Postural Control in Unipedal Quiet Stance in Young Female Gymnasts and the Effects of Training with Consideration of Transient Behavior of Postural Sway

The purpose of this study was twofold: (a) to compare postural control between a group of young female gymnasts (n = 15; age: 11.2 ± 1.9 years) and non-trained peers (n = 15; age: 10.9 ± 2.0 years), and (b) to investigate the effect of an 8-week whole body exercise intervention program on postural control in young female gymnasts. Postural control was assessed by recording center of pressure (CoP) movements during unipedal quiet stance. Velocity and amplitude of CoP movement in anterior-posterior (AP) and medial-lateral (ML) directions were considered. In addition to common trial-averaged CoP outcomes, we also considered the transient behavior of CoP movements, by calculating relative differences between the 1st and 2nd, and the 1st and 3rd 10-s intervals within the whole trial (DIF_21 and DIF_31, respectively). The gymnast group had lower total CoP velocity (Cohen’s d = 0.97) and AP amplitude (Cohen’s d = 0.85), compared to their non-trained peers. The gymnasts also had lower CoP AP amplitude DIF21 (Cohen’s d = 0.73), with almost constant values across all intervals. After the training ML CoP velocity was reduced for 13.12% (Cohen’s d = 0.60), while ML CoP amplitude increased (Cohen’s d = −0.89).

Level of Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Weight Status among Adolescent Female Gymnasts: A Cross-Sectional Study

Adolescent female gymnasts are a vulnerable population in terms of their diet, as their nutritional needs are higher due to their growth and high daily training demands. The Mediterranean diet (MD) is a well-known dietary pattern that is associated with a greater nutritional adequacy and a lower prevalence of overweight. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the degree of adherence to the MD among adolescent female athletes who participated in all disciplines of gymnastics in Greece, as well as to explore the potential correlations between MD adherence, body weight, and body mass index (BMI). A total of 269 female gymnasts (between 11–18 years old) completed the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED) and reported their weight and height. Approximately 10% of the participants were underweight and a mere 5.6% were classified as overweight. A high adherence to the MD was reported by 34.9% of the sample and this was correlated with a healthier BMI. Moreover, specific eating habits, such as eating nuts 2–3 times per week and eating fast-food less than once-weekly, were also associated with BMI. Athletes, parents, and coaches of gymnastics should be informed and educated regarding balanced nutrition habits. Future studies could evaluate adherence to MD, as well as the factors that influence the eating behaviors of adolescent female and male athletes in various sports.

DISTANT MOTOR EFFECTS OF DISCONTINUATION OF RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS

Introduction Rhythmic gymnastics is a discipline intended only for women with above-average motor skills such as speed, coordination and jumping ability. Advanced training begins in early childhood, and the selection of candidates is motivated by innate predispositions required by coaches, i.e. appropriate physical conditions, adaptation of the body to exercise and sense of rhythm. Selected gymnasts train by learning to perfectly perform routines with devices such as a ball, ribbon, rope, clubs or hoops. Aim The aim of the study is t show distant motor effects of discontinuation of rhythmic gymnastics. Material and methods Two groups of female gymnasts were compared in the study. The first of them consisted of current training, competitive gymnasts, while the other – female athletes who stopped practicing this discipline. The study checked, among others, the occurrence of possible injuries, pain and their location as well as the consequences of discontinuation of training. All of the obtained results were compared between the groups. Results Currently, training gymnasts suffer from less pain than former female gymnasts, however, already at such a young age, they experience first problems both in the spine and lower limbs. In both groups, the most common conditions are hypermobility, spinal overload syndromes and ankle sprains. Conclusions The results of former female gymnasts clearly show that problems with former female gymnasts are a consequence of practicing rhythmic gymnastics, and their intensity increases over time, leading to long-term effects of practicing this discipline. Keywords: rhythmic gymnastics, sports injuries, consequences of competitive sports, early competitive training.

