BACKGROUND: Artistic gymnastics (AG) is a sport that requires high percentages of muscle strength and power for successful execution of the exercises in various apparatus. However, studies investigating their relationship with rate of force development (RFD) as well as AG performance are limited. The purpose of the present research was to investigate the relationship between muscle strength, muscle power and RFD of lower extremities in isometric and dynamic measurement condition with performance on balance beam. A partial objective was to examine the relationship of lean mass with RFD and AG performance. METHODS: Thirteen competitive level female gymnasts, with an average age of 11.6 years participated in the research and were evaluated in terms of body composition, isometric leg press strength and RFD and countermovement jump (CMJ). In addition, balance beam routines were evaluated by four international judges. Pearson`s r coefficient was used to investigate the correlation of the variables under consideration. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant correlation between force-time characteristics during isometric and dynamic assessment with balance beam performance (P>0.05). However, a strong correlation was found between total lean body mass (TLM) and power (r=0.985), relative power (RP) (r=0.933), max strength (MS) (r=0.727), and RFD 100 ms (r=643) and RFD 150 ms (r=0.896) during the CMJ. Furthermore, there was a strong correlation of bone density (BD) with power (r=0.903), MS (r=0.74), RFD 100 ms (r=0.735) and RFD 150 ms (r=0.883) time intervals in CMJ. CONCLUSIONS: Balance beam performance is influenced by other physical factors and technical execution of exercises rather than lower limb strength characteristics.
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