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Rhythmic gymnastics is a sport of asymmetry and lateral preferences, so the main objective of this study was to examine and compare hip and shoulder range of motion (ROM) and inter-limb asymmetry in 44 rhythmic gymnasts (RGs) and 51 age-matched non-athletes (NAs), i.e. controls. The baseline characteristics of 95 female participants, divided into two age- group categories (U8: 6-8 years, N=36; U11: 8-11 years, N=59) were established, as well as their hip (right/left hip flexion, right/left hip extension, right/left hip abduction, in °) and shoulder ROM (right/left shoulder flexion, right/left shoulder extension, in °), and asymmetry index (ASI, in %) was calculated. Significant differences between RGs and NAs were established (the exception is hip and shoulder extension in U8s, p>0.05), with greater ROM values recorded in RGs. Significant age differences were recorded among RGs in hip flexion and left hip abduction (p<0.05), in favor of U11s, and within NAs only in the case of right hip flexion (p=0.017), but in favor of U8s. The presence of asymmetries (ASI>15%), as well as its absence, is established in both RGs and NAs, but statistically significant side-to-side differences were recorded in U8 NAs (shoulder flexion, p=0.044) and U11 NAs (shoulder extension, p=0.057). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the long-term performance development of rhythmic gymnasts aged 16–17, athletes enter a high-performance training phase, marked by increased training loads and preparation for international competitions. This study aimed to (1) provide an overview of methods used to capture external and internal training/competition loads in elite rhythmic gymnasts, and (2) identify measurements of external and internal training/competition loads and their responses during monitored periods. Conducted according to PRISMA guidelines, the systematic review included 6 studies out of the 815 initially identified. The most common methods for calculating external training load were hours or minutes per week. Internal measures varied and included objective methods such as heart rate monitoring and biochemical, hormonal, and hematological assessments from saliva and blood samples. Among subjective methods, session-RPE was most frequently used, along with other questionnaires examining recovery, well-being, sleep, and competition anxiety. The analyzed studies integrated diverse external and internal training load variables, delving into their impact on athlete's biochemical parameters, recovery, and well-being. Pre-competitive and competitive training periods were the focal points of measuring loads. The complex training structure of rhythmic gymnastics can complicate the calculation of training loads. Therefore, more studies are needed to explore the dose-response relationships between training load and training adaptations, fatigue, and recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine the status of motor skill of balance and possible differences between girls and boys, of younger school age, in predicting the performance of selected gymnastic elements on the floor (shoulder stand, headstand, handstand). Eighty-four young participants were divided into two groups participating in the study (Group Males: n=42; Group Females: n=42). The participants had to perform four tests to evaluate motor ability of balance that have the necessary metric characteristics: standing on one leg with eyes open transversely on a balance bench - MBAP, standing on two legs longitudinally on a balance bench with eyes closed - MBAU2Z, standing on two legs longitudinally on balance benches with eyes open - MBAU2O and Flamingo test - FLAM. The success of the execution of the selected gymnastics elements was evaluated by the commission, which consisted of five licensed judges of the Gymnastics Federation of the Republic of Srpska, with marks from 0 to 10. Minor differences were found in the motor ability of balance and the results of predictable values for these gymnastic elements (p=0.05). Girls had lower results in the motor tests but better scores in the performance of the gymnastic elements, but it is no significant differences. The average results of all respondents in this research are lower than in previous research. The relatively low scores of the motor ability test results indicate the need to introduce additional pre-exercises to improve results in performing essential gymnastic elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Establishing importance rankings of professional activities in the context of success in rhythmic gymnastics is essential for developing valid educational programs for coaches. The aim of this study was to 1) Obtain the actual knowledge based on rhythmic gymnastics coaches' opinions on the hierarchy of importance of various professional activities for training high-level gymnasts, and 2) compare coaches' opinions according to region (country), level of coaching achievements, coaching experience, competitive achievements in order to explore the effect of these moderators on the importance ranking. A sample of 70 licensed rhythmic gymnastics coaches, consisting of 30 Polish and 40 Serbian women aged 34.86±11.01 years, with coaching experience of 10.26±9.05 years, participated in the cross-sectional