Author(s): GAVANDA, S., RIDDELL, S., LUBIAK, S., TIRALLA, G., FOSTER, T., TAMULEVICIUS, N., QUITTMANN, O.J., LANGE, M., ZINNER, C., Institution: IST HOCHSCHULE, Country: GERMANY, Abstract-ID: 180

INTRODUCTION:
Competitive cheerleading (cheersport) is growing in popularity every year and so is the level of performance. Although cheersport is a physically very demanding sport, there is little information about the physiological profile. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine heart rate (HR) throughout practice and simulated competition routines (full-outs).
METHODS:
Members of the German All Girl and Coed cheerleading national team were recruited to participate in this study (males: n=6, 25.3±2.7 years of age; females: n=10, 27.1±3.7 years of age). In the first session, the YoYo intermittent recovery test level 1 was conducted to measure athletes’ maximum heart rate (HRmax). In three other sessions, HR was measured throughout training including full-outs. Each of the participants HR zone was computed: Zones 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 were set at 50-60%, 60-70%, 70-80%, 80-90%, and 90-100% of HRmax, respectively.
RESULTS:
The training sessions analyzed had an average duration of 4:01 (h:mm). Most of the training time (51-68%) was spent in Zones 1 (28-32%) and 2 (23-36%), whereas less time was spent in in Zone 3 (14-19%) and Zone 4 (8-12%). Only 3 to 4% of the total training time was spent above 90 % HRmax (Zone 5). During the full-outs (2:15 min duration), the athletes spent most time in Zone 4 (41-50%) and 5 (26-30%). Only 14-20% of the full-out was spent in Zone 3. The least time was spent in zones 1 (0-1%) and 2 0-18%).
CONCLUSION:
Our data shows that simulated competitions (full-outs) in Cheersport are performed at high to very high intensities. Athletes must therefore have high aerobic and anaerobic capacities in order to achieve peak performance. However, this must be verified in further studies including measurements such as blood lactate concentration, oxygen uptake, or measures of fatigue (i.e., countermovement jumps). The presented data also suggests that cheersport athletes benefit from having a good aerobic base. This can allow cheerleaders to recover rapidly between high-intensity drills and repetitions that are seen in training.