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.

Balance in handstand and postural stability in standing position in athletes practicing gymnastics.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare and analyse of relationships between stability indices registered in two positions: standing and handstand in athletes practicing gymnastics at various levels of advancement. METHODS: The study included 46 athletes practicing gymnastics. The research tool was posturograph CQ-Stab 2P. RESULTS: In both standing position and handstand in the seniors there were statistically significantly lower values of such indicators as: sway area delimited by the center of pressure ( p = 0.004, p = 0.014), mean amplitude of COP ( p = 0.021, p = 0.017), mean displacement of the center of feet/hands pressure in medio-lateral direction ( p = 0.011, p = 0.003) and maximal displacement of the center of feet/hands pressure in mediolateral direction ( p = 0.036, p = 0.036). In the standing position, seniors also had statistically significantly lower values of the statokinesiogram path length, both total ( p = 0.000) as well as in anteroposterior ( p = 0.001) and mediolateral ( p = 0.002) directions. In the seniors group there were statistically significant correlations between variables obtained in standing position and handstand. CONCLUSIONS: The level of sport advancement significantly differentiates the stability of a body in standing position and handstand. The seniors practicing gymnastics, compared to juniors, are characterized by a better ability to control the position of the body in both positions. The lack of relationships between stability indices registered in standing and handstand in juniors suggests that the analysis of the values of stability indices obtained in a standing position does not provide the possibility of predicting the ability to maintain balance in the handstand during the recruitment of candidates for gymnastics.

Relationship between postural control and muscle activity during a handstand in young and adult gymnasts.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between muscle activity and inter-muscle contributions patterns and postural control during a handstand. Additionally, outcomes were compared between young and adult gymnasts (mean ±â€¯SD: 13.9 ±â€¯0.7 and 23 ±â€¯3 years respectively). Participants performed three trials of a 10 s handstand on a force platform with simultaneous EMG signal recording at the upper and lower limbs. Adult gymnasts demonstrated significantly better postural control in each studied variable. The wrist flexors demonstrated the highest relative mean (60%) and peak (200%) EMG activity of all muscle groups studied. Wrist flexor activity was also highly correlated with postural control variables in both groups. The trapezius descendens and wrist flexor muscles demonstrated the highest contribution (20-26% and 25.5-28% respectively), followed by anterior deltoid (15-18%) and triceps brachii (13-16%) in both groups. The young gymnast group demonstrated significantly greater mean relative muscle activity at the triceps brachii, biceps brachii and rectus femoris compared with the adult group (88% (p = 0.023), 150% (p = 0.003) and 75% (p = 0.039) respectively). To conclude, despite comparable inter-muscle contributions during a handstand, young and adult gymnasts demonstrated a different relationship between muscle activity and postural control variables.