QUANTIFYING IMPACTS DURING BEAM AND FLOOR TRAINING IN PREADOLESCENT GIRLS FROM TWO STREAMS OF ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS

Abstract

The primary aim of this study was to determine the effects of participation level (international and national), apparatus (beam and floor) and training phase (precompetition and competition) on estimates of training load in a convenient sample of gymnasts aged 7 to 13 years. Video analysis of training sessions along with accelerometer and force platform (500 Hz) peak ground reaction force data were used to establish differences between key gymnastic-specific and non-gymnastic-specific variables. International level gymnasts demonstrated higher incidence in hours of training, number of observed impacts, markers of the quality of periodised training program and lower relative injury rates. Marked differences were also observed between the two training phases. The demand for injury prevention strategies may be higher at the national level of gymnastics training.