The asymmetry of lower limb load in balance beam routines

J 2016

The asymmetry of lower limb load in balance beam routines

PAJEK, Maja Bučar, Petr HEDBÁVNÝ, Miriam KALICHOVÁ and Ivan ČUK

Basic information

Original name

The asymmetry of lower limb load in balance beam routines

Name in Czech

Asymetrie zatížení dolních končetin při cvičení na kladině

Authors

PAJEK, Maja Bučar (705 Slovenia), Petr HEDBÁVNÝ (203 Czech Republic, guarantor, belonging to the institution), Miriam KALICHOVÁ (203 Czech Republic, belonging to the institution) and Ivan ČUK (705 Slovenia)

Edition

Science of Gymnastics Journal, 2016, 1855-7171

Other information

Language

English

Type of outcome

Článek v odborném periodiku

Field of Study

Sport and leisure time activities

Country of publisher

Slovenia

Confidentiality degree

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

References:

URL

RIV identification code

RIV/00216224:14510/16:00089579

Organization unit

Faculty of Sports Studies

UT WoS

000393494700002

Keywords in English

Artistic gymnastic; Female; Injuries; Lateralization

Abstract

V originále

The asymmetry of use of lower limbs may influence balance beam results and injury risk. This research was performed to study how many elements which asymmetrically load lower extremities are included in balance beam routines of professional female gymnasts. We videorecorded all exercises of qualification round on balance beam at an international competition B World Cup in Ljubljana 2014. We analysed take-offs and landings to define the actions done by left leg, both legs simultaneously, or right leg. A delay of at least 0.01 second in recruitment of one of the lower limbs defined the action as being from a single leg. In the routines of 19 included gymnasts we found significant asymmetry of load: right leg initiated 42.87% of actions (on average 12.47±3.32 per routine), while left leg and both legs initiated 29.08 and 28.05% of actions (on average 8.58±2.97 and 8.21±3.07 per routine, respectively). The load on right leg was significantly larger compared to left leg and both legs (p=0.002 and 0.003). Only 4 gymnasts (20.8%) loaded left leg more than right leg. Additional review of code of points revealed that it mostly contains elements (in 60% of cases) where a single leg at take-off or at landing is loaded. We conclude that asymmetric lower limb loading is present at balance beam routines in elite gymnasts. We hypothesize that the unilateral distribution of load may be associated with the unilateral predominance of injuries and this should be analysed in further research.

Citovat

PAJEK, Maja Bučar, Petr HEDBÁVNÝ, Miriam KALICHOVÁ and Ivan ČUK. The asymmetry of lower limb load in balance beam routines. Science of Gymnastics Journal. 2016, vol. 8, No 1, p. 5-13. ISSN 1855-7171.

@article{1340340,
   author = {Pajek, Maja Bučar and Hedbávný, Petr and Kalichová, Miriam and Čuk, Ivan},
   article_number = {1},
   keywords = {Artistic gymnastic; Female; Injuries; Lateralization},
   language = {eng},
   issn = {1855-7171},
   journal = {Science of Gymnastics Journal},
   title = {The asymmetry of lower limb load in balance beam routines},
   url = {https://www.fsp.uni-lj.si/en/research/scientific-magazines/science-of-gymnastics/previous-issues/2016021214384836/},
   volume = {8},
   year = {2016}
}

TY  - JOUR
ID  - 1340340
AU  - Pajek, Maja Bučar - Hedbávný, Petr - Kalichová, Miriam - Čuk, Ivan
PY  - 2016
TI  - The asymmetry of lower limb load in balance beam routines
JF  - Science of Gymnastics Journal
VL  - 8
IS  - 1
SP  - 5-13
EP  - 5-13
SN  - 18557171
KW  - Artistic gymnastic
KW  - Female
KW  - Injuries
KW  - Lateralization
UR  - https://www.fsp.uni-lj.si/en/research/scientific-magazines/science-of-gymnastics/previous-issues/2016021214384836/
N2  - The asymmetry of use of lower limbs may influence balance beam results and injury risk. This research was performed to study how many elements which asymmetrically load lower extremities are included in balance beam routines of professional female gymnasts. We videorecorded all exercises of qualification round on balance beam at an international competition B World Cup in Ljubljana 2014. We analysed take-offs and landings to define the actions done by left leg, both legs simultaneously, or right leg. A delay of at least 0.01 second in recruitment of one of the lower limbs defined the action as being from a single leg. In the routines of 19 included gymnasts we found significant asymmetry of load: right leg initiated 42.87% of actions (on average 12.47±3.32 per routine), while left leg and both legs initiated 29.08 and 28.05% of actions (on average 8.58±2.97 and 8.21±3.07 per routine, respectively). The load on right leg was significantly larger compared to left leg and both legs (p=0.002 and 0.003). Only 4 gymnasts (20.8%) loaded left leg more than right leg. Additional review of code of points revealed that it mostly contains elements (in 60% of cases) where a single leg at take-off or at landing is loaded. We conclude that asymmetric lower limb loading is present at balance beam routines in elite gymnasts. We hypothesize that the unilateral distribution of load may be associated with the unilateral predominance of injuries and this should be analysed in further research.
ER  -

PAJEK, Maja Bučar, Petr HEDBÁVNÝ, Miriam KALICHOVÁ and Ivan ČUK. The asymmetry of lower limb load in balance beam routines. \textit{Science of Gymnastics Journal}. 2016, vol.~8, No~1, p.~5-13. ISSN~1855-7171.

Detailed Information on Publication Record