EQOL Journal (2020) 12(2):
REVIEW ARTICLE
Anthropometric characteristics of rhythmic gymnasts
Jelena Lukić1 ✉
Received: 8th August, 2020 |
DOI: 10.31382/eqol.201205 |
Accepted: 7th December, 2020 |
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© The Author(s) 2020. This article is published with open access. |
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Abstract
In esthetic sports, such as rhythmic gymnastics, body size and body composition can directly affect performance and outcome. The aim of this study was to identify anthropometric characteristics and to notice their impact on the prediction of higher performance in rhythmic gymnastics. For the needs of this review, scientific literature was analyzed from prestigious scientific journals. This systematic review included available data from the following databases: Google Scholar, Springer, PubMed, Europe PMC and research databases. Studies with the following criteria were included: anthropometric characteristics, profile or status and somatic constitution, body composition, somatotypes and morphological models, factors influencing performance and the level of the performance (reliability), and being published in English and Serbian language. Out of total 52 studies, reviewed 9 studies met the inclusion criteria. Based on the findings of the present study it could be concluded that anthropometric characteristics are an important item on the basis of which talent identification, sports selection and programming of training and nutrition plan is performed.
Keywords rhythmic gymnastics • anthropometric characteristics • anthropometric profile • morphological models.
✉bleki1705@hotmail.com
1University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, Novi Sad, Serbia
Introduction
Rhythmic gymnastics (RG) is a unique blend of gymnastics, dance and handling apparatus (ribbon, ball, clubs, hoop, rope). It is a sport that at first glance captivates with the elegance, great body movement and mastery with apparatus, all in the unbreakable connection with music.
It has already been well documented that body size and body build contribute significantly to performance in many sports, particularly in aesthetic sports and all kinds of dancing. Within the group of the
Anthropometric measurements have traditionally been used in the identification of young talented female gymnasts (Bradshaw & Rossignol, 2004).
Anthropometrical assessment helps to improve the understanding of gross functioning of the human body by measurement of body’s size, shape, proportions and compositions using non- invasive, affordable and portable devices (Claessens et al., 1991; Chamorro, et al., 2012; Muqarram, 2015; Kaur & Koley, 2019).
Rhythmic gymnasts are characterized by a
The establishment of morphological characteristics with performance of specific skills may be very helpful in the early stages of the rhythmic gymnastics training process as well as in the sport selection process (Jelicic, Sekulic, & Marinovic, 2002).
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EQOL Journal (2020) 12(2):
Studying the contribution of anthropometry to the results of a sample of top female artistic gymnasts competing at the World Gymnastics Championships, Claessens et al (1999) found out that there is a relatively strong relationship between several anthropometric variables and gymnastic performance in a sample of elite female gymnasts, but the associations are not sufficiently high to predict performance scores on an individual basis.
Di Cagno et al (2008a), examining how leaping ability and body composition help in talent identification, found certain anthropometric measures, such as body height, thigh length and fat- free mass, to be good predictors of better performance.
Average body height and mass of female athletes in many sports, as in sports games, swimming, or tennis, to mention a few, corresponds to or is often above the median value of the average nontrained peer population of girls. However, in the group of esthetic sports, track disciplines of
The aim of this study was to identify anthropometric characteristics and to notice their impact on the prediction of higher performance in RG.
Method
Study design
This paper is written and reported based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta- Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines (Liberati, et al., 2009).
Search strategy
This systematic review included available data from the following databases: Google Scholar, Springer, PubMed, Europe PMC and research databases. All the studies listed in this paper were published in the period from 2004 to 2016.
The following key words were used to find the study: rhythmic gymnastics, anthropometric
characteristics, anthropometric profile, morphological models, somatotype, elite athletes,
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maturation, body composition, body constitution, performance characteristics, level of performance.
Eligibility criteria and information sources
In order to identify the relevant literature, inclusion and exclusion criteria were clearly defined.
Studies with the following criteria were included:
(i)anthropometric characteristics, profile or status and somatic constitution, (ii) body composition, (iii) somatotypes and morphological models, (iv) factors influencing performance and the level of the performance (reliability), and (v) were published in English and/or Serbian language. In addition, the following screening steps have been taken: the title and abstract were read to confirm that the criteria for inclusion of articles in our review article were met; if so, then the whole article is read in its entirety in order to extract data on the country, the year of the author and the publication, the sample size, the measuring instruments and the main descriptive results.
Exclusion criteria for choosing studies for this review was if (i) they were published in other language than English and Serbian, (ii) were not exclusively about rhythmic gymnasts and (iii) did not report anthropometric measures.
Study records, screening and selection of citations
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EQOL Journal (2020) 12(2):
Figure 1. The PRISMA flow diagram
Results
A total of 537 rhythmic gymnasts participated in these studies. All 9 studies include female gymnasts and just one of them includes male gymnasts as well (Di Cagno, et al., 2009). The mean age of the gymnasts participated in these studies are 7 to 26 years. Complete data details of each study are presented in Table 1.
