Composición corporal y rendimiento deportivo en gimnastas de acrobática / Body composition and sports performance in acrobatic gymnasts

RESUMEN: El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar las posibles relaciones entre diferentes aspectos de puntuación del ejercicio en competición y características antropométricas en un grupo de adolescentes de GA de la élite nacional en función de dos categorías diferentes. Estudio descriptivo y de corte transversal. La muestra ha estado compuesta por 39 adolescentes entre 11 y 19 años (14,9±2,39), de las categorías junior y senior. Se aplicó un cuestionario elaborado ad hoc donde se pedían datos sociodemográficos y deportivos, junto a la toma de medidas antropométricas peso, altura, perímetro de cintura y pliegues cutáneos tricipital, bicipital, suprailiaco, supraespinoso y el de la pantorrilla. Se encontraron asociaciones significativas entre el % de GC (suma del pliegue del tríceps y subescapular) con la nota de dificultad del ejercicio de EQ y COMB y de forma más moderada con la nota de dificultad y final del ejercicio DIN. Igualmente, el % de GC con la suma de los dos pliegues tricipital y el de la pantorrilla, demostró una asociación moderada con la nota final del ejercicio DIN y la nota de dificultad del ejercicio de EQ, así como la nota de dificultad del ejercicio DIN. Los portores presentan mayores valores en todas las medidas antropométricas frente a los ágiles; en cuanto al rendimiento, es superior en la categoría senior, obteniendo mejores puntuaciones en todas las variables analizadas y por último, existe asociación negativa entre el % GC y la puntuación en las notas de dificultad de todos los ejercicios, así como en la nota final del ejercicio DIN.

SUMMARY: The aim of this study was to analyse the possible relationships between different aspects of exercise score in competition and anthropometric characteristics in a group of national elite AG adolescents according to two different categories. Descriptive and cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of 39 adolescents aged between 11 and 19 years (14,9±2,39), from the junior and senior categories. An ad hoc questionnaire was administered asking for socio-demographic and sporting data, together with anthropometric measurements of weight, height, waist circumference and tricipital, bicipital, suprailiac, supraspinatus, supraspinatus and calf skinfolds. Significant associations were found between the % BF (sum of triceps and subscapularis skinfold) with the BAL and COMB exercise difficulty score and more moderately with the DYN exercise difficulty and end score. Similarly, the % of BF with the sum of the two tricipital and calf creases showed a moderate association with the final grade of the DYN exercise and the difficulty grade of the BAL exercise, as well as the difficulty grade of the DYN exercise. The bases present higher values in all anthropometric measures compared to the agile; in terms of performance, it is higher in the senior category, obtaining better scores in all the variables analysed and finally, there is a negative association between the % BF and the score in the difficulty grades of all the exercises, as well as in the final grade of the DYN exercise.

Prevalence of the palmaris longus and its impact on grip strength in elite gymnasts and non-athletes / Prevalencia del músculo palmar largo y el impacto en la fuerza de agarre en gimnastas de elite y no atletas

In elite athletes, the palmaris longus (PL) presence has a potential contribution to hand strength, smaller reaction time, better shooting speed and power. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of PL in elite competitive artistic gymnasts and its impact on grip strength compared to a control group of moderately active non-athletes. This prospective study included 370 subjects divided in two groups (170 elite artistic gymnasts and 200 moderately active non-athletes, students of medicine). The study consisted of two clinical sets of examination: a search for the clinical presence of PL was initially conducted followed by the assessment of maximal grip strength. Standard and six additional tests were performed to confirm PL tendon absence. Maximal grip strength was measured bilaterally with an electronic hand dynamometer. Bilateral absence was more common than unilateral, predominately noted on left side in both study groups. Unilateral PL absence was correlated to decreased grip strength in students, while the opposite was found in gymnasts. The mean value of grip strength in some age groups was higher on the side where the PL was absent. The results of our study show that the presence of the PL doesn`t affect the hand grip strength in gymnasts. Due to the low incidence of unilateral PL absence, further large-sampled research is warranted to assess PL contribution to hand grip strength and to other hand functions that could be of significant importance for athletes and non-athletes.

