EFFICACY OF A FOUR-BLOCK PLYOMETRIC EXERCISE COMPLEX IN DEVELOPING JUMPING ABILITIES OF 7-10-YEAR-OLD RHYTHMIC GYMNASTS

Abstract

This study scientifically evaluates the efficacy of a developed four-block plyometric exercise complex on the general jumping abilities of rhythmic gymnasts at the training stage. The research was conducted over 12 weeks involving 60 athletes aged 7-10, randomly divided into experimental and control groups. Pedagogical testing methods were applied, including horizontal and vertical jumps, a jumping endurance test, and the Abalakova test to assess asymmetry. Statistical analysis revealed that the experimental group demonstrated significant improvements: horizontal jump increased by 10.0% (p < 0.001), vertical jump by 19.6% (p < 0.001), and asymmetry decreased by 56.2% (p < 0.001). Changes in the control group were marginal. The results confirm the high effectiveness of the proposed complex, which accounts for age-related physiological characteristics, the principle of allometric scaling of loads, and the integration of apparatus manipulation (dual-task), making it highly recommended for implementation in sports school training processes.

Keywords

rhythmic gymnastics, jumping ability, four-block exercise complex, sensitive period, plyometrics, asymmetry, allometric scaling, training stage, physical preparation, biomechanics, dual-task, neuromuscular system.