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Table 1. Details of the studies used in this review: sample, origin, mean age, anthropometric variables, other variables.
Study |
Sample |
Origin |
Mean age |
Anthropometric variables |
Other variables |
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Miletić, et al., |
n=50 |
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7.10±0.3 |
Weight, height, biacromial |
13 motor and 20 specific rhythmic gymnastics tests |
2004 |
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years |
diameter, wrist length, foot |
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diameter, abdomen |
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circumference, forearm |
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circumference, upper leg |
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circumference, triceps |
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skinfold, subscapular |
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skinfold and abdomen |
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skinfold |
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D’Alessandro, |
n=55 |
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15.2 ±2.2 |
Height, weight, middle arm |
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et al., 2007 |
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years |
circumference, forearm |
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circumference, chest |
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circumference, waist |
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circumference, Hip |
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circumference, triceps |
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skinfold thickness, biceps |
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skinfold thickness, |
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subscapular skinfold |
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thickness, iliac skinfold |
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thickness, middle |
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circumference |
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Di Cagno, et |
n=63 |
Olympic Games in |
Juniors |
Height, sitting height, weight, |
Fat mass, fat free mass, |
al., 2008b |
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Athens |
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thigh length, five diameters - |
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14.1±2.2 |
biacromial, toracic, bicristal, |
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years (2002) |
elbow and knee, two |
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12.2±1.8 |
circumferences |
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years (2006) |
flexed |
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folds thickness at three body |
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Seniors |
sites (triceps, subscapular, |
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15.8±2.0 |
suprailiac) |
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years (2002) |
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17.8 ±1.5
years (2006)
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EQOL Journal (2020) 12(2): |
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Douda, et al., |
n=34 |
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13.41±1.62 |
Height, body mass, armspan, |
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Physical fitness, physiological measurements |
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2008 |
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years |
sitting height, skin fold |
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thicknesses (triceps and calf), |
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14 circumferences (shoulder, |
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chest, waist, abdominal, |
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buttocks, proximal thigh, |
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midthigh, distal thigh, calf, |
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ankle, arm, forearm, and |
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wrist) and 8 diameters |
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(biacromial, chest, biiliac, |
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bitrochanteric, knee, ankle, |
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elbow, and wrist) |
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n=127 |
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„Druga gimnazija“ |
Body height, body mass, arm, |
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Mean chest, upper arm, upper and lower leg and waits volume; |
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et al., 2008 |
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High School in |
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hand, leg and foot length, |
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Sarajevo |
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biacromial span, elbow, |
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RG elements in exercises without props: |
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wrist, knee, ankle and hand |
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children's jumps, "arabesque" level, |
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diameter, bicrystal span, back |
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degrees turn, body wave aside, swing infront of |
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skin fold, upper arm skin |
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legs, cat jump, ring" balance, rolling on the |
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fold, stomach skin fold, |
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ground, |
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lower leg fold |
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Di Cagno, et |
n=24 |
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22±4 years |
Stature, sitting height, body |
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BMI, |
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al., 2009 |
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mass, thigh length, triceps, |
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subscapular, suprailiac skin |
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Explosive leg power (squat jump, Countermovement jump, Hopping |
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folds. |
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test) technical jumps (Split Leap with stretched Legs (SL); Cossack |
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with 180◦ of rotation (CK); Jeté with turn (JWT)) |
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Ávila- |
n=84 |
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RG World Cups in |
18.59±2.44 |
Body mass, height, thoracic |
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Body Mass Index, Body Fat, Fat Mass, Lean Body Mass; |
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Carvalho, et |
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Portimão, |
years |
circumference, hip |
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al., 2012 |
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circumference, arm |
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Portugal (2009, |
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circumference, thigh |
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2010) |
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circumference, waist |
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Age of initiation in RG, practice, training duration, training Volume; |
circumference, calf
circumference
Age at menarche
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Purenović- |
n=40 |
Serbian National |
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13.04±2.79 |
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Body height, body |
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Endomorphy, mesomorphy, |
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Ivanović & |
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Popović, 2014 |
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Championships |
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Years |
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mass, four skin folds (over |
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ectomorphy |
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(2012) |
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triceps, |
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subscapular, supraspinale, |
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and calf), biceps girth (flexed |
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90° and tense), |
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standing calf girth, humerus |
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breadth and femur breadth |
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Arriaza, et al., |
n=60 |
Chilean national |
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Preschoolers |
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Basic |
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BMI, muscular mass, fat mass, endomorphy, |
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2016 |
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team |
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and |
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weight and height, skin folds: |
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mesomorphy, |
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schoolers |
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triceps, |
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ectomorphy |
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10.6±1.1 |
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subscapularis, supraspinatus, |
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years |
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abdomen, thigh and calf, |
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Juniors |
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body diameters: humerus and |
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femur, body perimeters: |
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13.7±0.8 |
relaxed arm, fully contracted |
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years |
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arm, forearm, thorax, |
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Seniors |
rip, |
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17.0±1.1 |
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years |
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Discussion
Based on basic anthropometric data, most studies have studied body composition (body mass index, body fat, fat mass, lean body mass) (D’Alessandro, et al., 2007; Di Cagno, et al., 2008b; 2009; Šebić- Zuhrić, et al., 2008;
Based on the study by Miletić et al. (2004), the defined factors of anthropologic status of girls have a varying impact on learning new motor knowledge and skills depending on whether large amplitude movements or small amplitude wrist movements (specifically, apparatus manipulation) are performed. Accordingly, successful motor learning and performance of basic motor skills in RG (balance, jumps, rotation and flexibility) will primarily depend on the development of flexibility, and to a lesser extent of explosive strength, along with under- average adipose tissue, whereas successful apparatus (clubs, ribbon and ball) manipulation will depend on the frequency of movements, along with a moderate ectomesomorphic somatotype in girls.