La presencia del músculo palmar largo (MPL) en atletas de élite tiene el potencial de aportar mayor fuerza a la mano, un tiempo de reacción menor, mejor velocidad de tiro y potencia. El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar la prevalencia de MPL en las gimnastas artísticas competitivas de élite y su impacto en la fuerza de agarre en comparación con un grupo control de no atletas moderadamente activos. El estudio incluyó 370 sujetos divididos en dos grupos (170 gimnastas artísticas de élite y 200 no atletas moderadamente activos, estudiantes de medicina). El estudio consistió en dos series clínicas de examen: inicialmente se realizó una búsqueda de la presencia clínica de MPL, seguido de la evaluación de la fuerza máxima de agarre. Se realizaron pruebas estándar y seis pruebas adicionales para confirmar la ausencia del tendón del MPL. La máxima fuerza de agarre se midió bilateralmente con un dinamómetro de mano electrónico. La ausencia bilateral fue más común que unilateral, predominantemente observada en el lado izquierdo en ambos grupos de estudio. La ausencia unilateral de MPL se correlacionó con una menor fuerza de agarre en los estudiantes, mientras que en gimnastas se encontró lo contrario. El valor medio de la fuerza de agarre en algunos grupos de edad fue mayor en el lado donde el MPL estaba ausente. Los resultados de nuestro estudio muestran que la presencia de MPL no afecta la fuerza de agarre de la mano en gimnastas. Debido a la baja incidencia de ausencia unilateral de MPL, se justifica una investigación adicional de gran tamaño para evaluar la contribución de MPL a la fuerza de agarre de la mano y otras funciones de la mano que podrían ser de gran importancia para los atletas y no atletas.

Morphological characteristics and biological maturation of Brazilian and Portuguese gymnasts / Características morfológicas y maduración biológica de gimnastas brasileñas y portuguesas

The morphological characteristics and biological maturation are among the more important factors in the performance in the Rhythmic Gymnastics. Thus, the aims of the present study were: (1) identify the training, morphological and biological maturation characteristics in elite Brazilian and Portuguese gymnasts; (2) compare these characteristics across groups. The Brazilian Portuguese National Team (13 gymnasts) were studied. Anthropometric and body composition measurements were performed. For analysis of biological maturation, the sexual (pubertal stages and age at menarche) and somatic (offset maturational) maturation were evaluated. The training data were collected by interviewing. For the statistical analysis, Mann-Whitney test was applied. The somatotype and calculation of its components were performed according to the Health-Carter method thought of the MER Goulding Software Development. Brazil and Portugal National Teams presented similar training volume and training onset, however Brazilian gymnasts had higher age and years of practice in Rhythmic Gymnastics than Portuguese gymnasts. Brazilian had higher body mass; height; lower limb length; triceps, subscapular and abdominal skinfolds; relaxed arm and thigh girths; and endomorphy somatotype component than Portuguese. The groups showed different somatotypes: Brazilian (endomorphic ectomorph) and Portuguese (balanced ectomorph), although without statistical significance. The groups demonstrated a delay in maturational development. Similar breast (stages 3 and 4) and pubic hair (stages 2 and 3) development were verified. In total, 84.6 % of gymnasts had reached menarche (15.9±2.6 years) and all gymnasts had reached the age at peak height velocity (14.9±1.2 years). The distance and age at peak height velocity were higher in Brazilian than in Portuguese.

