Rhythmic Gymnastics Research Articles

ADAPTATION OF TESTING PROCEDURES AND STABILIZATION OF RESULTS IN PRESCHOOL RHYTHMIC GYMNASTS

The aim of this study was to familiarize preschool rhythmic gymnasts with testing procedures and to determine the number of familiarization attempts needed to stabilize the test results. Thirty-six female rhythmic gymnasts aged 5.14±0.79 years (body height: 119.44±5.98 cm; body mass: 21.46±3.35 kg) volunteered for the study. All gymnasts were free of injury, trained regularly (two days per week, approximately 60 minutes per session), and participated in the individual B level competitions. The main findings indicated a statistically significant difference between the variables of spine and leg flexibility (p<0.00), standing long jump (p<0.00), balance (p<0.00), and shoulder flexion and extension (p<0.00). According to the results obtained in this research, familiarization can significantly improve scores in motor tests for all variables (spine and leg flexibility, balance, standing long jump, and shoulder flexion and extension) in preschool rhythmic gymnasts. These findings suggest several possibilities for further research, such as investigating the long-term effects of familiarization on motor skill development, the specific mechanisms through which familiarization enhances performance, and its impact across different age groups and skill levels in rhythmic gymnastics. Rhythmic gymnastics trainers and other coaches of aesthetic sports should adapt and introduce participants to test protocols to avoid errors in testing.

ANALYSIS OF THE SPINAL CURVATURE IN RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS ATHLETES OF DIFFERENT COMPETITIVE LEVELS AND WITH DIFFERENT POSTURES

Rhythmic gymnastics is characterized by high mobility demands on the spine, which can lead to structural changes and associated injuries or pain. The aim of this study is to assess and compare spinal posture in different positions, mobility, and pain perception among RG athletes. The sample consisted of 34 gymnasts (age: 14.18 ± 2.17) of grassroots and federation levels. Spinal posture and mobility were analyzed using the Spinal Mouse® system, along with pain perception (location and intensity) and body composition. Most gymnasts exhibited normal spinal curvature in both standing and sitting positions. Significant differences (p<0.05) were only found in the sacral curve during extension. Regarding lumbar mobility, differences in sacral mobility from standing to extension were noted, with the federation-level gymnasts showing a greater tendency for hyperlordosis in extension. In terms of pain, the lumbar region was the most affected, with 32.4% of cases reporting pain. It was observed that gymnasts experiencing pain displayed more pronounced lumbar hyperlordosis in the standing position. A low but significant correlation was found between lumbar pain and its intensity (p=0.045), and a moderate correlation was observed between hip pain and pelvic tilt. The gymnasts demonstrated a greater tendency for lumbar hyperlordosis in the standing position and during the transition from standing to extension, which was more pronounced among federation-level gymnasts. Furthermore, there appears to be a stronger correlation between hyperlordosis and the occurrence of lumbar pain, as well as the intensity of pain.

Spatial-Temporal Structure Features of Muscle Synergies During Profiling Elements Implementation in Rhythmic Gymnastics

The article presents an analysis of the muscle synergies involved in making ball throws in different directions and from different starting positions. The study involved 6 highly qualified athletes engaged in rhythmic gymnastics. Electromyograms of the superficial muscles of the upper extremities and trunk were recorded synchronously during the movements, as well as video capture of the movements of body segments. Synergy parameters were extracted from the recorded signals using factor analysis using the principal component method. It has been established that individuals who have mastered a complex motor skill can demonstrate similar motor control strategies. This is manifested in the structuring of intermuscular interaction in the form of two general modules, the degree of involvement of muscles in which is highly similar in the implementation of different motor tasks. The first muscle module implements active movement of the upper limb by jointly activating the muscles of the forearm, shoulder and upper shoulder girdle, and also provides stabilization of the position of the trunk by synchronizing the activity of the muscles of the back and abdomen. The second muscle module is specific and is mainly associated with high involvement in the synergy of the muscles of the upper shoulder girdle and forearm for the implementation of exercises performed without visual control, or from starting positions that limit the mobility of certain parts of the body. Thus, the solution to the problem of coordination of many elements of the motor system may consist not only in reducing the number of executive organs – muscles involved in control, but also in organizing control variables in the form of modules at the kinematic level and their stabilization through muscle synergies.

