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Estimated energy expenditure and training intensity in young female artistic gymnasts

Abstract

Aim:

This study determined the energy expenditure and effort intensity of athletes during women's artistic gymnastics training sessions.

Methods:

Ten gymnasts (age 10.9 ± 1.7 years) performed a test to estimate the maximum rate of oxygen uptake (VO2max), during which the maximum heart rate (HRmax) was also obtained. The heart rate (HR) of these gymnasts was recorded during five training sessions and then used to estimate the exercise intensity and energy expenditure.

Results:

Mean duration of training sessions was 4.08 ± 0.42 h, with mean HR corresponding to 137 ± 8 bpm or 69.0 ± 3.5% of HRmax. Gymnasts spent less training time at 90-100% HRmax compared to the other HR ranges (p < 0.05). Time spent at 60-70% and 70-80% was higher compared to 80-90% HRmax (p = 0.012 and p = 0.001, respectively). The training impulse was 239.2 ± 35.4 AU. Estimated energy expenditure was 768.3 ± 168.5 kcal, metabolic rate was 3.1 ± 0.6 kcal/min, and the metabolic equivalent of task (MET) corresponded to 6.1 ± 0.6.

Conclusion:

Young gymnasts performed prolonged and moderate-intensity training sessions that generated high energetic demands. This information is beneficial to gymnasts since the coaching team can use the data to control the training load and prescribe a proper diet.

Keywords
energy expenditure; effort intensity; TRIMP; training sessions; women's artistic gymnastics

Introduction

Women's artistic gymnastics (WAG) is an individual sport where athletes perform routines on four apparatuses: vault, uneven bars, balance beam, and floor11. Isacco L, Ennequin G, Cassirame J, Tordi N. Physiological pattern changes in response to a simulated competition in elite women's artistic gymnasts. J Strengh Cond Res. 2019;33(10):2768-77. doi
doi...
. Vault requires explosive force generation, uneven bars demand upper body strength for release and catch movements, beam requires balance and artistry, and floor demands the generation of leg impulse for tumbling alongside artistry for linking movements22. Bradshaw EJ, Hume PA, Aisbett B. Performance score variation between days at Australian national and Olympic women's artistic gymnastics competition. J Sports Sci. 2012;30(2):191-9. doi
doi...
. Therefore, female gymnasts must develop sport-specific physical and motor abilities and technical skills33. Moeskops S, Oliver JL, Read PJ, Cronin JB, Myer GD, Lloyd RS. The physiological demands of youth artistic gymnastics. Strength Cond J. 2019;41(1):1-13. doi
doi...
. Also, they usually present specific anthropometric characteristics, such as reduced body mass and height as well as high levels of muscular strength, power, and flexibility4,4. Mkaouer B, Hammoudi-Nassib S, Amara S, Chaabène H. Evaluating the physical and basic gymnastics skills assessment for talent identification in men's artistic gymnastics proposed by the International Gymnastics Federation. Biol Sport. 2018;35(4):383-92. doi
doi...
55. Nassib SH, Mkaouer B, Riahi SH, Wali SM, Nassib S. Prediction of gymnastics physical profile through an international program evaluation in women artistic gymnastics. J Strength Cond Res. 2020;34(2):577-86. doi
doi...
. Altogether, these characteristics favor performance in specific skills of artistic gymnastics5,5. Nassib SH, Mkaouer B, Riahi SH, Wali SM, Nassib S. Prediction of gymnastics physical profile through an international program evaluation in women artistic gymnastics. J Strength Cond Res. 2020;34(2):577-86. doi
doi...
66. Sterkowicz-Przybycień K, Sterkowicz S, Biskup L, Zarów R, Kryst ł, Ozimek M. Somatotype, body composition, and physical fitness in artistic gymnasts depending on age and preferred event. PLoS One. 2019;14(2):1-21. doi
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. Although artistic gymnastics is one of the most popular Olympic sports, there are few studies about its physiological demands33. Moeskops S, Oliver JL, Read PJ, Cronin JB, Myer GD, Lloyd RS. The physiological demands of youth artistic gymnastics. Strength Cond J. 2019;41(1):1-13. doi
doi...
, particularly few studies including young (i.e., child and adolescent) female gymnasts1,1. Isacco L, Ennequin G, Cassirame J, Tordi N. Physiological pattern changes in response to a simulated competition in elite women's artistic gymnasts. J Strengh Cond Res. 2019;33(10):2768-77. doi
doi...
5,5. Nassib SH, Mkaouer B, Riahi SH, Wali SM, Nassib S. Prediction of gymnastics physical profile through an international program evaluation in women artistic gymnastics. J Strength Cond Res. 2020;34(2):577-86. doi
doi...
77. Maïmoun L, Coste O, Mariano-Goulart D, Galtier F, Mura T, Philibert P, et al. In peripubertal girls, artistic gymnastics improves areal bone mineral density and femoral bone geometry without affecting serum OPG/RANKL levels. Osteoporos Int. 2011;22(12):3055-66. doi
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.

