Balance, together with other motor qualities, plays an important role in the successful execution of specific gymnastic skills. However, it is also not clear whether different demands on dynamic balance and power produced by lower limb can be observed in sport-specific differences among gymnasts of various modalities. The question also is as to what extent isokinetic leg muscle strength contributes to anterior and posterior postural stability in gymnasts. Therefore, the aim of the study was i) to compare variables of dynamic balance and isokinetic leg muscle strength in rhythmic, artistic, and aerobic gymnasts, and ii) to investigate the relationship of reach distances in anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions, as well as the composite score in the Y-balance test with an isokinetic muscle strength during knee extension and flexion at different velocities in female gymnasts of various disciplines. Altogether seven aerobic, five artistic, and six rhythmic gymnasts performed the Y-balance test and isokinetic leg muscle strength test at 60°/s, 180°/s, and 300°/s. Results showed significant between-group differences in the composite score in the Y-balance test of the dominant (F = 3.536, p = .041) and non-dominant symmetry (F = 4.804, p = .015). Similarly, average power produced during knee extension and knee flexion at 60°/s, 180°/s and 300°/s differed significantly among these groups (all at p˂0.05). In addition, there was a significant relationship between the composite score of the dominant limb symmetry and isokinetic dominant limb extension strength at 60°/s (r = .54), 180°/s (r = .87), and 300°/s (r = .84) in aerobic gymnasts. The composite score of the dominant limb symmetry was also associated with isokinetic dominant limb extension strength, albeit only at 60°/s in both artistic (r = .60) and rhythmic gymnasts (r = .55). Such between-group differences may be ascribed to their different demands on maintenance of balance under dynamic conditions and leg muscle power within their sport specializations. Taking into account significant association between the dominant limb symmetry and isokinetic dominant limb extension strength, it may be concluded that both muscle strength and fast speeds contribute to dynamic balance in adolescent gymnasts.

This study investigates individual performance adaptations on 2 years of training between European Aerobics Championships. An elite, 22-year-old aerobic gymnast performed postural coordination test, Y-Balance test, squat and countermovement jumps, 60 s test of repeated jumps, an isokinetic leg muscle strength test, and the Wingate test. Postural stability and flexibility improved in terms of increased distance achieved in the Y-Balance test in the anterior (by 6.3%), posteromedial (by 2%), and posterolateral (by 4.8%) directions. Lower limb muscular endurance also increased, which can be corroborated by a reduced fatigue index in the 60 s test of repeated jumps (from 42% to 27% after the 1^st and to 22% after the 2^nd year of training). In addition, mean power increased during dominant (by 23.2% at 60°/s and by 18.5% at 180°/s) and non-dominant leg extension (by 4.9% at 180°/s and by 15.5% at 300°/s), plus dominant leg flexion (by 2.0% at 60°/s and by 6.9% at 300°/s). Similarly, peak torque/body weight ratio increased during dominant (by 24.9% at 60°/s, by 11.5% at 180°/s, and by 2.1% at 300°/s) and non-dominant leg extension (by 0.5% at 60°/s and by 6.4% at 300°/s), plus dominant leg flexion (by 1.7% at 60°/s and by 5.4% at 300°/s). However, 2 years of training failed to show any significant improvements in the explosive power of lower limbs and anaerobic performance. These findings indicate that general aerobic gymnastics training without any specific inputs leads to performance adaptation, namely, in abilities closely related to competition routine (dynamic balance and strength endurance of lower limbs).

The aim of our study was to discover the effect of different types of feedback in teaching/learning of difficulty elements of aerobic gymnastics. The study was designed as a one-group comparative interrupted time study. For this purpose, eight gymnasts competing in the national development category were selected (average age 9 ± 1.5 years; average sport age 4 ± 1.5 years). The design of the study included two intervention programs; each lasting 23 days interrupted by an 8-week break. In intervention program 1, the group practiced a straddle jump using self-modeling followed by verbal feedback, and in intervention program 2 the group practiced a split jump using expert modeling followed by verbal feedback. The experimental group practiced three times a week for a period of 30 min per usual training session (normally lasting 90 min). The results showed that the execution of the elements in both intervention programs improved at the 5% level of significance. In intervention program 1, we noted a significant improvement (p ≤ 0.05) in subphase approach and culmination. In intervention program 2, we noted a significant improvement (p ≤ 0.05) in culmination only. There was no significant difference between the changes of the final scores of the executed elements in intervention programs 1 and 2. Comparing the results of individual subphases, we noted no significant difference either.

