Long‐Term training induces specific adaptations on the physique of rhythmic sports and female artistic gymnasts

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to observe the specific adaptations, induced by long-term training, on the physique of rhythmic sports (RSG) and artistic gymnasts (GYM). Two hundred females (N = 200) aged 8-17 years (RSG: n = 60; GYM: n = 60; CONTROL: n = 80) participated in the study. Measurements of height, body mass, sitting height, armspan, skinfold thickness, circumferences, and diameters were obtained. The MANOVA and the Scheffe post hoc test indicated that GYM athletes were shorter in height (p < .01), lower in body mass (p < .01), had lower values in fat content (p < .001), had narrow bi-iliac breadth (p < .001), but presented higher values in the upper limb circumferences (p < .01) as compared to the females of the control and the RSG groups. On the other hand, RSG athletes had leaner upper limbs than nonathletes (p < .01), presented broad shoulders (p < .05), and had a prevalence in the lower limbs against the trunk (p < .05). Significant differences were also observed in circumferences between the right and left legs (p < .05) in RSG elite athletes. Apart from the differences between athletes and non-athletes, these observations suggest that long-term training affects the muscle mass of the upper limbs in GYM gymnasts, due to the dynamic structure of supporting exercises. In addition, the significant differences between left and right legs (thigh and calf circumferences), only in RSG elite gymnasts, point out the unilateral adaptations for the thigh of the raised prevalent working leg and for the calf of the supported leg due to one-sided specific training demands.

Physiological and Anthropometric Determinants of Rhythmic Gymnastics Performance

“…27 Furthermore, it has been reported that rhythmic gymnastics athletes have broad shoulders, narrow hips, long and slim upper and lower limbs, a Height (cm), weight (kg), lean body weight (kg), biacromial breadth (mm), chest breadth (mm), biiliac breadth (mm), bitrochanteric breadth (mm), shoulder circumference (cm), chest circumference (cm), waist circumference (cm), abdominal circumference (cm), proximal thigh circumference (cm), midthigh circumference (cm), calf circumference (cm), and arm circumference (cm and very low body fat and show symmetrical values in the sitting and standing height ratio. 5,28 These characteristics are in line with our data and seem to be important determinants for the quality of athletic performance.…”

Body and Performance in Rhythmic Gymnastics: Science or Belief?

“…Demanding from athletes that they fit an ideal body shape is unviable and practically impossible to achieve, as it ignores individual characteristics. Coaches must respect the Brazilian culture and genetic factors, especially since linear body measurements (i.e., height, lengths and diameters) tend to have a major genetic influence rather than circumferences, skinfolds, body mass, and body fat that can be impacted by training as a result of adaptive processes (Douda, Laparidis, & Tokmakidis, 2002).…”

Improving Physical Fitness of Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities through an Adapted Rhythmic Gymnastics Program in China

“…Piazza et al's also concluded that practicing rhythmic gymnastics can improve athletes' lower limb strength [ 51 ]. Douda and Tokmakidis believe that the reason why gymnastics improves the strength of lower limbs is that gymnastics could strengthen participants' musculoskeletal and nervous systems through systematic, repetitive, and progressive exercises [ 52 ]. Although the research object is not children with special needs, the above research provides theoretical support for our research.…”