Explosive Power and Muscle Flexibility in Junior Gymnasts of Aerobic Gymnastic Based on Different Sexes

Abstract

The primary purpose of this study was to compare the explosive power ability and muscle flexibility in junior gymnasts of aerobic gymnastics based on different sexes. The data of this study were taken from 52 junior gymnasts of aerobic gymnastics from two groups consisted 26 boys and 26 girls aged 7-8 years who participated as research samples. All participants did a flexibility test using a side split test instrument and explosive power measurement using a vertical jump test instrument-the assessment of normality distribution using the Kolmogorov Smirnov test (Sig > 0.05). Furthermore, to determine the differences between the two groups, the researchers used the Independent two-sample t-test with a significance level of p < 0.05. The side split test results showed 13.92±3.236 cm for the male group and 11.46±3.252 cm for the female group (mean ± SD) with a P-Value of 0.009, means that there was a significant difference between the two groups. At the same time, the comparison of vertical jumps recordings also showed a significant difference with 21.12±3.514 cm for male groups and 18.50±5.233 cm for the female group (mean ± SD), with a P-Value of 0.039. Thus, this study concluded that female junior gymnasts have better flexibility compared to male junior gymnasts. Meanwhile, the explosive power ability possessed by male junior gymnasts is better than female junior gymnasts.

A Development of Aerobic Gymnastics Flexibility Test for the National Development Category: A Construct of Content Validity and Reliability Approach

“…Therefore, the movement of flexibility is a crucial point in aerobic gymnastics. This is supported by several kinds of literature stating that performing movements quickly and flexibly is a necessary multifactor movement that serves to improve motor skills and posture stability, not easily injured, and contributes to the improvement of sports performance [40][41][42].…”