Influenza dell’allenamento della ginnastica artistica sulprocesso di accrescimento in giovani atlete = Influence of artistic gymnastics training on growth process in young athletes

Introduction. Several studies have shown that high-intensity artistic gymnastics training combined with low-calorie intake, could alter the normal growth patterns and maturation of gymnasts. However, it has not been yet demonstrated a cause-effect relationship between the high artistic gymnastics training workout and the alteration of growth. Objective. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of artistic gymnastics training on growth patterns in young gymnasts of two different competition level. Materials and Methods. Twenty-six competitive gymnasts (age ranged 7-14 years) of Sardinia Regional Team (n=10, intermediate level) and of Youth National Italian Team (n=16, elite level) were examined. For all the athletes 21 anthropometric measures were assessed up to 2 times across 12 months. Results. A significantly higher proportion (x2=1.53, P>0.05) of National gymnasts showed short stature when compared with Regional gymnasts (47.7%, n=7 vs 20.1%, n=2, respectively). The 38.4% (n=10) of the entire sample of gymnasts (n=26) showed a body weight below the fifth percentile (National, n=9; 56.25% vs Regional, n=2; 10%) (x2=5.56, P<0.05). Significant difference (x2=5.10, P<0.005) in the distribution of the growth rate reduction (growth velocity less than 4.50 cm / year), was found between National gymnasts (75%, n=12 ) and Regional gymnasts (30%, n=3). Conclusions. The high frequency of growth alteration in both gymnasts' groups, particularly in National gymnasts, suggested that prolonged participation in artistic gymnastics training and competition could alter the normal growth pattern in some gymnasts, but not all, regardless of their level of competition.