Abstract

Purpose: Despite the huge amount of force exerted by both the upper and lower extremity musculature in gymnastic vaulting, there is scant research investigating the benefits that plyometric training can induce. The handspring vault is of paramount importance for a gymnast’s vaulting development, and requires both technical skill and power production to achieve success. The aim of this study was to determine the effects that plyometric training can have when added to habitual training on handspring vault performance variables in female adolescent gymnasts.

Methods: Twenty female competitive gymnasts (mean ± SD: age 12.5 ± 1.7 years; stature 1.46 ± 0.11 m; mass 40.5kg ± 9.7 kg) volunteered to partake in this study. Participants were randomly assigned to two independent groups. The experimental plyometric training group (PT) pursued a six-week plyometric program, consisting of two additional 45 minute sessions a week, alongside their habitual training. The control group (CG) continued their regular habitual training only. Videography was used (120 Hz) in the sagittal plane, both pre and post training intervention, to assess key performance indicators attributed to the technical performance and competence required to execute a successful handspring vault. In addition, participants completed a countermovement vertical jump (CMJ) as an assessment of lower body power.

Results: Significant improvements (P < 0.05) were found for the PT in comparison to CG for run-up velocity, take-off velocity, distance from take-off to springboard, duration of foot contact on board, duration of hand contact on vault, duration of post flight and CMJ height. However, no significant differences were found between groups for first flight time, shoulder angle or hip angle on the vault. Furthermore, the CG demonstrated no significant improvement for handspring vault measures or CMJ height.

Conclusions: The results demonstrated that the implementation of plyometric training led to improvements of several key variables which are associated to successful handspring vault performance. It can be suggested that implementing plyometric training can improve handspring vault performance in adolescents, appropriately preparing gymnasts for the development and progression of vaulting in the future.