Author(s): KATERINA, P., BIZOVSKÁ, L., GONOSOVÁ, Z., JANURA, M., Institution: PALACKY UNIVERSITY OLOMOUC, FACULTY OF PHYSICAL CULTURE, Country: CZECH REPUBLIC, Abstract-ID: 1519

INTRODUCTION:
Performance in artistic gymnastics requires a significant level of physical fitness (1), including high lower limb muscle strength (2). Gymnasts have to meet numerous requirements when performing the landing, including aesthetic execution and the ability to absorb large reaction forces to ensure safety (3). Optimal muscle activity plays an important role in influencing the execution of the landing (4). Therefore, the aim of the study was to assess the relationship between lower limb muscle strength and activity and postural stabilisation during the landing in female artistic gymnasts.
METHODS:
Thirty-one female gymnasts were included in the study. An inertial sensor placed on the lower back was used to determine postural stabilisation by using dynamic stability index (DSI) and time to stabilization (TTS) in the sagittal plane for one and three second intervals from contact with the mat. Surface electromyography was used to assess muscle activity of the m. vastus medialis, m. rectus femoris, and m. biceps femoris. Gymnasts performed three valid drop landings, forward somersaults, backward somersaults, and acrobatic series on the floor. To assess eccentric isokinetic muscle strength, the IsoMed 2000 (D. & R. Ferstl GmbH, Hemau, Germany) for the hip and knee joints at a speed of 180 deg. s-1, and a leg-press module with a test speed of 400 mm.s-1 were used. Statistical analysis was performed using Spearmans correlation coefficients.
RESULTS:
For the drop landing, significant correlations were found between the three-second interval TTS and m. biceps femoris activity before landing (r = -0.40), as well as after landing (r = -0.46, r = -0.54, for one and three second intervals respectively).
For the forward somersault, significant correlations were found for TTS and hip work (both r = 0.52) and one-second interval TTS and hip peak torque (r = 0.46). For the backward somersault, a significant correlation was found for the three-second interval TTS and hip peak torque (r = -0.55).
Significant correlations were found for the acrobatic series between DSI and m. biceps femoris activity before landing (r = 0.54, r = 0.44, for one and three second intervals respectively) and DSI and legpress work (r = -0.49, r = -0.48).
CONCLUSION:
The results show that in simple movement tasks such as drop landing, higher muscle activity of the m. biceps femoris before and after the landing positively influences postural stabilization. On the contrary, in the acrobatic series, a complex involvement of the whole lower limbs is required during the deceleration phase. Achieving high values of peak torque when performing the eccentric movement at the hip joint seems to be important for stabilisation after the backward somersault, probably because of the lower heights achieved.
1) Mellos et al., Science of Gymnastics J., 2014
2) Moeskops et al., Strength and Conditioning J., 2018
3) Gittoes & Irwin, Sports Med Arthrosc Rehabil Ther Technol.,2012
4) Mandroukas et al., J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol, 2023