normalized time of straight arm press to handstand. Major differences between highly-skilled and less-skilled performers were observed in hip joint moment production as it shifted from extension to flexion from the leg horizontal position to the handstand position in highly-skilled gymnasts. Successful straight arm press to handstand techniques observed in highly-skilled performers were characterized as a more acute pike position at toe-off as well as hip flexor moments at latter phase of the straight arm press to handstand.

The Neuromuscular Characteristics of Gymnasts' Jumps and Landings at Particular Stages of Sports Training.

Safe and proper landings are crucial elements of gymnastics events. Long-term training leads to specific neuromuscular adaptations which are yet to be explored in terms of gymnastic landings. The aim of the study was to assess differences in landings’ neuromuscular characteristics between gymnasts at three subsequent gymnastic training stages and age-matched non-athletes. Forty-six gymnasts (G) and 58 controls (C) performed countermovement jumps on a force plate with simultaneous surface electromyography (SEMG) of lower body muscles, measured during the pre-(100 ms) and post-landing phase (0-100 and 0-200 ms). Three age groups participated in the study: 8–10 (G1, C1), 12–14 (G2, C2), 18–25 (G3, C3) years. Analysis included the normalized root mean square (NRMS) SEMG signal and ground reaction forces (GRFs). Gymnasts achieved 13% higher values (p = 0.04) of relative peak GRFs in comparison with controls. It was especially seen in 8–10-year-olds: G1 presented 33% higher (p = 0.03) results than C1 and G2. In SEMG analysis, gymnasts showed overall lower NRMS values in comparison with the controls. In the pre-landing phase, the NRMS in the rectus femoris was from 1.6 up to 3.4 times higher for C1 (p = 0.02) than for C2, G2, C3, and G3. Gymnasts across subsequent training stages exhibit different patterns of neuromuscular coordination during landings. The highest GRF observed in the youngest gymnasts may be a potential risk factor of injuries. Therefore, further injury-focused investigation is recommended to monitor landing strategies among gymnasts of different stages with particular emphasis on the beginners.

Nas entrelinhas da ginástica para todos: reflexões históricas e sua disseminação no Brasil

The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) is a pioneer among sports institutions and stands out for an interesting consolidation of a practice with a formative and massification perspective in gymnastics: Gymnastics for All (GPT). In the meantime, this research proposes to understand the historical constitution of GfA by linking its trajectory in the FIG, as well as its insertion and spread in the Brazilian context. As methodological procedures, we use documentary research with bibliographic input, with emphasis on official federative documents and publications by theorists in the field of gymnastics. The results show that the primary purpose of the FIG had been to give opportunity for people to do gymnastics, however, this initial mission had been influenced by the resumption of the Olympic Games of Modern Era, in 1896. Therefore, aspects of competitive gymnastics, which moved towards standardization and codification of the gymnastics, have been evident for decades. Gymnastics events that continued in European countries, such as Germany and Sweden, rekindled attention to gymnastics and its perspective for all, it means, for active life of any human being, instilling in the creation – by FIG – of a mass gymnastics event (Gymnaestrada) and subsequently, from a GfA Committee. In Brazil, GfA started to be known through the partnership between federations and universities. Currently, GfA potential still lacks widespread, and this action is almost, exclusively, in charge of Brazilian higher education.

Regional brain gray matter volume in world-class artistic gymnasts

The relationship between long-term intensive training and brain plasticity in gymnasts has recently been reported. However, the relationship between abilities in different gymnastic events and brain structural changes has not been explored. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between world-class gymnasts (WCGs)’ specific abilities in different gymnastics events and their gray matter (GM) volume. Ten right-handed Japanese male WCGs and 10 right-handed gender- and age-matched controls with no history of gymnastic training participated in this study. Whole brain three-dimensional T1-weighted images (magnetization-prepared rapid gradient-echo sequence) with 0.90 mm3 voxels were obtained using a 3 T-MRI scanner from each subject. Volume-based morphometry (VolBM) was used to compare GM volume differences between WCGs and controls. We then explored the correlation between specific gymnastic abilities using different gymnastic apparatuses, and GM volume. Significantly higher GM volumes (false discovery rate-corrected p < 0.05) in the inferior parietal lobule, middle temporal gyrus, precentral gyrus, rostral middle frontal gyrus, and superior frontal gyrus were demonstrated in WCGs, compared with controls using VolBM. Moreover, significant positive correlations were observed between brain regions and the difficulty scores for each gymnastic event, for example, rings and inferior parietal lobule and parallel bars and rostral middle frontal gyrus. These results may reflect the neural basis of an outstanding gymnastic ability resulting from brain plasticity in areas associated with spatial perception, vision, working memory, and motor control.

