Original Research Article
Year: 2019 | Month: August | Volume: 9 | Issue: 8 | Pages: 103-109
Gender Related Differences in Back Strength among Indian State and National Level Gymnasts
Kawaldeep Kaur1, Dr. Shyamal Koley2
1Research Scholar, Department of Physiotherapy, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005, Punjab, India
2Professor and Head, Department of Physiotherapy & Dean, Faculty of Sports Medicine and Physiotherapy, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005, Punjab, India
Corresponding Author: Kawaldeep Kaur
ABSTRACT
Background: High intensity training presents gender related changes in athletes. Gymnasts, throughout their sports career required a hard, prolonged and constant physical training. Numerous motor variables such as flexibility, strength, coordination, rhythm, balance, agility and endurance determine the potential talent for competitive success. However strength is labeled as a basic motor ability that will estimate the performance efficiency in gymnastics.
Materials and methods: 306 (134 males and 172 females) state and national level gymnasts aged 15-25 years was purposively selected from Amritsar, Patiala, Jalandhar, and Gurdaspur districts of Punjab, India. The subjects were assessed for back strength using back leg chest dynamometer.
Results: It was observed that a male gymnast possesses higher mean differences in back strength. Also, when compared between genders and the level of game national level gymnasts showed highly significant results. However interaction between these two factors is absent. Further means were compared using Tukey post Hoc test, which showed significant results between genders and the level of game. The interactions post hoc tests compared six pairs of combinations. This shows that the only significant differences are for the national level male &females (p<0.0001) and state level female and national level male gymnasts (p<0.0001) and state level male and national level female gymnasts (p=0.0025).
Conclusion: Back strength is an important indicator which would lay emphasis on flexibility, and endurance, hence reduces the risks of injuries.
Key words: Back strength, performance, training, gymnasts.