Kinesiotherapy with Elements of Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization Aimed at Running in Artistic Gymnasts
Kinesiotherapy with Elements of Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization Aimed at Running in Artistic Gymnasts

Summary/Abstract: The aim was to determine the effect of kinesiotherapy with elements of the Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization concept on the kinematic parameters of the lower extremities during running in artistic gymnasts. The study included 10 competitive gymnasts (10.8 ± 1.3 years; 145.7 ± 12.2 cm; 35.2 ± 8.2 kg). Only girls who had not reached menarche and had no traumatic lower extremity injuries were selected. Another criterion was the assessment of hypermobility using the Sachs test. The intervention was carried out for two months through group exercise based on developmental kinesiology concept of Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization. Video analysis was used with two NINOXTM125 cameras and MR3 software was used to evaluate the effect of exercises on pelvic, knee, and ankle joints in the sagittal and frontal planes during the midstance phase of the running cycle. Foot rotation during the stance phase was assessed using a dynamic treadmill Rehawalk® with the zebris system. Measurements were taken before and after the two-month therapy period. The paired Wilcoxon test was used, and statistically significant differences were considered at a significance level of α = 0.05. The effect size of the differences was evaluated using the r coefficient: < 0.1 trivial; 0.1–0.3 small; 0.3–0.5 moderate; > 0.5 large. There was a significant reduction in pelvic anteversion and lateral pelvic drop, increased ankle dorsiflexion, and a reduction in heel valgus during the midstance phase of the running cycle after therapy. The application of therapy that included elements of developmental kinesiology positively influenced dynamic stabilization of the pelvis and lower extremity weight bearing joints during running, which may have future beneficial effects on the health and performance of gymnasts.

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