The effect of exercises using a balance pillow on the speed-specific strength of the arms and legs, some biomechanical variables, and the human wheel performance of gymnasts aged 7-9 years

Abstract

The research aimed to prepare exercises using a balance pillow and to identify the effect of these exercises on the strength and speed of the arms and legs, some bio-kinematic variables, and the human wheel performance of gymnasts over 7 years of age. These exercises were applied for a period of two months, at the rate of three training units per week, on the research sample, which was (12) players aged from 7 to 9 years. They were chosen intentionally, and some tests related to the research topic were conducted regarding the biomechanical variables affecting the performance of the human wheel skill. The results showed significant differences in favor of the post-tests in both the strength and speed of the arms and legs, the performance of the human wheel, and the biokinematic variables (the angle of inclination of the torso at the moment of fulcrum with the driving foot, the knee angle of the fulcrum leg at the moment the hand contacts the ground, the horizontal distance between the fulcrum foot and the point of contact of the first hand with the ground, The angular velocity of the snapping leg, the time taken between the contact of the first and second hand, the angle between the open legs at the moment of the handstand).