Enhancing physical and functional fitness through the integration of health fitness elements in young gymnasts

• Published in: Journal of Physical Education and Sport 2023-10, Vol.23 (10), p.2685-2691
• Main Authors: Romanova, Elena, Vorozheikin, Anton, Bayankin, Oleg, Limarenko, Olga, Bolotin, Alexander, Tyupa, Pavel, Aganov, Sergey, Pronin, Evgeny, Anisimov, Maksim
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Athletes; Body Weight; Conditioning; Control Groups; Coordination; Exercise; Experimental Groups; Experiments; Females; Gymnastics; Muscular Strength; Pedagogy; Physical fitness; Resistance (Psychology); Scientific Concepts; Scientific Research; Specialization; Sporting goods; Sports injuries; Sports training; Wellness
• ISSN: 2247-8051; 2247-806X
• DOI: 10.7752/jpes.2023.10307

The search for innovative technologies to enhance the organization and execution of training sessions in rhythmic gymnastics is a pressing challenge. Currently, the intricacy and virtuosity of sports performance programs, choreography, technique, and tactics continue to increase. Athletes must possess a heightened physical and functional potential to excel in this demanding sport. The objective of this study was to elevate the efficacy of physical and functional training for 10-11-year-old female athletes specializing in rhythmic gymnastics during the stage of sports perfection. To address this, we developed and implemented innovative exercises from health fitness, integrating sports equipment into the annual training macrocycle. Materials and methods. The pedagogical experiment involved 20 female athletes aged 10-11 years, actively involved in rhythmic gymnastics during the third year of sports specialization at a sports school in the Siberian Federal District (Russia). Randomly divided into control (CG, n = 10) and experimental (EG, n = 10) groups. The gymnasts underwent training using a supplementary sports program aligned with the federal standard for sports training in artistic gymnastics. In the preparatory phase, we introduced innovative physical exercises utilizing sports equipment commonly associated with health and fitness. This involved performing exercise complexes on a stepping platform, a Bosu hemisphere, and fitness sliders. The specific physical training in both groups remained consistent, encompassing exercises using traditional equipment for rhythmic gymnastics. Throughout the experiment, both CG and EG gymnasts underwent limit tests evaluating functional indicators, basic motor qualities, static and dynamic balance, and control exercises from specialized physical training in rhythmic gymnastics. Results. After the annual pedagogical experiment, it was evident that gymnasts in the EG group significantly outperformed the CG group, which adhered to a traditional training program. The superiority of the EG group extended to basic motor qualities, cardio-respiratory functional indicators, static and dynamic balance, as well as control exercises in specialized physical training. Consequently, the EG group exhibited heightened levels of physical fitness compared to the CG group. Conclusions. The proposed methodology, integrating health and sports equipment to enhance the physical and functional fitness of young female athletes specializing in r