Purpose: 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 × VO₂ max) + (0.157 × arm span) + (0.814 × midthigh circumference) - (0.293 × 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%).Conclusion: 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.

The aim of this study was to examine the influence of leg kick on the pattern, the orientation and the propulsive forces produced by the hand, the efficiency of the arm stroke, the trunk inclination, the inter-arm coordination and the intra-cyclic horizontal velocity variation of the hip in sprint front crawl swimming. Nine female swimmers swam two maximal trials of 25 m front crawl, with and without leg kick. Four camcorders were used to record the underwater movements. Using the legs, the mean swimming velocity increased significantly. On the contrary, the velocity and the orientation of the hand, the magnitude and the direction of the propulsive forces, as well as the Froude efficiency of the arm stroke were not modified. The hip intra-cyclic horizontal velocity variation was also not changed, while the index of coordination decreased significantly. A significant decrease (13%) was also observed in the inclination of the trunk. Thus, the positive effect of leg kick on the swimming speed, besides the obvious direct generation of propulsive forces from the legs, could probably be attributed to the reduction of the body’s inclination, while the generation of the propulsive forces and the efficiency of the arm stroke seem not to be significantly affected.

Fifty-six elderly individuals diagnosed with coronary artery disease participated in the study and were divided into four groups: an aerobic exercise group, a resistance exercise group, a combined (aerobic + resistance) exercise group and a control group. The three exercise groups participated in 8 months of exercise training. Before, at 4 and at 8 months of the training period as well as at 1, 2 and 3 months after training cessation, muscle strength was measured and blood samples were collected. The resistance exercise caused significant increases mainly in muscle strength whereas aerobic exercise caused favourable effects mostly on lipid and apolipoprotein profiles. On the other hand, combined exercise caused significant favourable effects on both physiological (i.e. muscle strength) and biochemical (i.e. lipid and apolipoprotein profile and inflammation status) parameters, while the return to baseline values during the detraining period was slower compared to the other exercise modalities.

Botonis, PG, Toubekis, AG, and Platanou, TI. Physiological and tactical on-court demands of water polo. J Strength Cond Res 33(11): 3188–3199, 2019—The purpose of the present review is to provide a quantification of the specific game's activities performed by elite water polo players and a comprehensive overview of the physiological requirements reflecting physical and tactical on-court demands in water polo. Game analysis demonstrates that various swimming movements occur throughout a match play, although approximately 50% of these are recorded in horizontal body position. The various offensive and defensive tactical actions transiently modify the playing intensity, which overall corresponds to the players' lactate threshold. Even play corresponds to 60% of total game actions, whereas the respective percentage of power-play and counterattacks may exceed 30%. The ability to perform high-intensity activities with short recovery periods is critical for water polo players. Elite water polo players present a high level of aerobic power and endurance as indicated by their maximal oxygen uptake and speed at the lactate threshold. Depending on the positional roles, outfield players are characterized as centers or peripherals. The overall physiological load seems to be similar between players at various positions, despite that centers execute more dynamic body contacts, whereas peripherals more swimming bouts. Despite limitations concerning the experimental setting, the current findings indicate that the incidence of fatigue deteriorates playing intensity and performance. Nonetheless, data from the reviewed studies should be cautiously interpreted because in some of the studies, players' substitutions were not allowed. A high conditioning level is essential for water polo, as it is associated with superior technical and tactical efficacy and lower decline of physical or technical performance within the game.

The purpose of the present study was to compare the critical swimming velocity (CV) in children, with the lactate threshold (LT) and the velocity corresponding to a blood lactate concentration of 4 mmol · l^-1 (V₄). Twenty swimmers (ten females and ten males, mean ± SD age: 12.9 ± 1.1 years, body weight: 51.2 ± 10.0 kg, height: 157.1 ± 9.7 cm) performed four repetitions of 200 m swimming with increasing intensity (80, 85, 90 and 100 % of their 200 m maximum velocity), interspersed with 15 minutes of passive rest. Blood lactate concentration was determined after each repetition. From the speed-lactate curve, the velocity corresponding to LT and V₄ was calculated. In order to calculate CV, all swimmers were timed exerting maximum effort, on distances of 50, 100, 200 and 400 m. CV was expressed as the slope of the linear relationship of time versus distance and was calculated from combinations of four (CV₄) three or two timed distances. Velocity on LT (1.079 ± 0.114 m · s^-1) and V₄ (1.106 ± 0.112 m · s^-1) was comparable to CV₄ (1.085 ± 0.121 m · s^-1). CV calculated from a combination including distances of 50, 100 or 200 m were higher compared to LT (p < 0.05). V₄ was higher compared to CV of 100 - 200 - 400, CV of 200 - 400, CV of 100 - 400 (p < 0.05). The CV calculated from distances of 50 and 100 m was significantly higher than all other velocities (p < 0.05). These results confirm that the critical velocity seems to be a valid, practical and time-saving, non-invasive alternative method which can be applied in the swimming pool by a coach for the evaluation of the endurance capacity of young swimmers. For practical reasons, combinations of less than four distances can be used (i.e. 50 - 400 m, or 50 - 100 - 400 m).