Gender stereotypes in the physical education textbook

Gender stereotypes in media, including books, can play an important role in the process of gender identity construction. The purpose of this study is to analyze gender representation in Elementary School Physical Education, Sports and Health textbooks. The analysis was conducted by tabulating images and looking at the appearance of gender characters in the text in the elementary physical education books from grade one to grade six. Visibility and Firstness refer to the number of times a male or female character appears first in an exercise. Gender stereotypes (such as female characters doing rope games, male characters playing big ball games) were counted. Based on this data, it can be seen that in classes 1,2,4,5 and 6 there are more male images than female, only in class 3 there are more female images than male. Furthermore, the results of Gender Stereotyping data show that males are more dominant in Floor Gymnastics, Water Sports, Physical Fitness Activities, Invasion Games, Net Games, Maintenance of Reproductive Hygiene, Pencak Silat Martial Arts, and Athletics. In contrast gymnastics materials and Rhythmic Gymnastics Activities are dominated by women. Such stereotypes are considered as one of the ways in which gender identity is influenced and constructed. They can limit individuals' choices in relation to their roles, interests and aspirations, as individuals tend to conform to what is perceived as the gender norm in society.

A-019 Unexpectedly High Cardiac Troponin Values in Healthy Athletes after SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Abstract Background Elevated levels of cardiac troponin I or T (cTnI, cTnT) in general have immediate clinical consequences including invasive cardiac imaging and rhythm monitoring. Macro-troponin is a complex of antitroponin autoantibodies and cTnI or cTnT and may result in falsely elevated values. In athletes, a reliable exclusion of cardiac disease is crucial to allow for intensive exercise. The prevalence and causes of falsely elevated cTn in professional athletes after SARS-CoV-2 infection are unknown. Methods These are preliminary results of an observational study including 35 professional athletes (16 -75 years old, median 24 years; 19 females, 16 males) who had post-Covid-19 check-ups at their practicing sports physician mostly in the year 2022 (6 athletes in 2023). One female athlete did not have a proven SARS-CoV-2 infection but vaccination. Divergences in high sensitivity (hs) cTn concentrations were investigated according to the sex-specific cut-off values of 4 different assays (hs-cTnI: Alinity/Abbott Diagnostics, Atellica/Siemens Healthineers, Access/Beckman Coulter and hs-cTnT: Cobas/Roche Diagnostics). All athletes were advised to stop training 48h before routine blood drawing and if required underwent electrocardiography (ECG), echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging to exclude myocardial involvement, particularly when suspicious symptoms were present. Athletes with divergent hs-cTn assay results were further analyzed for the presence of macro-troponin using the reference method sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation. Results The two main professional sports were cycling (mountain biking or road biking) and soccer, further sports comprised curling, swimming, running including marathon, floorball, cross-country skiing or rhythmic gymnastics. Athletes mostly suffered from postviral exhaustion, mild infectious symptoms like headache, sore throat, dry cough, subfebrile temperature, or sniffles or had atypical thoracic pain. There were two males with known secondary diagnoses, one 25 years old with diabetes mellitus type 1 and one 75 years old with atherosclerosis and hypercholesterolemia. Eighteen (18/35) athletes had hs-cTn concentrations within the sex-specific cut-off values in all assays and did not undergo further investigation for macro-troponin by sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation. However, in 17 athletes (17/35) hs-cTn was increased in at least one assay method which was mostly a hs-cTnI method (for 2/17 all assays elevated). The sucrose-gradient ultracentrifugation method proved macro-troponin in 15/17 with original hs-cTn values for Abbott Alinity: 5 - 170 ng/L; Siemens Atellica: 9.6 - 376 ng/L; Beckman Access: 0.5 - 55 ng/L and Roche Cobas 4 - 77 ng/L. However, 2/17 had the free troponin form, one with only a minor hs-cTnT increase above the sex-specific cut-off and the other with increased values in all hs-cTn assays but normal values in a 2- and 4-days control follow-up measurement. Notably, there were no ECG or cardiac imaging findings including echocardiography or cardiac magnetic resonance imaging suggestive of myocarditis in the investigated athletes. Conclusions After SARS-CoV-2 infection, cTn might be increased in athletes without a correlate in ECG or imaging reports. This should prompt physicians to consider an assay interference by macro-troponin, particularly if a second troponin method such as hs-cTnT remains normal. AHL & CK share first and OH & CM share last authorship

