Neuromuscular and physiological assessment during a vertical jumping test in aerobic gymnastics

Abstract

In executing aerobic gymnastics technical elements, a high level of explosive power is needed, especially at lower-body muscle groups. In addition, to maintain the specific effort during routine length (1 min 30 s - 1 min 45 s), an optimal development of specific endurance training and a high capacity of focusing is required, in order to execute the technical elements with accuracy. The purpose of this study was to elaborate a testing protocol to evaluate the physical effort capacity necessary to perform specific technical elements in aerobic gymnastics. The proposed testing protocol, is aimed at assessing neuromuscular behavior of lower-body muscle action and the physiological demands, in a maximal vertical jump test (MVJ). The neuromuscular assessment of the of lower-body was achieved by measuring the specific vertical jump parameters, respectively the power in the take-off phase (P) and the height of the jump (JH). The testing protocol consisted of three sets of maximum vertical jumps, lasting 30 s each, with a 15 s rest time between sets. For the physiological demands, as a result of test implementation, heart rate (HR) and the blood lactate concentration (La) were measured. The study was conducted on a group of 13 junior level gymnasts, 7 females and 6 males (aged 14-16 years, average height 163 SD 8.1 cm, average weight 50.69 SD 8.47 kg). The results of this study confirm the proposed methodology reflects an objective view of the physical training status necessary for specific effort accomplishment in aerobic performance gymnastics.