Marina Piazza

Use of video observation and motor imagery on jumping performance in national rhythmic gymnastics athletes.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a mental training protocol could improve gymnastic jumping performance. Seventy-two rhythmic gymnasts were randomly divided into an experimental and control group. At baseline, experimental group completed the Movement Imagery Questionnaire Revised (MIQ-R) to assess the gymnast ability to generate movement imagery. A repeated measures design was used to compare two different types of training aimed at improving jumping performance: (a) video observation and PETTLEP mental training associated with physical practice, for the experimental group, and (b) physical practice alone for the control group. Before and after six weeks of training, their jumping performance was measured using the Hopping Test (HT), Drop Jump (DJ), and Counter Movement Jump (CMJ). Results revealed differences between jumping parameters F(1,71)=11.957; p<.01, and between groups F(1,71)=10.620; p<.01. In the experimental group there were significant correlations between imagery ability and the post-training Flight Time of the HT, r(34)=-.295, p<.05 and the DJ, r(34)=-.297, p<.05. The application of the protocol described herein was shown to improve jumping performance, thereby preserving the elite athletes energy for other tasks.

ACE and AGTR1 polymorphisms in elite rhythmic gymnastics.

In the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene, Alu deletion, in intron 16, is associated with higher concentrations of ACE serum activity and this may be associated with elite sprint and power performance. The Alu insertion is associated with lower ACE levels and this could lead to endurance performance. Moreover, recent studies have identified a single-nucleotide polymorphism of the angiotensin type 1 receptor gene AGTR1, which seems to be related to ACE activity. The aim of this study was to examine the involvement of the ACE and the AGTR1 gene polymorphisms in 28 Italian elite rhythmic gymnasts (age range 21 ± 7.6 years), and compare them to 23 middle level rhythmic gymnasts (age range 17 ± 10.9 years). The ACE D allele was significantly more frequent in elite athletes than in the control population (χ(2)=4.07, p=0.04). Comparisons between the middle level and elite athletes revealed significant differences (p<0.0001) for the ACE DD genotype (OR=6.48, 95% confidence interval=1.48-28.34), which was more frequent in elite athletes. There were no significant differences in the AGTR1 A/C genotype or allele distributions between the middle level and elite athletes. In conclusion, the ACE D allele genotype could be a contributing factor to high-performance rhythmic gymnastics that should be considered in athlete development and could help to identify which skills should be trained for talent promotion.

Anti-collusion indices and averages for the evaluation of performances and judges

Abstract In subjectively assessed artistic sports, judges sometimes collude. To avoid this, Federations adopt various strategies in their regulations. However, it is evident that these methods are often not sufficient to overcome collusions completely. The problem is especially difficult in cases where the judging panel consists of sub-commissions that deal with particular aspects of each performance and the scores of each sub-commission are summarized as mean values, which, in turn, are combined into a final mark. Therefore, the formulation of anti-collusion indices would be useful to assess judges and take account of such scores, rejecting the less reliable ones. An anti-collusion index and related average, recently introduced, can be applied in fields other than sports. This article presents some useful considerations for the application of such instruments to the field of sport.

Effects of resistance training on jumping performance in pre adolescent rhythmic gymnasts: a randomized controlled study

The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of two different resistance training programs on lower limb explosive and reactive strength in young female athletes. Fifty seven rhythmic gymnasts were randomly assigned to unspecific resistance training with dumbbells (12 repetition maximum squats) (n = 19; age = 12.0 +/- 1.8 years) or to specific resistance training with weighted belts (6% of body mass; n = 18; age = 11.9 +/- 1.0 years). Squat jump test, counter movement jump test, hopping test, flexibility of the hip, and anthropometric measures were assessed before and after six weeks training. The main result was that both unspecific resistance training and specific resistance training protocols positively affected the jumping performance, with an increase of the lower limb explosive strength of 6-7%, with no side effects. Counter movement jump flight time increased significantly (p < 0.01) while hopping test ground contact time significantly decreased (p < 0.01). No significant differences were detected among groups for flexibility, body mass, calf and thigh circumferences. Therefore, six weeks of resistance training that integrates different elements of rhythmic gymnastics training enhance jumping ability in young female athletes.

Time-of-Day Effects on Static and Dynamic Balance in Elite Junior Athletes and Untrained Adolescents:

The aim of the present study was to analyse the daily variation of balance in two groups of female adolescents: elite athletes (n=20, aged 13.2 ± 0.5 years) and untrained students (n=20, aged 12.9 ± 0.6 years). Participants underwent two testing sessions over two days at two different times each day. Morningness-Eveningness self-assessment questionnaire was administered to assess the chronotype of the participants and oral temperature was measured too. Significant group differences were found in the overall balance tests (p<0.01). Athlete group showed no significant differences in balance tests with respect to the time-of-day. Untrained adolescents attained better results in the morning in the dynamic balance tests (p<0.01). No correlations were found between chronotype, oral temperature variations and balance tests scores. The main outcome of the study was that elite athletes did not show time-of-day effects on balance, whereas the untrained adolescents achieved better results in the morning.