Special Fitness and the Effectiveness of Technical Preparation in Gymnastic Vault Event in Athletes at the Directed Stage

Background: The aim of the study was to determine the correlation between individual profiles of leading traits of special fitness with athletes' technical preparation in the gymnastic vault event at the directed stage of training. Material/Methods: The study involved 60 gymnasts aged 11-13 practising artistic gymnastics at the stage of directed training. The study was carried out in laboratory, training and sports competition conditions in years 2003 - 2007. Results: An analysis of results enabled determining the most informative indices having a significant relation with the sports results in gymnastic vault. Quantitative criteria of special fitness and technical preparation in six-month macrocycles of the training process have been worked out. Individual profiles of special fitness with indication of their changeable character in the three-year period of the study have been presented. Conclusions: The research led to the following conclusions: - an objective quantitative assessment creates a possibility to optimise the training process of the examined competitors through an appropriate selection of training means and methods; - working out the structure of athletes' special preparation with consideration for the curricular requirements in subsequent six-month macrocycles will enable optimising the training process directed not only at the all-round events but also at the possibilities to specialise in selected gymnastic events; - the above study can also stimulate a further development of the theory and methodology of training in artistic gymnastics.