Effects of an 8-week Pilates Core Training on the Stability and Symmetry of the L-sit on Rings

(D, L-sit L-sit the most time it is a basic technique determines the level of perfection of a routine (Sommer, 2008). technical analysis of L-sit should be conducted for successful completion of a routine. studies on the rings to date conducted electromyography (EMG). A study by (1997) reported that effective training methods could be developed by analyzing EMG data, while that by Kim (1985) reported that the muscle activities of the upper limbs were higher while performing an iron cross. Further, another study by Kim (2001), which analyzed EMG data while the participants performed an inverted iron cross, reported that the highest upper limb muscle activities were observed in the biceps followed by the triceps. A study by Park (2004) Objective: Gymnastics on rings needs a high level of muscle strength with balance ability for controlling the body. A study on a new balance training program is necessary for elite gymnasts. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of an 8-week pilates core-muscle training on balance ability and asymmetry index of the L-sit on the rings in male elite gymnasts. Method: Ten elite gymnasts (age: 20.6 ± 0.7 years, height: 169.9 ± 4.9 cm, weight: 65.4 ± 5.6 kg, career duration: 20.6 ± 0.7 years), who are students at K-university, participated in this study. Results: First, the range of the COM tended to decrease in the anterior-posterior direction. Second, the left hip joint angle and knee extension and ankle dorsiflexion angles significantly increased after the pilates training. Third, the ROM also increased. Fourth, the symmetry value increased in the hip angle, while the symmetry index in all joints of the ROM decreased. As a result, the pilates core-muscle training influenced the static balance ability during the L-sit on the rings. Conclusion: Accordingly, the pilates core-muscle training is suitable in enhancing the basic balance ability in gymnastics on rings. the during the a of the rings. The displacements, changes in the position of the distal hands of the lower and SIs as variables of balance evaluation on the rings.