Postural stability at different heights as well as in natural standing position and during tandem stance in female athletes who practice artistic gymnastics

Purpose: The aim of this work was the assessment of postural stability at different heights as well as in natural standing position and during tandem stance in female athletes who practice artistic gymnastics. Methods: The study comprised 34 athletes aged 8–12, practicing artistic gymnastics at a sports club „Korona Kraków”. The research tool was CQ-Stab 2P two-platform posturograph. The elevation was achieved using the Light SPL platform. The data were analyzed based on Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Spearman’s rank correlation. Results: The height at which the posturograph was set differentiated the path length of the statokinesiogram, both in the natural stance ( p = 0.035) and tandem stance (p = 0.012). When the posturograph was placed on the floor, statistically significantly higher sway area delimited by the COP point (p < 0.001), statokinesiogram path length (p < 0.001), mean amplitude of COP displacement (p < 0.001) and mean frequency of COP displacement (p = 0.048) values were recorded in the tandem stance position. On the other hand, when the posturograph was placed on a landing, statistically significantly higher sway area delimited by the COP point (p < 0.001), statokinesiogram path length (p < 0.001) and mean frequency of COP displacement (p < 0.001) values were recorded in the tandem stance position. Conclusions: Increasing height was accompanied by deterioration of stability indices. Postural stability improves with training experience.