Factors Associated With Achilles Tendon Rupture in Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics

Background: Achilles injury risk in women’s collegiate gymnastics is 10-fold higher than in all other collegiate sports. This study aims to identify risk factors for Achilles tendon ruptures in collegiate female gymnasts. Hypothesis: Gymnasts with Achilles tendon ruptures will be more likely to report early gymnastics specialization, elite-level training before college, and performance of high-difficulty skills on floor and vault. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Level of Evidence: Level 4. Methods: Anonymous surveys were distributed to current and former collegiate female gymnasts, aged 18 to 30 years, via coaches, athletic trainers, Twitter, and ResearchMatch. Information about Achilles tendon ruptures, gymnastics-related injuries, sport specialization, event/skills participation, and medication use were collected. Results: A total of 581 gymnasts were included. One hundred gymnasts (17.2%; 95% CI: 14.1%-20.3%) reported Achilles tendon ruptures during collegiate training or competition. Most ruptures (91%) occurred on floor exercise; 85.7% of these occurred during back tumbling-take-off. Compared with gymnasts without ruptures during college, a greater percentage of gymnasts with ruptures competed at a Division I program, trained elite, competed difficult vaults and floor passes before and during college, competed in all 4 events during college, identified as Black/African American, and used retinoid medications. Conclusion: Achilles tendon ruptures are more common in women’s collegiate gymnastics than other sports. Competing at the elite level, performing difficult floor and vault skills, and competing in all 4 events may increase the risk for an Achilles tendon rupture. Potential nontraining risk factors include retinoid exposure and Black/African American race. Future studies regarding the mechanisms of Achilles tendon ruptures in female collegiate gymnasts are warranted. Clinical Relevance: Collegiate gymnasts who compete at the elite level, perform high levels of difficulty on floor and vault, and compete in all 4 events may be at increased risk for Achilles tendon ruptures.

Does the PPARA Intron 7 Gene Variant (rs4253778) Influence Performance in Power/Strength‐Oriented Athletes? A Case‐Control Replication Study in three Cohorts of European Gymnasts

Athletic ability is influenced by several exogenous and endogenous factors including genetic component. Hundreds of gene variants have been proposed as potential genetic markers associated with fitness-related phenotypes as well as elite-level athletic performance. Among others, variants within the PPARA gene that code for the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor α are of potential interest. The main goal of the present study was to determine PPARA (G/C, rs4253778) genotype distribution among a group of Polish, Lithuanian and Italian international level male gymnasts and to compare our findings with those of previous research on the frequency of the PPARA intron 7 C allele/CC genotype in power/strength-oriented athletes. A total of 464 male subjects (147 gymnasts and 317 controls) from Poland (n = 203), Italy (n = 146) and Lithuania (n = 107) participated in the study. No statistically significant differences were found in any of the analyzed cohorts. However, a significantly higher frequency of the CC genotype of the PPARA rs4253778 polymorphism was observed when all gymnasts were pooled and compared with pooled control using a recessive model of inheritance (OR = 3.33, 95% CI = 1.18-10, p = 0.022). It is important to know that we investigated a relatively small sample of male European gymnasts and our results are limited only to male participants. Thus, it is necessary to validate our results in larger cohorts of athletes of different ethnicities and also in female gymnasts to find out whether there is a gender effect.