Training sessions in WAG usually consist of a warm-up and routine training on the apparatuses, alongside strength-building and stretching exercises77. Maïmoun L, Coste O, Mariano-Goulart D, Galtier F, Mura T, Philibert P, et al. In peripubertal girls, artistic gymnastics improves areal bone mineral density and femoral bone geometry without affecting serum OPG/RANKL levels. Osteoporos Int. 2011;22(12):3055-66. doi
doi...
. Depending on the time of the season, WAG sessions often also consist of special element/skill training. A gymnast focuses on a technicality and commonly completes many repetitions and combinations of skills during prolonged training sessions2,2. Bradshaw EJ, Hume PA, Aisbett B. Performance score variation between days at Australian national and Olympic women's artistic gymnastics competition. J Sports Sci. 2012;30(2):191-9. doi
doi...
44. Mkaouer B, Hammoudi-Nassib S, Amara S, Chaabène H. Evaluating the physical and basic gymnastics skills assessment for talent identification in men's artistic gymnastics proposed by the International Gymnastics Federation. Biol Sport. 2018;35(4):383-92. doi
doi...
. For example, Brazilian gymnasts train 2 to 6 times per week, on average 12 to 24 h per week, 1.0 to 6.5 h per training session, depending on the athlete's competition level88. Nunomura M, Pires F. Análise do treinamento na ginástica artística brasileira. Rev Bras Ciências do Esporte. 2009;31(1):25-40.. Due to the specificity of each apparatus and the long training routines, quantifying and monitoring training load are essential for coaches to help gymnasts achieve optimal performance. Further, ensuring a proper load distribution is required during periodization, aiming to reach the best performance in the most important competitions8,8. Nunomura M, Pires F. Análise do treinamento na ginástica artística brasileira. Rev Bras Ciências do Esporte. 2009;31(1):25-40.99. Debien PB, Oliveira PM, Ferreira T. Training load, recovery and injuries in elite rhythmic gymnasts during main competitive periods: a case study. Sci Gymnast J. 2020;12(3):277-85..

Valuable data that enable better control of training loads can be obtained through monitoring the heart rate (HR). For example, Marina and Rodriguez1010. Marina M, Rodríguez FA. Physiological demands of young women's competitive gymnastic routines. Biol Sport. 2014;31(3):217-22. doi
doi...
examined the HR of gymnasts in competition routines, though this study lacks investigation about training sessions. Among these important data, the energy expenditure of the gymnasts should be highlighted. A previous study showed that HR is valid to estimate the rate of oxygen uptake (VO2) during intermittent aerobic exercise1111. Castagna C, Belardinelli R, Impellizzeri FM, Abt GA, Coutts AJ, D’Ottavio S. Cardiovascular responses during recreational 5-a-side indoor-soccer. J Sci Med Sport. 2007;10(2):89-95. doi
doi...
. These authors reported 71% of the HR variance was explained by VO2 variations when these measurements were obtained during a soccer match and using a portable gas analyzer1111. Castagna C, Belardinelli R, Impellizzeri FM, Abt GA, Coutts AJ, D’Ottavio S. Cardiovascular responses during recreational 5-a-side indoor-soccer. J Sci Med Sport. 2007;10(2):89-95. doi
doi...
. Thus, the HR-VO2 relationship could be applied during prolonged gymnastics training sessions, where the intermittent aerobic nature is also evident. Further, data on the energy cost of WAG training sessions are necessary to update the Compendium of Physical Activities1212. Ainsworth BE, Haskell WL, Herrmann SD, Meckes N, Basset Jr DR, Tudor-Locke C, et al. 2011 Compendium of physical activities: a second update of codes and MET values. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2011;43(8):1575-81. doi
doi...
, a resource for classifying the energy cost of human physical activities.