The authors evaluated the effect of 3 months of resistance and aerobic training (3 sessions/week) on body balance in a group of 25 overweight and obese individuals. Prior to and after the training, they performed static and task-oriented balance tests under various conditions. Mean center of pressure (CoP) velocity and mean trace length of the CoP in the y-axis registered during a one-legged stance significantly decreased after the resistance training (19.1%, p = .024; 29.3%, p = .009). Mean trace length of the CoP in the y-axis decreased significantly also during a bipedal stance on a foam surface with eyes open and closed (10.9%, p = .040; 18.2%, p = .027). In addition, mean CoP distance and mean squared CoP distance in the anteroposterior direction during a visually guided center of mass (CoM) tracking task significantly improved (14.7%, p = .033; 28.2%, p = .016). However, only mean trace length of the CoP in the y-axis during a bipedal stance on a foam surface with eyes open and closed significantly decreased after the aerobic training (10.3%, p = .047; 16.5%, p = .029). It may be concluded that resistance training is more efficient for the improvement of the anteroposterior unilateral stability and the accuracy of the regulation of the CoM anteroposterior position than aerobic training in overweight and obese individuals.

Biomechanical considerations as reflected in correct or incorrect technique, particularly in all gymnastic disciplines are more than undoubted. The stag leap as a variation of split leaps is one of the fundamental gymnastics skill and a key movement in the development of elite female gymnasts. The aim of the study was to analyse the kinematic characteristics of the stag leap with back bend of the trunk performed in rhythmic gymnastics and simultaneously find out the explosive power regarding this particular element. A member of Slovakian national team was involved in the study. Kinematic characteristics of the element were analysed. A capture system consisting of 8 infrared cameras were employed to collect the data. The explosive power of the lower limbs were diagnosed by a jump ergometer with 2 standardized tests: vertical counter-movement jump with the fixation of the arms and 10-second repetitive vertical jumps with arms movements. In addition, the explosive power of the lower limbs was also observed in the flight phase of the element. The results in 10-second repetitive jumps show the highest value of gymnast centre of mass 46.4 cm, contact time 0.195 s and the best active output in the flight phase 58.3 W.kg^-1. While performing the difficulty element, slightly different data were observed due to the complexity and more demanding motor coordination of both upper and lower body segments: the highest value of gymnast centre of mass was 40.8 cm, contact time 0.209 s and the output in the active flight phase 52.8 W.kg^-1.  

The article dealt with the assessment of somatic changes of the students at the Slovak University of Technology (STU), Faculty of Mechanical Engineering (FME), specifically expressed by Body Mass Index (BMI) and Waist Hip Ratio (WHR) during the years 2007 and 2013. In total 2228 men were involved in the study and measured upon their entry at the university. It was found out that the values of BMI belonged to the category of average range measured for adults (from 22.96 kg.m-2 to 24.60 kg.m-2) and indicates standard values. Statistically significant differences (p<0.01) were discovered between the years 2011 (23.70 kg.m-2) and 2012 (24.60 kg.m-2), 2012 (24.60 kg.m-2) and 2013 (22.96 kg.m-2). In 2012 participants achieved in average the highest values (BMI = 24.60 kg.m-2), which borders with a moderate overweight. In the contrary, in 2013 the students achieved the lowest values of BMI (22.96 kg.m-2). A slight increase of average BMI values may be observed from the first test in 2007 until 2012. The predominance of standard weight was measured at 71% of the total number of monitored students and the predominance of overweight was measured at 22% of students from the total number of university students. The observation of WHR numbers makes us conclude that during our seven year study no significant differences were discovered in the first five years. The values were stable and from the mean point of view, they do not indicate the risk of development of diseases relating to overweight and obesity. In 2012 and 2013 a slight decrease of WHR values was detected < 0.85. Statistically significant differences (p<0.05) were discovered between the years 2010 (0.854) and 2011 (0.864), and also between 2011 (0.864) and 2012 (0.843). The lowest mean value of WHR was measured when performing the last test in the year 2013 (0.823). There was a statistically significant difference at p<0.05 within the years 2012 and 2013. The highest mean value was discovered in 2011 (0.864). However, the average values achieved in a group of students were lower than 1.0, which can be evaluated as a set with no risk of obesity and overweight disease development