An Investigation into the Relation between the Technique of Movement and Overload in Step Aerobics

The aim of this research was to determine the features of a step workout technique which may be related to motor system overloading in step aerobics. Subjects participating in the research were instructors (n=15) and students (n=15) without any prior experience in step aerobics. Kinematic and kinetic data was collected with the use of the BTS SMART system comprised of 6 calibrated video cameras and two Kistler force plates. The subjects’ task was to perform basic steps. The following variables were analyzed: vertical, anteroposterior, and mediolateral ground reaction forces; foot flexion and abduction and adduction angles; knee joint flexion angle; and trunk flexion angle in the sagittal plane. The angle of a foot adduction recorded for the instructors was significantly smaller than that of the students. The knee joint angle while stepping up was significantly higher for the instructors compared to that for the students. Our research confirmed that foot dorsal flexion and adduction performed while stepping up increased load on the ankle joint. Both small and large angles of knee flexion while stepping up and down resulted in knee joint injuries. A small trunk flexion angle in the entire cycle of step workout shut down dorsal muscles, which stopped suppressing the load put on the spine

Foot and Ankle Deformity in Young Acrobatic and Artistic Gymnasts

Purpose. The aim of the paper was to determine the occurrence of feet and ankle deformities in trampoline and artistic gymnasts. Methods. Ten acrobatic gymnasts (trampolinists) and 10 artistic gymnasts aged 6-14 years were recruited. The calcaneal-tibial (rearfoot) angle was determined as the angle of the upper calcaneal tendon and the longitudinal heel axis while Clarke angles were determined by podoscopy. Results. The trampolinists showed significantly greater medial angulation (calcaneal valgus) than the group of gymnasts. Right and left foot Clark’s angles in both the trampoline and artistic gymnasts were above 55°. Conclusions. Trampolinists exhibit significantly more pronounced calcaneal valgus than artistic gymnasts. The prevalence of foot and ankle deformities in both populations should be addressed by coaches in the gymnastics training of young children

Lumbar Lordosis, Pain Intensity and Type of Work in Women Participating in Fitness Activities

Introduction. The aim of this study was to examine women participating in fitness activities regarding their level of disability in daily activities and lumbar lordosis

Postural Control in Female Rhythmic Gymnasts in Selected Balance Exercises: A Study of Two Cases

Introduction. The aim of the study was to determine the differences in the quality of postural control between two female rhythmic gymnasts with different training experience during the performance of balance exercises. In rhythmic gymnastics, the same balance exercises are performed by novice and elite gymnasts. Balance exercises involving standing on the toes of one leg with the free leg raised in different positions are considered to be extreme forms of exercise in terms of the postural balance abilities required. In coaching practice, it is important to have tools which facilitate the objective assessment of the process of maintaining balance in such exercises