Thus, the knowledge about the intensity of effort and energy expenditure during WAG training sessions is crucial for prescribing adequate training loads and respective nutritional intake, thereby ensuring good health status in young female gymnasts. The excessive preoccupation with maintaining a reduced body mass can lead to a weakened nutritional status that, associated with high-intensity training, can delay the age at menarche1313. Silva MRG, Paiva T. Low energy availability and low body fat of female gymnasts before an international competition. Eur J Sport Sci. 2015;15(7):591-9. doi
doi...
. Moreover, the HR response can provide coaches with a guideline for adequate WAG training and a more integrated view of the training sessions’ monitoring process. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the exercise intensity and estimate the energy expenditure of young Brazilian gymnasts during WAG training sessions.

Methods

Participants

A total of 10 female gymnasts (age 10.9 ± 1.7 years, body mass 31.2 ± 6.8 kg, height 134.6 ± 10.9 cm, body fat 12.5 ± 2.0%) took part in this study. The gymnasts were involved in systematic training of WAG for at least 5 years before this study and had already participated in national competitions. This group of athletes was aimed at initial elite training. The gymnasts trained, on average, 20 h per week (i.e., five sessions lasting 4 h each during the weekdays).

This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the local university (approval reference number: 32008814.4.0000.5149) and was conducted under the policies established by the Brazilian National Health Council (Resolution 416/12) for research with humans. A legal representative of each child/adolescent gymnast signed a written consent form confirming he/she was aware of the objectives and procedures that would be performed. The gymnasts signed a written informed assent form, written in the appropriate language according to their age, and were informed they could leave the study at any time, without the need to justify their decision to researchers.

Experimental design

Initially, anthropometric measurements were obtained, and the gymnasts performed the multistage 20-m shuttle run test to estimate their maximum rate of oxygen consumption (VO2max)1414. Léger LA, Mercier D, Gadoury C, Lambert J. The multistage 20 metre shuttle run test for aerobic fitness. J Sports Sci. 1988;6(2):93-101. doi
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, during which the maximum heart rate (HRmax) was also recorded (Table 1). Then, the HR measurements were obtained in five training sessions per athlete (Polar Electro Oy®, Polar Team System, Finland). Data collection occurred between February and May, in the preparatory phase for the national competition (August), the seasons’ main competition for these athletes. Most training sessions consisted of three main parts: general and specific warm-up, alongside basic acrobatic movements; (2) routine training on the apparatuses; (3) strength and conditioning, with strength-building and stretching exercises. Some sessions also included ballet exercises.

Table 1
Anthropometric and physiological characteristics of the athletes.

Body composition evaluation

The percent body fat was estimated according to the equation proposed by Slaughter et al.1515. Slaughter MH, Lohman TG, Boileau RA, Horswill CA, Stillman RJ, Van Loan MD, et al. Skinfold equations for estimation of body fatness in children and youth. Hum Biol. 1988;60(5):709-23., with measures obtained at two sites (i.e., subscapular and triceps) through a skinfold caliper (Lange, Cambridge Scientific Industries, Watertown, MA, USA).

Assessment of the maximum rate of oxygen uptake

During the multistage 20-m shuttle run test1414. Léger LA, Mercier D, Gadoury C, Lambert J. The multistage 20 metre shuttle run test for aerobic fitness. J Sports Sci. 1988;6(2):93-101. doi
doi...
, the gymnasts used a chest strap to monitor their HR and ran as long as possible over a distance of 20 m demarcated by cones at the speed indicated by a recorder. A beep warned when gymnasts should be at one end or another extremity of the 20-m track. The test was interrupted when the athlete could not reach the cone within the predetermined time for two consecutive beeps or when the athlete herself voluntarily decided to stop the exercise1414. Léger LA, Mercier D, Gadoury C, Lambert J. The multistage 20 metre shuttle run test for aerobic fitness. J Sports Sci. 1988;6(2):93-101. doi
doi...
. The HR was recorded by the evaluator every min during the test and when each athlete has fatigued. The HRmax of each gymnast was the highest HR value recorded during the test.