survey. Twenty professional activities were rated using a 4-point Likerttype scale. The total sample was subdivided according to the aforementioned criteria of country, level of coaching achievements, coaching experience, and competitive achievements. Friedman's test was used to find mean rank for each professional activity. The hierarchical agglomerative method of clustering was utilized. Clusters were compared using a Kruskal-Wallis test, and subgroup comparisons were performed using a Mann Whitney U test. The importance ranking of 20 professional activities was established (Friedman's test=406.253, p<0.001). The top-ranked activities were "Working out competitor's physical preparedness," "Control over technical schooling," "Planning the training process," "Working on competitor's motivation sphere." Combined with next three activities - "Control over the training process and the state of competitor's body," "Monitoring competitors during tournaments," and "Recruitment and selection to gymnastics club" - formed Cluster 1 characterized by no differences according to coach's country, level of coaching achievements, coaching experience, or competitive achievements, and it was significantly different from Clusters 2, 3, and 4 (H=226.114, p<0.001). Statistically significant differences between subgroups fell within the lower ranked professional activities, grouped in Clusters 2, 3, and 4 (p<0.05). The study results provide the specific hierarchization of professional activities of RG coaches, as well as emphasize those that are subjectively most important. The rankings indicate consistency of views concerning the most important professional activities, but also the discrepancies between subgroups regarding those activities with lower ranks. The established activity model can be useful for data driven optimization of already-existing programs intended for educating future rhythmic gymnastics coaches and professional improvement of novice RG coaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Facta Universitatis: Series Physical Education & Sport is the property of Facta Universitatis, Series Physical Education & Sport and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Facta Universitatis: Series Physical Education & Sport is the property of Facta Universitatis, Series Physical Education & Sport and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Judo is a dynamic and demanding martial art which can contribute to a physical and psychological development of a person. Research into the performance requirements of judokas has suggested the existence of the correlation between anthropometric and physical attributes and the demands of this sport. The purpose of the present investigation was to assess the somatotype characteristics of top male judokas in Serbia.The study of elite athletes (judokas, in this case) may provide valuable information on the morphological requirements for achieving success in this sport.Present research ofsomatotype characteristics in 20 top Serbian male judokas (12 juniors and 8 seniors) aged 19.32±4.02 years was measured. Anthropometric variables included height, mass, selected diameters, girths and skinfolds, and a Health-Carter anthropometric somatotype. All the anthropometric data were collected following the International Biological Programme and then processed by the Somatotype 1.2 programme. The obtained results show a similar profile and endomesomorphic mean somatotype (3.29-5.23-2.88), as in many previous studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Facta Universitatis: Series Physical Education & Sport is the property of Facta Universitatis, Series Physical Education & Sport and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the effects of Greek folk dancing on postural stability in middle age women.Methods: Sixty-three women aged from 47-53 participated in this study. All participants were randomly divided into the experimental group - 33 participants (mean ± SD; body height=160.13 ± 12.07 cm, body mass=63.81 ± 10.56 kg), and the control group - 30 participants (mean ± SD; body height=160.63 ± 6.22 cm, body mass=64.79 ± 8.19 kg). The following tests were used to evaluate the motor balance and posture stability of participants; the double-leg stance along the length of a balance beam (eyes open), the double-leg stance along the width of a balance beam (eyes open), the single-leg stance (eyes open) and the double-leg stance on one's toes (eyes closed). The Functional Reach Test for balance and the Star Excursion Balance Test were used to evaluate dynamic balance.Results: The multivariate analysis of covariance of static and dynamic balance between participants of the experimental and control group at the final measuring, with neutralized differences at the initial measuring (Wilks' λ=0.45), revealed a significant difference (p<0.05). The intergroup difference at the final measuring was also found to be significant (p<0.05) for the following variables; the double-leg stance on one's toes, the Functional Reach Test, balance of the right anterolateral, balance of the right posterolateral and balance of the left posteromedial.Conclusion: An organized dance activity programme does lead to the improvement of static and dynamic balance in middle aged women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]