Knowledge of Sports Teachers in a Rhythmic Gymnastics Training Program

The purpose of this research was to examine the level of knowledge of sports teachers in the rhythmic gymnastics training program in the Special Region of Yogyakarta. This was descriptive research and data were collected through a questionnaire. Purposive sampling was used and the sample size was 24. Data were analyzed though descriptive statistics. The results showed that the level of knowledge of sports teachers in the rhythmic gymnastics training program were as follows: 54.2% in the top level (excellent), 41.7% in the second level, 4.2 % in the third level, and 0% in the bottom level. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the level of knowledge of these sports teachers is acceptable. Keywords: sports teachers, coaches, rhythmic gymnastics, training program

Differences of Motor Proficiency in Preschool Girls Related to Organized Physical Activity

This study purpose was to determine the level of motor competence and differences in motor skills of preschool girls aged 5 to 7 from Serbia according to participation in organized physical activities. Materials and methods. Ninety-one girls aged 5-7 years (mean ± 6.4) were divided into three subsamples: control group, rhythmic gymnastics and sports school. Girls were assessed with the MABC-2 test. Descriptive statistics analyzed the basic characteristics of participants according to the level of motor competence. Furthermore, Pearson’s χ2 test for contingency tables, MANOVA and discriminant analysis were employed to find differences in motor proficiency among groups. Results. Significant differences have been found in girls attending rhythmic gymnastics in aiming & catching on the upper bound of moderate effect size (p < 0.001, η2 = 139), and total test score moderate effect size (p = 0.006, η2 = 0.105) compared to girls who did not participate in organized physical activity. The discrimination coefficient explained the differences in girls in aiming and catching, with a contribution of 41.4%, balance skills with 24%, and a total test score of 22.9%. According to the level of motor competence, 61% from the control group and 40% from the sports school group scored below average in aiming & catching. The total test score of ≥ 50 percentile was achieved by 68.3% of girls in the control group, 84% in the sports school group, and 96% in rhythmic gymnastics. Conclusion. This study confirms that sports practice contributes to the development of motor capabilities and influences individual differences in children’s scores. Our findings can contribute to understanding how important it is to promote object control skills games for girls and older preschoolers generally.

Effect of 12 Weeks Core Training on Core Muscle Performance in Rhythmic Gymnastics

Background: Rhythmic gymnastics performance is characterized by technical elements involving flexibility, aerobic capacity and strength. Increased core strength in rhythmic gymnastics could lead to improved sporting performance. Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of 12 weeks of core muscle training on core muscle performance in rhythmic gymnasts. Methods: A randomized controlled study involving 24 rhythmic gymnastics was conducted. Participants were randomly assigned to a control group (CG; n = 12; age 13.50 ± 3.17 years) or a training group (TG; n = 12; age 14.41 ± 2.35 years). Body composition, isometric strength of trunk, core endurance and core muscle electromyographic activity were measured (EMG) after 12 weeks of core training. Independent sample t-tests were carried out to compare baseline values between groups. A two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) (time × group) was applied. Results: The TG improved body composition, trunk lean mass (mean differences MD = −0.31; p = 0.040), lean mass (MD = 0.43; p = 0.037) and bone mass (MD = −0.06; p < 0.001) after training. Core training increased isometric strength of trunk, flexion test (MD = −21.53; p = 0.019) and extension test (MD = 22.7; p = 0.049), as well as the prone bridge core endurance test (MD = −11.27; p = 0.040). The EMG values also increased in the TG in prone bridge for front trunk (MD = −58.58; p = 0.026). Conclusions: Core strength training leads to improvements in body composition, as well as improvements in trunk strength and increases in muscle electromyographic activity. These improvements could therefore improve performance during competitive rhythmic gymnastics exercises.

Is there a Relative Age Effect in the Competition Total Scores and its Components of Junior Individual Rhythmic Gymnasts?

Background: Children born at the beginning of the year may be cognitively, emotionally, and physically more advantageous than those born at the end of the year. Aim: This study aims to determine whether there is a relative age effect (RAE) on the total scores and its components of the gymnasts in their routines, competing in the 1st Rhythmic Gymnastics Junior World Championships Individual All-Around Ranking-Apparatus Qualification in 2019. Methods: 138 gymnasts from 61 countries participated in this competition and 61 gymnasts competed in each apparatus. The total scores (TS) and its components in gymnasts' competition routines were analyzed according to gymnasts' age groups (13, 14, and 15 years old) and period of birth [Group I (those born in the first six months of the year), Group II (those born in the last six months of the year)]. Differences and percentages of change between the two periods were examined. A total of 732 scores (Difficulty, Execution, and Total Scores) were evaluated. Descriptive statistics and the One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) Test analysis were used for statistical evaluation. Results: When the TS and its components were examined in all age groups and all routines, no significant difference was observed between Group I and Group II in terms of RAE. Conclusion: It is thought that considering the RAE in talent selection and orientation programs, participation in sports activities and performance evaluation may be useful for athletes, coaches, and administrators. Keywords: Rhythmic gymnastics, competition performance scores, relative age effect, gymnast

Optimization of the pre-starting state of athletes in rhythmic gymnastics at the initial stage of basic training

