Men's Artistic Gymnastics Research Articles

Somatotype, anthropometric characteristics, body composition, and global flexibility range in artistic gymnasts and sport hoop athletes.

The objective of the study was to analyze the somatotype, anthropometric characteristics, body composition, and the global flexibility battery test. A total of 48 athletes of both sexes from Women's Artistic Gymnastics, Men's Artistic Gymnastics, and Hoop Sport (mean ± standard deviation, age 12.50 ± 2.67 years, body mass 43.16 ± 11.00 kg, height 150.15 ± 11.91 cm). Anthropometric data were obtained using the ISAK protocol. The somatotype was analyzed using the Heath-Carter method. The results indicate significant differences in fat, bone, and residual mass, as well as in the proportions of endomorphy, mesomorphy, and ectomorphy (p <0.05). The somatocard revealed that most athletes were classified as endomorphic mesomorph or ectomorphic mesomorph, with variations between groups. Positive and negative correlations were identified between the anthropometric variables, somatotype, body composition, and global flexibility. All positions of the global flexibility battery test showed negative correlations with residual mass, indicating that the greater the range of flexibility, the lower the residual mass.

The Effect of Seven Mental Training Sessions on Developing Roundoff and Back Handspring Skills on Men's Artistic Gymnastics

Background: Beginner gymnasts face challenges when performing roundoff and back handspring skills, particularly in connecting the final stage of the roundoff with the initial stage of the back handspring. These difficulties arise when there is a lack of clarity in the mental image of the performance sequence, leading to inconsistent execution and, ultimately, failure. Objectives: This study investigates the effect of seven mental training sessions on beginner gymnasts learning the roundoff and back handspring skills. Methods: Sixty-two beginner gymnasts, aged 21 - 22 years, participated in the study. They were randomly assigned to two groups: Control and experimental. The mental training sessions were provided to the experimental group during the instructional sessions, with each session lasting 14 minutes and 30 seconds. The sessions consisted of three parts: Relaxation exercises, controllable control exercises, and mental imagery exercises for performance. These sessions were conducted over a period of seven weeks. The roundoff and back handspring skills were assessed using the Kinematic Coherence Scale for body parts. Results: The Kinematic Coherence Scale demonstrated a significant difference and greater improvement in the experimental group compared to the control group. Conclusions: We concluded that the seven mental training sessions improved the kinematic coherence of the experimental group in performing the roundoff and back handspring skills, enabling them to connect the two skills with a higher degree of movement coherence.

The issue of energy metabolism featues of athletes specializing in virous types of gymnastics

This study examines research conducted by both domestic and international scholars on the training processes of gymnasts across various disciplines. The primary objective is to identify the characteristics of bioenergetic support influencing gymnastic performance. Contemporary research suggests that an athlete's physical capacity is contingent upon several factors, including the nature of motor activity performed during training drills, age, gender, and competitive experience. Statistical analysis demonstrates that drill duration in men's artistic gymnastics ranges from 5 seconds (vault) to 70 seconds (floor exercise), while women's routines vary between 5 seconds (vault) and 90 seconds (balance beam and floor exercise). Callisthenic drills require significantly more time, with duration ranging from 90 seconds (individual events) to 150 seconds (group events). Gymnastic training encompasses a wide age range, typically from 4 to 20 years, most commonly between 9 and 16 years. Notably, many female gymnasts reach their competitive peak during their mid-to-late teens, while males typically peak around 20 years old. The research indicates a proportional increase in training duration and intensity alongside age and competitive level. Studies investigating energy consumption in male artistic gymnasts reveal the highest consumption during floor exercises, followed by vault, still rings, horizontal bar, and parallel bars. Similarly, floor exercise consumes the most energy in women's artistic gymnastics, followed by bars, balance beam, and vault. Furthermore, research suggests that anaerobic energy support dominates during vault, pommel horse, parallel bars, and still rings exercises, while aerobic mechanisms underpin floor exercises and callisthenics. Notably, oxidative metabolism appears to have minimal direct impact on competitive callisthenic performance but plays a crucial role in glycogen conservation during extended, intensive training sessions for elite female gymnasts.

