Asymmetry analysis of the arm segments during forward handspring on floor

Asymmetry in gymnastics underpins successful performance and may also have implications as an injury mechanism; therefore, understanding of this concept could be useful for coaches and clinicians. The aim of this study was to examine kinematic and external kinetic asymmetry of the arm segments during the contact phase of a fundamental skill, the forward handspring on floor. Using a repeated single subject design six female National elite gymnasts (age: 19 ± 1.5 years, mass: 58.64 ± 3.72 kg, height: 1.62 ± 0.41 m), each performed 15 forward handsprings, synchronised 3D kinematic and kinetic data were collected. Asymmetry between the lead and non-lead side arms was quantified during each trial. Significant kinetic asymmetry was observed for all gymnasts (p < 0.005) with the direction of the asymmetry being related to the lead leg. All gymnasts displayed kinetic asymmetry for ground reaction force. Kinematic asymmetry was present for more gymnasts at the shoulder than the distal joints. These findings provide useful information for coaching gymnastics skills, which may subjectively appear to be symmetrical. The observed asymmetry has both performance and injury implications

Coordination as a function of skill level in the gymnastics longswing

The purpose of this study was to investigate the nature of inter-joint coordination at different levels of skilled performance to: (1) distinguish learners who were successful versus unsuccessful in terms of their task performance; (2) investigate the pathways of change during the learning of a new coordination pattern and (3) examine how the learner’s coordination patterns relate to those of experts in the longswing gymnastics skill. Continuous relative phase of hip and shoulder joint motions was examined for longswings performed by two groups of novices, successful (n = 4) and unsuccessful (n = 4) over five practice sessions, and two expert gymnasts. Principal component analysis showed that during longswing positions where least continuous relative phase variability occurred for expert gymnasts, high variability distinguished the successful from the unsuccessful novice group. Continuous relative phase profiles of successful novices became more out-of-phase over practice and less similar to the closely in-phase coupling of the expert gymnasts. Collectively, the findings support the proposition that at the level in inter-joint coordination a technique emerges that facilitates successful performance but is not more like an expert’s movement coordination. This finding questions the appropriateness of inferring development towards a “gold champion” movement coordination

Effect of plyometric training on handspring vault performance and functional power in youth female gymnasts

This study aimed to determine the effect of plyometric training (PT) when added to habitual gymnastic training (HT) on handspring vault (HV) performance variables. Twenty youth female competitive gymnasts (Age: 12.5 ± 1.67 y) volunteered to participate and were randomly assigned to two independent groups. The experimental plyometric training group (PTG) undertook a six-week plyometric program, involving two additional 45 min PT sessions a week, alongside their HT, while the control group (CG) performed regular HT only. Videography was used (120 Hz) in the sagittal plane to record both groups performing three HVs for both the baseline and post-intervention trials. Furthermore, participants completed a countermovement jump test (CMJ) to assess the effect of PT on functional power. Through the use of Quintic biomechanics software, significant improvements (P < 0.05) were found for the PTG for run-up velocity, take-off velocity, hurdle to board distance, board contact time, table contact time and post-flight time and CMJ height. However, there were no significant improvements on pre-flight time, shoulder angle or hip angle on the vault for the PTG. The CG demonstrated no improvement for all HV measures. A sport-specific PT intervention improved handspring vault performance measures and functional power when added to the habitual training of youth female gymnasts. The additional two hours plyometric training seemingly improved the power generating capacity of movement-specific musculature, which consequently improved aspects of vaulting performance. Future research is required to examine the whether the improvements are as a consequence of the additional volume of sprinting and jumping activities, as a result of the specific PT method or a combination of these factors

Применение удобрений пролонгированного действия при выращивании рассады земляники садовой

