Abstract

The primary aim of this study was to examine the body composition of young female rhythmic gymnasts and draw comparative insights from the collected data. Additionally, the results were compared with other studies that shared identical or analogous research objectives. 36 girls divided into three age groups participated in the research: Group 1 (age: 8.57 ± 0.66), group 2 (age: 10.32 ± 0.48) and group 3 (age: 12.90 ± 0.74). Body composition was determined using an octopolar bioelectrical impedance analysis device InBody 370. Among the various variables assessed, the groups exhibited statistically significant differences across most parameters, with exception of body fat (%). Our results, consistent with prior research studies, revealed that our participants also exhibited the characteristic body composition commonly observed in rhythmic gymnastics. These findings suggest that rhythmic gymnastics primarily affects body weight and the percentage of body fat tissue, while also contributing to the development of muscle mass over years of training and sports experience.

Keywords

Morphological Characteristics, Age Categories, Growth and Development, Anthropometrics, Young Females,

References

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  46. Camargo, C.T.A., Gomez-Campos, R.A., Cossio-Bolanos, M.A., Barbeta, V.J.D.O., Arruda, M., Guerra-Junior, G. (2014). Growth and body composition in Brazilian female rhythmic gymnastics athletes. Journal of Sports Sciences, 32(19), 1790-1796.
  47. Campos-Pérez, J., Páscoa, R.N., Lopes, J.A., Cámara-Martos, F. (2021). Relationship between gymnastic rhythmic practice and body composition, physical performance, and trace element status in young girls. Biological Trace Element Research, 200(1), 84-95.
  48. Causevic, D., Rani, B., Gasibat, Q., Covic, N., Alexe, C.I., Pavel, S.I., Alexe, D.I. (2023). Maturity-Related Variations in Morphology, Body Composition, and Somatotype Features among Young Male Football Players. Children, 10(4), 721.
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  51. Covic, N., Causevic, D., Alexe, C.I., Rani, B., Dulceanu, C.R., Abazović, E., Lupu, G.S., Alexe, D.I. (2023). Relations between specific athleticism and morphology in young basketball players. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 5.
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  53. Davison, K.K., Earnest, M.B., Birch, L.L. (2002). Participation in aesthetic sports and girls' weight concerns at ages 5 and 7 years. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 31(3), 312-317.
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  56. Dimitrova, A., Ivanova-Pandourska, I.Y. (2019). Body Composition Characteristics in Bulgarian Rhythmic Gymnasts. Institute of Experimental Morphology, Pathology and Anthropology with Museum Bulgarian Anatomical Society Acta Morphologica et Anthropological, 26 (3-4), 88-156.
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  76. Tincea, R.M. (2019). The Development of Mobility and Coordination in Rhythmic Gymnastics Performance at Children and Hopes Level. Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Braşov. Bulletin of theTransilvaniaUniversity of Braşov Series IX: Sciences of Human Kinetics, 12(61), 145-150.
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  80. Ward, L.C. (2019). Bioelectrical impedance analysis for body composition assessment: reflections on accuracy, clinical utility, and standardisation. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 73(2), 194-199.
  81. Weimann, E., Witzel, C., Schwidergall, S., Bohles, H.J. (2000). Peripubertal pertubations in elite gymnasts caused by sport specific training regimes and inadequate nutritional intake. International journal of Sports Medicine, 21(03), 210-215.
  82. Wells, J.C. (2007). Sexual dimorphism of body composition. Best Practice & Research Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 21(3), 415-430.
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