Characterization of the competitive strength of men's artistic gymnastics in China

Introduction and purpose：The 2022 National Gymnastics Championships men's artistic gymnastics competition was examined and analyzed in order to assess the competitive strength of China's men's artistic gymnastics under the new regulations. The analysis included a review of China's men's artistic gymnastics problems and current performance status, as well as suggestions for strengthening the sport. Materials and methods:Using the literature method—searching and analyzing through the CNKI, WOS, library, and other databases—as well as the observation method and mathematical and statistical techniques for statistical analysis of the athletes competing in the various regions and units, as well as field research and study methods involving video and on-site game observation—first-hand information was obtained for this paper's theoretical support. Conclusions: men's artistic gymnastics in China is not developing regionally, with strong regions in the south and weak regions in the north, as well as strong and weak regions in the east and west;These disparities in the sport's development also affect athletes' overall competitive strength, with athletes in various sports having wide disparities in their scores and failing to create a supportive environment for competition, particularly in individual all-around , pommel horse, rings, and horizontal bars projects;Additionally, China's men's artistic gymnastics athletes' age structure needs to be further optimized. It is necessary to continue executing the preparatory plan of mending the short boards and strengthening the strong items.

Technical elements on the rings in men's artistic gymnastics—a systematic review

Although rings can move freely in all possible directions, by which they differ from all other apparatuses, physical performance at highest level is essetial in men’s artistic gymnastics to fulfill the exercise’s technical requirements in the interest of effective and accurate performance. We have aimed to compile the scientific evidence regarding exercises on the rings in men’s artistic gymnastics and, based on it, to investigate the necessary requirements for their successful realization. In regard to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, the database search (Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science and Research Gate) has identified 5759 potential studies. Original cross-sectional studies published between 2000 and 2022 written in English, active male gymnasts who do not suffer from injury as a sample of participants, and studies that have evaluated different types of elements on the rings were reconsidered. Lastly, 15 full-text studies were identified. A total of seven elements were evaluated, four strength elements (swallow, Azarian, iron cross and support scale), two dismounts (double backflip straight and double backflip straight with a 360◦ turn), and one swing element (backward giant swing). Two studies have conducted a dismount kinematic analysis, another four strength elements electromyography, while two studies have used force plates to evaluate the required specific strength for their successful performance. Hence, handgrip strength, pectoralis muscles, teres major, deltoids and serratus anterior are crucial. In addition, handgrip strength, proper swing movement, lateral arm movement during the descending phase, and hip flexor/extensor muscle activity are also essential for both giant swings and dismounts. Progressive strength upgrade of key movements in younger gymnasts is necessary to make successful generations on the rings. Therefore, in order to upgrade the above, researchers and scientists should discover a method for providing more relevant and updated information for practitioners, i.e., coaches and gymnasts.

Effect of a proposal of exercises on the development of basic motor abilities in men's artistic gymnastics

The purpose of this study was to recognize the effect of the proposed exercises in developing the particular motor abilities employed in the study as well as some ground skills in men's artistic gymnastics. This study used the experimental method and included 14 players of the directorate of Anbar Education team in the technical gymnastics for men (junior category), aged 10-12 years. The proposed exercises were then performed, which included 30 training units over a ten-week period, three training units each week, and forty minutes of training per unit. The researchers used the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for data analysis. The results of our study showed that there were statistically significant differences in the results of the pre- and post-tests in all variables of the elements of special motor abilities and ground skills of the research sample, in favor of the post-test (p &lt; 0.05). The use of the proposed exercises had a positive effect in developing some special motor skills, and the development of special motor abilities contributed to the development of ground skills in the artistic gymnastics for men.

KINEMATIC ANALYSIS OF DOUBLE BACK STRAIGHT SOMERSAULT AND DOUBLE BACK STRAIGHT SOMERSAULT WITH FULL TWIST ON RINGS

The rings are one of the six apparatuses in men's artistic gymnastics. The final element in a rings’ routine is in many cases a crucial skill for scoring the routine. Most of the medallists on rings from the Olympic Games and World Championships for the last 20 years performed either the double back straight somersault or the double back straight somersault with a full twist. The purpose of this study was to conduct a kinematic analysis of double back straight somersault and double back straight somersault with a full twist on rings. The participants selected for this study were the world-class gymnasts Filip Yanev and Jordan Jovchev. The dismounts were recorded with a DV camera by following a standard method of kinematic analysis. During the execution phase, the ankle speed of Gymnast 1 reached 11.11 m/s and that of Gymnast 2 was 11.29 m/s, and the angular velocity increased substantially to 10.0 rad/s and 9.05 rad/s for Gymnast 1 and 2, respectively. The rotational impulse was sufficient for the successful execution of both dismounts. The actions of Gymnast 2 needed for the full twist, including a small arm asymmetry, began just before releasing the rings. The arching-to-piking action beneath the rings, as well as the powerful pull, combined with a sufficient swing of the legs, are crucial factors for the successful execution of the dismounts.

