Trunk Rotational Power in Female and Male Athletes of Gymnastics and Dance Sports

This study investigates between-gender differences in trunk rotational power produced at various loads in athletes of gymnastic and dance sports. A group of 24 female and 15 male competitive aerobic and acrobatic gymnasts, ballroom and rock & roll dancers completed two trials of standing trunk rotations at each side with a barbell of different weights (increasing from 1 kg by ~5 kg up to max. of 20 kg) placed on their shoulders. The power produced during trunk rotations was evaluated using the FiTRO Torso Premium. Results showed significantly higher mean power in the acceleration phase of trunk rotations in male than female athletes at loads of 10.5 kg (206.8 ± 22.0 W and 165.4 ± 17.8 W respectively, p = 0.033), 15.5 kg (231.8 ± 27.5 W and 155.6 ± 24.4 W respectively, p = 0.001) and 20 kg (196.9 ± 25.3 W and 111.4 ± 20.9 W respectively, p = 0.001). Similar significant between-gender differences for angular velocity at weights ≥10.5 kg were observed. Alternatively, power and force were greater at lower velocities in male than female athletes. However, some females were able to produce slightly greater power and force at higher velocities in spite of their lower values at lower velocities when compared to males. This may be ascribed to both the genetic predispositions and the specificity of their acrobatic and dance elements including trunk rotations at various velocities under different load conditions.