Physiological and Energetic Demands During Still-Rings Routines of Elite Artistic Gymnasts

Purpose : The aim of the study was to analyze physiological and energetic demands of elite gymnasts during still-rings routines (SRRs). Methods : Eleven male gymnasts (mean [SD] 23.6 [3.9] y, 65.9 [5.6] kg, 171.1 [6.7] cm) performed a maximal graded exercise test and an individual SRR, during which respiratory gas and heart rate (HR) were measured using a mobile spiroergometer and a paired HR sensor. Metabolic energy and the energy contribution in terms of aerobic, anaerobic lactic, and anaerobic alactic were determined by oxygen uptake (VO 2 ) during exercise, net lactate production, and the fast component of postexercise VO 2 kinetics. Results : Mean routine duration of the SRRs was 48.3 (4.5) seconds. VO 2 and HR during SRRs were shown to be 86.9% (5.9%) and 91.0% (3.3%), respectively, of the maximal values measured during the graded exercise test. The anaerobic alactic, aerobic, and anaerobic lactic systems provided 50.9% (6.6%), 28.6% (4.8%), and 20.5% (5.2%), respectively, of the total energy required during SRRs. The energy contribution of the anaerobic lactic system correlated negatively with individual anaerobic threshold ( r = −.715) and maximal VO 2 ( r = −.682). Conclusions : The anaerobic alactic system is the predominant energy source for ATP resynthesis during SRRs. The high relative VO 2 and HR values reached during SRRs show that these routines strongly stress the cardiovascular system.