THE IMPACT OF COMPETITIVE SEASON STRESS ON UNSTABLE POSTURAL CONTROL IN SKILLED AESTHETIC GYMNASTS

Keywords: postural balance, stabilography, psychophysical stress, RESTQ-Sport, heart rate variability, rhythmic gymnastics

Abstract

Aim. This study investigated seasonal changes in postural stability on an unstable support and psychophysical stress in elite aesthetic gymnasts during a competitive season. Materials and methods. Study participants included non-athletes (control group, n = 13) and highly skilled aesthetic gymnasts categorized as Candidate for Master of Sport (CMS, n = 12) or Master of Sport (MS, n = 13). Assessments were conducted in October, January, and April. Postural stability was evaluated using stabilography on a moving platform in frontal and sagittal planes. Psychophysical stress was measured via the RESTQ-Sport questionnaire and heart rate variability indices (SI, RMSSD, and LF/HF). Results. While RESTQ-Sport scores
remained stable across groups, HRV analysis revealed elevated stress in MS gymnasts by the end of the season (SI, RMSSD). Postural stability under eyes-closed conditions on a frontal-plane moving platform improved in all groups, suggesting a training effect. However, MS gymnasts exhibited greater postural sway (increased oscillation area and velocity) compared to controls at the end of the season. Correlation analysis indicated moderate associations (r = 0.41–0.52) between April stress indices and CoP velocity during balance measurements on a force platform in aesthetic gymnasts. Conclusion. Accumulated psychophysical stress during the competitive season may impair postural stability in highly skilled athletes under challenging balance conditions.

Author Biographies

A. Melnikov , Russian University of Sport “GTSOLIFK”, Moscow, Russia

Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor, Head of the Department of Physio­logy, Russian University of Sport “GTSOLIFK”, Moscow, Russia.

S. Shipunov , Russian University of Sport “GTSOLIFK”, Moscow, Russia

Postgraduate student, Department of Physiology, Russian University of Sport “GTSOLIFK”, Moscow, Russia.

V. Berezin , Russian University of Sport “GTSOLIFK”, Moscow, Russia

Postgraduate Student, Department of Physiology, Russian University of Sport “GTSOLIFK”, Moscow, Russia.

L. Belitska , Russian University of Sport “GTSOLIFK”, Moscow, Russia

Senior Lecturer, Department of Physiology, Russian University of Sport “GTSOLIFK”, Moscow, Russia.

References

References on translit

Published
2025-06-25
How to Cite
Melnikov, A., Shipunov, S., Berezin, V., & Belitska, L. (2025). THE IMPACT OF COMPETITIVE SEASON STRESS ON UNSTABLE POSTURAL CONTROL IN SKILLED AESTHETIC GYMNASTS. Human. Sport. Medicine, 25(S1), 7-14. https://doi.org/10.14529/hsm25s101
Section
Physiology