Aerobic and anaerobic performance of the upper body (UB) and lower body (LB) were assessed by arm cranking and treadmill tests respectively in a comparison of national (N) and international (I) male gymnasts. Force velocity and Wingate tests were performed using cycle ergometers for both arms and legs. In spite of a significant difference in training volume (4- 12 vs. 27-34 h.wk(-1) for N and I, respectively), there was no significant difference between N and I in aerobic and anaerobic performance. Upper body and LB maximal oxygen uptake (VO(2)max) values were 34.44 +/- 4.62 and 48.64 +/- 4.63 ml.kg(-1).min(-1) vs. 33.39 +/- 4.77 and 49.49 +/- 5.47 ml.kg(-1).min(-1), respectively, for N and I. Both N and I had a high lactic threshold (LT), at 76 and 82% of VO(2)max, respectively. Values for UB and LB force velocity (9.75 +/- 1.12 and 15.07 +/- 4.25 vs. 10.63 +/- 0.95 and 15.87 +/- 1.25 W.kg(-1)) and Wingate power output (10.43 +/- 0.74 and 10.98 +/- 3.06 vs. 9.58 +/- 0.60 and 13.46 +/- 1.34 W.kg(-1)) were also consistent for N and I. These findings confirm the consistency of VO(2)max values presented for gymnasts in the last 4 decades, together with an increase in peak power values. Consistent values for aerobic and anaerobic performance suggest that the significant difference in training volume is related to other aspects of perfomance that distinguish N from I gymnasts. Modern gymnastics training at N and I levels is characterized by a focus on relative strength and peak power. In the present study, the high LT is a reflection of the importance of strength training, which is consistent with research for sports such as wrestling.

No abstract

Authors illustrate the evolution of the physiological profile of gymnasts over the past 40 years. Gymnasts are demonstrating increased anaerobic power. Maximal power output measured by the Wingate test in high level male gymnasts is currently between 12 and 14 W x kg(-1). Female gymnasts show maximal power between 10 and 12 W x kg(-1). In spite of an increase in the number of training hours, they have a low aerobic aptitude. It is still adequate and sufficient for their practice. Maximal heart rate values measured during gymnastic exercises have mirrored technical and acrobatic demands of increasing difficulty. Currently, exercise heart rates exceed 190 beat x min(-1) as compared to 135 to 151 beat x min(-1) in the seventies. Measurement of higher blood lactate values suggests that anaerobic glycolysis has increased in importance. Glycolytic contributions differ between apparatuses. Data from energy cost studies demonstrate that gymnastics energy demands are greater now than in the seventies.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of two recovery strategies between men's gymnastics events on blood lactate removal (BL) and performance as rated by expert "blind" judges. Twelve male gymnasts (21.8 +/- 2.4 years) participated. The sessions were composed of routine performances in the six Olympic events, which were separated by 10 min of recovery. All gymnasts performed two recovery protocols between events on separate days: Rest protocol, 10 min rest in a sitting position; Combined protocol, 5 min rest and 5 min self-selected active recovery. Three blood samples were taken at 2, 5, and 10 min following each event. Gymnasts produced moderate values of BL following each of the six events (2.2 to 11.6 mmol.L-1). There was moderate variability in BL values between events that could not be accounted for by the athlete's event performance. Gymnasts showed higher BL concentration (p > .05) and significantly (p < .05) higher scoring performances (as rated by a panel of certified judges) when they used a combined recovery between gymnastics events rather than a passive recovery (delta BL = 40.51% vs. 28.76% of maximal BL, p < .05, and total score = 47.28 +/- 6.82 vs. 38.39 +/- 7.55, p < .05, respectively).

Electrocardiographic (ECG) aspects of skin diving were monitored by means of continuous ECG recording in a pool 15 m deep. Ten regularly trained divers with different levels of experience divid a minimum of three consecutive times, holding their beath, reaching depths of 6 m, 9 m, and 12 or 15 m. The water temperature was 28 degrees C. During the ascending part of these dives, bradycardia was observed in all skin-divers. Minimal heart rate correlated negatively with the diver's experience (number of dives previously performed). In six divers cardiac arrhythmia was observed. Atrial arrhythmias were sometimes isolated occurrences, but more frequently they were multiple. Ventricular arrhythmias tended to be bigeminal. Apparently, forced expiration through the snorkel when surfacing precipitated these rhythmic disorders.