Quantitative and Qualitative Evaluation of Motor Coordination Abilities in Gymnast Girls Aged 7-9 Years

Background: The aim of the paper was to build evaluation criteria of selected motor coordination abilities, useful in optimization of training in young gymnast girls, at the initial stage of sport training. Material/Methods: 18 gymnast girls aged 7-9 years old from the Sports School in Olsztyn took part in this study. In order to evaluate selected motor coordination abilities, three tests were used. The first test was taken on dynamometric platform on which subjects performed the Ellipsis test four times. This test is based on controlling the position of the centre of body mass using a dynamometric platform. The tested person had to keep the cursor (the centre of body mass) at the point moving along a prefect ellipsis on the screen. After two rehearsals gymnasts were turned round ten times in a rotation chair. In the second test, static balance was assessed by the Flamingo balance test (Eurofit). In the third test the level of global coordination was measured. Results: A correlation analysis of the collected data showed statistically significant correlation between individual indices. On the basis of objective quantitative and qualitative information obtained in this study, norms useful in assessment of the examined abilities were drawn up. A selection of valid and reliable indicators helpful in objective evaluation of motor coordination abilities in gymnast girls at the initial stage of sport training was made. Conclusions: Drawn up norms of motor coordination abilities evaluation create the basics for individualization of training in young gymnast girls at the initial stage of sport training.