남자 기계체조 철봉 종목의 신기술 변화 과정 탐색

이 연구는 남자 기계체조 철봉종목의 신기술변화 과정을 탐색하는데 그 목적이 있다. 이 연구의 목적을 수행하기 위하여 문헌연구법을 사용하였으며 자료 수집은 1960년대부터 2000년대까지 실시된 철봉 신기술들과 관련된 문서들을 수집하였다. 수집된 문서는 일본체조협회에서 발행한 남자 체조 채점규칙집과 연구부보, 그리고 국제체조연맹 남자 체조 기술위원회에서 발행한 채점규칙집과 뉴스레터 등의 문서를 수집하여 분석하였으며, 다음과 같은 결론을 얻었다. 첫째, GroupⅠ의 기술변화는 One arm giant swing forward and backward의 기술에서 1/1turn to el-grip, hop 3/2 turn to double el-grip의 기술로 발전되었다. 둘째, GroupⅡ의 기술변화는 Jäger, Markelov, Tkatchev, Deltchev의 기술 에서 Tkatchev stretched and Tkatchev stretched with 1/1 turn의 기술로 발전되었으며, 이후 Kovacs type의 기술 로 발전되었다. 셋째, GroupⅢ의 기술변화는 Endo type의 기술에서 1/1 turn, 1/2 turn to el-grip의 기술로 발전되었으 며, 이 후 Carballo의 기술에서 Quintero to el-grip의 기술로 발전되었다. 넷째, GroupⅣ의 기술변화는 Double salto backward tucked의 기술에서 Double salto backward stretched의 기술로 발전되었으며, 이후 Triple salto backward tucked, Triple salto backward tucked with 1/1 turn의 기술로 발전되었다.

التطور التاريخي لقانون الجمنا ستك الفني للرجال منذ عام 1949م ولغاية عام 2017 م

To study the history of any subject opens the window of the past to appreciate the development. The importance of the research lies in scanning the history of gymnastics specially men's artistic gymnastics by using men Artistic gymnastics code (1949) as the main reference. This code is the most important event that changed gymnastics. In 1949 the first issue of the International Federation men Artistic gymnastics code was published. The researchers studied the changes in men Artistic gymnastics code. The results of the study showed that the first international men Artistic gymnastics code in 1949, after which it was updated every four years to suit the development of its equipment, the degree the gymnastic player gets for artistic performance; from ten degrees to an open degree, a matter that led to great development in gymnastics' motor skills.

التطور التاريخي لأجهزة الجمنا ستك الفني للرجال منذ عام 1881م ولغاية عام 2017 م

ل&#x0D; The study of the history and development of sports is of great importance because sport is considered the first pillar of culture. Gymnastics is one of the important sports; the gymnasiums on which athletes compete today in the Olympics, World Championships, and continentals there are (6) devices from the first Olympic Games to the last 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil. There have been many changes in the gymnasiums, some of them were radical.&#x0D; The importance of research lies in studying Men's Artistic Gymnastics apparatuses and their development. The researcher traced the history of each apparatuses then the developments of each apparatus. The results of the research showed that the jumping vault is the oldest of the gymnastic apparatus used by the Romans before 400BC for horse riding training and military purposes. The soldiers of Alexander the Great used a large wooden horse for military training and building strength of the body. During the first Olympic Games, gymnastics participated in eight events without floor exercises that was introduced during the thirties of the twentieth century. Finally the researcher concluded that no new apparatus was added in Gymnastic.

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.

Evaluating the physical and basic gymnastics skills assessment for talent identification in men's artistic gymnastics proposed by the International Gymnastics Federation.

This study aimed to determine the specific physical and basic gymnastics skills considered critical in gymnastics talent identification and selection as well as in promoting men’s artistic gymnastics performances. Fifty-one boys from a provincial gymnastics team (age 11.03 ± 0.95 years; height 1.33 ± 0.05 m; body mass 30.01 ± 5.53 kg; body mass index [BMI] 16.89 ± 3.93 kg/m²) regularly competing at national level voluntarily participated in this study. Anthropometric measures as well as the men’s artistic gymnastics physical test battery (i.e., International Gymnastics Federation [FIG] age group development programme) were used to assess the somatic and physical fitness profile of participants, respectively. The physical characteristics assessed were: muscle strength, flexibility, speed, endurance, and muscle power. Test outcomes were subjected to a principal components analysis to identify the most representative factors. The main findings revealed that power speed, isometric and explosive strength, strength endurance, and dynamic and static flexibility are the most determinant physical fitness aspects of the talent selection process in young male artistic gymnasts. These findings are of utmost importance for talent identification, selection, and development.