17 - Pelvic floor muscle training in competitive rhythmic gymnasts: a cluster-randomized controlled trial

17 - Pelvic floor muscle training in competitive rhythmic gymnasts: a cluster-randomized controlled trial

Hip and shoulder flexibility in novice rhythmic gymnasts and age-matched controls: Inter-limb asymmetry

Rhythmic gymnastics is a sport of asymmetry and lateral preferences, so the main objective of this study was to examine and compare hip and shoulder range of motion (ROM) and inter-limb asymmetry in 44 rhythmic gymnasts (RGs) and 51 age-matched non-athletes (NAs), i.e. controls. The baseline characteristics of 95 female participants, divided into two age-group categories (U8: 6–8 years, N=36; U11: 8–11 years, N=59) were established, as well as their hip (right/left hip flexion, right/left hip extension, right/left hip abduction, in °) and shoulder ROM (right/left shoulder flexion, right/left shoulder extension, in °), and asymmetry index (ASI, in %) was calculated. Significant differences between RGs and NAs were established (the exception is hip and shoulder extension in U8s, p>0.05), with greater ROM values recorded in RGs. Significant age differences were recorded among RGs in hip flexion and left hip abduction (p<0.05), in favor of U11s, and within NAs only in the case of right hip flexion (p=0.017), but in favor of U8s. The presence of asymmetries (ASI>15%), as well as its absence, is established in both RGs and NAs, but statistically significant side-to-side differences were recorded in U8 NAs (shoulder flexion, p=0.044) and U11 NAs (shoulder extension, p=0.057).

The Importance of Physical Fitness Parameters in Rhythmic Gymnastics: A Scoping Review.

This scoping review presents an overview of physical fitness parameters in rhythmic gymnastics as well as the association of fitness with gymnasts' performance, competitive level, and age. PubMed, Scopus, and Sport Discus databases were searched. Of the 586 records retrieved, 41 studies met the inclusion criteria (n = 1915 participants). The included studies examined flexibility, aerobic capacity, muscle power, muscle endurance, muscle strength, sprint speed, agility, balance, and coordination. Performance was associated with flexibility, aerobic capacity, lower-limb muscle power, agility, muscular endurance, balance, and coordination from a young age. Flexibility, aerobic capacity, and muscle power were, in general, higher in high-level gymnasts than in low-level gymnasts or controls. Older rhythmic gymnasts demonstrated higher scores than the younger ones in flexibility, aerobic capacity, balance, and sport-specific coordination but not in muscle endurance, while some studies reported a decline in muscle power with age. Supplementary physical fitness training improved all physical abilities irrespective of the gymnasts' level. Rhythmic gymnastics training alone improved muscle power, agility, speed, muscular endurance, and balance to a lesser extent than targeted fitness training. Muscular strength, speed, and agility are largely under-researched in rhythmic gymnastics. Emphasis should be given to targeted strength and power training due to the high mechanical loads placed on skeletally immature athletes.

Post-activation Performance Enhancement of Countermovement Jump after Drop Jump versus Squat Jump Exercises in Elite Rhythmic Gymnasts.

