Effects of a 10-Month Neuromuscular Training Program on Strength, Power, Speed and Vault Performance in Young Female Gymnasts

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate a 10-month neuromuscular training (NMT) intervention on isometric and dynamic kinetics, standing long jump (SLJ) distance, speed and sport-specific performance. Methods: Forty-three pre-pubertal female gymnasts were allocated into either a gymnastics + NMT (gNMT; n = 16), gymnastics only (GYM, n = 15) or maturity-matched control (CON; n = 12) group. The gNMT followed a 10-month, twice-weekly NMT program that targeted movement competency, strength, power and speed. Vaulting vertical take-off velocity, speed, SLJ distance and kinetics during an isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP), countermovement jump (CMJ) and drop jump (DJ) were measured at baseline and thereafter at 4, 7 and 10 months. Within-group differences were calculated using 3 x 4 repeated measures ANCOVAs. Results: Interaction effects were observed for SLJ distance and various IMTP, DJ and vaulting variables. The gNMT showed significant improvements in IMTP absolute force and SLJ distance after 4-months, and each subsequent testing session. IMTP relative force and various CMJ and DJ kinetics significantly improved in the gNMT from 7-months. Significant gains in speed and vaulting take-off velocity occurred after 10-months. The GYM group achieved some significant improvements in CMJ impulse, absolute isometric strength and DJ spring-like behaviour, while the CON group did not experience any changes. Conclusion: The addition of NMT to gymnastics training improved various isometric and dynamic kinetics, SLJ distance, speed and vaulting take-off velocity in the gNMT; changes that were not equally evidenced for GYM or CON. The threshold for most of the training-induced adaptations observed in IMTP relative force, CMJ and DJ kinetics, sprint speed and vaulting were achieved after 7-months, which emphasise the efficacy of long-term NMT programs for young gymnasts.