Contralateral Muscle Imbalances and Physiological Profile of Recreational Aerial Athletes
Background: Aerial fitness is quickly gaining popularity; however, little is known regarding the physiological demands of aerial athletes. The purpose of the study was to examine contralateral muscle imbalances, compare dominant versus non-dominant hamstrings-to-quadriceps (H:Q) ratios, and to estab...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2019-07-01
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| Series: | Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/4/3/49 |
| _version_ | 1818444885327347712 |
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| author | Rachel M. Ruggieri Pablo B. Costa |
| author_facet | Rachel M. Ruggieri Pablo B. Costa |
| author_sort | Rachel M. Ruggieri |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Aerial fitness is quickly gaining popularity; however, little is known regarding the physiological demands of aerial athletes. The purpose of the study was to examine contralateral muscle imbalances, compare dominant versus non-dominant hamstrings-to-quadriceps (H:Q) ratios, and to establish a physiological profile of recreational aerial athletes. Methods: Thirteen aerialist women visited a local aerial studio to participate in a data collection session to examine isometric levels of upper and lower body strength, muscle endurance, flexibility, balance, and cardiovascular fitness. Results: No significant differences were found between dominant and non-dominant hand grip strength (<i>p</i> = 0.077), dominant and non-dominant isometric knee flexion (<i>p</i> = 0.483), dominant and non-dominant isometric knee extension (<i>p</i> = 0.152), or dominant and non-dominant isometric H:Q ratios (<i>p</i> = 0.102). In addition, no significant difference was found between isometric dominant H:Q ratio and the widely-used value of 0.60 (<i>p</i> = 0.139). However, isometric non-dominant H:Q ratio was significantly lower than the 0.60 criterion (<i>p</i> = 0.004). Aerial athletes demonstrated to have excellent flexibility, balance, cardiorespiratory fitness, and average strength. Conclusions: Aerial fitness may be another recreational activity that could be used to maintain higher levels of flexibility, balance, cardiorespiratory fitness, and strength. Aerialists may want to consider focusing on strengthening the lower body and balancing the hamstrings and quadriceps muscle strength. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T19:23:02Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-223d24f46afc496186bb745ce6a8e1ce |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2411-5142 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T19:23:02Z |
| publishDate | 2019-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology |
| spelling | doaj.art-223d24f46afc496186bb745ce6a8e1ce2022-12-21T22:50:17ZengMDPI AGJournal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology2411-51422019-07-014349010.3390/jfmk4030049jfmk4030049Contralateral Muscle Imbalances and Physiological Profile of Recreational Aerial AthletesRachel M. Ruggieri0Pablo B. Costa1Exercise Physiology Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Fullerton, CA 92831, USAExercise Physiology Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Fullerton, CA 92831, USABackground: Aerial fitness is quickly gaining popularity; however, little is known regarding the physiological demands of aerial athletes. The purpose of the study was to examine contralateral muscle imbalances, compare dominant versus non-dominant hamstrings-to-quadriceps (H:Q) ratios, and to establish a physiological profile of recreational aerial athletes. Methods: Thirteen aerialist women visited a local aerial studio to participate in a data collection session to examine isometric levels of upper and lower body strength, muscle endurance, flexibility, balance, and cardiovascular fitness. Results: No significant differences were found between dominant and non-dominant hand grip strength (<i>p</i> = 0.077), dominant and non-dominant isometric knee flexion (<i>p</i> = 0.483), dominant and non-dominant isometric knee extension (<i>p</i> = 0.152), or dominant and non-dominant isometric H:Q ratios (<i>p</i> = 0.102). In addition, no significant difference was found between isometric dominant H:Q ratio and the widely-used value of 0.60 (<i>p</i> = 0.139). However, isometric non-dominant H:Q ratio was significantly lower than the 0.60 criterion (<i>p</i> = 0.004). Aerial athletes demonstrated to have excellent flexibility, balance, cardiorespiratory fitness, and average strength. Conclusions: Aerial fitness may be another recreational activity that could be used to maintain higher levels of flexibility, balance, cardiorespiratory fitness, and strength. Aerialists may want to consider focusing on strengthening the lower body and balancing the hamstrings and quadriceps muscle strength.https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/4/3/49circus artistscircus actsaerial silksaerial hoopaerial fitnessacrobats |
| spellingShingle | Rachel M. Ruggieri Pablo B. Costa Contralateral Muscle Imbalances and Physiological Profile of Recreational Aerial Athletes Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology circus artists circus acts aerial silks aerial hoop aerial fitness acrobats |
| title | Contralateral Muscle Imbalances and Physiological Profile of Recreational Aerial Athletes |
| title_full | Contralateral Muscle Imbalances and Physiological Profile of Recreational Aerial Athletes |
| title_fullStr | Contralateral Muscle Imbalances and Physiological Profile of Recreational Aerial Athletes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Contralateral Muscle Imbalances and Physiological Profile of Recreational Aerial Athletes |
| title_short | Contralateral Muscle Imbalances and Physiological Profile of Recreational Aerial Athletes |
| title_sort | contralateral muscle imbalances and physiological profile of recreational aerial athletes |
| topic | circus artists circus acts aerial silks aerial hoop aerial fitness acrobats |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/4/3/49 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT rachelmruggieri contralateralmuscleimbalancesandphysiologicalprofileofrecreationalaerialathletes AT pablobcosta contralateralmuscleimbalancesandphysiologicalprofileofrecreationalaerialathletes |