Against the background of intensifying competition in the international arena, the demands placed on female athletes in rhythmic gymnastics are growing, which requires the formation of female athletes' ability to self-control and self-regulation. The purpose of the article is to substantiate and develop an algorithm for optimizing the pre-start condition of young gymnasts at the stage of preliminary basic training. Research methods: analysis, systematization and generalization of data of scientific literature, methods of assessment of Spielberger-Khanin situational anxiety, statistical analysis. The study involved 10 gymnasts who train at the stage of basic preliminary training (8-12 years), who took part in the International Competition "Dmitrash Cup 2021". Result. It is proved that the average assessment of situational anxiety of young gymnasts in the pre-competition period is statistically significant (p <0.05) increases from 19.3 to 35.1 points. The most effective in the training process of gymnasts at the stage of initial basic training methods and techniques to combat the state of pre-start overstrain: psychological and pedagogical, hardware means of influence, methods of relaxation and mobilization and psychophysiological influences. An algorithm for optimizing the pre-start state of female athletes in rhythmic gymnastics at the initial stage of basic training, namely the establishment of the type of temperament of the athlete, the diagnosis of her pre-start state, the application of methods of regulation of pre-start states. The prospect of further research is the development of methods for optimizing the pre-start condition of athletes in rhythmic gymnastics and the formation of their skills of self-regulation in the training process at the stage of initial basic training.

Factors determining the first beginning of the state of young components in rhythmic gymnastics

Pre-start anxiety of young athletes is accompanied by high levels of anxiety and muscle tension, which together can cause a risk of neuroticism of the child. Therefore, an integral part of the educational and training process in rhythmic gymnastics is psychological work with athletes, which should be extended to the stages of preliminary basic training. To increase the psychological preparedness of young athletes in rhythmic gymnastics at the stage of preliminary basic training, it is necessary to determine the factors influencing their pre-start condition. The purpose of the article is to establish the most influential factors and external factors that determine the pre-start condition of gymnasts at the stage of preliminary basic training. Research methods: analysis, systematization and generalization of data of scientific literature, questionnaires, method of expert assessments, statistical analysis of personal data. Using the method of expert evaluations, it was possible to establish the consistency of opinions of 15 coaches who have been working in the specialty for 15 years. These coaches later formed an expert group. Result. It was found that among the most decisive external factors influencing the pre-start condition of gymnasts, experts call the spirit of rivalry, lack of competitive experience and the presence of spectators. At the same time, they indicated fatigue and peculiarities of character and temperament as the most determining internal factors. The selected factors should be taken into account when planning activities aimed at the psychological preparation of young athletes in rhythmic gymnastics for competitive activities in the training process at the stage of preliminary basic training. The prospect of further research is the development of methods for optimizing the pre-start condition of athletes in rhythmic gymnastics and the formation of their skills of self-regulation in the training process at the stage of initial basic training.

Peculiarities of recreative types of gymnastics for women of mature age in the conditions of the covid-19 pandemic

As a result of the analysis of the scientific-methodical literature of the problem under study of the physical development of women 25-45 years old, we can state that the numerical aspects of the given approach were studied or were in sight of researchers. At the same time, it should be noted that the attention of professionals in the field of physical culture and sports to the use of innovative means of recreative types of gymnastics in the practice of leisure activities for women of mature age is observed. Goal of research – to substantiate the characteristics and specific peculiarities of recreative types of gymnastics of mature women in the conditions of pandemic COVID-19. A set of complementary theoretical research methods was used to achieve the goal of research: analysis and generalization of scientific and methodological literature on the problem of the peculiarities of the implementation of recreative types of gymnastics for women of mature age; synthesis and deduction. Research findings. The study focused on the feasibility of recreative types of gymnastics during the COVID-19 pandemic for women of mature age. Attention is focused on rhythmic gymnastics and its various forms: fitness, aerobics, shaping and circuit training. It is pointed out that an important criterion of this type of recreative gymnastics is the tempo, rhythm, musical volume, sound volume and other means of musical expression that directly affect the improvement of sensory and cognitive functions of women of mature age. It is stated that rhythmic gymnastics allows to adjust the process of formation of physical and mental health of women of mature age. The degrees of load used in circuit training of a recreative nature in a pandemic COVID-19 are described. Conclusions. In the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic, the most effective types of recreative gymnastics are fitness, aerobics, shaping with the use of circuit training methods. Health load on the body of women of mature age is selected taking into consideration their individual profile, level of physical development and functional readiness. This approach preserves the potential of the body's functional systems and the psychological health of women of mature age.

The duration of technical elements in rhythmic gymnastics jumps – a longitudinal and correlational study

The research purpose is to identify the development level of some skills/components that condition the execution of Body Difficulties in the group of Jumps/Leaps according to the requirements of the FIG Code of Points and increase the value of technical elements in competition routines. The research was conducted on 14 rhythmic gymnasts, members of the National Junior Team of Romania, and included two stages as follows: the first test took place in December 2019, and the second, in August 2020. Motor and biomechanical information was collected to objectify some motor skills involved in the performance of technical elements specific to the group of Jumps/Leaps. Muscle power, contact times, jump height, flight times and jump rhythm were assessed using the Microgate OptoJump Next device, and the duration of technical elements in the group of Jumps/Leaps was measured by a stopwatch. A programme for the improvement and consolidation of technical elements belonging to this group was applied during the research. Statistical analysis of the collected data required checking the normal distribution of results (using the Skewness and Kurtosis coefficients), identifying the mean differences between the two tests by applying the Student’s t-Test and identifying correlations between the parameters resulting from the two tests using Pearson’s correlation coefficients. Analysing the correlations between the investigated variables for both lower limbs, it can be stated that there is clear evidence of the dependency links between the two symmetrical segments as well as positive and negative correlations between OptoJump variables and the average duration of jumps.