Somatotype, body composition, and physical fitness in artistic gymnasts depending on age and preferred event.

In men’s artistic gymnastics, results that are particularly appreciated are those obtained in all-around and individual events such as the floor exercise, pommel horse, rings, vault, parallel bars and horizontal bar. However, few studies have explored the dependency of anthropometric characteristics and fitness from age category or the event preferred by gymnasts. Therefore, the aim of this study is to compare the somatic type, body composition and values of some anthropometric and fitness characteristics and indices of gymnasts according to age and preferred event. A total of 53 male gymnasts (19 seniors and 34 juniors) were examined right before the Polish Senior and Junior Championships in Artistic Gymnastics in Warsaw (May 25 to 28, 2017). We examined the characteristics of body length, skeletal system mass, muscle mass, skinfold thickness, and body mass (Tanita S.C.-330S). Body composition (Durnin and Womersley equations), somatotypes (Heath-Carter methodology), handgrip strength (Takei dynamometer), body balance (UPST), the power of the lower limbs (CMJ) were evaluated. Senior gymnasts presented higher than juniors experience, mesomorphy and had higher values in fitness tests of handgrip strength and power of lower limbs (p<0.05). The specialists in floor exercises and vault characterized in higher mesomorphy and lower ectomorphy (p<0.05) and better results of CMJ (p<0.05). We concluded: The seniors demonstrated natural predominance over juniors in several somatic and fitness variables. Detected differences can be useful in the process of identification and development of gymnastic talent. The detected effect of preferred event on certain variables that characterize body build and physical fitness can be useful for choosing a specialization in gymnastic event. A high skill level in all-around events at a national competitive level can be achieved by an athlete characterized by adequate experience, a mesomorphy somatotype component, lower limb index, pelvi-acromial index and relative HGSmax.

Resection of Large Petrotentorial Tumor via a Retrosigmoid Approach: 3-Dimensional Operative Video.

A 22-yr-old female college athlete had noted ataxia during competitive gymnastic events. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a large tumor compatible with preoperative diagnosis of meningioma arising from the petrotentorial region with marked brainstem compression. The technical challenges associated with this removal include safe dissection of cranial nerves IV to VIII and dissection from the brainstem and cerebellum, taking care to not interfere with blood supply to these structures. The vascular tumor was removed via standard suboccipital approach, with the trajectory above the seventh/eighth nerve complex. The attachment was at the petrotentorial junction, and the fourth nerve was intimately involved with the tumor as the tumor was emanating from the tentorial edge where the fourth nerve entered. In most instances, the nerves are displaced by the tumor but in this case injury to the fourth nerve ensued with dissection at the tumor attachment. After tumor resection, the interrupted fourth nerve was repaired microsurgically. A hemangiopericytoma was identified on pathological analysis, and the patient received postoperative radiation therapy, which has been given postoperatively or at recurrence in the literature. Technical nuances of removal are discussed. Patient consent was granted for publication of this video.

Effect of Two Different Types of Olympic Rotation Order on Cardiovascular and Metabolic Variables in Men's Artistic Gymnastics.

The rotation sequence-order differs from a gymnast to another according to the draw at the time of the qualifying competitions in men’s artistic gymnastics. Only the six best gymnasts start on the floor exercises, the others could start on any of the other five apparatuses. It has been demonstrated that some gymnastics events are physiologically less taxing than others; hence some gymnasts could experience lower and/or higher levels of cardiovascular and metabolic stress compared to others, depending on the apparatus they start with. In this regard, the objective of this investigation was to compare cardiovascular and metabolic variables between two different types of Olympic rotation-order; one began with the floor exercises and the other began with the pommel horse. Six elite male gymnasts took part in this investigation. Heart rates, synchronized with real-time video acquisition, as well as capillary lactate concentration following each apparatus routine were monitored. Cardiovascular and metabolic stresses were significantly higher when gymnasts started their rotation with the pommel horse in all apparatuses except the pommel horse. The floor exercises’ score was significantly affected when gymnasts ended up their competition on this apparatus. As a conclusion, starting gymnastics’ competition on the floor exercises implicates less cardiovascular and metabolic stress associated with better performance compared with the other rotation order. As a matter of fact, best gymnasts who start on this apparatus could have a slight advantage compared with the other athletes.