Drop jump (DJ) and squat jump (SJ) exercises are commonly used in rhythmic gymnastics training. However, the acute effects of DJ and SJ on countermovement jump (CMJ) performance have not been investigated. This study aimed to verify the post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) responses induced by DJ and SJ with optimal power load and evaluate the relationship between peak PAPE effects and strength levels. Twenty female rhythmic gymnasts completed the following exercises in a randomized order on three separate days: 6 repetitions of DJs; 6 repetitions of SJs with optimal power load; and no exercise (control condition). Jump height was assessed before (baseline) and at 30 seconds and 3, 6, and 9 minutes after each exercise. DJs significantly improved jump height by 0.8 cm (effect size (ES) = 0.25; P = 0.003) at 30 seconds post-exercise compared with baseline. Jump height significantly decreased by -0.14 cm (ES = -0.61; P = 0.021) at 9 minutes after the control condition. SJs significantly improved jump height by 1.02 cm (ES = 0.36; P = 0.005) at 9 minutes post-exercise compared to the control condition. Jump height and relative back squat one-repetition maximum were positively related after performing DJs (r = 0.63; P = 0.003) and SJs (r = 0.64; P = 0.002). DJ and SJ exercises effectively improved countermovement jump height. DJ improved jump height early, while SJ produced greater potentiation effects later. Athletes with a higher strength level benefited the most from these exercises.

The importance of dance training for beginners in rhythmic gymnastics

The importance of dance training for beginners in rhythmic gymnastics

Development of athletes’ motor skills in rhythmic gymnastics at the stage of initial training and preliminary basic training

The basis of the athlete’s success is a high level of proficiency in the technique of the chosen sport, which in turn requires the maximum manifestation of motor skills. One of the most important methodological conditions for improving rational technique is the relationship and interdependence the structure of movements and the level of development of physical qualities. Increasing physical fitness requires a transition to a new level of technical skill and vice versa - a more complete technical skill of an athlete requires reinforcement with appropriate physical fitness. The purpose of the study is to analyze and summarize data on trends in the development of athletes’ motor skills in rhythmic gymnastics at the stage of preliminary basic training. To solve the problems of the study, methods of the theoretical level of knowledge and generalization of practical experience were used. The article outlines the leading physical skills, the development of which ensures successful execution of exercises in rhythmic gymnastics. A number of modern approaches, methods and means of developing motor skills are given. A distinctive feature of modern techniques is the using of auxiliary equipment to increase the effectiveness of exercises. Since the evidence of effectiveness is based only on increasing the characteristics of physical skills and quite a few of them rely on the certainty of their influence on improving the technique of performing exercises, it becomes important and necessary to have scientific justification of ways, which directed to improve the development of motor skills and at the same time to identify a positive impact on the technical training of gymnasts for the opportunity to assert the effectiveness and reliability of the proposed program.

Case Study on the Impact of Rhythmic Gymnastics on Adolescent Adjustment Skills: Implications for Physical Education Curriculum

With the development of society and the increase of people's attention to physical and well-being, rhythmic gymnastics, as a comprehensive sport, its impact on the well-being of teenagers has attracted wide attention. This study aims to deeply explore the potential impact of rhythmic gymnastics training on adolescent well-being through empirical research, in order to provide a scientific basis for physical education and well-being education. In this study, a quantitative research method will select students from 4 middle schools in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China, as research objects, divide students into two categories: participating in rhythmic gymnastics training and not participating in rhythmic gymnastics training, and 100 students will be randomly sampled. A 4-point Likert scale will be used for the questionnaires, which will be administered from four dimensions: respondents' personal information, learning adaptation, emotional adaptation and social adaptation. The results of the study will offer substantial insights on how rhythmic gymnastics assists adolescents’ adjustment skills and could be applied in managing organizations physical education in educational institutions. In this study, statistical analysis will be performed using descriptive analysis and correlation analysis on the questionnaire data.