Physical activity of children aged 9–10 years and postural defects of the trunk

Cel badań. Celem badań było określenie zależności pomiędzy częstością realizacji zajęć aktywności fizycznej dzieci w wieku 9–10 lat a występowaniem u nich wad postawy w obrębie tułowia. Materiał i metody. W badaniach wzięło udział 25 dziewcząt i 25 chłopców w wieku 9–10 lat. Ocena wad postawy ciała została oparta na obserwacji sylwetki dziecka przez nauczyciela gimnastyki korekcyjnej, a do klasyfikacji wad zastosowano typologię Staffela. Posłużono się również ankietą własną w celu określenia, jak często w tygodniu dzieci realizują regularne zajęcia z różnych form aktywności fizycznej. Zależność występowania wad postawy w obrębie tułowia i częstości systematycznego uczestniczenia w zajęciach aktywności fizycznej w czasie roku szkolnego określono za pomocą testu chi-kwadrat. Wyniki. Istotnie wyższy odsetek występowania nieprawidłowości w obrębie tułowia zanotowano u dzieci, które uczestniczyły regularnie w zajęciach aktywności fizycznej rzadziej niż 3 razy w tygodniu. Istotny związek występowania asymetryczności w postawie ciała z częstością uprawiania aktywności fizycznej stwierdzono także u badanych, którzy uczestniczyli w regularnych zajęciach co najmniej 4 razy w tygodniu, co może sugerować uprawianie sportów o specyfice asymetrycznych technik ruchu. Wnioski. Wyniki pracy pozwalają stwierdzić, że regularna aktywność fizyczna dzieci w młodszym wieku szkolnym co najmniej 3 razy w tygodniu pozwala uniknąć nieprawidłowości postawy ciała w obrębie tułowia.Background. The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between the frequency of physical activity among children aged 9–10 years and the presence of postural defects of the trunk. Material and methods. The study involved 25 girls and 25 boys aged 9–10 years. The evaluation of postural defects was based on the observation of a child’s silhouette by a corrective gymnastics teacher, and the Staffel typology was applied to classify the defects. An own questionnaire was also used, designed to determine how often children engage in various forms of regular physical activity. The dependence between trunk postural defects and the frequency of systematic participation in physical activity during the school year was determined with the chi-squared test. Results. A significantly higher incidence of trunk postural defects was reported in children who regularly participated in physical activity less frequently than 3 times per week. A significant association of the presence of asymmetry in body posture with the frequency of physical activity was also found in children who participated in regular activities at least 4 times a week, which may suggest physical activities of asymmetrical motion techniques. Conclusions. The study results allow to state that regular physical activity of younger school children at least 3 times a week prevents postural defects of the trunk

Stabilometric profile of handstand technique in male gymnasts

This study aimed to determine the characteristic features of handstand posture control associated with a high level of ability among male gymnasts. Methods: 8 acrobatic gymnasts (4 more and 4 less experienced) participated in the study. They performed a 10-second handstand five times with each hand positioned on one AccuSway (AMTI) force platform and the other hand on the second. Body sway changes were recorded in time series: centre of pressure (COP) and components of the ground reaction force (GRF) (vertical, medial-lateral and anterior-posterior). The COP amplitude and average of GRF components, the index of frequency (by Fast Fourier Transform) for the right and left hand were calculated. Results: More experienced gymnasts performing a handstand concentrate mainly on minimizing anterior-posterior body sway with minimum medial-lateral body sway. Less experienced gymnasts’ pressure exerted on a surface by the hands is irregular in a medial-lateral direction. More experienced gymnasts control body position in the handstand and show less variation of body sway compared to less experienced gymnasts. More experienced gymnasts revealed lower frequency of body sway in the handstand compared to less experienced gymnasts. Conclusion: The stabilometric profile of more experienced gymnasts means the better posture control in handstand. The minimizing of body sway is compensated by exerting more force on a floor surface and the less experienced athletes cannot do that even after several years of training. The gymnasts of both groups, during standing on their hands, put more load on the right hand

Muscle Coactivation during Stability Exercises in Rhythmic Gymnastics: A Two-Case Study

Balance exercises in rhythmic gymnastics are performed on tiptoes, which causes overload of foot joints. This study aimed to evaluate the engagement of muscles stabilizing ankle and knee joints in balance exercises and determine exercises which may lead to ankle and knee joint injuries. It was hypothesized that long-term training has an influence on balance control and efficient use of muscles in their stabilizing function. Two rhythmic gymnasts (8 and 21 years old) performed balances on tiptoes (side split with hand support, ring with hand support) and on a flat foot (back split without hand support exercise). Surface electromyography, ground reaction forces, and kinematic parameters of movement were measured. The measuring systems applied were synchronized with the BTS SMART system. The results show the necessity to limit balance exercises on tiptoes in children because gastrocnemius medialis (GM) and gastrocnemius lateralis (GL) activity significantly exceeds their activity. Ankle joint stabilizing activity of GM and GL muscles in the younger gymnast was more important than in the older one. Performing this exercise, the younger gymnast distributed load on the anterior side of the foot while the older one did so on its posterior. Gymnastics coaches should be advised to exclude ring with hand support exercise from the training of young gymnasts