The effect of fat distribution and nutritional behavior on balance and equilibrium of acrobatics and tumbling athletes

Acrobatics and Tumbling (A&T) is an emerging sport in the United States; balance and equilibrium are critical components of performance in this sport. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify if body composition, fat distribution, and nutritional behavior affect the balance and vertical jump of A&T athletes. Body mass index (BMI), whole body percentage of fat and skeletal muscle, and fat distribution of top and base A&T athletes from Fairmont State University were assessed using an impedance device (In Body 570). Nutritional behavior was assessed by a 3-day food log. Balance was measured by the time of holding a handstand in seconds. BMI, whole body, and truncal fat percentage were higher in base athletes when compared to tops (p˂0.05). When associating balance with the variables, skeletal muscle mass was positively associated with balance (r=0.49, p˂0.05), and the percentage of fat and fat accumulation in the lower limbs were negatively associated (r=-0.47 and -0.48, respectively p˂0.05). When the association was tested within the position, the percentage of skeletal muscle mass and fat was only associated with balance in top athletes. Thus, training strategies to increment skeletal muscle mass and decrease body fat should be the focus to improve the balance of top A&T athletes.