The Effect of the Relationship among Leg Volume, Leg Mass and Flexibility on Success in University Student Elite Gymnasts

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the effect of the relationship among leg volume, leg mass and flexibility on success inuniversity student elite gymnasts. It was conducted on Haliç University, Marmara University, Çukurova Universityand University of Kırşehir Ahi Evran gymnastics teams (male and female) which took part in Turkish IntercollegiateGymnastics Championship and, later, voluntarily participated in this study. While years of age, height and weight ofmale gymnasts participating in the study were 21.20±1.57, 174.00±4.57 and 67.60±6.46 kg, respectively, the samevalues were 21.00±2.65 years of age, 165.31±4.60 cm and 54.62±4.63 kg for female gymnasts, respectively.Spearman correlation analysis was performed using SPSS 22.0 package program for Windows, the level ofsignificance was taken as 0.05. The analysis results indicate a highly positive significant correlation (r=.761, p<0.001)between leg volume and leg mass in male gymnasts, a highly positive significant correlation (r=.674, p<0.01)between leg volume and leg mass in female gymnasts, a highly positive significant correlation (r=.795, p<0.001)between leg volume and leg mass in male and female gymnasts, a low positive significant correlation (r=.361,p<0.05) between leg volume and success in male and female gymnasts, and a moderate positive significantcorrelation (r=.463, p<0.05) between leg mass and success in male and female gymnasts. As a result, gymnastics as asport requires a combination of speed, strength, endurance, agility, and flexibility. Speed, strength, agility andflexibility are important parameters for training and performance. In addition, an optimal amount of leg volume(13000 ml, 14000 ml) and leg mass (13-14 kg) contribute to success in elite gymnasts.