IMPACTS OF LOWER LIMB FLEXIBILITY EXERCISE ON AEROBIC GYMNASTICS PERFORMANCE

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction: Aerobic gymnastics is a sport that involves a sense of beauty, rhythm and dance, with high artistic expressiveness, characteristics that have favored a strong population adherence. It is believed that the specific flexibility exercise can add a greater visual impact to their artistic movements, raising their competitive performance. Objective: Verify the impacts of lower limb flexibility exercise on the performance of aerobics athletes. Methods: Six aerobics athletes were selected to perform an 8-week experiment, adopting the PNF methodology for training. The impacts on lower limb flexibility were measured before and after the experiment, these data were analyzed and studied statistically. Results: The results of the long jump in the physical quality index of the athletes increased by 0.1209 m; the added value in the two-minute, 10-m backstroke test was 1.46. The movement performance indexes showed expressive increases: flexion increased by 2.62; right angle support increased by 0.78; split leg jump increased by 1.95; standing jump with eyes closed and the foot balance quality index was 4.63. Conclusion: Lower limb flexibility exercise can positively impact the performance of aerobic gymnastics athletes. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.