Predictors of success in female rhythmic gymnasts

E. Kioumourtzoglou, V. Derri, G. Tzetzis, T. Kourtessis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Two groups of female athletes (N=40), members of the Greek national team in rhythmic gymnastics, aged 11 to 12 yrs and 13 to 15 were tested in order to (a) identify the perceptual and motor abilities related to succesful rhythmic gymnastics performance at different age groups and (b) study the predictive power of these abilities between different age groups. The subjects were tested on choice reaction time, whole-body reaction time, depth perception, limb coordination, dynamic balance, kinesthesis, and eye-hand coordination. Rhythmic gymnastics success was represented by the gymnasts' single score in performing routines with rope, hoop, and ball as well as by their all-round score achieved at the Greek championship in 1996. Results showed that different abilities correlated significantly with each of the three scores and with the total success score for each age group. In the youngest group of elite athletes, eye-hand coordination, whole-body reaction time and depth perception explained 40% of the all-round skill. In the oldest group, dynamic balance, kinesthesis and depth perception explained 56% of the all-round skill. It seems that specific abilities support skilled performance in different age groups.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)33-48
Number of pages16
JournalJournal of Human Movement Studies
Volume34
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - 1998

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