Acrobatics and Tumbling is a growing collegiate sport that combines skills from both competitive cheerleading and gymnastics.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether any change in muscular strength, muscular endurance, cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, or body composition occurred in members of a NCAA Acrobatics and Tumbling (A&T) team during a 12 week season.
METHODS: Subjects included 19 female members of a NCAA A&T team. Subjects had a mean age, height and weight of 20.05±1.55yrs, 162.89±6.01cm, and 62.56±8.73kg respectfully. Measurements were taken on two separate occasions; once during pre-season and again at the conclusion of the season. A 12 week time period elapsed between pre and post-season measurements. During the 12 week A&T season all subjects were required to attend six practices a week and strength train an additional 2 hrs a week. Pre and post season measurements included a 1 RM squat test, consecutive push-ups to exhaustion, the Queens College Step Test to estimate VO2max, sit and reach test, and 3 site skinfold test to determine muscular strength, muscular endurance, cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, and body composition respectively. Five dependent t-tests were performed between all pre and post season measurements.
RESULTS: A significantly (p<.05) greater number of push-ups were completed post-season (35.47±12.17) in comparison to pre-season (28.79±12.07). Subjects reached significantly (p<.05) further during the sit and reach test post season (46.68±3.33cm) when compared to pre-season (43.2±2.33cm). Percent body fat was significantly (p<.05) greater pre-season (23.80±4.04%) than post-season (22.34±3.54%). No significant (p>.05) difference between pre and post season VO2max or 1RM squat was found.
CONCLUSION: These results indicate that in-season A&T training increases upper body muscular endurance, flexibility, and improves body composition, but has minimal impact on VO2 max and lower body strength.
