<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><italic><bold>Introduction.</bold></italic> The aim of the study was to determine the differences in the quality of postural control between two female rhythmic gymnasts with different training experience during the performance of balance exercises. In rhythmic gymnastics, the same balance exercises are performed by novice and elite gymnasts. Balance exercises involving standing on the toes of one leg with the free leg raised in different positions are considered to be extreme forms of exercise in terms of the postural balance abilities required. In coaching practice, it is important to have tools which facilitate the objective assessment of the process of maintaining balance in such exercises.<italic><bold>Material and methods.</bold></italic>The study involved two female rhythmic gymnasts: a younger one (age = 8 years and training experience = 4 years) and an older one (age = 21 years and training experience = 14 years). The athletes performed three balance exercises standing on a Kistler platform: the split with hand support (lateral balance), the ring with hand support, and the back split without hand support (balance on the whole foot). The parameters describing the quality of postural control used in the current analysis were the range and velocity of COP displacements in the anterior-posterior and medial-lateral directions.<italic><bold>Results</bold></italic>. Postural control in the balance exercises in the younger rhythmic gymnast was characterised by almost two times greater COP displacements in the anterior-posterior direction and more rapid than that of the older gymnast. COP displacements in the medial-lateral direction in all the exercises described did not differentiate the subjects. In the back split without hand support, the older athlete showed greater variability of postural control with smaller COP displacement and velocity than the younger gymnast.<italic><bold>Conclusion.</bold></italic> Gymnastics training should include exercises strengthening the muscles acting on the ankle and hip joints, which could improve the stability of these joints during the performance of difficult balance exercises. Improving the stabilising function of these muscles helps to minimise anterior-posterior movements in these joints.</abstract>

Introduction. The aim of the study was to determine the differences in the quality of postural control between two female rhythmic gymnasts with different training experience during the performance of balance exercises. In rhythmic gymnastics, the same balance exercises are performed by novice and elite gymnasts. Balance exercises involving standing on the toes of one leg with the free leg raised in different positions are considered to be extreme forms of exercise in terms of the postural balance abilities required. In coaching practice, it is important to have tools which facilitate the objective assessment of the process of maintaining balance in such exercises.Material and methods.The study involved two female rhythmic gymnasts: a younger one (age = 8 years and training experience = 4 years) and an older one (age = 21 years and training experience = 14 years). The athletes performed three balance exercises standing on a Kistler platform: the split with hand support (lateral balance), the ring with hand support, and the back split without hand support (balance on the whole foot). The parameters describing the quality of postural control used in the current analysis were the range and velocity of COP displacements in the anterior-posterior and medial-lateral directions.Results. Postural control in the balance exercises in the younger rhythmic gymnast was characterised by almost two times greater COP displacements in the anterior-posterior direction and more rapid than that of the older gymnast. COP displacements in the medial-lateral direction in all the exercises described did not differentiate the subjects. In the back split without hand support, the older athlete showed greater variability of postural control with smaller COP displacement and velocity than the younger gymnast.Conclusion. Gymnastics training should include exercises strengthening the muscles acting on the ankle and hip joints, which could improve the stability of these joints during the performance of difficult balance exercises. Improving the stabilising function of these muscles helps to minimise anterior-posterior movements in these joints.

Postural Control in Female Rhythmic Gymnasts in Selected Balance Exercises: A Study of Two Cases

University School of Physical Education in Wroclaw

Faculty of Physical Education, Department of Gymnastics

Faculty of Physical Education, Department of Biomechanics

Polish Journal of Sport and Tourism

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Introduction. The aim of the study was to determine the differences in the quality of postural control between two female rhythmic gymnasts with different...

Postural Control in Female Rhythmic Gymnasts in Selected Balance Exercises: A Study of Two Cases

Published Online: Jun 18, 2019

Page range: 3 - 7

Received: Sep 13, 2018

Accepted: Nov 27, 2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/pjst-2019-0001

Keywords
single-leg stance, COP trajectory, training experience

© 2019 Małgorzata Sobera et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Postural Control in Female Rhythmic Gymnasts in Selected Balance Exercises: A Study of Two Cases

Published Online: Jun 18, 2019

Page range: 3 - 7

Received: Sep 13, 2018

Accepted: Nov 27, 2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/pjst-2019-0001

Keywordssingle-leg stance, COP trajectory, training experience

© 2019 Małgorzata Sobera et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Keywords
single-leg stance, COP trajectory, training experience