Anthropometric and physical differences of the gymnasts from the talent identification program of the artistic and rhythmic specialties

The aim of our research was to describe the physical and anthropometric characteristics of 25 gymnasts from the talent identification program of the Extreme a Gymnastics Federation. Subjects were classified according to their specialty: women‘s artistic gymnastic (WAG) and rhythmic gymnastics (RG). The dependent variables include body fat percentage through an electronic scale column with stadiometer (SECA 220cm); body circumferences through a plicometer (Holtain); body diameters and specific tests of flexibility through a tape (CM 3m); a heart rate through Ruffier test and a heart rate monitor (Polar F6); isometric strength of lower extremities through a load cell (SSMAJ 5000N); and jumping ability through a contact mat (Lafayette CVP A73). The results concluded that the WAG group got the best results in flexibility tests (p<.05). Also, the RG group had lower body fat percentage and greater SJ jump ability (r=-.774; p<.01) and CMJ (r=-.600; p<.05). However, the WAG group showed a negative relation between body mass index and flexibility (p<.01). We conclude that there are differences in body composition and physical tests between the specialties/styles of women’s artistic gymnastics and female rhythmic gymnastics; we also found relationships between the performance of such tests and anthropometric variables.