Flexibility and Functional Asymmetry in Rhythmic Gymnastics

This study aimed to compare the flexibility level in Portuguese rhythmic gymnasts across competitive levels, investigate possible functional asymmetries in gymnasts across the competitive levels, and determine which flexibility variables better explain performance. Participants included young gymnasts (n=157) in three competitive levels (Base, 1 st division and Elite), who performed ten specific passive and active flexibility tests were used. The asymmetry index was calculated and a limit of 15% bilateral difference was established as normal flexibility difference in the lower limbs. Upper and lower limbs, as well as multi-joint flexibility increased with higher competition level, although these differences were not significant between 1 st division and Elite in upper limbs and multijoint tests. All groups showed differences in passive and active flexibility between preferred and non-preferred lower limb. In addition, the higher the competition level, the lower the asymmetry level. Functional asymmetry was found in 69% and 71% of the gymnasts in passive and active flexibility, respectively. Finally, active flexibility with preferred lower limb explained 21.8% of the variance in performance with some differences in the variables explaining performance across levels.