Operational Synthesis On The Training Of “Special Olympics” Gymnasts

The importance of the study

Reality confirms that, although artistic gymnastics training must be approached uniformly, in adapted artistic gymnastics, the training is not done in the same way for all 6 apparatus (floor, pommel horse, rings, vault, parallel bars, horizontal bar), but progressively (one apparatus after the other), individually and specifically, depending on the athlete’s capabilities, qualities and accumulated motor experience (Popescu, 2014b). Temporally speaking, in the 14 years of study, we have found that, in this category of gymnasts, the training is first done for the floor and vault apparatus, followed by the pommel horse, parallel bars and rings, and in the end, the horizontal bar – levels I, II, III and then IV.

Due to the special requirements imposed, the horizontal bar, one of the most spectacular apparatus in men’s gymnastics, involves strategic, methodological, operational, special learning and enhanced skills in adapted artistic gymnastics (Vieru, 1997). This may be related to the fear of the apparatus, its height, but also to motivation, stress and palm pain, spatial and temporal orientation, courage and will, the special technical objectives of the “hanging school” (in hanging and support).

The lack of specialists, theoretical and practical-methodological materials, as well as specific knowledge, limits the number of athletes performing on this apparatus in national and international competitions. The modest number and quality of executions presented in international or national competitions confirms this.

Continuing our constant and responsible effort to provide valuable reference information on areas of interest – studies on the scientific foundation of training in adapted artistic gymnastics, the training of gymnasts with intellectual disabilities based on their own experiences and performances (Popescu, 2015, p. 3), we will ensure, through this scientific approach, the theoretical, practical and methodological support necessary to guide the training of gymnasts for the horizontal bar apparatus – level II.

Hypothesis

Based on the experimental analysis of a technical training report, operational benchmarks, optimal physical and technical evidence and standard tests can be determined to guide and monitor the training of “Special Olympics” gymnasts, level II, for the horizontal bar.

Training guide

Following the step-by-step algorithmic program developed by us for the “support” training (Popescu, 2007), the learning and improvement of the elements, the parts and the whole exercise, experimentally applied to a group of 5 Down syndrome gymnasts from the Down Syndrome Association in Bucharest, the concrete reference, methodological and operational, physical and technical, quantitative and qualitative elements that can support and ensure the training and monitoring of level II gymnasts at the horizontal bar will be identified and statistically confirmed.

Experiment method

With the purpose of verifying the hypothesis, we have developed:

• Algorithmic model programs for learning and improving the contents of the horizontal bar exercise – level II;

• An operational training plan with 2 workouts per week, 3 hours and 30 minutes horizontal bar/ training;

• A system of physical and technical assessment tests that could offer determining and correlative reference and monitoring elements for the staged training at the horizontal bar – level II. It encompasses:

A. Tests to assess the level of technical training (TT)

TT.1. Hang on the horizontal bar with a top handgrip, tipping back to front support with the body bent and legs stretched

TT.2. Hip circle backward from support to support

TT.3. Clear underswing; backward and forward swing

TT.4. Backward swing with release of the grip and hang on the bar

TT.5. Forward swing with 180° to 45° turn in mixed grip; forward swing with mixed grip and backward swing with hop – change of the grip to regular grip

TT.6. Forward swing, backward swing, releasing the horizontal bar and dismount with landing on both legs

TT.7. Whole exercise

B. Tests to assess the level of specific physical training (SPT)

SPT.1. Hang with arms bent at 90° and hold

SPT.2. Pull-ups (number of repetitions)

SPT.3. Hang on the bar, lifting the legs at 90° (number of repetitions)

SPT.4. Front support between two gym steps, with hand support under the forehead and on the tiptoes – holding position

SPT.5. Lying on the back between two gym steps, with hand support under the head and on the heels – holding position

SPT.6. From front support on the bar, backward cast at horizontal level/floating support (number of repetitions)

SPT.7. Front lying with hands on the head – extension of the body (number of repetitions)

d. We organized a pedagogical experiment divided into two stages, during the periods: 1 April – 30 June 2017 and 1 October 2017 – 30 March 2018, due to the structure of the academic years and the summer holidays. The experimental group consisted of 5 Down syndrome gymnasts from the Down Syndrome Association in Bucharest. The 5 gymnasts were selected in accordance with the requirements of the start-up training, based on the results obtained in the horizontal bar contest – level I.

