Explosive Strength of Lower Limbs in 10 – 12 Years Old Athletes of Individual Sports

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the levels of lower limb explosive strength of girls in different sport specialization. The sample consisted of 24 girls in aerobic gymnastics (n = 12) and athletic (n = 12) aged 10 to 12 years. To assess the levels of girls’ lower limbs explosive strength, we administered the following tests: countermovement jump test, countermovement jump with free arms test, squat jump test, 10-seconds repetitive jumping test. Testing sessions took place in September 2019. To obtain data about the levels of lower limbs explosive strength, we recorded step height (cm) and duration of the flight phase (s). Data about the lower limbs explosive strength were collected using the Optogait system for optical detection. We applied basic statistical characteristics, namely Student’s t-test and multivariate linear regression. There were no significant differences between girls in aerobic gymnastics and athletics. We recorded better test results in the group of girl’s athletes in the countermovement jump, countermovement jump with free arms and squat jump. In the group of girl’s involved in aerobic gymnastics, we recorded better results in the 10-second repetitive vertical jumping and vertical jump strength. According to the collected data, we may conclude that the training process of the selected girls in terms of explosive strength development is significantly different. Girls involved in aerobic gymnastics showed a higher level of performance in the 10-second vertical jump, which results from the structure of sport specificity.