Pedobarographic, muscular and biomechanical analysis of panche balance on rhythmic gymnastics

Aim: The aim of the current study was to analyse muscular activation strategies, plantar pressure changes and kinematic parameters of joints during panche balance element for rhythmic gymnasts. Material and Method: 15 female rhythmic gymnasts, competing at national /international level, attended to study and were divided into two groups: elite rhythmic gymnasts (ERG), amateur rhythmic gymnasts (ARG). Static plantar pressure parameters' of support foot (maximal force, contact area, mean pressure, peak pressure) were measured with EMED-XL (Novel Gmbh, Munich, Germany) pedography platform, lower-upper extremite muscles' muscular strategies (M. Tibialis Anterior, M. Gastrocnemius, M. Peroneus Longus, M. Vastus Lateralis, M. Vastus Medialis, M. Rectus Femoris, M. Biceps Femoris, M. Erector Spinae, M. Deltoid Middle, M. Pectoralis Major, M. Trapez Middle, M. Gluteus Maximus) were recorded by wireless surface EMG (Delsys Trigno, USA) and joints' (swing leg, posterior superior illiac, anterior superior illiac, lateral malleol, acromion, epicondyle) angle changes were analysed for first, second and third phaes of balance. Differences for groups were tested by independent samples t test and Mann Whitney U test, groupxphase interaction was analysed by two way repeated ANOVA, the significancy value was set at p<0,05. Findings: Plantar pressure values showed no difference. Deltoid middle for Ist phase, pectoralis major for IInd phase were found to be significantly different (p=0,018, p=0,029). Swing leg, posterior superior illiac angles were different for 3 phases (p<0,05). Main effects of groups for biceps femoris and pectoralis major were found to be different (p=0,037, p=0,030), swing leg, posterior superior illiac, anterior superior iliac, lateral malleol, right acromion changes for Ist phase were found to be different than IInd and IIIrd phases (p<0,05). Results: It is believed that, concerning the little support surface during balance when the central of gravity moves back to stabilise the balance again anterior muscles of the upper leg should conract more than the posterior muscles and to stabilise the trunk, core, shoulder and neck muscles should be trained more.