Training heart rate measure

The HR was continuously recorded throughout five training sessions per athlete (Polar Electro Oy®, Polar Team System, Finland). The use of this equipment allows the HR recording while training without using a wrist monitor, which ensures the completion of all movements without restrictions and avoids risks to the physical integrity of gymnasts and coaches. Subsequently, the data stored were transferred to a computer through an interface, cataloged, and analyzed using the Polar Precision Performance SW (version 3.0) software.

All training sessions were conducted indoors, in the afternoon, and the environmental conditions were monitored using a thermo-hygrometer (Alla France, Chemillé-Melay, France). The wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) was calculated using the wet- and dry-bulb temperatures according to the following equation: WBGT (°C) = 0.7 x wet-bulb temperature + 0.3 x dry-bulb temperature1616. Epstein Y, Moran DS. Thermal comfort and the heat stress indices. Ind Health. 2006;44(3):388-98. doi
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.

Determination of the exercise intensity during training sessions

The exercise intensity was estimated from the average of HR measurements obtained during the entire training session. The intervals between exercises, during which the gymnasts placed ice on body regions where they felt pain or engaged in atypical activities, such as physiotherapy sessions and break for snacks, were not excluded from the analysis to maximize data's ecological validity. The training sessions usually ended with a conversation between the coach and gymnasts. The training duration corresponds to the time elapsed between the beginning and end of the session, including the final coach feedback.

The exercise intensity (i.e., percentage of the HRmax) was calculated by dividing the average HR value obtained during the training session by the HRmax attained during the VO2max test (20-m shuttle run test). The exercise intensity expressed as the percentage of the VO2max was obtained from the direct relationship between the percentages of the HRmax and VO2max1717. Howley ET. Type of activity: resistance, aerobic, and leisure versus occupational physical activity. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2001;33:S364-S69.18. Bot SDM, Hollander AP. The relationship between heart rate and oxygen uptake during non-steady-state exercise. Ergonomics. 2000;43(10):1578-92. doi
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-1919. Wilke CF, Ramos GP, Pacheco DAS, Santos WHM, Diniz MSL, Gonçalves GGP, et al. Metabolic demand and internal training load in technical-tactical training sessions of professional futsal players. J Strength Cond Res. 2016;30(8):2330-40. doi
doi...
.

Energy expenditure (kcal) and metabolic rate (kcal.min−1) were estimated from the oxygen uptake values. The metabolic equivalent of task (MET) was obtained by dividing the VO2 values in mLO2.kg−1.min−1 by 3.5 mLO2.kg−1.min−1. The total energy expenditure of each athlete was then calculated by multiplying the body mass (kg) by the exercise intensity (expressed in multiples of MET; each MET corresponds to 1 kcal.kg−1.h−1) and by the training session duration (h)1717. Howley ET. Type of activity: resistance, aerobic, and leisure versus occupational physical activity. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2001;33:S364-S69.. Because energy supply depends predominantly on the aerobic pathway in physical exercises lasting more than two minutes2020. Spencer MR, Gastin PB. Energy system contribution during 200- to 1500-m running in highly trained athletes. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2001;33(1):157-62. doi
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, the HR-VO2 relationship is a valid method to estimate energy expenditure during prolonged training sessions and intermittent activities11,11. Castagna C, Belardinelli R, Impellizzeri FM, Abt GA, Coutts AJ, D’Ottavio S. Cardiovascular responses during recreational 5-a-side indoor-soccer. J Sci Med Sport. 2007;10(2):89-95. doi
doi...
18,18. Bot SDM, Hollander AP. The relationship between heart rate and oxygen uptake during non-steady-state exercise. Ergonomics. 2000;43(10):1578-92. doi
doi...
19,19. Wilke CF, Ramos GP, Pacheco DAS, Santos WHM, Diniz MSL, Gonçalves GGP, et al. Metabolic demand and internal training load in technical-tactical training sessions of professional futsal players. J Strength Cond Res. 2016;30(8):2330-40. doi
doi...
21,21. Esposito F, Impellizzeri FM, Margonato V, Vanni R, Pizzini G, Veicsteinas A. Validity of heart rate as an indicator of aerobic demand during soccer activities in amateur soccer players. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2004;93(1-2):167-72. doi
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2222. de Lira CAB, Peixinho-Pena LF, Vancini RL, Fachina RJFG, Almeida AA, Andrade MS, et al. Heart rate response during a simulated Olympic boxing match is predominantly above ventilatory threshold 2: a cross-sectional study. Open Access J Sport Med. 2013;4:175-82. doi
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.