Las características morfológicas y la maduración biológica se encuentran entre los factores más importantes en el rendimiento en la gimnasia rítmica. Por lo tanto, los objetivos del presente estudio fueron: (1) identificar las características de entrenamiento, morfológicas y maduración biológica en las gimnastas brasileñas y portuguesas de élite; (2) comparas estas características entre grupos. Se estudió la Selección Nacional Portuguesa y Brasileña (13 gimnastas). Se realizaron mediciones antropométricas y de composición corporal. Para el análisis de la maduración biológica, se evaluaron las etapas sexuales (etapas de pubertad y edad en la menarquia) y somáticas (edad en el pick de velocidad de altura). Los datos de entrenamiento fueron recolectados mediante entrevistas. Para el análisis estadístico, se aplicó la prueba de Mann-Whitney. El somatotipo y el cálculo de sus componentes se realizaron de acuerdo con el método de Health-Carter, pensado en el desarrollo de software MER Goulding. Los equipos nacionales de Brasil y Portugal presentaron un volumen de entrenamiento y un inicio de entrenamiento similares; sin embargo, las gimnastas brasileñas tenían mayor edad y años de práctica en gimnasia rítmica que las gimnastas portuguesas. Las brasileñas tenían mayor masa corporal; altura; longitud del miembro inferior; pliegues cutáneos del músculo tríceps, músculo subescapular y a nivel abdominal; circunferencia relajada del brazo y del muslo; y el componente somatotípico endomórfico que el portugués. Los grupos eran diferentes somatotipos: brasileñas (ectomórfico endomórfico) y portugués (ectomórfico equilibrada), aunque sin significación estadística. Los grupos demostraron un retraso en el desarrollo madurativo. Se verificó un desarrollo similar del seno (estadios 3 y 4) y del vello púbico (estadios 2 y 3). En total, el 84,6 % de las gimnastas alcanzaron la menarquia (15,9 ± 2,6 años) y el 92,3 % de las gimnastas alcanzaron su altura máxima con 17,4 ± 1,2 años. La distancia y la edad en la velocidad de alcance de la altura máxima fueron más altas en Brasil que en Portugal.

Distúrbios de atitudes alimentares e distorção da imagem corporal no contexto competitivo da ginástica rítmica / Eating disorders and body image distortion in the rhythmic gymnastics competitive context

OBJETIVO: Investigar a presença e a relação entre comportamentos sugestivos de transtornos de conduta alimentar e distorção da imagem corporal de atletas de ginástica rítmica participantes do contexto esportivo competitivo. MÉTODOS: Participaram do estudo 48 atletas de ginástica rítmica, das categorias: infantil, juvenil e adulta e 48 estudantes do ensino fundamental e médio (controle). Para a identificação da presença de transtornos de conduta alimentar utilizou-se o Teste de Atitudes Alimentares (EAT-26) e, para determinar a insatisfação com a imagem corporal, o Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ). Para a análise estatística utilizou-se o teste de Kruskal-Wallis (p < 0,05) e a correlação de Spearman. RESULTADOS: Não houve diferenças estatísticas significativas entre o grupo de ginastas e o de estudantes na presença de transtornos de conduta alimentar; constatou-se correlação significativa entre o transtorno de conduta alimentar e distorção de imagem corporal para as ginastas da categoria infantil (10-12 anos) e juvenil (13-14 anos). A análise descritiva revela que 27,2 por cento (quatro ginastas/10-12 anos); 20,0 por cento (quatro ginastas/13-14 anos) apresentaram atitudes sugestivas de comportamento de transtorno de conduta alimentar. Duas ginastas de 10-12 anos (10,0 por cento), cinco ginastas de 13-14 anos (15 por cento) e as cinco ginastas acima 15 anos (100 por cento) apresentaram distorção da imagem corporal. CONCLUSÃO: As evidências apontam que a percepção comportamental e cognitiva das adolescentes em relação às exigências estéticas dos ambientes nos quais estão inseridas parece ser um fator primordial a ser considerado quando da presença de comportamentos sugestivos de transtorno de conduta alimentar e da distorção da imagem corporal.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the presence and relationship between eating behavior disorders and body image distortion in rhythmic gymnastics' athletes who participate in a competitive sports context. METHODS: 48 rhythmic gymnastics athletes from the junior and senior categories and 48 elementary and high school students (control group) participated in the study. For the identification of eating behavior disorder the Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26) was used and to determine body image dissatisfaction the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ). For statistic analysis the Kruskall-Wallis test (p<0.05) and Spearman Correlation were used. RESULTS: there were not statistical differences between the gymnastics group and the students group for eating behavior disorder; a significant correlation was noticed between eating behavior disorder and body image distortion for the athletes from younger junior (10-12 years old) and older junior (12-14 years old) sport categories. Descriptive analysis revealed that 27.2 percent (4 gymnastics/10-12 years old); 20.0 percent (4 gymnasts/13-14 years old) presented suggestive behavior of eating disorder. Two gymnasts aged 10-12 years old (10.0 percent), five gymnasts aged 13-14 years old (15.0 percent) and five 15 years old gymnasts (100 percent) presented body image distortion. CONCLUSION: The evidence points that the adolescents' behavioral and cognitive perception related to the environment's esthetic demands in which they are inserted seem to be a main factor to be taken in consideration as for the presence of behavior that suggests eating disorder and body image distortion.