The scores of the experimental group gymnasts at the horizontal bar are shown in Table 01 .

Observation method

The observation method was capitalised throughout the experiment, focusing specifically on the quantitative and qualitative aspects of each execution, on individual feedback or group feedback.

Video analysis method

The method of video analysis was used in learning, correction, representation formation, establishing the bio-mechanical parts of the structures.

Methods of processing and interpreting the results

The methods of processing and interpreting the data used in the study were the statistical method and the graphical method:

Statistical method: using the Excel formulas (correlation coefficient, arithmetic mean, maximum and minimum limits), linear or complex correlation values of the training components were determined, as well as other optimal reference data highlighting the importance of evidence-supported learning.

Graphical method: used to facilitate representation and reinforce through images the significance of the obtained results.

Workout parameters in the experiment (Table 02)

Referring to the technical results obtained at the end of the experiment, such as the scores and arithmetic mean of the full exercise, we can state that the minimum number of weekly workouts recommended for superior and lasting results should be 3. The higher the number of weekly workouts, the better the performance will be.

The grades obtained by the 5 research subjects for the full exercise are shown in Figure 01 .

See Full Size >

Analysis of results – Specific physical training

The minimum, maximum and arithmetic mean calculated for each test are the reference values in direct support of learning the content structures of the horizontal bar exercise, level II.

For example, the 32-second hold of the hanging with bent arms at 90°, the 20-feet lifting at 90° and the 6 pull-ups become the optimal reference rules for the “support” preparation to perform the backward hip circle from hanging on the horizontal bar.

Arithmetic mean values obtained in SPT.4 and SPT.5 tests become standards that support the body’s isometric control during the swings and rotation while performing the exercise.

Following the specific physical training tests, the obtained results were (Table 03 ):

Analysis of results – Technical training (Table 04)

Each element, part and structure in the exercise composition must be executed close to perfection. The arithmetic mean of TT.1-TT.6 technical tests confirms the execution penalties ranging from 0.1 to 0.4 pts., the training strategy and the quality of the applied algorithmic programs. They certify the importance of the values gained in specific physical training that have directly contributed to accelerating learning and raising its qualitative level.

Statistical analysis of correlations between training components

Following the calculation of the correlation coefficient between the values of specific physical and technical training tests (Table 05 ), we have found that some of them, such as those in Table 03 , are linear, direct, and others, such as TT.5-SPT.3, SPT.4, SPT.5-TT.2, TT.6, TT.4, are real but complex correlations.

General conclusions

The lack of modern, scientific, experimental methodological support, as well as the lack of knowledge and specialty training of volunteer coaches and instructors working in “Special Olympics” adapted gymnastics, confirm the importance and necessity of this scientific approach providing an original methodological line, strategic reference elements and valuable guidance in monitoring the training of gymnasts with intellectual disabilities at the horizontal bar.

Following the experiment and the results obtained, we can say that their special training requires an adapted algorithmic method to eliminate all limiting factors related to the apparatus specificity, the structure of swings and support movements while hanging, the biomechanical exigencies of overturns etc.

One should take into account all the methodological milestones of the stereotyped dynamic learning, where the number of training sessions/week, the duration of training/sessions/tests on the apparatus, the number of repetitions/per element, the combination of full exercise, the quality of each repetition are the objective reference elements on which the provision of learning and thorough training at the horizontal bar exercise depends.

Specific conclusions

The minimum starting level recommended for approaching learning and improving the horizontal bar exercise for level II gymnasts with intellectual disabilities is 9-10, a score confirmed in an official competition for the same test at level I.

As a special objective, it should be remembered that all elements and parts of the exercise must be learned correctly, close to perfection. This objective is a prerequisite for achieving the full exercise at the performance parameters required by the regulations and judging.

Specific physical training should first and foremost support the learning of content structures of the whole exercise at the horizontal bar, level II.

The confirmed linear or complex correlation, the values obtained in specific physical training tests SPT.1-SPT.6 become performances and conditional standards recommended for “Special Olympics” gymnasts, level II, to learn the content elements of the full exercise at the horizontal bar.

The value of the results obtained in technical tests proves the value of the applied algorithm-type program. On the basis of the confirmed program, we can say that gymnasts in the experiment group can improve their scores in the following period if they raise the number of training sessions per week to at least 3. The results of the next national and international competitions will confirm this statement.