[Physiologic requirements of high level gymnastics]. / Exigences physiologiques necessaires a la pratique de la gymnastique de haut niveau.

The evolution of the physiological profile of gymnasts over the past 40 years is outlined. Generally, gymnasts have a low aerobic aptitude in spite of an increase in the number of training hours. During the last decades, anaerobic power of gymnasts has increased. And now, the maximal power output measured by the Wingate test in high level male gymnasts is between 12 and 14 W.Kg-1 and in female gymnasts between 10 and 12 W.Kg-1. Measurement of higher blood lactate values also confirms that the anaerobic capacity has increased.