The Status of Nutrient and Food Intakes and the Nutritional Knowledge in Adolescent Rhythmic Gymnasts

The objectives of this study were to investigate 1) the foods intake as well as nutrients intake, 2) the nutritional knowledge, and 3) the relations between the foods and nutrients intakes and nutritional knowledge in adolescent rhythmic gymnasts (RGs). The results are summarized as follows. Average daily intakes of energy, calcium, iron, vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2 and niacin were in 45 - 74% of the RDAs for Koreans. Average daily energy intake was only about 50% of energy expenditure by physical activities. Average daily intakes of each food group were generally lower, but intakes of breads and confectionaries, sugar and sweets, milks and dairy products, and instant foods were higher in the RGs compared to the nonathletic students of the same age from the National Health and Nutrition Suvey. The contribution of empty-calorie foods such as breads and confectionaries, beverage and instant foods to the major energy nutrients were high. Mean of total nutritional knowledge score of RGs was 28.4 of total score 50. In categorical score of nutritional knowledge, the RGs make a best score on food sources and they get the lowest marks for food exchange. Among the nutrients, intakes of crude fiber, animal Fe, Na, K, vitamin A, carotene, vitamin B1, niacin and vitamin C and, among the food groups, intakes of mushrooms, fruits and meats had relations with one of the total or categorical nutritional knowledge scores in the RGs. In conclusion, nutritional status of adolescent RGs was poor due to their unbalanced diet composed of empty-calorie foods, and their undesirable food intake pattern was supposed to be related to the low nutritional knowledge score of them. These results indicate that the RGs should be given more nutritional knowledge to improve their nutritional status and the exercise performance.

On the health control of female gymnasts during training camp - Body weight control and nutrition management / 体力科学

Body condition and nutritional intake of female competitive gymnasts (four athletes who participated in Universiade championships and seven athletes who passed preliminary trials for World championships) were investigated during intensive training camp, where they improved their technical skill of gymnastics and regulated their body weight through body training and dietary intake.<BR>The results are summarized as follows;<BR>1) Daily energy intake, protein intake (per 1 kg of body weight) and iron intake during training camp of Universiade and World athletes were 1, 566±292 kcal (mean±standard deviation), 1.29±0.08 g/kg, 6.6±1.6 mg, 1, 367±267 kcal, 1.24±0.19 g/kg, 6.6±1.4 mg respectively on the average. Each intake of them was low during training camp.<BR>2) The lower their daily energy intake, the more their body weight decreased. High correlation between energy insufficient (needed energy minus intaked energy) per 1 kg of body weight and body weight losses was observed. And also, high correlation between decrease of body weight and proportion of energy intake per basal metabolism was observed.<BR>3) Changes in body composition during the first training camp were detected; decrease of their body weight, body fats and lean body masses. Compared with the second training camp, the amount of body fats decreased, while the amount of lean body masses increased.