Further, to determine the internal training load, quantified by the training impulse (TRIMP), the accumulated training duration in five HR zones relative to HRmax was multiplied by a coefficient for each zone, according to Edwards2323. Edwards S. High-performance training and racing. Feet Fleet Press, Sacramento; 1993..

TRIMP ( AU ) = ( Dz 1 × 1 ) + ( Dz 2 × 2 ) + ( Dz 3 × 3 ) + ( Dz 4 × 4 ) + ( Dz 5 × 5 )

where Dz i is the duration in zone i. zone 1 = 50-60% HRmax; zone 2 = 60-70% HRmax; zone 3 = 70-80% HRmax; zone 4 = 80-90% HRmax; zone 5 = 90-100% HRmax.

Statistical analyses

Shapiro-Wilk tests were used to verify the data normality. Mauchly's test was consulted, and the Greenhouse-Geisser correction was applied if sphericity was violated. All the data regarding environmental conditions, athlete's anthropometric and physiological characteristics, training intensity, energy expenditure, and TRIMP are presented as mean ± standard deviation (SD). The coefficient of variation (CV) and the maximum and minimum values of the parameters listed above were also presented to ensure a complete descriptive analysis of the data collected (except the environmental conditions). The percentage of total training time in different HR zones (0-60, 60-70, 70-80, 80-90, and 90-100 % HRmax) was outlined for each athlete. One-way repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Sidak post hoc test were used to compare the percentage of total training time at the different HR zones. The effect size was reported based on partial eta squared (η²) from the ANOVA. Data analyses were conducted in Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS version18.0, Chicago, IL, USA) and Graphpad® software (Prism5.0, San Diego, CA, USA).

Results

The training sessions were performed indoors with average WBGT and relative humidity of 22.9 ± 1.9 °C and 68.1 ± 10.5%, respectively. The mean training session duration was 4.08 ± 0.42 h.

Mean HR during the training sessions was 137 ± 8 bpm, which corresponded to 69.0 ± 3.5% of HRmax. To better understand the intensity of the gymnastic training sessions, the HR responses were separated into five ranges, namely 0-60, 60-70, 70-80, 80-90, and 90-100% of HRmax. The time spent at each of these ranges (i.e., the percentage of session duration) was determined for each athlete. Great variability in the HR responses among gymnasts was observed; for example, athlete #6 spent 7.7% of the training sessions at an HR range above 90-100% of her HRmax, whereas athlete #1 spent only 0.6% of the training sessions at this intensity (Figure 1). Despite the great variability observed, all 10 gymnasts spent more than 60% of training duration in intensities corresponding to less than 80% of HRmax, and more than 90% of training duration in intensities lower than 90% of HRmax. Analyzing the mean values, the gymnasts spent the most and the least of the training session's duration (30.4% and 3.7%) in intensities corresponding to 60-70% and 90-100% of HRmax, respectively (Figure 1). A significant effect was observed comparing the percentage of total training time at different ranges [F(2,13) = 23.081, p = 0.001, η² = 0.719]. Time spent at 90-100% HRmax was significantly lower compared to the other four ranges (p < 0.05). Furthermore, time spent at 60-70% and 70-80% was significantly higher compared to 80-90% HRmax (p = 0.012 and p = 0.001, respectively) (Figure 2).

