# Static Balance in Female Artistic Gymnasts and Non-Training Girls
###### Abstract  
Sports activities can constitute a factor in improving postural control. The aim of this study is to compare static balance in the tandem stance between female artistic gymnasts and non-training girls. This was performed with and without visual control, as well as in a position with open eyes, on a 1.25 m high platform. Two groups of thirty girls participated in the study. The first group consisted of gymnasts (mean age 9.50 \(\pm\) 1.20 years, body height 133.50 \(\pm\) 11.40 cm, and body mass 28.90 \(\pm\) 6.90 kg), while the second group comprised non-training girls (mean age 9.80 \(\pm\) 1.20 years, body height 142.60 \(\pm\) 10.90 cm, and body mass 37.40 \(\pm\) 9.70 kg). Balance measurements were taken using the CQ Stab 2P two-plate stability platform. In the measurements conducted with the subjects' eyes closed, the gymnasts obtained a lower value for displacement regarding the maximal centre of pressure (COP) in the anterior-posterior direction and a higher frequency of COP displacement (\(p<0.05\)). In the trial performed on a platform, a greater COP displacement frequency was found among the non-training girls (\(p<0.001\)). Differences in the values of the variables characterising the static balance of gymnasts and non-training girls were revealed only in conditions of increasing difficulty concerning the motor task (increasing the height of the position and/or without eye control). Keywords:balance; artistic gymnastics; tandem stance; girls +
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settings, of which the most common are postures in both the bipedal quiet and unipedal stance positions. In the unipedal stance, gymnasts obtained more favourable results than their non-training peers and competitors of other sports [15; 16; 17]. On the other hand, in the case of a natural, free postural position, conclusions regarding the natural quiet stance are not so clear [15; 18; 19; 20]. The results of our research allow us to indicate that training in gymnastics may have a positive effect on coping with stimuli disturbing postural control. [PERSON] et al. [21] formulated a conclusion stating that, compared to competitors of other disciplines, gymnasts, after shutting off visual control in the unipedal stance, better utilised the remaining sensory modalities to compensate for the lack of vision. [PERSON] et al. [22] confirmed the positive effects of gymnastics training on the stability in the bipedal stance without the visual system. On the other hand, [PERSON] et al. [15] did not report such results, neither in the unipedal position nor in bipedal stance with closed eyes. The divergent conclusions of these studies encourage further analysis of this issue. Another significant factor influencing the processes related to maintaining stability is the height at which the body is located. In research carried out among adults, it was indicated that psychological, physiological, and postural responses may be a reply to a perceived state of danger related to height [23; 24]. The influence of height on postural reactions in children training in artistic gymnastics was a topic discussed in our earlier work [25]. We found that the length of the statokinesiogram path in the natural and tandem stance positions was greater in the tests carried out at the height of 1.25 m than on the ground. The postural stability of children is assessed in various positions, including the tandem stance [26]; however, few authors are focused on research among artistic gymnasts. [PERSON] et al. [27] emphasized that in this discipline, the tandem stance is a particularly important position during exercises performed on a balance beam. In this position, the athletes start and finish various gymnastic elements. Losing balance results in the athlete falling from the beam, which, in the event of a sports competition, significantly reduces the point value obtained for the performed routine. Thus, the risk of injury is increased [28]. The result is adversely affected by even a slight \"disturbance\", and to an extent that can be observed by the judges.