Effects of bungee-based training on physical performance and arch jump kinematics in female college rhythmic gymnasts

Authors

Nasser Abouzeid, Department of Physical Education, College of Education, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
Mariola Gepfert, Institute of Sport Sciences, The Jerzy Kukuczka University of Physical Education, Katowice, PolandFollow
Abdulrahman I. Alaqil, Department of Physical Education, College of Education, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
Abdulmalek K. Bursais, Department of Physical Education, College of Education, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
Hussein Hashoos, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Almaaqal University, Basrah, Iraq
Mohammed S. Alibrahim, Department of Physical Education, College of Education, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
Labeeb Z. Moseekh, College of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Anbar, Ramadi, Iraq
Amr S. Hamza, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Sohag University, Sohag, EgyptFollow

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an eight-week bungee-based training program on selected physical performance variables and arch jump kinematics in female college rhythmic gymnasts. Material and methods: Eighteen female college students (age: 18.1 ± 0.9 years) were randomly assigned to an experimental group (EG; n = 9) or a control group (CG; n = 9). The EG completed a bungee workout training program three times per week for eight weeks, while the CG followed a traditional rhythmic gymnastics training program. Physical performance variables included vertical jump, leg strength, back strength, standing long jump, and sit-and-reach flexibility. Arch jump kinematics were assessed using video-based motion analysis. Pre- and post-intervention comparisons were conducted within and between groups. Results: Following the intervention, the EG demonstrated significant improvements in all physical performance variables (p < 0.05), whereas no significant changes were observed in the CG. Between-group post-test comparisons revealed significantly greater physical performance outcomes in the EG, with moderate to large effect sizes. In terms of kinematics, significant between-group differences favoring the EG were identified for jump height, pelvis angle, flight phase time, landing phase time, and selected upper-limb joint angles (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed for center-of-gravity displacement or selected lower-limb joint angles. Conclusions: An eight-week bungee-based training program effectively enhanced physical performance and induced selective, task-specific kinematic adaptations in the arch jump among female college rhythmic gymnasts. These findings suggest that bungee-based training represents a valuable complementary conditioning method for improving strength, flexibility, and jump mechanics in rhythmic gymnastics.

Recommended Citation

Abouzeid N, Gepfert M, Alaqil AI, Bursais AK, Hashoos H, Alibrahim MS, Moseekh LZ, Hamza AS. Effects of bungee-based training on physical performance and arch jump kinematics in female college rhythmic gymnasts. Balt J Health Phys Act. 2026;18(1):Article4. DOI: 10.29359/BJHPA.18.1.04

Author ORCID Identifier

Nasser ABOUZEID, ORCID: 0000-0002-1484-4197

Mariola GEPFERT, ORCID: 0000-0002-9749-5278

Abdulrahman I. ALAQIL,  ORCID: 0000-0003-0458-2354

Abdulmalek K. BURSAIS, ORCID: 0000-0002-2624-6012

Hussein HASHOOS, ORCID: 0009-0006-3688-6327

Labeeb Z. MOSEEKH,  ORCID: 0000-0001-6839-4294 

Amr S. HAMZA, ORCID: 0009-0004-1149-3792 

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.