RS-Xception: A Lightweight Network for Facial Expression Recognition

Facial expression recognition (FER) utilizes artificial intelligence for the detection and analysis of human faces, with significant applications across various scenarios. Our objective is to deploy the facial emotion recognition network on mobile devices and extend its application to diverse areas, including classroom effect monitoring, human–computer interaction, specialized training for athletes (such as in figure skating and rhythmic gymnastics), and actor emotion training. Recent studies have employed advanced deep learning models to address this task, though these models often encounter challenges like subpar performance and an excessive number of parameters that do not align with the requirements of FER for embedded devices. To tackle this issue, we have devised a lightweight network structure named RS-Xception, which is straightforward yet highly effective. Drawing on the strengths of ResNet and SENet, this network integrates elements from the Xception architecture. Our models have been trained on FER2013 datasets and demonstrate superior efficiency compared to conventional network models. Furthermore, we have assessed the model’s performance on the CK+, FER2013, and Bigfer2013 datasets, achieving accuracy rates of 97.13%, 69.02%, and 72.06%, respectively. Evaluation on the complex RAF-DB dataset yielded an accuracy rate of 82.98%. The incorporation of transfer learning notably enhanced the model’s accuracy, with a performance of 75.38% on the Bigfer2013 dataset, underscoring its significance in our research. In conclusion, our proposed model proves to be a viable solution for precise sentiment detection and estimation. In the future, our lightweight model may be deployed on embedded devices for research purposes.

Pengaruh Variasi Senam terhadap Tingkat Kebugaran Jasmani Siswa Kelas V SDN 091486 Afd IV/V Bahbirongulu Kecamatan Jorlang Hataran

This study aims to determine the effect of gymnastic variations on the level of physical fitness of class V SD Negeri 091486 Afd IV/V Jorlang Hataran T.A 2023/2024. This research is an experimental research with an experimental approach. The sample used in this study were grade V students totaling 24 students. The research instrument consisted of (1) Interview sheet related to the results of the variation of rhythmic gymnastics in the school, and (2) Test instrument using Sports Faal to determine the results of students' physical fitness. The data analysis technique was carried out descriptively and continued with a non-parametric test using the Waxicon Test to determine whether there was a difference in the average of the two samples.Based on descriptive statistical data analysis, the average pre test result is 2.3 and the post test is 3.4. Then in the non-parametric test it is known that Asymp.Sig (2-tiled) is 0.000 because the value of 0.000 <0.50, it can be concluded that "Hypothesis accepted". This means that there is a difference between the results of physical fitness for the pre test and post test. So it can be concluded that "There is a difference in the results of students' physical fitness towards the variation of class V rhythmic gymnastics".

Evaluating variability in rhythmic gymnastics

Recent research suggests that variability enhances motor control, learning, and adaptation by improving the system's response to environmental demands. It also develops the cognitive and executive functions of athletes. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the variability of the split leap in rhythmic gymnastics, performed with and without ribbon handling, analysing in which of the two techniques there is greater variability. The sample consists of six competitive gymnasts with an average age of 15.1 years (±0.94). The acquisitions were carried out with the BTS Bioengineering integrated multifactorial optoelectronic system, using fifteen passive markers, six BTS Smart-DX cameras, two cameras for video support and seven BTS-6000 force platforms. The results show that the coefficient of variation (CV%) in trials performed with ribbon is higher than those without the apparatus. Cohen's Effect Size revealed a small effect size between trials with ribbon and those without. Despite being minimal, this difference emphasizes the presence of variability in jumps executed with ribbon in comparison to free body trials. In conclusion, this study explored both intrinsic (CV%) and extrinsic (task complexity, technical experience) factors of jump performance, highlighting the utility of gold standard motion analysis systems for researching executive variability in rhythmic gymnastics jumps.

