Balance in handstand and postural stability in standing position in athletes practicing gymnastics

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare and analyse of relationships between stability indices registered in two positions: standing and handstand in athletes practicing gymnastics at various levels of advancement. Methods: The study included 46 athletes practicing gymnastics. The research tool was posturograph CQ-Stab 2P. Results: In both standing position and handstand in the seniors there were statistically significantly lower values of such indicators as: sway area delimited by the center of pressure (p = 0.004, p = 0.014), mean amplitude of COP (p = 0.021, p = 0.017), mean displacement of the center of feet/hands pressure in medio-lateral direction (p = 0.011,p = 0.003) and maximal displacement of the center of feet/hands pressure in mediolateral direction (p = 0.036, p = 0.036). In the standing position, seniors also had statistically significantly lower values of the statokinesiogram path length, both total (p = 0.000) as well as in anteroposterior (p = 0.001) and mediolateral (p = 0.002) directions. In the seniors group there were statistically significant correlations between variables obtained in standing position and handstand. Conclusions: The level of sport advancement significantly differentiates the stability of a body in standing position and handstand. The seniors practicing gymnastics, compared to juniors, are characterized by a better ability to control the position of the body in both positions. The lack of relationships between stability indices registered in standing and handstand in juniors suggests that the analysis of the values of stability indices obtained in a standing position does not provide the possibility of predicting the ability to maintain balance in the handstand during the recruitment of candidates for gymnastics.