Postural Stability in Aerobic Gymnastics Specific Positions
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DOI:10.2478/v10237-011-0020-0Sport Science Review, vol. XIX, No. 3-4, August 2010 Postural Stability in Aerobic Gymnastics Specific Positions Oľga KYSELOVIČOVÁ • Erika ZEMKOVÁ he study compares the effect of maximal jumps and sport-specific Texercises on parameters of balance. Two balance elements (free support vertical split and frontal split) were analyzed in a group of 8 aerobic gymnasts (average age = 17,0 ± 1,3 years, average body height = 163,0 ± 6,9 cm, average body weight = 54,5 ± 6,12 kg, BMI 20,4 ± 1,46 kg.m-2). The FiTRO Sway Check stabilographic system, allowing the monitoring of horizontal movement of centre of gravity with the help of dynamometric board, was used for assessment. Stabilographic parameter of the velocity of the centre of pressure (mean and in antero-posterior and medio-lateral directions) was registered at 100 Hz. The results show significant differences in average sway length in medio-lateral and antero-posterior direction, in both analysed difficulty elements. This indicates that balance impairment after exercise and its readjustments to pre-exercise level depends not only on intensity of proprioceptive stimulation but also on type of exercise. Keywords: aerobic gymnastics, balance, postural stability. Introduction Stability, as a representation of body control through strenght, coordination, and efficiency of movement, involves a complex interaction between sensory organs, central processing, and motor elements (Foran, 2001). Maintainance of stability is the baseline for the most of body movements. It is generally accepted that stability is considered as a main factor infuencing the sport performance such as biathlon (Seljunin & Fomin, 1988; Aalto et al, 1990), gymnastics (Vuillerme & Danion & Marin, 2001), figure skating, rockenroll (Pelikan et al, 2004 ), basketball (Perrin et al, ), tennis (Psalman & Kasa, 2001), windsurfing (Psalman, 1997)) or sailing (Psalman & Kasa, 2001) and even small changes in post-exercise postural stability can affect athlete’s performance. 109 Postural Stability of Specific Positions It is known that fatigue and hyperventilation induced by exercise have such a determinental effect on postural stability depending on its type, intensity and duration (Zemkova et al, 2005; Zemkova et al, 2008). Assessment of postural sway response to exercise is therefore considered as an important part of functional diagnostics of the athletes. Fatigue has been proposed as a principal factor responsible for such an impairment of balance. However, this effect is usually a consequence of prolonged exercise, as shown by Lepers et al. (1997), Derave et al. (2002) and Zemkova & Hamar (2004, 2005). In fact, after short- term, highly intensive exercise on the cycle ergometer, a level of ventilation has been found closely correlated to sway velocity (Zemkova & Hamar, 2003) indicating that recovery hyperventilation should be considered as an important factor in post-exercise balance impairment. On the other hand, there is a lack of information about how this factor influences balance. It has been found that postural sway response to exercise depends on its type (Seliga et al, 1991), intensity (Hoffman et al, 1992), duration (Lepers et al, 2007), form of muscle contraction, and activation of muscle fibers (Hamar et al, 2004). As a possible physiological mechanisms of postexercise balance impairment may be considered fatigue, hyperventilation, deterioration of cutaneous, proprioceptive, vestibular, and visual inputs, muscle damage, dehydration, hyperthermia, dizziness, and so forth (Hashiba, 1998; Derave et al, 2002; Corbel et al, 2003). Such altered postural stability after exercise may affect sport performance and/or increase risk of injuries. It is well known that in so called coordination sports (coordination abilities based activities), such as rhythmic and artistic gymnastics, figure skating, acrobatics, trampolining, etc., even small interuption of stability can effect a sport performance. Readjustment of stability is therefore very important factor. However, despite of more that 10- years history there is still limited information about the effect of the specific training in aerobic gymnastics in many aspects, in addition no research has been provided on stability as one of the main and most significant factor in aerobic gymnastics performance. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to compare the parameters of balance (velocity and length) in specific aerobic gymnastics positions – balance difficulty elements. Material and Methods Two balance elements (Frontal balance and Free support vertical split,) were analysed in a group of 8 aerobic gymnasts (average age = 17,0 ± 1,3 years, average body height = 163,0 ± 6,9 cm, average body weight = 54,5 ± 6,12 kg, 110 Sport Science Review, vol. XIX, No. 3-4, August 2010 BMI 20,4 ± 1,46 kg.m-2). All of them were informed of the procedures and of the main purpose of the study. The procedures presented were in accordance with the ethical standards on human experimentation. The FiTRO Sway Check stabilographic system, allowing the monitoring of horizontal movement of centre of gravity with the help of dynamometric board, was used for assessment (picture 3). Stabilographic parameters (the velocity of the centre of pressure and the length of the centre of pressure in antero-posterior and medio-lateral directions) were registered at 100 Hz. The average of 2 min measurement was used as the test score. Subjects were asked to stand on a dynamometric platform and perform a specific position (Frontal balance – static balance and Free support vertical split – dynamic balance). Velocity and length of the centre of pressure (COP) were registered by FiTRO Sway check. Statistical analysis. Ordinary statistical methods including average, stan- dard deviation, and coefficient of correlation were used. A paired t-test was employed to determine the statistical significance of the differences between pre- and post-exercise values of the parameters of balance, a level of p < 0.05 was considered significant. Results The results compares stability parameters - centre of pressure velocity and length in both medio-lateral and antero-posterior direstions. As expected, the mean value of velocity, as a main factor of balance and stability, was lower in Frontal balance (Figure 1). In comparison of Free support vertical split values (a representative of dynamic balance), the examined 111 Postural Stability of Specifi c Positions subjest obtained better results while performing static balance element – Frontal balance. However, the results show signifi cant differences (p≤ 0.01) in average sway velocity in both analysed diffi culty elements. Not surprisingly, in length parameters the examined subjects achieved better results in antero-posterior direction, while performing the Frontal balance (Figure 2). This fi ndings are also supported by biomechanical analyse of this particular element, when the centre of pressure is slightly shifted laterally. In contrary, the centre of pressure length during Free support vertical split showed signifi cant differences in medio-lateral direction in comparison with antero-posterior one (Figure 3). Figure 1. Centre of pressure velocity mean values in specifi c diffi culty elements positions 112 Sport Science Review, vol. XIX, No. 3-4, August 2010 Figure 2. Frontal balance mean values length of centre of pressure in both antero-posterior and medio-lateral directions Figure 3. Free support vertical split mean values length of centre of pressure in both antero-posterior and medio-lateral directions Conclusion The results indicate that balance impairment of stability depends not only on type of exercise (static versus dynamic balance diffi culty element) but also on performance level of the athletes. Despite of limitation of the study (the number of participants involved) results defi netely should provide additional information on individual technique and performance level of the athletes. 113 Postural Stability of Specific Positions However, further studies are necessary, and such a sport-specific testing should be recommended as well. References Aalto, H., Pyykko, I., Ilmarinen, R., et.al. (1990). Postural stability in shooters. ORL J Otorhinolaryngol Relat Spec. 52, 232-238. Derave, W., Tombeux, N., Cottyn, J., Pannier, J. L., & De Clercq, D. (2002). Treadmill exercise negatively affects visual contribution to static postural stability. 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