Figure 1
Time spent at five different exercise intensities, determined by the maximum heart rate percentage, during gymnastic training sessions. Each bar represents one athlete, and the “X” bar represents the mean group response. HRmax = maximum heart rate.
Figure 2
Average time spent at five different exercise intensities, determined by the maximum heart rate percentage, during gymnastic training sessions. HRmax = maximum heart rate, *means significantly different from 90-100% HRmax, #means significantly different from 80-90% HRmax, p < 0.05, n = 10.

Energy expenditure was estimated from HR data (Table 2). The gymnasts had average energy expenditure and metabolic rate that corresponded to 768.3 ± 168.5 kcal and 3.1 ± 0.6 kcal.min−1, respectively; thus, the gymnastics training sessions presented a metabolic rate that was 6.1 ± 0.6 times the resting metabolic rate. Finally, the average TRIMP value corresponded to 239.2 ± 35.4 AU. For a complete description of the WAG training sessions, individual data obtained for each athlete in the five training sessions are shown in Table 3.

Table 2
Characterization of artistic gymnastic training sessions.
Table 3
Individual data for each artistic gymnastic training session.

Discussion

This study determined the intensity of effort and energy expenditure during artistic gymnastic training sessions. The gymnasts presented a mean absolute HR of 137 ± 8 bpm, while relative values corresponded to 69.0 ± 3.5% of HRmax. Furthermore, the internal load was also quantified with TRIMP values of 239.2 ± 35.4 AU. Gymnasts’ energy expenditure was 768.3 ± 168.5 kcal, with a metabolic rate of 3.1 ± 0.6 kcal.min−1 or 6.1 ± 0.6 times resting values. Thus, the physiological demand characterization of WAG training sessions was obtained.

In the present study, HR was recorded during 5 training sessions per athlete. No other WAG study reported this variable during training sessions, making comparisons difficult. However, some studies have reported the physiological demands during simulated gymnastic competitive routines1,1. Isacco L, Ennequin G, Cassirame J, Tordi N. Physiological pattern changes in response to a simulated competition in elite women's artistic gymnasts. J Strengh Cond Res. 2019;33(10):2768-77. doi
doi...
1010. Marina M, Rodríguez FA. Physiological demands of young women's competitive gymnastic routines. Biol Sport. 2014;31(3):217-22. doi
doi...
. These studies showed the gymnasts reached their highest HR values (183 - 199 bpm) in the floor and uneven bars exercises, while the vault is the apparatus with the lowest HR (154 - 166 bpm)1010. Marina M, Rodríguez FA. Physiological demands of young women's competitive gymnastic routines. Biol Sport. 2014;31(3):217-22. doi
doi...
. Accordingly, elite French gymnasts presented the lowest mean HR values on the vault (144.5 bpm), compared to the floor (163.8 bpm), uneven bars (168.6 bpm), and balance beam (161.8 bpm)11. Isacco L, Ennequin G, Cassirame J, Tordi N. Physiological pattern changes in response to a simulated competition in elite women's artistic gymnasts. J Strengh Cond Res. 2019;33(10):2768-77. doi
doi...
. Mean relative intensities attained during simulated competition ranged from 65 to 85% of the VO2max and HRmax1010. Marina M, Rodríguez FA. Physiological demands of young women's competitive gymnastic routines. Biol Sport. 2014;31(3):217-22. doi
doi...
. These values are comparatively higher than the values reported in the present study (137 bpm, 69% of HRmax); however, such results should not be directly compared because rest intervals between exercises, the rest required for ice-treatment, and physiotherapy sessions during training were not excluded from analysis in the present study. Thus, our data may not elucidate the level of effort during WAG-specific exercises, even though they have the merit of characterizing the physiological demand of long training sessions (i.e., 4 h), during which gymnasts obviously cannot continuously perform vigorous activities. Furthermore, due to the explosive and quasi-maximal muscle contractions required and the cardiovascular strain induced by gymnastic performance, high HR values are expected while analyzing only competitive routines1010. Marina M, Rodríguez FA. Physiological demands of young women's competitive gymnastic routines. Biol Sport. 2014;31(3):217-22. doi
doi...
. Finally, age and training/competition levels represent different conditions between ours and previous studies.

