The Effect of the Relationship among Leg Volume, Leg Mass and Flexibility on Success in University Student Elite Gymnasts

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the effect of the relationship among leg volume, leg mass and flexibility on success in
university student elite gymnasts. It was conducted on Haliç University, Marmara University, Çukurova University
and University of Kırşehir Ahi Evran gymnastics teams (male and female) which took part in Turkish Intercollegiate
Gymnastics Championship and, later, voluntarily participated in this study. While years of age, height and weight of
male gymnasts participating in the study were 21.20±1.57, 174.00±4.57 and 67.60±6.46 kg, respectively, the same
values were 21.00±2.65 years of age, 165.31±4.60 cm and 54.62±4.63 kg for female gymnasts, respectively.
Spearman correlation analysis was performed using SPSS 22.0 package program for Windows, the level of
significance was taken as 0.05. The analysis results indicate a highly positive significant correlation (r=.761, p<0.001)
between leg volume and leg mass in male gymnasts, a highly positive significant correlation (r=.674, p<0.01)
between leg volume and leg mass in female gymnasts, a highly positive significant correlation (r=.795, p<0.001)
between leg volume and leg mass in male and female gymnasts, a low positive significant correlation (r=.361,
p<0.05) between leg volume and success in male and female gymnasts, and a moderate positive significant
correlation (r=.463, p<0.05) between leg mass and success in male and female gymnasts. As a result, gymnastics as a
sport requires a combination of speed, strength, endurance, agility, and flexibility. Speed, strength, agility and
flexibility are important parameters for training and performance. In addition, an optimal amount of leg volume
(13000 ml, 14000 ml) and leg mass (13-14 kg) contribute to success in elite gymnasts.