Theses and Dissertations - Department of Kinesiology

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Recovery in level 8-10 women's USA artistic gymnastics
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2009) Buckner, Stephen Brooks; Bishop, Phillip A.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
This study assessed physical performance in women's artistic gymnastics following three variable recovery periods. Participants included fifteen female gymnasts who had competed at USA Gymnastics (USAG) levels 8 - 10 within at least one year prior to the study. Each testing session consisted of a warm-up followed by four muscular endurance tests and one explosive maximal test. Assessments included pull-ups, leg lifts, handstand push-ups, push-ups and vertical jump. After the performance assessments, the participants completed a typical practice session. The performance measures were reassessed at the beginning of each of the recovery periods of 24, 48, and 72 hours in a counterbalanced design. Performance assessments were converted into Z-scores and then averaged for a composite session Z-score. The composite session Z-scores were compared to evaluate different durations of recovery. Composite Z's were significantly lower (p=.000), after the, 24 (z=-1.10) and the 48 hour (z=-0.71) recovery periods compared to baseline. However, there was no difference in scores (p=1.00) between the baseline and 72 hours (z=0.004) recovery. On average, full recovery required 72 hours under the conditions of this study.