The mean value of 6.1 MET was stated for the WAG training sessions in the present study. Data related to metabolic rate in artistic gymnastics are not included in the compendium of physical activities1212. Ainsworth BE, Haskell WL, Herrmann SD, Meckes N, Basset Jr DR, Tudor-Locke C, et al. 2011 Compendium of physical activities: a second update of codes and MET values. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2011;43(8):1575-81. doi
doi...
. The compendium reports MET values for a wide variety of physical activities, enhancing the comparability between studies. Accordingly, in the sports category, competitive cheerleading and gymnastic moves are described with a value of 6.0 MET1212. Ainsworth BE, Haskell WL, Herrmann SD, Meckes N, Basset Jr DR, Tudor-Locke C, et al. 2011 Compendium of physical activities: a second update of codes and MET values. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2011;43(8):1575-81. doi
doi...
. Other sports activities with a similar MET corresponded to track and field (high jump, long jump, triple jump, javelin, and pole vault), competitive skateboard of vigorous effort, and competitive volleyball (6.0 MET for all). These data suggest that WAG training increased gymnasts’ metabolic rate to values commonly observed in several other sports. Thus, metabolic rate and the resulting energy expenditure in WAG training sessions were quantified for the first time. Further, these responses were investigated in female children and teenagers, groups usually excluded from the exercise physiology and sports training studies.

The mean energy expenditure of WAG training sessions was 768.3 kcal, metabolic rate was 3.1 kcal.min−1 while TRIMP values corresponded to 239.2 ± 35.4 AU. Of note, we could not find any study in gymnastics quantifying energy expenditure, metabolic rate, and TRIMP, making it difficult to compare our findings with data obtained in the same sport. Using a similar method, Rodrigues et al.2424. Rodrigues VM, Ramos GP, Mendes TT, Cabido CE, Melo ES, Condessa LA, et al. Intensity of official futsal matches. J Strength Cond Res. 2011;25(9):2482-7. doi
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estimated the metabolic rate (kcal.min−1) and total energy expenditure (kcal) of professional futsal players during official matches. These authors reported a higher metabolic rate (18.1 kcal.min−1), though lower total energy expenditure (313 kcal) compared to WAG training sessions. Further, during training sessions of male futsal players, Wilke et al.1919. Wilke CF, Ramos GP, Pacheco DAS, Santos WHM, Diniz MSL, Gonçalves GGP, et al. Metabolic demand and internal training load in technical-tactical training sessions of professional futsal players. J Strength Cond Res. 2016;30(8):2330-40. doi
doi...
reported an energy expenditure of 846 ± 129 kcal and a metabolic rate of 9.3 ± 1.0 kcal.min−1 while TRIMP values corresponded to 153 ± 21 AU. Previous studies monitored training session loads using TRIMP in different sports, such as female soccer (211 ± 81 AU)2525. Costa JA, Brito J, Nakamura FY, Figueiredo P, Rebelo A. Using the rating of perceived exertion and heart rate to quantify training intensity in female soccer players. J Strength Cond Res. 2019. doi
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, basketball (215 ±109 AU)2626. Lukonaitien≑ I, Kamandulis S, Paulauskas H, Domeika A, Pliauga V, Kreivyte R, et al. Investigating the workload, readiness, and physical performance changes during intensified 3-week preparation periods in female national Under18 and Under20 basketball teams. J Sports Sci. 2020;38(9):1018-25. doi
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, taekwondo (114.3 ± 13.0 AU)2727. Haddad M, Chaouachi A, Wong DP, Castagna C, Chamari K. Heart rate responses and training load during nonspecific and specific aerobic training in adolescent taekwondo athletes. J Hum Kinet. 2011;29(1):59-66. doi
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and swimming (107 ± 47 AU)2828. García-Ramos A, Feriche B, Calderón C, Iglesias X, Barrero A, Chaverri D, et al. Training load quantification in elite swimmers using a modified version of the training impulse method. Eur J Sport Sci. 2015;15(2):85-93. doi
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. However, comparisons between different sports are limited due to specific demands, sample characteristics, and TRIMP methods adopted in each study. Interestingly, TRIMP values were higher in gymnastics than in the studies mentioned above, which mostly included team sports, because of the long duration of gymnastic training sessions.