Athletes' perception of the causes of injury in gymnastics.

Gymnastics requires a high level of flexibility, conditioning and complete body recruitment that is infrequently matched by other sports. Artistic gymnastics has a relatively high incidence of injuries, which are generally of minor or medium severity. With all its complexity, it poses a unique diagnostic and treatment challenge to medical practitioners. The present study examined athletes' perception of the causes of injury and of the possible ways to reduce their incidence. The research involved 63 quality athletes, of whom 20 were in men's artistic gymnastics, 21 in women's artistic gymnastics, and 22 in rhythmic gymnastics. We used the self-assessment method. Factors inducing injury were grouped into three different categories: training, the athlete himself, and the environment. We used the χ2 test to test the association between a risk factor and injuries. The association between injuries and risk factors was also tested using a multivariate logistic regression analysis. Overall, an incidence of 184 injuries was found, of which 67 (36.4%) were acute and 117 (63.5%) were chronic injuries. According to binary logistic regression analyses, psychological factors significantly associated with the prevalence of acute and chronic injury in both sexes for all disciplines were: a poor technique, improper methods of teaching, and an inadequate load. In our study, higher rates of acute and chronic injury were observed among male gymnasts, who reported their occurrence during training by overload, and among female gymnasts, who reported a poor technique, improper methods of teaching, and an inadequate load as main causes of their occurrence. Improving the communication between athletes and coaches, taking the opinion of an athlete into account, and the athlete's active involvement in preparation of the program include the most crucial points for reducing the incidence of injuries.

Do Code of Points in men artistic gymnastics and women artistic gymnastics favor asymmetric elements?

Abstract The purpose of research was to determine whether Code of Point (COP) in Men Artistic Gymnastics (MAG) and Women Artistic Gymnastics (WAG) favor asymmetric elements in order to build gymnast’s competition exercise. All elements which are described in MAG (N = 993) and WAG (N = 713) COP were included and defined if they are symmetric at start position, during movement and at final position. Element is symmetric by arms and trunk with legs activity when all left and right body side performs simultaneously same activity. Results show in MAG COP as a whole is significantly more asymmetric elements with asymmetric trunk and legs activity. In WAG COP as a whole is significantly more asymmetric elements with asymmetric activity of arms, trunk and legs. Hypothetical most difficulty exercises on each apparatus revealed that in general for all around gymnast proportion between asymmetric and symmetric elements is close to 70% to 30%, what suggests that difficulty relates to increased asymmetry. COP in MAG and WAG enforces asymmetric movements for achieving high results, however, coaches’ task is to be aware of COP influence on gymnasts’ health and minimize asymmetries in load and to work on symmetric conditioning.

Efficiency in the Artistic Training of the Beginners’ Groups in the Men's Artistic Gymnastics

It is well-known that in order to train a gymnast capable to take part into high level competitions, hard training for years, perseverance, tenacity, seriousness in training, material conditions and state-of-the-art equipment as well as highly-skilled experts are required.The training approach also requires a forecast of the evolution of gymnastics in the future, especially nowadays when the free- style exercises remained the only ones in the programme of major competitions.

Optimization of the felge on parallel bars

The felge, or undersomersault, on parallel bars has become an important skill in men's artistic gymnastics as it forms the basis of many complex variations. To receive no deductions from the judges, the felge must be performed without demonstrating the use of strength to achieve the final handstand position. Two male gymnasts each performed nine trials of the felge from handstand to handstand while data were recorded using an automatic motion capture system. The highest and lowest scoring trials of each gymnast, as determined by four international judges, were chosen for further analysis. The technique used by each gymnast was optimized using a computer simulation model so that the final handstand position could be achieved with straight arms. Two separate optimizations found different techniques identified in the coaching literature that are used by gymnasts. Optimum simulations resulted in improved performances through a combination of increased vertical velocity and height of the mass centre at release. Although the optimum technique found close to the gymnasts' own technique was more demanding in terms of the strength required, it offered the potential for more consistent performance and future developments in skill complexity.