Timeliness. Currently, the Russian Federation has a high demand in healthy planting material of garden strawberries. The benefits of using fertilizers when growing strawberry seedlings have been proven by numerous studies. However, a comparative study of the effect of new fertilizers and methods of their application is very limited. In this regard, studies aimed at identifying the effectiveness of the use of prolonged-acting fertilizers in the production of garden strawberry planting material in protected soil conditions are relevant.Methods. Adapted to non-sterile conditions, ex vitro healthy garden strawberry plants were planted in a peat substrate of Veltorf LLC (recipe No. 5c/2) with the addition of Pg mix starter fertilizer with the structure NPK 14-16-18 + microelements (1.5 g/l of substrate). At the same time, prolonged-acting fertilizers were introduced into the substrate in the recommended concentrations: FertiPro Gran 1M (1.25 g/l of substrate), Ruscote 5-6M (3.0 g/l of substrate), Basacote Plus 6M (4.0 g/l of substrate), control peat substrate without fertilizers, PG mix standard.Results. It has been established that for the Karmen crop with an average runner-forming ability, the effectiveness of applying FertiPro Gran 1M fertilizer to the substrate was revealed, with the use of which, on the 180th day of cultivation, the number of runners and rosettes increases by 3.5–3.8 times compared to the control. At the same time, the yield of marketable seedlings is 95% compared to 70% in the control. For the Jūnija smaids crop with a high vine-forming ability, the effectiveness of all experimental variants with the application of FertiPro Gran 1M, Ruscote and Basacote Plus fertilizers to the substrate was revealed, with the use of which, on the 180th day of cultivation, the number of runners and rosettes increases by 1,9-2,5 times compared to the control. At the same time, the yield of marketable seedlings is 94-96% compared to 65% in the control.Conclusion. The introduction of long–acting fertilizers FertiPro Gran, Ruscote and Basacote Plus into the peat substrate with the addition of Pg mix starter fertilizer allowed a 2.3 – 3.8-fold increase in the number of runners obtained and 1.9-3.5-fold increase in the number of sockets obtained compared to the control without fertilizers. Актуальность. В настоящее время в Российской Федерации существует высокая потребность в оздоровленном посадочном материале земляники садовой. Преимущество применения удобрений при выращивании рассады земляники были доказаны многочисленными исследованиями. Однако сравнительное изучение действия влияния новых удобрений и методов их применения очень ограничено. В связи с этим, исследования направленные на выявление эффективности использования удобрений пролонгированного действия при производстве посадочного материала земляники садовой в условиях защищенного грунта являются актуальными.Методы. Адаптированные к нестерильным условиям оздоровленные еx vitro растения земляники садовой высаживали в торфяной субстрат компании ООО Велторф (рецепт № 5с/2) с добавлением стартового удобрения Pg mix со структурой NPK 14-16- 18 – микроэлементы (1,5 г/л субстрата). При этом в состав субстрата вводили удобрения пролонгированного действия в рекомендованных концентрациях FertiPro Gran 1М (1,25 г/л субстрата), Ruscote 5-6М (3,0 г/л субстрата), Basacote Plus 6М (4,0 г/л субстрата), контроль торфяной субстрат без удобрений, эталон PG mix.Результаты. Установлено, что для сорта Karmen со средней усообразовательной способностью выявлена эффективность внесения в субстрат удобрения FertiPro Gran 1М, при применении которого на 180 сутки выращивания в 3,5-3,8 раз увеличивается количество усов и розеток по сравнению с контролем и при этом выход товарной рассады составляет 95 % по сравнению с 70% в контроле. Для сорта Jūnija smaids с высокой усообразовательной способностью выявлена эффективность всех опытных вариантов с внесением в субстрат удобрений FertiPro Gran 1М, Ruscote и Basacote Plus при применении которых на 180 сутки выращивания в 1,9-2,5 раза увеличивается количество усов и розеток по сравнению с контролем и при этом выход товарной рассады составляет 94-96% по сравнению с 65% в контроле.Заключение. Внесение удобрений пролонгированного действия FertiPro Gran, Ruscote и Basacote Plus в торфяной субстрат с добавлением стартового удобрения Pg mix позволило 2,3-3,8 раз увеличить количество полученных усов и в 1,9- 3,5 раз полученных розеток по сравнению с контролем без удобрений.

Option selection in whole-body rotation movements in gymnastics

Abstract When a gymnast performs a somersault, the linear and angular momentum along with a particular control of inertia during the flight phase constrain the possibilities for action. Given the complexity and dynamic nature of the human moving system, one could argue that there exist a particular amount of stable coordination states when performing somersaults. The goal of this study was to explore the manifold of movement options and coordination states along with their differentiating parameters for a single somersault in gymnastics based on a simple mathematical model reflecting gymnast’s rotation behavior during the flight phase. Biomechanical parameters determining rotation behavior during a somersault were systematically varied with regard to a particular set of biomechanical constraints defining a successful somersault performance. Batch simulations revealed that from 10229760 simulation cycles only 655346 (approximately 6.41%) led to successful somersault performance. A subsequent analysis of the movement option landscape for the optimum angular momentum revealed ten coordination states for a single somersault that could be clearly distinguished based on the simulation parameters. Taken the results together, it becomes apparent that it may be most advisable to perform a single somersault with a larger moment of inertia when achieving the tucked position, a longer duration to achieve the tucked position, a longer duration of staying tucked, and an intermediate moment of inertia during landing. This strategy comprises the largest amount of movement options associated with an upright landing and thus the highest probability of success when performing a single somersault

Men’s artistic gymnastics: is the use of elastic surfaces systematic in the training process?