Participants of this study consisted of female gymnasts with a mean age of 10.9 years. Further, these gymnasts presented a low body fat (12.5 ± 2.0%) and a high training volume (4.08 ± 0.42 h per training session), corroborating previous reports for this population13,13. Silva MRG, Paiva T. Low energy availability and low body fat of female gymnasts before an international competition. Eur J Sport Sci. 2015;15(7):591-9. doi
doi...
29,29. Soric M, Misigoj-Durakovic M, Pedisic Z. Dietary intake and body composition of prepubescent female aesthetic athletes. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2008;18(3):343-54. doi
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3030. Sweeney EA, Daoud AK, Potter MN, Ritchie L, Howell DR. Association between flexibility and low back pain in Female Adolescent Gymnasts. Clin J Sport Med. 2019;29(5):379-83. doi
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. Knowing the mean energy expenditure during typical artistic gymnastic training sessions allows better diet control and, consequently, adequate energy supply for gymnasts’ growth, daily activities, and athletic performance1313. Silva MRG, Paiva T. Low energy availability and low body fat of female gymnasts before an international competition. Eur J Sport Sci. 2015;15(7):591-9. doi
doi...
. Thus, controlling energy balance is crucial to ensure gymnasts’ health, preventing menstrual dysfunction, damage to bone development, and injuries13,13. Silva MRG, Paiva T. Low energy availability and low body fat of female gymnasts before an international competition. Eur J Sport Sci. 2015;15(7):591-9. doi
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3131. Nattiv A, Loucks AB, Manore MM, Sanborn CF, Sundgot-Borgen J, Warren MP. The female athlete triad. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2007;39(10):1867-82. doi
doi...
. Conversely, inadequate energy intake relative to energy expenditure compromises sports performance and can limit the benefits of training.

WAG is a strength-power activity with specific motor skills, whose energetic requirements are mainly anaerobic in nature due to the high intensity and short duration of competitive routines5,5. Nassib SH, Mkaouer B, Riahi SH, Wali SM, Nassib S. Prediction of gymnastics physical profile through an international program evaluation in women artistic gymnastics. J Strength Cond Res. 2020;34(2):577-86. doi
doi...
3232. Jemni M, Sands WA, Friemel F, Stone MH, Cooke CB. Any effect of gymnastics training on upper-body and lower-body aerobic and power components in national and international male gymnasts? J Strength Cond Res. 2006;20(4):899-907. doi
doi...
. Thus, the main limitation of this study was that no physiological parameter quantified the contribution of anaerobic metabolism for energy transformation in skeletal muscles. Despite the limited use of HR to quantify physiological strain associated with high-intensity intermittent activities, the artistic gymnastic training sessions reported here had a long duration (4 h), including long recovery intervals. Unarguably, under this condition, the most considerable contribution comes from aerobic pathways, making the current methodology valid and suitable to assess energy expenditure and effort intensity. Future studies should investigate physical and psychological parameters to ensure better characterization of WAG training sessions in young gymnasts.

The results of the current study have some practical applications: (1) the energy expenditure during training sessions may support the prescription of a proper diet according to the gymnast's requirements and (2) quantifying the training load by using HR and TRIMP measures supports training planning and periodization, for example, by comparing TRIMP values over training cycles.

Conclusion

Young female gymnasts who underwent prolonged (4.08 h) artistic gymnastic training sessions showed elevated energy expenditure, with average values of 768.3 kcal. Moreover, throughout the training sessions, the gymnasts performed efforts that, on average, can be characterized as moderate intensity, reaching average values of 69% of HRmax. Indeed, gymnasts spent most of the training sessions in intensities corresponding to less than 80% of HRmax. Altogether, these measurements contribute to characterizing the WAG training demands. Finally, considering the high energy expenditure reported, the training load control of these gymnasts must be accurately ensured.

Acknowledgments

This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil (CAPES) - Finance Code 001. The authors also thank the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), and Pró-Reitoria de Pesquisa (PRPQ) of the UFMG.

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Associate Editor: Iane de Paiva Novais0000-0001-5956-4036, Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia, Jequié. BA, Brazil. E-mail: ianepaiva@yahoo.com.br.

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    17 Jan 2022
  • Date of issue
    2022

History

  • Received
    17 June 2021
  • Accepted
    01 Nov 2021
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