Measurement of Training and Competition Loads in Elite Rhythmic Gymnastics: A Systematic Literature Review

In the long-term performance development of rhythmic gymnasts aged 16–17, athletes enter a high-performance training phase, marked by increased training loads and preparation for international competitions. This study aimed to (1) provide an overview of methods used to capture external and internal training/competition loads in elite rhythmic gymnasts, and (2) identify measurements of external and internal training/competition loads and their responses during monitored periods. Conducted according to PRISMA guidelines, the systematic review included 6 studies out of the 815 initially identified. The most common methods for calculating external training load were hours or minutes per week. Internal measures varied and included objective methods such as heart rate monitoring and biochemical, hormonal, and hematological assessments from saliva and blood samples. Among subjective methods, session-RPE was most frequently used, along with other questionnaires examining recovery, well-being, sleep, and competition anxiety. The analyzed studies integrated diverse external and internal training load variables, delving into their impact on athlete’s biochemical parameters, recovery, and well-being. Pre-competitive and competitive training periods were the focal points of measuring loads. The complex training structure of rhythmic gymnastics can complicate the calculation of training loads. Therefore, more studies are needed to explore the dose-response relationships between training load and training adaptations, fatigue, and recovery.

Construction and Validation of a Cognitive Engagement Scale and Its Relationship with Ball Movement Sequence Performance in Rhythmic Gymnastics

The research aims to: build and record a measure of cognitive participation among second-year female students at the College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, University of Baghdad. The researchers used the descriptive approach in the survey style for the research sample. The sample was selected from female students and divided into: (10) female students for the survey sample, and (80) female students for the construction and codification sample. The data were statistically analyzed by the researchers using SPSS, the T-test for independent and correlated samples, Pearson's simple correlation coefficient, Cronbach's alpha, Chi-square, and Spearman-Brown. They were recruited for the samples. The study concluded that constructing a measure of cognitive participation for students in the second stage could be applied through the ease and difficulty of its expressions that are appropriate to the research sample, as well as the grades and levels that were reached, which showed that the sample fell within the rating (good and acceptable), and on the other hand the sample was characterized by participation. Cognitive through the results of the scale and its four axes. In conclusion, cognitive participation plays a positive role in performing the ball movement sequence in rhythmic gymnastics.

Psychological aspects and level of physical activity of female students of Physical Education, dance and rhythmic gymnastics: a transversal research

Psychological aspects and level of physical activity of female students of Physical Education, dance and rhythmic gymnastics: a transversal research

Implementation of Healthy Lifestyle Through Rhythmic Gymnastics for Village Communities

The purpose of community service activities is to provide the village community with guidance on maintaining bodily health by adopting a healthy lifestyle through rhythmic gymnastics. Based on data from the Directorate General of Public Health of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia in 2022, the percentage of districts/cities promoting a healthy living movement in West Kalimantan province was 28.6%. This means that the figure has not yet reached the target of the community movement plan set at 40%. The methods provided include: (1) survey stages with partners, (2) coordination with the Village Chief and local tribal leaders, (3) implementation of healthy gymnastics socialization, (4) documentation and publication. The results of the community service (PKM) implementation are considered good and responsive, as conveyed by the PKM team that the enthusiasm of the villagers participating in the socialization of a healthy lifestyle through rhythmic gymnastics for the village community is high among both young and old age groups

The influence of rhythmic gymnastics on the students’ movement creativity levels

This research aimed to determine rhythmic gymnastics' influence on students' movement creativity in class VII MTSS Al Ma'arif Cilageni. In this case, movement creativity is defined as changes in body position that can stimulate students' smoothness, flexibility, originality of thinking, detail orientation, and sensitivity. The research method employed was quantitative, particularly an ex post facto design. This study's population was 25 students of class VII. The instruments covering questionnaires, observations, and documents were tested for validity and reliability to ensure accurate and reliable data. Data analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics, describing the average score and percentage of each component of movement creativity levels. The research results show that students' movement creativity level is mostly in the medium category, namely 35%. The results indicate that the fluency and flexibility components needed to be improved, while the students' authenticity, detail orientation, and sensitivity were quite good. This means that more effective rhythmic gymnastics learning model is necessary to increase students' movement creativity, especially in terms of fluency and flexibility. The research results are expected to be valuable input for teachers to improve the quality of rhythmic gymnastics learning. Implementing the right learning model leads to more optimal and better movement creativity of students. Thus, it can support the development of their motor and cognitive skills.