Is acrobatic pyramid performance determined by the individual balance of the gymnasts?

The influence of individual gymnasts' balance on final pyramid performance is unknown. The principal objective of this study was to evaluate associations between the balance capacity of base and top gymnasts (BG, BT) on the pyramid performance using different balance tasks. Forty acrobatic gymnasts were divided in two groups (20 BG, 20 TG) and performed three different static tests on a force platform: unipedal (open and closed eyes), and headstand. Centre of pressure (COP) measurements were obtained including length travelled in the anteroposterior and mediolateral axis, surface area and the mean speed. Pairs of gymnasts performed a pyramid which involved the BG standing upright while holding a TP in handstand with arms flexed at the elbow. Pyramid scores were obtained from judges to assess the performance. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to reduce the number of balance COP variables. Linear regression analysis was applied with pyramid performance and scores of PCA separated by role. TG's PCA 2 was a significant predictor of pyramid performance. Higher pyramid performance was associated with better headstand balance capacity in TG. The results suggest that measuring COP displacement during headstands could help coaches and gymnasts to assess the handstand pyramid performance.

Effects of task difficulty on centre of pressure excursion and its inter-trial variability in acrobatic gymnastics pyramid performance.

Despite the importance of balance in Acrobatic Gymnastic Pyramid performance, there is limited biomechanical analysis of balance during this activity. The aims of this study were to analyse the effect of pyramid difficulty on the centre of pressure (COP) excursion and its inter-trial variability, and determine which parameters had strongest relationship with performance. Forty-seven acrobatic gymnasts performed five trials of back and front pyramids and a third more difficult, handstand pyramid on a force platform. Pyramids were held for 7 seconds and surface area, range, mediolateral amplitude and anteroposterior amplitude of the CoP were examined to analyse balance. The pyramid scores were obtained from qualified judges to assess the performance. Results showed higher CoP excursions and inter-trial variability during the execution of the high difficulty pyramid. Higher judges' scores were associated with lower CoP excursions in all the pyramids regardless of the difficulty. Similarly, correlation between inter-trial variability and pyramid performance was observed, although these coefficients were lower than those reported for the relationship between CoP excursion and performance. These results suggested that CoP monitoring could help coaches and gymnasts to assess the pyramid instability more accurately.

Positive and negative spontaneous self-talk and performance in gymnastics: The role of contextual, personal and situational factors.

The purpose of this study was to analyse whether contextual (perception of motivational climate and positive and negative spontaneous self-talk in sports), personal (positivity) and situational variables (positive and negative spontaneous self-talk employed in competition and precompetitive anxiety) predict performance in a competition of ensembles of rhythmic gymnastics. 258 female gymnasts between ages14 and 20 (M = 15.24, SD = 1.46) participated in the study, completing pre- and post-competition measures. The results of the path-analysis showed that both the task-involving climate and positivity predicted positive self-talk in sport. This predicted self-confidence which, in turn, positively predicted positive situational self-talk in competition. For its part, the perception of an ego-involving climate positively predicted the use of both negative and positive self-talk in sport. Negative self-talk in sports predicted negative situational self-talk in competition and somatic and cognitive anxiety. In turn, cognitive anxiety positively predicted negative situational self-talk. Finally, performance was positively predicted by positive situational self-talk and negatively by negative situational self-talk. These results explain the functioning of spontaneous self-talk at different levels of generality and its relationship with sports performance.

Healthy Habits in Firefighters: Assessment in Shift Days Versus Days Off.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare dietary habits, sleep habits, and injury incidence between shift days and days off among Spanish firefighters. METHODS: 24-Hour dietary recalls, and sleep and injury questionnaires on both days were collected from 28 Sevillian professional firefighter, as well as anthropometric measurements and a physical activity questionnaire. RESULTS: Firefighters consumed 433 more kilocalories (P < 0.001), 2.4% and 3.1% more kilocalories from fat and monounsaturated fatty acids, respectively (P < 0.05), had 3.7 times greater chance of being injured and slept 2 hours and 18 minutes less (P < 0.001) in their shift days. Higher body fat percentages were found in older and less active firefighters. CONCLUSIONS: Shift work appears to influence their dietary habits, injury incidence, and sleep habits, so measures to alleviate the consequences of shift work in firefighters should be taken.

Static balance performance differs depending on the test, age and specific role played in acrobatic gymnastics.

