JUMPING ABILITIES IN YOUNG FEMALE GYMNASTS: AGE-GROUP DIFFERENCES

Aleksandra Aleksić-Veljković*, Dejan Madić, Mila Vukadinović
Faculty of Sport and physical education, Novi Sad, Serbia
Katarina Herodek
Faculty of Sport and physical education, Niš, Serbia
Kamenka Živčić Marković, Aida Badić
Faculty of Kinesiology University of Zagreb, Zagreb


Abstract

The aim of the study was to give more informations about jumping abilities of young
female gymnasts. We examine age-related differences in some variables of counter-movement
jump (CMJ) and counter-movement jump with arm swing (CMJA), between two age categories
of young female gymnasts (n=47) and also reliability of testing vertical jump in gymnasts. The
study was conducted on an international competition. Our research has shown that age-related
differences were observed only in height of the jumps, but not in power output of both jumps and
displacement of depth of body’s center of gravity. Jumping capabilities are crucial in gymnastics
in all levels of competitions and in all categories of gymnasts. Testing and periodical monitoring
of young athletes’ abilities are important for defining the training programmes adapted to the
needs of gymnastics and the age of the gymnasts.

Keywords: Artistic gymnastics, explosive leg power, counter-movement jump.



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