Abstract In Artistic Gymnastics, the area (the apparatus) represents the most relevant systemic component. Thus, when one strives to comprehend the internal logic of this sport, the gymnast-apparatus relationship warrants special attention. A change in the training paradigm was observed, showing that the use of Elastic Surfaces (ES) is an essential resource, due to the contemporary features of this sport, such as the hyper-valorisation of acrobatics and a greater presence of flight elements. Through a case study developed in a men’s artistic gymnastics high-performance gymnasium, this study analysed the use of different ES in the training process. Although coaches recognize the importance of ES in training programs, the record of daily activities showed that this use is still limited to select equipment and is not systematic. Such difficulties are due mainly to the lack of educational programs to the development of certain specific methodologies and the non-existence of national equipment suppliers certified by International Gymnastics Federation

Panorama da ginástica artística feminina brasileira de alto rendimento esportivo: progressão, realidade e necessidades

The Brazilian Women's Artistic Gymnastics results in international championships are refl ecting the high level of the athletes in the modality and expressing the evolution of this sport in Brazil in the last 10 years. Therefore, this article has the goal to present data about such evolution since the fi rst participation of the Brazilian gymnasts in the Olympic Games (1980), and to refl ect the development of the modality in Brazil. The data have been collected through a bibliographic and documental research. The data analysis showed a unstructured and immature process of the development of this sport in Brazil, revealing a very different reality from what has been exposed in the media.Os resultados das atletas brasileiras da Ginástica Artística feminina nos últimos 10 anos, refletidos principalmente nas competições de nível internacional, apontam para uma expressiva evolução do esporte no país. Assim, este artigo tem o propósito de apresentar dados acerca desta transformação, principalmente a partir da participação das ginastas em Jogos Olímpicos (desde 1980), e estabelecer reflexões em relação ao desenvolvimento da modalidade no país. A partir de uma pesquisa bibliográfica e documental, estes dados foram obtidos, reunidos e contextualizados com outras informações já disponíveis na literatura. Ao analisá-los foi possível não só apontar com especificidade como se deu esta evolução, como também apresentar uma realidade deflagradora de um processo ainda imaturo de desenvolvimento do esporte no país, que não condiz em grande parte com o que é posto pela mídia (de que a modalidade está em pleno avanço e de forma estruturada)

Condições dos treinamentos de ginastas brasileiras participantes de jogos olímpicos (1980-2004)

Este artigo tem como objetivo registrar e analisar as condições de infraestrutura dos treinamentos de ginastas brasileiras participantes de Jogos Olímpicos (1980-2004), na busca de reflexões para a modalidade de Ginástica Artística Feminina. Para tal, foi desenvolvida uma pesquisa qualitativa, que se utilizou do método de História Oral. A partir de uma análise cruzada dos depoimentos das dez ginastas colaboradoras desta pesquisa foi possível perceber que houve um aperfeiçoamento nas condições de infraestrutura a partir do início da década de 90. Este aperfeiçoamento é novamente impulsionado no final da década de 90, com a contratação de técnicos ucranianos, o estabelecimento de uma seleção brasileira permanente e investimentos nas condições de infraestrutura de equipamentos e ginásio. Porém mesmo com a transformação positiva da modalidade nos últimos anos, todas as ginastas do estudo relataram ter passado, em algum momento, por condições não adequadas de treinamento relativas às condições de infraestrutura.This paper aims to register and analyze the training facilities used by the Brazilian gymnasts who participated in the Olympic Games (1980-2004), in order to reflect upon this aspect of Female Artistic Gymnastics. To achieve this goal, we developed a qualitative research study using the Oral History method. Based on a cross-sectional analysis of the testimonials given by ten gymnasts who took part in this survey, we observed that training facilities have improved since the 90's, when Ucranian coaches were hired, a permanent Brazilian team was established and investments were made on equipment and training facilities. Despite the positive changes we have witnessed in this sport in the past years, all gymnasts who participated in the study reported that they had to practice in inappropriate training facilities at some point