International Comparison of Women’s Rhythmic Gymnastics from the Perspective of Performance Time of “Body Difficulty”

The purpose of this study was to clarify trends of rhythmic gymnastics performance and to obtain fundamental data for the composition of routines. The study surveyed women’s individual games and four events at the 2013 All-Japan Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships (27 gymnasts), the 2013 World Championships (10 gymnasts), the 2014 World Championships (12 gymnasts), the Olympic Games in 2016 (10 gymnasts) and found the number of body difficulty performed, performance time, and duration of single difficulty on each routine. Further, the study examined BD performance time by group. A two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted by using championships as between-subjects factors and gymnastic apparatus as within-subject factors. In terms of difficulty performance time and duration of single difficulty, there were significant interactions between the 2013 Japan Championships and the 2013 World Championships. While no significant interaction was found among the 2013·2014·2016 world championships, there were significant main effects in gymnastic events (All p < .05).

Historical ranking of vault players in artistic gymnastics using PageRank algorithm

Purpose The purpose of this study is to calculate the ranking of vault players in artistic gymnastics by individual and by country using the PageRank algorithm. The purpose of this study is to provide basic data that can be used in gymnastics events by comparing the performances of historical vault players with those of previous Olympic competitions. Methods The data collected for this purpose is a score of 117 vault players based on the results of the Olympic final event published in the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG). For data analysis, PegeRnak algorithm was used for calculating the ranking of vault players using MS-Excel and NetMiner. Results The results are as follows that. First, the PageRank algorithm is possible to calculate for historical vault players' rankings. Specifically, the ranking of vault players for historical Olympic calculated by PageRank ranked as Gervasio Deferr from Spain (ESP) at 1st, Alexei Nemov from Russia (RUS) at 2nd, and Klaus Koste from Germany (GDR) at 3rd. Second, Network of vault players' ranking is separated by each generation of Olympic games. Conclusions As a conclusions, it is possible to calculate national ranking of vault games of gymnastics by using PageRank algorithm.

Analysis of Data Mining Modes of Gymnastics Training Based on AHP Method

Under the background of the information age, data analysis has become an essential work of people. Based on the number of trampoline athletes in the gymnastic event, this paper explores data mining modes of gymnastics training data. First, based on the Markov chain model, grading is respectively given to the number of international athletes and the number of national athletes, and roughly grade prediction is given to the number of athletes. Second, the grey prediction model is used to predict the cumulant of the number of international athletes and the number of national athletes, and give out the relationship between the number of athletes and the time, and predict the specific values. Finally, the Markov chain model and the grey prediction model are evaluated by the use of AHP method from the following three aspects: the simplicity of calculation, the rationality of results and the guiding significance of practical training. The results show that the grey prediction mode is more suitable for data mining of gymnastics training.

Kinematic variables of table vault on artistic gymnastics

Abstract The table vault is an event of male and female Artistics Gymnastics. Although it can be performed in a variety of rotations and body positions in different phases, it can be separated in three groups: handspring, Yurchenko and Tsukahara. It is believed that kinematic variables of vault may vary according to group of vault or gymnast body position, but few studies compares the real differences among the three groups of vaults, comparing and describing the variables in different phases. Vault kinematic variables could be diversifying according to the approach or position of the vaulting, but little has been studied about the biomechanical differences, comparing and describing behaviours at different stages. The aim of this study was to organize critical, objective and to systematize the most relevant kinematic variables to performance on vaulting. A Meta analysis over the basis Pubmed, Sport Discus and Web of Science were performed about this issue. From the selected references, we described and analyzed the kinematics of the table vault. Vault can be characterized in seven phases of analysis. Most of the studies are descriptive, and some do not descript all phases. Differences among vault variables according to group vaults, technical level and gender were analysed only in recent studies. There still gaps of knowledge about kinematic variables of table vault, in order to provide comprehensive information about all possibilities of vaults in this gymnastic event. It is concluded that kinematic variables of table vault depends upon vault group and may be considered to the improvement of technical performance. More researches are needed to approach the coaching interface with biomechanics applicable knowledge.

Who Was z-Best Olympian in 2008 and 2012?

The authors use z-scores (i.e., the number of standard deviations above the mean) to gauge the dominance of gold medalists in individual swimming, track, and gymnastic events at the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympic Games. Since a last place finisher’s time or score could dramatically skew the results, the ninety-six z-scores (forty-eight for each Olympics) are recalculated for the women’s and men’s other seven finalists in each of twenty-six individual swimming events, twelve track events, and four (six) gymnastic events for women (men). Surprisingly, using these standardized scores (and recalculated z-scores), the most dominant Olympic champion was neither swimmer Michael Phelps nor sprinter Usain Bolt.