BACKGROUND: Static balance performance appears to detect differences between roles played in team sports. Static balance can also be influenced by the subject's height and age, and the type of test used. RESEARCH QUESTION: Could the static balance profile show differences among the role played depending on the specific test evaluated and the gymnasts' age? METHODS: A cross-sectional design was applied. 46 acrobatic gymnasts (37 females and 9 males) were divided in four groups according to role (base or top gymnast) and stage of adolescence (early adolescent or mid-adolescent) during two different static tests: (1) unipedal with open and closed eyes (generic), and (2) headstand (specific). To test the effect of the role and the age group, a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) between groups was performed. Centre of pressure (COP) measurements were obtained and normalised relative to participants height, including length travelled on the anteroposterior and mediolateral axis (AP_CoP and ML_CoP) and the mean speed (SP_CoP). RESULTS: Base gymnasts obtained lower values in the CoP excursion than Top gymnasts but only in unipedal tests for all the variables analysed (5.536 ≥ F1,42 ≤ 10.589, 0.002 ≥ p ≤ 0.023), except for the AP_CoP in unipedal-closed. Mid-adolescent gymnasts obtained lower values in the CoP excursion regardless of the task than early adolescent (5.324 ≥ F1,42 ≤ 14.805, 0.000 ≥ p ≤ 0.026). SIGNIFICANCE: It has been observed a clear effect of age on the static balance manifested in acrobatic gymnastics, regardless of the subject's height, the role played, and the test performed. The effect of the role played in this team sport has been different depending on the type of test performed.

Analysis of Morphofunctional Variables Associated with Performance in Crossfit® Competitors.

CrossFit® is a competitive sport and fitness modality characterized by multiple physical capabilities and multi-joint movements. This study aimed to analyse and classify variables related to CrossFit® competitors' specific performance. Fifteen male CrossFit® competitors were selected (n = 15; 30.57 ± 5.5 years; 1.76 ± 0.06 m; 78.55 ± 9.12 kg). Mean values were obtained for body mass index (25.3 ± 2.14 kg/m2), 4 skinfolds, 1 repetition maximum in the squat (137.60 ± 19.65 kg) and the bench press (101.67 ± 10.64 kg), maximum pull-ups (18.87 ± 5.05), sit-ups in 60 s (46.60 ± 4.22), peak power in the countermovement jump (3908.04 ± 423.68 W), VO2max with a shuttle run test (47.70 ± 4.79 ml kg-1·min-1), and time in the Workout of the Day (WOD) "Fran" (337.13 ± 119.19 s) and "Donkey Kong" (417.47 ± 98.44 s) components. Principal component analysis was conducted to classify variables and to select those most related to each new component ("strength and muscle mass", "adiposity" and "aerobic capacity"). The correlation matrix was analysed, indicating significant correlations between "Donkey Kong" and VO2max (r = -.675; p " .01), suprailiac skinfold (r = .713; p " .01) and sit-ups (r = -.563; p " .05); and between "Fran" and squat (r = -.528; p " .05). Three important components characterizing CrossFit® competitors were identified: "strength and muscle mass", low "adiposity" and "aerobic capacity". Significant relationships between morphofunctional variables and Crossfit® performance were found in Crossfit® competitors.

Centre of pressure correlates with pyramid performance in acrobatic gymnastics.

Acrobatic gymnasts need excellent balance control to execute pyramids where one gymnast is supported by another. The objectives of this study were: (1) to describe balance performance by assessing the centre of pressure displacement in a group of acrobatic gymnasts executing pyramids; (2) to determine the relationship between the parameters describing the centre of pressure oscillations and pyramid score; and (3) to examine the role of each foot in providing a solid base of support to maintain the balance of the pyramid. Sixteen acrobatic gymnasts grouped in pairs performed a Half pyramid and a Straddle pyramid held for 7 s on two force platforms. Path length, variance, range trajectory, and surface area of the centre of pressure of each foot were examined to analyse the balance of the pyramid. The path length was correlated with the pyramid score (Straddle: p = 0.692 [large]; Half: p = 0.407 [moderate]). There were differences in the functions of each leg to maintain balance, with the non-preferred leg supporting a higher weight of the pyramid while the preferred leg performed control movements to maintain balance. The results suggested that quantitative analysis of balance can provide important information on pyramid performance.