The Relationship between Passive Lower Limb Flexibility and Kinematic Determinants of Split Leap Performance in Rhythmic Gymnastics

Abstract

Rhythmic gymnastics requires use of a considerable degree of flexibility and strength. These two abilities allow gymnasts to perform better jumps and leaps. According to recent rules all jumps/leaps must have a defined and fixed shape and height of the jumps /leaps should be sufficient to show corresponding shape. Split leap (SpL) is one of the most preferred elements in rhythmic gymnastics. Purpose of current study was to identify the relationships among kinematic components of SpL and passive flexibility applied during forward split (FSF) and backward split (BSF). 11 rhythmic gymnasts participated in current study. Split balance without help of the hands were performed to evaluate FSF and to evaluate BSF gymnasts hold their penché position. Gymnasts performed SpL with their preferred leg. All tests recorded with a camera (120 frames per second). Spearman Correlation Analysis were performed to explain the relationships between variables. FSF was found to be significantly correlated to BSF (r=0.629; p=0.038), BSF and flight angle showed significant correlation (r=0.692; p=0.018). As a result, it can be reported that to have a better SpL performance trainers should include flexibility and plyometric exercises in the trainings.

Keywords

• rhythmic gymnastics,flight duration,split leap performance

Ritmik Cimnastikte Pasif Alt Ekstremite Esnekliği ve Split Sıçramanın Kinematik Belirleyicileri Arasındaki İlişki

Abstract

Ritmik cimnastik önemli derecede esneklik ve kuvvet gerektirir. Bu iki beceri cimnastikçilerin sıçrama ve atlamaları daha iyi yapmalarını sağlar. Son kurallara göre, sıçramalar/atlamalar iyi tanımlanmış şekle ve ilgili şekli gösterecek yüksekliğe sahip olmalıdır. Split sıçrama (SpL), ritmik cimnastikte sıklıkla kullanılan elementlerden biridir. Çalışmanın amacı, Split sıçramanın kinematik komponentleri ile öne (FSF) ve arkaya (BSF) uygulanan pasif esneklik arasındaki ilişkiyi belirlemektir. Çalışmaya 11 ritmik cimnastikçi katılmıştır. FSF için el yardımı olmadan öne split denge uygulanmış ve BSF penché pozisyonunun gerçekleştirilmesi ile belirlenmiştir. Cimnastikçiler tercih ettikleri bacakları ile SpL elementini uygulamışlardır. Tüm testler saniyede 120 kare çeken kamera ile kaydedilmiştir. Değişkenler arasındaki ilişkileri açıklamak için Spearman korelasyon analizi kullanılmıştır. FSF ve BSF istatistiksel olarak anlamlı ilişki göstermiştir (r=0.629; p=0.038), BSF ve uçuş açısı arasında anlamlı ilişki bulunmuştur (r=0.692; p=0.018). Sonuç olarak, daha başarılı SpL tekniği/performansı için antrenörlerin antrenmanlarda esneklik ve pliometrik antrenmanlara yer vermesi önerilir. 

