Rhythmic gymnastics is a very beautiful and feminine sport, in which rhythmic elements are performed with a musical accompaniment with a ribbon, clubs, rope, hoop and ball. These rhythmic elements also include throws and catches that rhythmic gymnasts perform alone or in a group.
We have focused on the differences in throwing and catching performances between the superior rhythmic gymnasts that had been the finalists of the World Championship in Baku in 2019. We have searched online for the videos of all the final performances in all-around. 24 competitors had qualified for the finals, so we have been watching 96 individual performances. We have entered the data of throws and catches for each finalist and each apparatus separately in the tables.
The purpose of the work was to determine the number of throws and the number of catches with individual parts of the body and to determine which ways of throws and catches prevail.
We have determined that competitors performed most throws and catches with the right hand. Therefore, we can assume that most of the competitors are right-handed. More successful competitors performed more throws and catches than less successful ones. They also threw and caught the apparatus in more different ways and with different parts of the body.
This research is the first one in Slovenia determining the symmetry of throws and catches in superior rhythmic gymnasts. Preventive work against injuries is crucial, so rhythmic gymnasts must start performing exercises that will prevent the possibility of poor posture and injuries. The trainers have to assemble such an exercise program, which will mainly include the performance of rhythmic elements with the left side of the body. By doing so, rhythmic gymnasts will avoid possible injuries and poor posture. Only in this way they can train for the benefit of their own health, which is much more important than success.
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