Effect of fatigue on postural sway in sport-specific positions of young rhythmic gymnasts

Does 8 Weeks of Integrated Functional Core and Plyometric Training Improve Postural Control Performance in Young Rhythmic Gymnasts?

It has been suggested that core stability and plyometric training (CPT) can enhance athletes' postural control. Nevertheless, the effects of an integrated core and plyometric training program on rhythmic gymnastics (RG) performance are unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of an integrated functional CPT program on young rhythmics gymnasts' postural performance. A sample of 44 young female rhythmic gymnasts from a competitive team (age = 10.5 ± 1.8 years) participated in the study. The subjects were randomly divided into a control group and an experimental group. Pre- and posttest design was used. Postural control was assessed using single-leg stance tests and RG-specific balances over a force platform and evaluated by expert RG judges. The experimental group (n = 23) completed an 8-week functional CPT program based on RG technical requirements. Meanwhile, the control group (n = 21) received their usual training sessions. A mixed model of analysis of variance was applied to evaluate the effects of an intrasubject factor and an intersubject factor on each of the dependent variables. After 8 weeks, the experimental group obtained significant better results in some variables of the right support leg with eyes open and left support leg with eyes open single-leg support (p < .01), improvements were also found in some specific RG balances: Arabesque measured on the force platform (p < .01) and the side leg with help balance scored by the judges (p < .01). In conclusion, an integrated functional CPT program improved postural control in young rhythmic gymnasts. Coaches should consider using this CPT to improve RG performance.

Static Balancing Ability and Lower Body Kinematics Examination of Hungarian Folk Dancers: A Pilot Study Investigating the “Kalocsai Mars” Dance Sequence

Folk dance is a collection of traditional dances that requires years of practicing to perform correctly. The aim of the present study was to develop a complex biomechanical measurement procedure that investigated Hungarian folk dancers’ balancing ability and lower body kinematics through a dance movement called “Kalocsai mars”. Therefore, 11 dancers’ motion (5 female and 6 male; age: 20.5 ± 2.5 years; height: 173.82 ± 7.82 cm; weight: 64.77 ± 8.67 kg) was recorded with an optical-based motion capture system and force platforms simultaneously. Before and after the dancing session, static balancing tests were performed, examining bipedal stance with eyes opened and closed conditions. The ANOVA results showed that the values of the range of motions of the knee joint flexion-extension angles and hip flexion averaged for sessions increased significantly (p=0.044, p=0.003, p=0.005) during the dancing sessions. The deviation in the joint angle was greater in the nondominant legs, suggesting that the nondominant side requires more attention to execute the dance steps correctly. The results of the balance tests showed that the oscillation in the posterior direction increased significantly after dancing (p=0.023). In comparison, the visual feedback had no significant effect on the dancers’ balancing ability.

Effects of Aerobic and Anaerobic Fatigue Exercises on Postural Control and Recovery Time in Female Soccer Players

Sixteen female soccer players (age = 20.19 ± 1.52 years; body mass = 56.52 ± 4.95 kg; body height = 164.81 ± 4.21 cm) with no history of lower extremity injury participated in the study. The Biodex SD Balance system was used to determine the non-dominant single-leg stability. In anaerobic exercise, each subject performed four maximal cycling efforts against a resistance equivalent to 0.075 kg/body mass for 30 s with three-minute rest intervals. In aerobic exercise, subjects performed the Bruce protocol on a motorized treadmill. After each exercise, subjects subsequently performed a single-leg stability test and then repeated the same test for four times with five-minute passive rest periods. In accordance with the results, it was found that the impairment observed right after the aerobic loading was higher (p < 0.001) compared to the anaerobic one. However, the time-related deterioration in both aerobic and anaerobic loadings was similar. The B-pre value was lower than B_post and B₅ (p < 0.01) and B₁₀ (p < 0.05) in both conditions. Subjects could reach the initial balance level at B₁₅ after aerobic and anaerobic loadings. The lactate level did not reach resting value even after 20 min of both fatigue protocols. Although the fatigue after aerobic and aerobic exercise negatively affects a single-leg dynamic balance level, single leg balance ability returns to the baseline status after 10 min of passive recovery duration.