Keywords

• ritmik cimnastik,uçuş süresi,split sıçrama performansı

References

1. Abd El-Hamid, R. A. (2010). Directing some biomechanical indicators using some qualitative exercises to improve leap skill. World Journal of Sport Sciences 3(S), 381-386.
2. Agopyan, A. & Örs, B. S. (2019). An analysis of variations in body movement difficulty of 2016 Olympic Games rhythmic gymnast candidates. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, 19(3), 417-434. https://doi.org/10.1080/24748668.2019.1617017.
3. Batista Santos, A., Lemos, M. E., Lebre, E. & Ávila Carvalho, L. (2015). Active and passive lower limb flexibility in high level rhythmic gymnastics. Science of Gymnastics Journal, 7(2), 55-66.
4. Batista, A., Garganta, R. & Ávila-Carvalho, L. (2019). Flexibility and strength in Brazilian and Portuguese gymnasts. European Journal of Human Movement, 42, 138-154.
5. Bobo-Arce, M. & Méndez Rial, B. (2013). Determinants of competitive performance in rhythmic gymnastics: a review. Journal of Human Sport & Exercise, 8(3), 711-727. https://doi.org/10.4100/jhse.2013.8.Proc3.18.
6. Cicchella, A. (2009). Kinematics analysis of selected rhythmic gymnastic leaps. An International Electronic Journal, 4(1), 40-47. https://doi.org/10.4100/jhse.2009.41.05.
7. D'Anna, C., Tafuri, D., Forte, P. & Paloma, F. G. (2019). Comparison of two pre-jump techniques for equal feet take off jump in aerobic gymnastics: a pilot study. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 19(2), 1268-1275. https://doi.org/10.7752/jpes.2019.02184.
8. Di Cagno, A., Baldari, C., Battaglia, C., Brasili, P., Merni, F., Piazza, M., Toselli, S., Ventrella, A.R. & Guidetti, L. (2008). Leaping ability and body composition in rhythmic gymnasts for talent identification. J Sports Med Phys Fitness, 48(3), 341-346.

9. Douda, H. T., Toubekis, A. G., Avloniti, A. A. & Tokmakidis, S. P. (2008). Physiological and anthropometric determinants of rhythmic gymnastics performance. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 3(1), 41-54.
10. Dyhre-Poulsen, P. (1987). An analysis of splits leaps and gymnastic skill by physiological recordings. European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology, 56(4), 390-397. Doi: 10.1007/bf00417765.
11. Fédération International De Gymnastique-FIG, (2017). Code de Pointage Gymnastique Rythmique: 2013- 2016. Eds., FIG, comité technique gymnastique rythmique, Lausanne: Retrieved from https://www.gymnastics.sport/publicdir/rules/files/en_RG%20CoP%202017-2020%20with%20Errata%20Dec.%2017.pdf.
12. Miletić, Đ., Katić, R. & Maleš, B. (2004). Some anthropologic factors of performance in rhythmic gymnastics novices. Collegium Antropologicum, 28(2), 727-737.
13. Örs, B.S., Bayraktar, I., Şimsek, D. & Ertan, H. (2018). Examination of split jump and three-way split flexibility in rhythmic gymnastics in terms of kinematic components. 9th International Biomechanics Congress in Proceedings Book (pp. 576-579). Eskişehir: Anadolu University.
14. Sands, W. A., McNeal, J. R., Penitente, G., Murray, S. R., Nassar, L., Jemni, M., Mizuguchi, S. & Stone, M. H. (2016). Stretching the spines of gymnasts: a review. Sports Medicine, 46(3), 315-327. Doi: 10.1007/s40279-015-0424-6.
15. Santos, A. B., Lebre, E. & Carvalho, L. Á. (2016). Explosive power of lower limbs in rhythmic gymnastics athletes in different competitive levels. Revista Brasileira de Educação Física e Esporte, 30(1), 41-50. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1807-55092016000100041.
16. Silva, C. C., Silva, L. F., Santos, C. R., Goldberg, T. B., Ramos, S. P. & Venancio, E. J. (2019). Genetic polymorphism on the flexibility of elite rhythmic gymnasts: State of art. Apunts. Medicina de l'Esport, 54(201), 27-35.
17. Sousa, F. & Lebre, E. (1996). Biomechanical analysis of two different jumps in rhythmic sports gymnastic (rsg). In ISBS-Conference Proceedings Archive (pp. 416-419). Faculty of Sports Sciences: University of Porto, Portugal. https://ojs.ub.uni-konstanz.de/cpa/article/view/2754.
18. Sousa, F. & Lebre, E. (1998). Biomechanics of jumps in rhythmic sport gymnastics (RSG) kinematic analysis of the principal jumps in RSG. In ISBS-Conference Proceedings Archive, 98(2), 255-258.
19. Thomas, R. E. & Thomas, B. C. (2019). A systematic review of injuries in gymnastics. The Physician and Sports medicine, 47(1), 96-121. https://doi.org/10.1080/00913847.2018.1527646.