MECHANICAL LOWER LIMB MUSCLE FUNCTION AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH PERFORMANCE IN ELITE TEAM GYMNASTS

Authors

  • Ole H. Hansen Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
  • Lars G. Hvid Section of Sport Science, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
  • Per Aagaard Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
  • Kurt Jensen Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.52165/sgj.11.2.163-174

Keywords:

TeamGym, sprint, jumping, maximal strength, RFD, acrobatic performance

Abstract

TeamGym (TG) differs from individual gymnastics as it is performed in teams including 6-12 participants competing in acrobatic performance in three disciplines:  trampette jumping, tumbling track jumping, and floor exercises.  The physical demands required by TG athletes largely remain unknown, and likely are dictated by the specific disciplines and equipment used. This study aimed at describing physiological capacity by investigating mechanical lower limb muscle function and its association with TG performance in 24 senior elite (12 males, 12 females) team gymnasts. Methods: Anthropometrical data as well as 25m sprint ability, repetitive jumps (RJ), countermovement jumping (CMJ), drop jumping from a height of 48cm (DJ48), maximal isometric leg press muscle strength (MVC) and rate of force development (RFD) were measured. Results: Significant sex differences (p<0.05) were observed for all variables, except MVC. Total sprint times were 3.36±0.1s in males vs. 3.70±0.1s in females, CMJ height 0.51±0.05 vs. 0.41±0.03m, DJ48 rebound height 0.43±0.06 vs. 0.34±0.06m, with no difference in concentric peak power production between CMJ and DJ48. MVC was 38.3±9.9N/kg in males vs. 36.4±9.2N/kg in females. In female gymnasts, correlations (r2=0.41-0.46, p<0.05) were found between trampette and tumbling performance and sprint ability. In male gymnasts, correlations (r2=0.44, p<0.05) emerged between trampette performance and relative RFD (%MVC/s). Conclusions: Moderate associations were found between mechanical lower limb muscle function and functional tumbling performance in male and female TeamGym, indicating that performance in elite TeamGym also relies on factors other than isolated mechanical muscle function.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Aagaard, P., Simonsen, E.B., Andersen, J.L., Magnusson, P., Dyhre-Poulsen, P. (2002). Increased rate of force development and neural drive of human skeletal muscle following resistance training. J Appl Physiol 93(4),1318-1326.

Aleksić-Veljković, A., Veličković, S., Sands, W.A., Đurović, D., Trajković, N. (2016). Explosive power in gymnasts: Is there any scientific basis for gender differences? Facta Universitatis: Series Physical Education & Sport 14(1),121-126.

Asmussen, E., Heebøl-Nielsen, K. (1961). Isometric muscle strength of adult men and women. Communications, 43-43.

Baca, A. (1993). A comparison of methods for analyzing drop jump performance. / Comparaison de differentes methodes d'analyse de la performance lors de sauts en profondeur. Med Sci Sports Exerc 31(3),437-442.

Bale, P., Goodway, J. (1990). Performance variables associated with the competitive gymnast. / Variables de performance du gymnaste de competition. Sports Medicine 10(3),139-145.

Bangsbo, J., Mohr, M., Krustrup, P. (2006). Physical and metabolic demands of training and match-play in the elite football player. J Sports Sci 24(7),665-674.

Bobbert, M.F., Mackay, M., Schinkelshoek, D., Huijing, P.A., van Ingen Schenau, G.J. (1986). Biomechanical analysis of drop and countermovement jumps. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 54(6):566-573

Cappa, D.F., Behm, D.G. (2013). Neuromuscular Characteristics of Drop and Hurdle Jumps with Different Types of Landings. J Strength Cond Res 27(11), 3011-3020.

Caserotti, P., Aagaard, P., Buttrup Larsen, J., Puggaard, L. (2008). Explosive heavy-resistance training in old and very old adults: changes in rapid muscle force, strength and power. Scand J Med Sci Sports 18(6),773-782.

Donti, O., Tsolakis, C., Bogdanis, G.C. (2014). Effects of Baseline Levels of Flexibility and Vertical Jump Ability on Performance Following Different Volumes of Static Stretching and Potentiating Exercises in Elite Gymnasts. J Sports Sci Med 13(1), 105-113.

Elbaek, L., Froberg, K. (1993). Specific physical training paramaters in relation to danish team gymnastics (Les parametres d'entrainement physique specifique rapportes a l'equipe danoise de gymnastique). In. Allemagne: Koln: Sport und Buch Strauss.

George, D., Elias, Z., George, P. (2013). Physiological profile of elite Greek gymnasts. Journal of Physical Education & Sport 13(1), 27-32.

