Strength Proxies Explain Balance Task Performance by Proximity to Peak Height Velocity in Young Acrobatic Gymnasts

<b>Background:</b> Balance tasks are critical for performance in acrobatic gymnastics, where athletes often train and compete in mixed-age groups with varying maturational stages. To improve individualized training, in this cross-sectional study, the relationship was examined between str...

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Main Authors: Ignacio Gómez-Dolader, Alejandro Martínez-Cruces, Pureza Leal-del-Ojo, Luis Arturo Gómez-Landero
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/9/4/255
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author Ignacio Gómez-Dolader
Alejandro Martínez-Cruces
Pureza Leal-del-Ojo
Luis Arturo Gómez-Landero
author_facet Ignacio Gómez-Dolader
Alejandro Martínez-Cruces
Pureza Leal-del-Ojo
Luis Arturo Gómez-Landero
author_sort Ignacio Gómez-Dolader
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background:</b> Balance tasks are critical for performance in acrobatic gymnastics, where athletes often train and compete in mixed-age groups with varying maturational stages. To improve individualized training, in this cross-sectional study, the relationship was examined between strength capacity and balance task performance in female gymnasts at two maturational stages based on peak height velocity (PHV). <b>Methods:</b> Circa-PHV (n = 17, 11.92 ± 1.7 years) and post-PHV (n = 17, 16.47 ± 1.8 years) participants performed static balance tasks (standing on blocks, tandem stance, headstand) while center of pressure (CoP) excursion was recorded, and a proactive balance task (time to stabilization after landing, TTS). Strength assessments included isometric mid-thigh pull, handgrip, countermovement jump (CMJ), and push-up tests. <b>Results:</b> Correlational, regression, and inter-group analyses highlighted differences in strength–balance relationships across groups. Maximal isometric strength and CMJ power were the strongest predictors of static standing balance, with greater predictive strength in the circa-PHV group, underscoring the role of maturation in strength–balance interactions. The results also revealed that strength parameters influenced balance differently depending on the task, suggesting that specific balance types (static–proactive) and tasks (standing–inverted) require distinct strength capacities. <b>Conclusions:</b> Strength’s influence on balance varies by maturational stage, emphasizing the need for tailored training programs to enhance balance and optimize performance in young gymnasts.
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spelling doaj-art-9f45f36ec83e4a8bb9b0aeb868c548f52024-12-27T14:32:24ZengMDPI AGJournal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology2411-51422024-12-019425510.3390/jfmk9040255Strength Proxies Explain Balance Task Performance by Proximity to Peak Height Velocity in Young Acrobatic GymnastsIgnacio Gómez-Dolader0Alejandro Martínez-Cruces1Pureza Leal-del-Ojo2Luis Arturo Gómez-Landero3Physical Performance & Sports Research Center, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Ctra. de Utrera, km. 1, 41013 Seville, SpainPhysical Performance & Sports Research Center, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Ctra. de Utrera, km. 1, 41013 Seville, SpainSan Isidoro University Center, Cartuja Island, 41092 Seville, SpainPhysical Performance & Sports Research Center, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Ctra. de Utrera, km. 1, 41013 Seville, Spain<b>Background:</b> Balance tasks are critical for performance in acrobatic gymnastics, where athletes often train and compete in mixed-age groups with varying maturational stages. To improve individualized training, in this cross-sectional study, the relationship was examined between strength capacity and balance task performance in female gymnasts at two maturational stages based on peak height velocity (PHV). <b>Methods:</b> Circa-PHV (n = 17, 11.92 ± 1.7 years) and post-PHV (n = 17, 16.47 ± 1.8 years) participants performed static balance tasks (standing on blocks, tandem stance, headstand) while center of pressure (CoP) excursion was recorded, and a proactive balance task (time to stabilization after landing, TTS). Strength assessments included isometric mid-thigh pull, handgrip, countermovement jump (CMJ), and push-up tests. <b>Results:</b> Correlational, regression, and inter-group analyses highlighted differences in strength–balance relationships across groups. Maximal isometric strength and CMJ power were the strongest predictors of static standing balance, with greater predictive strength in the circa-PHV group, underscoring the role of maturation in strength–balance interactions. The results also revealed that strength parameters influenced balance differently depending on the task, suggesting that specific balance types (static–proactive) and tasks (standing–inverted) require distinct strength capacities. <b>Conclusions:</b> Strength’s influence on balance varies by maturational stage, emphasizing the need for tailored training programs to enhance balance and optimize performance in young gymnasts.https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/9/4/255center of pressurestage of maturityadolescencepostural swayassociationsheadstand
spellingShingle Ignacio Gómez-Dolader
Alejandro Martínez-Cruces
Pureza Leal-del-Ojo
Luis Arturo Gómez-Landero
Strength Proxies Explain Balance Task Performance by Proximity to Peak Height Velocity in Young Acrobatic Gymnasts
Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology
center of pressure
stage of maturity
adolescence
postural sway
associations
headstand
title Strength Proxies Explain Balance Task Performance by Proximity to Peak Height Velocity in Young Acrobatic Gymnasts
title_full Strength Proxies Explain Balance Task Performance by Proximity to Peak Height Velocity in Young Acrobatic Gymnasts
title_fullStr Strength Proxies Explain Balance Task Performance by Proximity to Peak Height Velocity in Young Acrobatic Gymnasts
title_full_unstemmed Strength Proxies Explain Balance Task Performance by Proximity to Peak Height Velocity in Young Acrobatic Gymnasts
title_short Strength Proxies Explain Balance Task Performance by Proximity to Peak Height Velocity in Young Acrobatic Gymnasts
title_sort strength proxies explain balance task performance by proximity to peak height velocity in young acrobatic gymnasts
topic center of pressure
stage of maturity
adolescence
postural sway
associations
headstand
url https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/9/4/255
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AT purezalealdelojo strengthproxiesexplainbalancetaskperformancebyproximitytopeakheightvelocityinyoungacrobaticgymnasts
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