Optimisation of high bar circling technique for consistent performance of a triple piked somersault dismount

The dismount from the high bar is one of the most spectacular skills performed in Men's Artistic Gymnastics. Hiley and Yeadon [2005. Maximal dismounts from high bar. Journal of Biomechanics 38, 2221–2227] optimised the technique in the backward giant circle prior to release using a computer simulation model to show that a gymnast could generate sufficient linear and angular momentum to perform a triple piked backward somersault dismount with a sufficiently large release window (the period of time during which the gymnast could release the bar and successfully complete the dismount).In the present study, it was found that when the timing of the actions at the hip and shoulder joints from the optimum simulation were perturbed by 30ms the resulting simulation could no longer meet the criteria for sufficient aerial rotation and release window. Since it is to be expected that a gymnast's technique can cope with small errors in timing for consistent performance, a requirement of robustness to timing perturbations should be included within the optimisation process. When the technique in the backward giant circle was optimised to be robust to 30ms perturbations, it was found that sufficient linear and angular momentum for a triple piked dismount could be achieved with a realistic release window.

Inter-segmental coordination in progressions for the longswing on high bar

This study focused on identifying the most effective skill progression for developing the longswing on high bar in men's artistic gymnastics. Building on previous work by Irwin and Kerwin (2005), in which a method to rank progressions based on their angular kinematics was developed, this study aimed to use the method to quantify similarities in inter-segmental coordination between selected progressions and the longswing on high bar. Video images of four members of the UK men's national gymnastics squad performing three series of five longswings and eight progressions were recorded at 50 Hz. Two-dimensional direct linear transformation techniques were used to determine the real-world coordinates from the digitized data. Inter-segmental coordination of the hip and shoulder joints during the functional phases of the longswing was assessed using continuous relative phase. Similarity between the longswing and each progression was represented by a “specificity score”, which was also used to rank the progressions. Each progression's specificity score was calculated by combining a “difference score” (root mean squared difference between the continuous relative phase profiles of the longswing and the progression) and a “variability score” (standard deviation of the continuous relative phase profiles for each progression). The progressions that were most similar to the longswing included the looped bar longswing and layaway swing down (ranked 1st and 2nd), with specificity scores of 9% and 10% respectively. In contrast, the least similar progressions were the looped bar “no action” longswing (51%) and pendulum swing (63%) (ranked 7th and 8th). Establishing effective skill learning pathways is recognized as a key component of the coaching process and ranking progressions based on their specificity score provided a mechanism to identify progressions with similar inter-segmental coordination profiles to the key skill on the high bar, the longswing.

Maximal dismounts from high bar

In men's artistic gymnastics the triple straight somersault dismount from the high bar has yet to be performed in competition. The present study used a simulation model of a gymnast and the high bar apparatus (J. Appl. Biomech. 19(2003a) 119) to determine whether a gymnast could produce the required angular momentum and flight to complete a triple straight somersault dismount. Optimisations were carried out to maximise the margin for error in timing the bar release for a given number of straight somersaults in flight. The amount of rotation potential (number of straight somersaults) the model could produce whilst maintaining a realistic margin for error was determined. A simulation model of aerial movement (J. Biomech.23 (1990) 85) was used to find what would be possible with this amount of rotation potential. The model was able to produce sufficient angular momentum and time in the air to complete a triple straight somersault dismount. The margin for error when releasing the bar using the optimum technique was 28 ms, which is small when compared with the mean margin for error determined for high bar finalists at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games (55 ms). Although the triple straight somersault dismount is theoretically possible, it would require close to maximum effort and precise timing of the release from the bar. However, when the model was required to have a realistic margin for error, it was able to produce sufficient angular momentum for a double twisting triple somersault dismount.

Reflective practice and the origins of elite coaching knowledge

This study examines the origins of elite coaching knowledge and the use of this knowledge in the construction of progressions in men's artistic gymnastics. The focus of the current study was first to establish where these elite coaches learnt the skill of coaching, and second to identify the methods currently used by these elite coaches to increase their knowledge base. Sixteen elite men's artistic gymnastic coaches were interviewed using a semi-structured technique. Following inductive content analysis the findings of this investigation were contextualized within the framework of experiential learning, reflective practice and the existing coaching literature. Specifically, these coaches displayed a high level of individuality in terms of how they learnt the skill of coaching. These coaches identified that knowledge acquisition was facilitated mostly through interactive coaching clinics and mentorships that promoted critical inquiry and active experimentation. These experiences allowed the coaches to develop learning through reflective practice within the training environment. Subsequent investigations are recommended to identify how this knowledge is integrated into the coaching process and applied in the development of gymnastic skills.