Harringe, M., Lindblad, S., Werner, S. (2004). Do team gymnasts compete in spite of symptoms from an injury? Br J Sports Med 38(4), 398-401.

Harringe, M., Renström, P., Werner, S. (2007). Injury incidence, mechanism and diagnosis in top-level teamgym: a prospective study conducted over one season. Scand J Med Sci Sports 17(2),115-119.

Hébert-Losier, K., Eriksson, A. (2014). Leg stiffness measures depend on computational method. J Biomech 47(1),115-121.

Hilfiker, R., Hübner, K., Lorenz, T., Marti, B. (2007). Effect of drop jumps added to the warm-up of elite sport athletes with high capacity for explosive force development. J Strength Cond Res 21(2), 550-555.

Jemni, M., Friemel, F., Lechevalier, J.M., Origas, M. (2000). Heart rate and blood lactate concentration analysis during a high-level men's gymnastics competition. / Analyse de la frequence cardiaque et du lactate sanguin lors d ' une competition de haut niveau en gymnastique masculine. J Strength Cond Res 14(4), 389-394.

Jensen, P., Scott, S., Krustrup, P., Mohr, M. (2013). Physiological responses and performance in a simulated trampoline gymnastics competition in elite male gymnasts. J Sports Sci 31(16), 1761-1769.

Kaldas, J., Bisson, C., Hogue, A-C., Apinis, C., Berbiche, D., Gaudrealt, N. (2017). Construct validity and inter-rater reliability of the Gymnastic Functional Measurement Tool in the classification of female competitive gymnasts in Canada. Physical Therapy in Sport 28, 9-14.

Lund, S.S., Myklebust, G. (2011). High injury incidence in TeamGym competition: a prospective cohort study. Scand J Med Sci Sports 21(6), 439-444.

Maffiuletti, N., Aagaard, P., Blazevich, A., Folland, J., Tillin, N., Duchateau, J. (2016). Rate of force development: physiological and methodological considerations. Eur J Appl Physiol 116(6), 1091-1116

McNitt, G-J. (1993). Kinetics of the lower extremities during drop landings from three heights (Cinetique des membres inférieurs lors de la reception de sauts en profondeur a partir de trois hauteurs.). J Biomechs 26(9), 1037-1046.

Rodríguez, L.A.G-L., Santana, M.V., Bedoya, J.L. (2010). Somatotipo y composición corporal en gimnastas de Trampolín masculino español de alto nivel. / Somatotype and body composition in elite male Spanish Trampoline. RICYDE Revista Internacional de Ciencias del Deporte 6(19), 141-153.

Sjöstrand, P., Lemmetty, H., Hughes, K., Gryga, P., Dvoracek, R., Jónsdóttir, S. (2015). European Championship in TeamGym - Seniors and Juniors Code of Points.

Suchomel, T.J., Sands, W.A., McNeal, J.R. (2016). Comparison of static, countermovement, and drop jumps of the upper and lower extremities in U.S. junior national team male gymnasts. Science of Gymnastics Journal 8(1), 15-30.

Tanner, R.K., Gore, C.J. (2013). Physiological Tests for Elite Athletes. 2.ed. Australia: Human Kinetics.

Taube, W., Leukel, C., Lauber, B., Gollhofer, A. (2012). The drop height determines neuromuscular adaptations and changes in jump performance in stretch-shortening cycle training. Scand J Med Sci Sports 22(5), 671-683.

Thorlund, J.B., Michalsik, L.B., Madsen, K., Aagaard, P. (2008). Acute fatigue-induced changes in muscle mechanical properties and neuromuscular activity in elite handball players following a handball match. Scand J Med Sci Sports 18(4), 462-472.

Tillin, N.A., Jimenez-Reyes, P., Pain, M.T.G., Folland, J.P. (2010). Neuromuscular Performance of Explosive Power Athletes versus Untrained Individuals. Med Sci Sports Exerc 42(4), 781-790.

Young, W. (1995). Laboratory strength assessment of athletes. / Evaluation en laboratoire de la force des athletes. New Studies in Athletics 10(1), 89-96.

Downloads

Published

2019-06-01

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Hansen , O. H., Hvid , L. G., Aagaard, P., & Jensen, K. (2019). MECHANICAL LOWER LIMB MUSCLE FUNCTION AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH PERFORMANCE IN ELITE TEAM GYMNASTS. Science of Gymnastics Journal, 11(2), 163-174. https://doi.org/10.52165/sgj.11.2.163-174