Evolution of anthropometric and physiological profile of the Spanish rhythmic gymnasts of group exercises in 1996 and 2016 Olympic Games

  • Alicia Canda Moreno Anthropometry Service. Center of Sports Medicine. Spanish Agency for the Protection of Health in Sport. Superior Council of Sports. Spain.
  • Manuel Rabadán Physiology Service. Center of Sports Medicine. Spanish Agency for the Protection of Health in Sport. Superior Council of Sports. Spain.
  • Lucía Sainz Physiology Service. Center of Sports Medicine. Spanish Agency for the Protection of Health in Sport. Superior Council of Sports. Spain.
  • Luis Agorreta Anthropometry Service. Center of Sports Medicine. Spanish Agency for the Protection of Health in Sport. Superior Council of Sports. Spain.
Keywords: Gimnasia Rítmica, Antropometría, Capacidad Funcional Rhythmics Gymnastics, Anthropometry, Functional Capacity Ginástica rítmica, Antropometria, Capacidade funcional

Abstract

Objective: To determine the anthropometric and physiological profile of the Spanish rhythmic gymnastics teams at the 1996 and 2016 Olympic Games; reflection of the changes in this sport.

Method: the team consisted of six gymnasts in 1996 and five in 2016. It was performed an anthropometric study of body composition, somatotype and proportionality; and a test of maximum effort in treadmill for determination of the maximum consumption of oxygen and ventilatory thresholds. Statistical differences were determined by the Mann-Whitney U, p < 0.05.

Results: Gymnasts at the 1996 Olympics were younger and had lighter weight, size and wingspan than the ones of the group of 2016. The percentage of fat and the sum of skinfolds were similar in both sets. The group of 2016 had greater muscle mass (kg) and muscle cross-sectional areas at arm, thigh and leg. The group of 1996 had a higher ectomorfic component. The maximum aerobic power was superior in the group of 2016 in absolute values (l/min), but equal in relative values to body weight (ml·kg-1·min-1).

Conclusion: 2016 rhythmic gymnastics team is integrated by athletes more experienced in high competition and greater muscle-skeletal development which gives them more muscle strength for the correct execution of the new acrobatic elements, jumps and throws that define the exercise today.

Published
2019-03-22
Section
Originals
Page/s
258-262