ACUTE EFFECTS OF DYNAMIC AND PNF STRETCHING ON LEG AND VERTICAL STIFFNESS ON FEMALE GYMNASTS

The purpose of the study was to investigate the acute effect of Dynamic (DS) and PNF stretching on leg (Kleg) and vertical stiffness (Kvert) on female gymnasts. Thirty-one female athletes from various types of gymnastics (artistic, rhythmic, team gymnastics) participated in this study ([Mean ± SD] age: 22.32 ± 3.35 years, height: 164.87 ± 4.96 cm, body mass: 57.20 ± 6.54 kg) performed 30 sec running bouts at 4.44 m *s-1, under 3 different stretching protocols (PNF, DS, and no stretching [NS]). The total duration in each stretching condition was 6 minutes, and each of the 4 muscle groups was stretched for 40 seconds. Leg and vertical stiffness values were calculated using the “sine wave” method. No significant influence of stretching type on Kleg and Kvert were found after DS and PNF stretching. However, significant changes were found in Fmax, Dy, flight time (tf), step rate (SR), and step length (SL) after DS and PNF stretching protocol, indicating that DS produced greater changes compared to PNF protocol.

STUDY ON THE PHYSICAL TRAINING OF FEMALE GYMNASTS IN BEAM

"The purpose of the study was to identify the optimal physical training means and their influence on the power indicators of the female gymnasts. The study was conducted on a sample of 13 female athletes (32.97±5.72 kg and 140.8±9.2 cm) practicing artistic gymnastics, aged between 10 – 12 years (11.15±0.8 years), at performance level. The physical tests performed were as follows: standing long jump, stahl bar semi-squats, push-ups at the beam, pike position on the beam, extensions on the gym bench, and handstands. Following the analysis of the results, it has been concluded that the effects of the means proposed by us are statistically significant in case of all events (p=˂0.0001)."

Comparison between gymnasts and non-gymnasts in isometric strength of the lower limbs

Muscle asymmetries in gymnasts are common and can lead to injury. We aimed to determine differences in hip, knee, and ankle strength between female gymnasts and non-gymnasts, and secondly, to determine the effect of strength training intervention. Fifteen gymnasts (aged 11.19 ± 1.89 years) and 15 non-gymnasts (aged 10.92 ± 1.96 years) performed unilateral isometric maximal voluntary contractions of the hip (extensor, flexor, abductor, adductor, internal and external rotator), knee and ankle flexors and extensors on a dynamometer. Inter-limb asymmetries (ILAs) were compared across strength outcomes (MVC torque) and groups. ILAs was calculated based on the strength measurements. The gymnasts were retested after 8 weeks, during which the participants performed 5 weeks of regular training and 3 weeks of targeted strength training intervention. We found significant differences between groups in most observed hip strength parameters, but not in knee and ankle strength. The intervention did not significantly affect any parameter of ILAs. Gymnasts and non-gymnasts differ in hip strength parameters. A longer intervention program may decrease ILA parameters.

Urinary and anal incontinence among female gymnasts and cheerleaders—bother and associated factors. A cross-sectional study

Introduction and hypothesis Artistic gymnastics, team gymnastics and cheerleading are sports including high-impact activities. It is presumed that the athletes’ pelvic floor must be functioning well to prevent urinary (UI) and anal incontinence (AI) during sports. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors for UI and AI in female artistic gymnasts, team gymnasts and cheerleaders; the influence of UI and AI on daily living and sport performance; and the athletes’ knowledge about the pelvic floor muscles (PFM). Methods All female athletes ≥ 12 years of age competing in ≥ 1 National Championship in artistic gymnastics, team gymnastics or cheerleading in 2018/2019 were invited. International Consensus on Incontinence Questionnaires were used to assess the prevalence/bother of UI and AI. Results Among the 319 gymnasts and cheerleaders who participated, the prevalence of UI and AI was 67% and 84%, respectively. Age, training ≥ 4 days/week and straining to void were significantly associated with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and years of training with AI. Eighty-three percent of athletes with SUI reported a negative effect on sports performance, 22% would occasionally avoid training or specific exercises because of leakage, and 28% used pads for protection. Forty-one percent of the athletes had never heard about the PFM, and 74% reported an interest in PFM training to prevent/treat UI or AI. Conclusions UI and AI were prevalent in female gymnasts and cheerleaders, and SUI negatively influenced sport performance. The athletes’ knowledge about the PFM was limited.