The Effect of Eight-week Specific Core Training on Core Stability, Balances and Jumps in Young Rhythmic Gymnasts

NCT04663633 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: CST-RG
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 44
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of an eight-week specific Core Stability Training (CST) on young rhythmic gymnasts. The literature suggests CST may help improve sport performance, however, more studies implementing functional CST and accurate methodology are needed to validate this statement. Little is known about Core Stability (CS) and Rhythmic Gymnastics (RG). The study intends to find out whether CST contributes to the Rhythmic gymnasts core stability, balances and jumps execution enhancement, very important RG performance determinants. It is hypothesized the rhythmic gymnasts will increase their CS, balances and jumps performance once the specific CST is conducted.

Conditions

ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE

Keywords

Core Stability; Core Stability Training; Rhythmic Gymnastics; Plyometric Training; Balance; Rhythmic Gymnastics Jumps

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (11)

• Core stability results on Lumbo-pelvic motor control (LPMC)

  Change from pre-test to post-test in LPMC results. Active Straight Leg Rise (ASLR) test and Bent Knee Fall Out (BKFO) test are the Pressure Biofeedback Unit (PBU) tests selected to measure core motor control of the gymnasts pre-intervention and post-intervention as they help evaluate core control in the three planes of motion. The units of measure are mmHg as the device is an inflatable pad that calculates the pressure the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex exerts over the instrument. The two tests were performed to both sides.

  Up to 12 weeks

• Core stability results on Core strenght and endurance

  Change from pre-test to post-test in core strenght and endurance results. Hip-bridge test is a core stability test used to evaluate the core strength and endurance of the subject. The unit of measure are (s). The test was performed to both sides.

  Up to 12 weeks

• Balance results from a force platform (Center of pressure area)

  Change of Center of pressure (COP) area from pre-test to post-test in balance results. A Romberg test variant, one leg stance test (OLST or SOLEC) was selected to evaluate the gymnasts balance as the gymnasts usually perform their balances over one leg. Eyes open and closed variants were also applied to be able to find more differences between groups. These tests were performed over a force platform, considered a gold standard tool for analysis of postural balance deficits, by means of valid parameters and stabilometry measures of confidence, such as center of pressure (COP) area. The unit of measure is (mm²).

  Up to 16 weeks

• Balance results from a force platform (Sway velocity)

  Change of sway velocity of the COP from pre-test to post-test in balance results. A Romberg test variant, one leg stance test (OLST or SOLEC) was selected to evaluate the gymnasts balance as the gymnasts usually perform their balances over one leg. Eyes open and closed variants were also applied to be able to find more differences between groups. These tests were performed over a force platform, considered a gold standard tool for analysis of postural balance deficits, by means of valid parameters and stabilometry measures of confidence, such as frequency and speed of displacement of the COP. The unit of measure is (mm/s).

  Up to 16 weeks

• Balance results from expert judging

  Change from pre-test to post-test in balance results. Three RG specific balances were selected to evaluate the execution and more specific balance technique of the gymnasts. Pase balance, side balance with help and arabesque balance were performed over the force platform and evaluated by RG international judges experts. The units of measure were points given from the judges.

  Up to 16 weeks

• Jump results from a force platform (height)

  Change of height from pre-test to post-test in jump results. Counter movement jump (CMJ) and single leg counter movement jump (SLCMJ) tests are selected to evaluate gymnasts' jump parameters. Gymnasts perform their leaps with the impulse of one or two legs, thus, it is important to evaluate jumps tests performed from one and both legs. The unit of measure is (m).

  Up to 14 weeks

• Jump results from a force platform (speed)

  Change speed from pre-test to post-test in jump results. Counter movement jump (CMJ) and single leg counter movement jump (SLCMJ) tests are selected to evaluate gymnasts' jump parameters. Gymnasts perform their leaps with the impulse of one or two legs, thus, it is important to evaluate jumps tests performed from one and both legs. The unit of measure is (m/s)

  Up to 14 weeks

• Jump results from a force platform (time of flight)

  Change of time of flight from pre-test to post-test in jump results. Counter movement jump (CMJ) and single leg counter movement jump (SLCMJ) tests are selected to evaluate gymnasts' jump parameters. Gymnasts perform their leaps with the impulse of one or two legs, thus, it is important to evaluate jumps tests performed from one and both legs. The unit of measure is (s).

  Up to 14 weeks

• Jump results from a force platform (power)

  Change of power from pre-test to post-test in jump results. Counter movement jump (CMJ) and single leg counter movement jump (SLCMJ) tests are selected to evaluate gymnasts' jump parameters. Gymnasts perform their leaps with the impulse of one or two legs, thus, it is important to evaluate jumps tests performed from one and both legs. The unit of measure is (W).

  Up to 14 weeks

• Jump results from a force platform (force)

  Change of force from pre-test to post-test in jump results. Counter movement jump (CMJ) and single leg counter movement jump (SLCMJ) tests are selected to evaluate gymnasts' jump parameters. Gymnasts perform their leaps with the impulse of one or two legs, thus, it is important to evaluate jumps tests performed from one and both legs. The unit of measure is (N).

  Up to 14 weeks

• Jump results from expert judging

  Change from pre-test to post-test in jump results. Three RG specific jump elements with different techniques were selected to be evaluated by RG international judges experts, these are the scissors, the stag and the split leap. The units of measure were points given from the judges.

  Up to 14 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• The Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale

  up to 8 weeks

• Peak height velocity (PHV) age

  up to 16 weeks

• Years from PHV age

  up to 16 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Core stability training

EXPERIMENTAL

The EG performed an 8-week core stability training, consisting in 30 min of core stability and plyometric exercises 3 days per week, 24 sessions in total. The CST sessions were conducted in a gym suitable for RG practise and the safety of the participants will be maintained. The equipment necessary for the training was provided to the participants. The coaches are RG professionals with national coach level in RG and volunteered to lead the specific CST designed by a RG national coach and an expert core stability physiotherapist. Before each session EG and CG performed a 15 min warm up. The load of the session was calculated by the RPE (rate of perceived exertion). And was modulated in order to maintain 7-8 intensity.

Other: Core stability training

Traditional RG training

NO INTERVENTION

The CG performed the traditional training while the EG carried out the CST. The training load was calculated to be 7-8 RPE in order that both groups (EG and CG) undergo an equivalent intensity and training load.

Interventions

Core stability training OTHER

Functional Rhythmic Core Stability exercises performed by the experimental group. 30 minutes insert included in the Gymnasts regular training.

Core stability training

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 8 Years - 15 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Competition Gymnasts from Club Muntanyenc Sant Cugat training minimum 3 times per week

You may not qualify if:

• Injured Gymnasts

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University Ramon Llull: lead
• Mònica Solana-Tramunt: collaborator
• Jose Morales: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Blanquerna FPCEE

Barcelona, Catalonia, 08022, Spain

Location

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Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: The assessment of the test is conducted by masked assessors (judges and physiotherapists)
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: University professor

Model Details: Pre-test, intervention and post-test. The Experimental Group performs an eight-week Core Stability Training 3 days a week and the Control Group performs the traditional Rhythmic Gymnastics Training during that period of time.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 12, 2020
• First Posted: December 11, 2020
• Study Start: September 17, 2019
• Primary Completion: July 20, 2021
• Study Completion: September 30, 2022
• Last Updated: November 3, 2022

Record last verified: 2022-11

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

ES (1)