The relationship between lower limb power and anthropometric characteristics and gymnastics success

The aim of this study was to determine if there was a relationship between lower limb and upper body power and anthropometric measurements and gymnastics success in collegiate athletes on the vault apparatus. Seven 18-22 year old female gymnasts on the Texas Woman's University gymnastic team performed an arm countermovement vertical jump, a running vertical jump, and a handstand push-off task on a force plate. Participants had circumference measures of calf and thigh and leg length taken. A DXA scan measured fat mass and lean mass. Vault success was measured using the highest vault score of the season as well as a standard vault in which the distance was measured. A regression analysis was performed and no significant results were found. Circumference and fat mass measures had the highest beta weights indicating they had the strongest relationship to gymnastics success.