The Effect of Technical Competence in Balance Elements of Rhythmic Gymnastics on the Sportive Success of Taekwondo Poomsae Athletes

This study aims to investigate the effect of technical competence in certain balance elements, an important parameter in rhythmic gymnastics, on sportive success in taekwondo poomsae athletes and the relationship between them. The study was conducted on 12 female taekwondo athletes (age: 17.6±1.2; height: 159.26±3.1 cm; weight: 50.79±1.82 kg; BMI: 20.88±0.98 kg/m2). The participants were selected from successful athletes who were in the top 6 in their own category in the national taekwondo competition held this year. The athletes performed 6 balance elements in rhythmic gymnastics, i.e. side passé (SP), 90° forward (90°F), side split with hand support (SSWHS), Arabesque with trunk forward (A), Cossack (C) and free leg to the side (FLS), and the Y balance test. The relationship between these balances that were assessed by 3 international judges and success rating was identified using the Spearman correlation test. The level of significance was accepted as p<0.05. As result, a statistically significant difference was found between side passé and split with hand support, balances used in rhythmic gymnastics, and success ratings (p