Relationship between physical qualities and successful performance of obligatory elements by athletes in aesthetic gymnastics

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Bulgacheva P.V.
The Russian University of Sport «GTSOLIFK», Moscow

Novikova L.A.
The Russian University of Sport «GTSOLIFK», Moscow

Kachalova T.A.
Moscow Architectural Institute (State Academy), Moscow

Keywords: aesthetic gymnastics, physical qualities, compulsory elements, interrelationship, high-qualified athletes

Research objective

To determine the interrelationship between physical qualities and the successful execution of balance elements and jumps by high-qualified athletes in aesthetic gymnastics.

Methodology and research organization

The study was conducted at the Russian University of Sport “GTSOLIFK” with participation of eight members of the Russian national team in aesthetic gymnastics, “Amuaz,” all holding the title of Master of Sport of Russia (n = 8). The research employed statistical methods — specifically, Spearman’s rank correlation analysis — as well as expert evaluation to assess performance quality and physical capacity.

Results and discussion

To identify which physical qualities most significantly influence the successful execution of compulsory elements — static balances, dynamic balances, and jumps — a Spearman correlation analysis was performed across eight physical variables.

Strong and statistically significant correlations were found between successful execution of balance elements and tests measuring:
  • Flexibility:< >Right-leg split: r = 0.83

    Transverse split: r = 0.81

    Hand-assisted leg lift: r = 0.82

    Coordination:

    • Romberg test (static balance): r = 0.84
    • Acrobatic sequence execution: r = 0.81
For jump performance, strong positive correlations were identified with:
  • Right-leg split: r = 0.83
  • Leg lift without hand assistance: r = 0.85
  • Long jump: r = 0.80
  • High jump: r = 0.81
These results indicate that both active flexibility (muscle control during movement) and passive flexibility (range of motion) are critical for achieving optimal amplitude, body alignment, and landing stability in jumps. Additionally, explosive strength (as reflected in long and high jump tests) and neuromuscular coordination strongly predict technical precision and aesthetic quality in aerial phases.
Expert evaluations corroborated these findings, confirming that athletes demonstrating superior scores in the above physical tests consistently received higher execution scores in competition routines, particularly in the technical difficulty and artistry components.
 
Conclusion

The correlation analysis revealed highly significant relationships between the successful execution of balance elements and key indicators of active flexibility and postural stability, as well as between jump performance and a combination of active/passive flexibility and speed-strength capabilities. These findings underscore that in aesthetic gymnastics — where technical precision and expressive fluidity are equally weighted — physical preparation must be systematically aligned with the biomechanical demands of compulsory elements. Training programs should prioritize the development of dynamic flexibility, core stability, and lower-body power to maximize competitive outcomes.

References
 
  1. Korelskaya, I.E., Karkavtseva, I.A., Blokhina, N.V. et al. (2014) Osnovy fizicheskoy kultury studentcheskoy molodezhi: uchebnoye posobiye [Fundamentals of physical culture for university students]. Arkhangelsk: ID SAFU, 107 p.
  2. International Competition Rules for Aesthetic Gymnastics (2022). 39 p. https://vfeg.ru/v4/ru/page.php?n=14&nn=2
  3. Novikova, L.A., Morozova, L.P. & Nochevnova, P.V. (2023) Vliyanie izmeneniy mezhdunarodnykh pravil sorevnovaniy na soderzhaniye sorevnovatel’nykh kombinatsiy komand vysokoy kvalifikatsii v esteticheskoy gimnastike [Impact of changes in international competition rules on the content of competitive routines of high-qualification teams in aesthetic gymnastics], in: Aktual’nye problemy i tendentsii razvitiya gimnastiki, sovremennogo fitnesa i tantsevnogo sporta: Materialy V Vserossiyskoy nauchno-prakticheskoy konferentsii s mezhdunarodnym uchastiem. Moscow, pp. 85–89.