Physiological and anthropometric determinants of rhythmic gymnastics performance.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the physiological and anthropometric predictors of rhythmic gymnastics performance, which was defined from the total ranking score of each athlete in a national competition.


METHODS
Thirty-four rhythmic gymnasts were divided into 2 groups, elite (n = 15) and nonelite (n = 19), and they underwent a battery of anthropometric, physical fitness, and physiological measurements. The principal-components analysis extracted 6 components: anthropometric, flexibility, explosive strength, aerobic capacity, body dimensions, and anaerobic metabolism. These were used in a simultaneous multiple-regression procedure to determine which best explain the variance in rhythmic gymnastics performance.


RESULTS
Based on the principal-component analysis, the anthropometric component explained 45% of the total variance, flexibility 12.1%, explosive strength 9.2%, aerobic capacity 7.4%, body dimensions 6.8%, and anaerobic metabolism 4.6%. Components of anthropometric (r = .50) and aerobic capacity (r = .49) were significantly correlated with performance (P < .01). When the multiple-regression model-y = 10.708 + (0.0005121 x VO2max) + (0.157 x arm span) + (0.814 x midthigh circumference) - (0.293 x body mass)-was applied to elite gymnasts, 92.5% of the variation was explained by VO2max (58.9%), arm span (12%), midthigh circumference (13.1%), and body mass (8.5%).


CONCLUSIONS
Selected anthropometric characteristics, aerobic power, flexibility, and explosive strength are important determinants of successful performance. These findings might have practical implications for both training and talent identification in rhythmic gymnastics.
Douda
Helen T
HT
Dept of Physical Education and Sport Science, Democritus University of Trace, Komotini, Greece.
Toubekis
Argyris G
AG
Avloniti
Alexandra A
AA
Tokmakidis
Savvas P
SP
D000293:Adolescent; D015308:Anaerobic Threshold / Q000502:physiology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000886:Anthropometry; D001823:Body Composition; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006173:Gymnastics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013223:Statistics as Topic