Author(s): OZGOR, N., KOSE, M.G., KIN ISLER, A., Institution: BAŞKENT UNIVERSITY, Country: TURKEY, Abstract-ID: 1874

INTRODUCTION:
The impact of bilateral deficit (BLD) and interlimb asymmetry (IA) on athletic performance and sports injuries is mostly unknown. It is important to understand the fatigue-related changes in BLD and IA in sports such as gymnastics, where both unilateral and bilateral jumps are involved to minimize the decrement in performance that may occur as a result of fatigue and to prevent injuries. This study aimed to investigate the fatigue-related changes in BLD and IA in young female gymnasts.
METHODS:
35 young female gymnasts (aerobic and artistic) voluntarily participated in thise study. They were divided into two age groups as 9-11 years (n=19) and 12-14 years (n=16) based on their competition level and three groups based on their biological maturity level which was determined by peak height velocity (PHV): pre-PHV (n=15), PHV (n=13), and post-PHV (n=7). Anthropometric measurements were conducted for determination of physical characteristics and calculation of biological maturity. To evaluate BLD and IA, the participants performed unilateral and bilateral countermovement jump (CMJ) tests before and immediately after a fatigue protocol. The fatigue protocol consisted of 10 consecutive CMJs without rest, each preceded by a 20-meter sprint involving a 180° change of direction. The fatigue protocol was terminated either when participants failed to reach 50% of their maximum jump height for three consecutive jumps or when they reported exhaustion. Independent samples t-test was used to analyze the differences in BLD and IA between age groups, while one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was utilized to determine the differences among the maturity groups. The effects of fatigue-related changes were examined using mixed-design ANOVA, considering age groups and biological maturity. Scheffes post hoc test was applied in the analysis.
RESULTS:
The results indicated that age group and maturity level did not have a significant effect on bilateral BLD (p>0.05). However, significant fatigue effect was observed with respect to age group and maturity level (F1,33=11.699, p=0.002, n2=0.262 and F1,32=5.962, p=0.020, n2=0.157, respectively). Furthermore, significant interactions were found between age group and fatigue, as well as maturity level and fatigue (F1,33=13.705, p=0.001, n2=0.293 and F2,32=6.742, p=0.004, n2=0.296, respectively). In terms of IA, neither age group nor maturity level had a statistically significant effect (p>0.05); however, fatigue had a significant effect on both variables (F1,33=10.835, p=0.002, n2=0.247 and F1,32=9.575, p=0.004, n2=0.230, respectively). Nevertheless, the interactions between age groups and fatigue, as well as maturity level and fatigue, were not statistically significant for IA (p>0.05).
CONCLUSION:
This study demonstrated that fatigue influenced BLD and IA in young female gymnasts. Additionally, fatigue-related changes in BLD varied according to age and biological maturity, whereas IA did not exhibit any variations related to age and biological maturity.