Formation of the Ability to Balance in 8-and 9-Year-Old Girls Engaged in Rhythmic Gymnastics at the Stage of Initial Training
Authors:   Samara State University of Social Sciences and Education, Safonenko Svetlana V. 
Published: March 2022

The article presents a study of the problem of finding an effective method of forming the ability to balance in 8- and 9-year-old girls engaged in rhythmic gymnastics at the stage of initial training. The aim of the article is to present the developed and experimentally justified special exercises for improving the sense of balance in 8- and 9-year-old girls engaged in rhythmic gymnastics at the stage of initial training with the help of a specialized set of exercises on a gymnastic balance cushion (balancer). The research is based on the methods of analysis of scientific and methodological literature; pedagogical observation; testing; pedagogical experiment; methods of mathematical statistics. The author conducted a pedagogical experiment to test the effectiveness of special exercises using a specialized set of exercises on a balancer, aimed at improving the sense of balance in 8- and 9-year-old girls engaged in rhythmic gymnastics at the stage of initial training. The experiment involved the introduction into the training process of a technique based on a set of exercises in balance on a balance beam (gymnastic pillow), (releve, tour lent, turns to the right and left in the toe stand, turns in balance, “fouette” and “wave” turns back and forth, ring pivots), to improve the sense of balance in the girls. The article confirms the effectiveness of the developed methodology, as evidenced by a comparative analysis of the results of the study. As a result of the experiment, the level of development of the ability to balance increased in the control and experimental groups: in the control group there were no statistically significant changes, in the experimental group there was a statistically significant increase in all control tests. In the Biryuk sample test, the increase was 42.25%, which corresponds to a high level of development of the ability to maintain static balance. In the Balance on Releve with Side Split with Hand Support test, the increse was 35.16% on the right leg and 33.04% on the left leg. In the Balance in the Ring with Hand Support test, the increase was 33.29% on the right leg and 36.25% on the left leg. These results characterize the average level of development of the ability to maintain static balance. A significant increase was observed in tests that determine the ability to maintain dynamic equilibrium. “Turn with the foot forward” on the right supporting leg, the increase was-47.06%, on the supporting left leg, the increase was-41.86%. These results show a high level of development of the ability to maintain dynamic balance. The ring pivot with hand support was performed at an above-average level: the increase was 56.41% on the right leg and 72.34% on the left leg. Thus, the results of the study presented in the article confirm the effectiveness of the author's methodology aimed at developing the ability to balance in girls in 8- and 9-year-old girls engaged in rhythmic gymnastics at the stage of initial training.