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Use of biophotogrammetry for assessment of trunk flexibility

INTRODUCTION: Rhythmic Gymnastics (RG) is a type of gymnastics that requires a high degree of flexibility due to the complexity of the required movements. OBJECTIVE: this study aimed to compare the sit and reach test (SRT) and the Biophotogrammetry technique as indicators of trunk flexibility in beginning GR practitioners. METHODS: the sample included 60 girls (5-11 years old) from a universe of 110, all enrolled in a Center for Sports Initiation in Parana State. Data collection was performed in November, 2009. IN order to compare the TSA and biophotogrammetry, angles of the pelvis (WP), spinal flexion (WC) and total trunk flexion (WT) were drawn. RESULTS: the average score achieved by the participants on theTSA scale was 27.75 cm. A strong correlation was found between WT angle and the TSA values. Since it is a combination of the WC and WP, the WT provides a global view of the distance from the trunk to the legs when bending occurs during the test. Therefore, the correlations between the angles are good and meaningful. CONCLUSION: since the TSA has some intervening factors that may mask the result, biophotogrammetry is discussed as a test that allows the observation of reliable data for measuring flexibility and muscle compensation which are not usually identified, through photographs and angular calculations.

angles; sit and reach test; biophotogrammetry


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