According to the PCA procedure applied in the study by Douda, et al. (2008), successful performance in rhythmic gymnastics depends on 6 components among which are anthropometric characteristics. One of their major findings is that RG performance- ranking scores can be significantly explained by anthropometric and
As rhythmic gymnastics began to be practiced by the male population, it is important to note that similar anthropological characteristics have to be attained to reach high results for both genders (Di Cagno, et al., 2009). Low fat mass and
The discussion on the anthropometric factors, in addition to a good command of the morphological type of elite gymnasts, must be based on the characteristics of beginners, the monitoring of the level of motor information and the relations with other segments of the anthropological status during growth and development
As mentioned earlier, the size, build and aesthetic appearance of the body, affect the better performance
Conclusion
This review emphasizes the role of anthropometry in RG. It is very important to consider the connection between anthropometric characteristics with functional abilities and motor skills when selecting and training young talents. In addition to help in talent identification and sport selection process, anthropometric characteristics can serve as guidelines for programming the training and diet for higher performance.
References
Aleksander, M. (1991). Physiological characteristics of top ranked rhythmic gymnasts over three years. Journal of human movements studies, 21,
Arriaza, E., Rodríguez, C., Carrasco, C., Mardones, C., Niedmann, L., &
Bradshaw, E., & Rossignol, P. (2004). Anthropometric and biomechanical field measures of floor and vault ability in 8 to 14 year old
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Chamorro, G., Belando, S. E., Lorenzo, G., Lafarga, B., & Roche, E. (2012). Skinfolds sum: reference values for top athletes. IntJ of Morphology, 30(3),
Claessens, A., Lefevre, J., Beunen, G., & Malina, R. (1999). The contribution of anthropometric characteristics to performanse scores in elite female gymnasts. The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness,
Claessens, A., Lefevre, J., Beunen, G., Stijnena, V., Maesa, H., & Veerb, M. (1991). Gymnastic performance as
related to anthropometric and somatotype characteristics in male gymnasts. Anthrop. Kozl., 33,
D’Alessandro, C., Morelli, E., Evangelisti, I., Galetta, F., Franzoni, F., Lazzeri, D., . . . Cupisti, A. (2007). Profiling the Diet and Body Composition of Subelite Adolescent Rhythmic Gymnasts. Pediatr. Exer. Sci., 19(2),
Di Cagno, A., Baldari, C., Battaglia, C., Brasili, P., Merni, F., Piazza, M., . . . Guidetti, L. (2008a). Leaping ability and body composition in rhythmic gymnasts for talent identification. The Journal of Sports m+Medicine and Physical Fitness, 48(3),
Di Cagno, A., Baldari, C., Battaglia, C., Monteiro, M., Pappalardo, A., Piazza, M., & Guidetti, L. (2009). Factors influencing performance of competitive and amateur rhythmic
Di Cagno, A., Battaglia, C., & Guidetti, L. (2008b). Antropometric characteristics evolution in elite rhytmics gymnasts. Italian Jurnal of anatomy and embriology, 113(1),
Douda, H., Toubekis, A., Avloniti, A., & Tokmakidis, S.
(2008). Physiological and Anthropometric Determinants of Rhythmic Gymnastics Performance.
How to cite this article:
International Journal of Sports Physiology & Performance, 3(1),
Jelicic, M., Sekulic, D., & Marinovic, M. (2002). Anthropometric characteristics of high level European junior basketball players. Coll Antropol,
Kaur, K., & Koley, S. (2019). Anthropometric Determinants of Competitive Performance in Gymnastics: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Health Sciences and Research, 9(7), 249- 256.
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APA:
MLA:
Chicago:
Lukić, J. (2020). Anthropometric characteristics of rhythmic gymnasts. Exercise and Quality of Life, 12(2),
Lukić, Jelena. "Anthropometric characteristics of rhythmic gymnasts." Exercise and Quality of Life 12.2 (2020):
Lukić, Jelena. "Anthropometric characteristics of rhythmic gymnasts." Exercise and Quality of Life 12, no. 2 (2020):
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