title: Leaping ability and body composition in rhythmic gymnasts for talent identification.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Aim of this study was to investigate leaping ability and morphological characteristics in rhythmic gymnastics, in order to verify which parameters are useful indicators for the talent identification.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-five national gymnasts of international level (age 14.7+/-2.2 years) underwent three testing sessions: anthropometric measurements, vertical jumps (counter movement jump and hopping test), and three technical split leaps with stretched legs (SL), with ring (RG) and with back bend of the trunk (BBT).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Elite had significantly different values (P < 0.05) of stature (1.65+/-0.03 vs 1.55+/-0.09 m), thigh length (0.42+/-0.03 vs 0.39+/-0.02 m) and FFM(42.42+/-2.81 vs 35.84+/-5.66 kg) compared to sub-elite. The height of hopping test was significantly higher in elite than sub-elite gymnasts (0.34+/-0.05 vs 0.27+/-0.04 m; P < 0.05), but no significant differences in counter movement jump between two groups were found. Ground contact time of hopping test was significantly correlated (P < 0.01) with SL (r = 0.613), RG (r = 0.632), and BBT (r = 0.542) values. By multiple regression analysis, among anthropometric and vertical jump variables, the hopping ground contact time was the strongest predictor of ground contact time of the three technical leaps (SL, RG, BBT) accounting for 26-37% of variance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Some anthropometric measurements are good indicators for the better performance in rhythmic gymnastics. Level of muscle compliance (stiffness) evaluated by hopping test is a good parameter for athletes selection and for monitoring leaps training.
authors.affiliation: University Institute of Motor Sciences (IUSM), Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Di Cagno
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Baldari
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Battaglia
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brasili
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Merni
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Piazza
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Toselli
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Ventrella
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Guidetti
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000886:Anthropometry; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006173:Gymnastics / Q000502:physiology*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D010865:Pilot Projects