Physical Fitness of Girls Practising Acrobatic and Trampoline Gymnastics Compared to that of Girls Practising other Sports in the Subcarpathian Province Team

Introduction. The aim of this study was to determine the level of overall physical fitness of girls from the Subcarpathian Province Team (SPT) who practise acrobatic and trampoline gymnastics and compare it to that of other members of the SPT. A comparative analysis of the subjects’ physique was also performed.Material and methods. The study was conducted on 175 female subjects who were members of the SPT in the youth and juniors categories. They were divided into three groups: 19 trampoline gymnasts, 35 acrobatic gymnasts, and 121 athletes practising other disciplines (named the SPT group). Overall physical fitness was determined using the International Physical Fitness Test (IPFT). The Body Mass Index, Rohrer’s index, and Ponderal index were calculated on the basis of anthropometric measurements. The obtained data were analysed statistically. In order to determine the statistical significance of differences in the results for each group, ANOVA variation analysis and Tukey’s HSD test were carried out.Results and conclusions. The athletes practising acrobatic and trampoline gymnastics had lower body height, lower body mass, and a slimmer physique than the girls from the SPT who performed other sports. However, it is not possible to clearly determine whether these differences were the result of practising a particular sports discipline. Compared to the SPT athletes practising other sports, the acrobats presented a higher level of overall fitness (apart from grip strength). This was evidenced by the higher scores they achieved for the IPFT (total number of points), trunk flexibility, shoulder muscle strength, and abdominal muscle strength. The fitness level of the trampoline gymnasts was similar to that of the SPT athletes who practised other sports (with better scores for trunk flexibility and lower ones for grip strength). The fitness profiles of the acrobatic and trampoline gymnasts were similar, and the group of acrobats achieved significantly higher scores only in trunk flexibility.