Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: Aesthetic sports, such as rhythmic gymnastics and modern dance, require a high level of flexibility due to their technical complexity. To prevent injuries during the execution of demanding movements, a well-developed core musculature is essential. Lumbar spine problems can appear at a very young age, often due to inadequate activation of the core muscles during specific movement patterns. The aim of this study was to assess muscle activity in athletes practicing rhythmic gymnastics and modern dance using surface electromyography (EMG).
METHODS: The study involved 16 female athletes engaged in aesthetic sports: 12 rhythmic gymnasts and 4 modern dancers. Pain intensity was measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), while core muscle activity was evaluated using surface EMG in various test positions (plank, side-plank, pelvic lift on stable and unstable surfaces). Based on VAS scores, participants were divided into two groups: low pain (0-50) and high pain (51-100). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and comparative tests, with a significance level set at p<0.05.
RESULTS: Among the participants, 75% reported experiencing some level of low back pain during training, and 56.25% also after training sessions. Comparing muscle activation between the two VAS groups, several muscles (e.g., transversus abdominis, obliquus externus abdominis, multifidus) showed higher mean activation levels in the lower-pain group. However, statistically significant differences were observed only in a few cases.
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirm that lumbar spine pain is common among young athletes in aesthetic sports. The observed relationship between muscle activation and pain intensity suggests that targeted core strengthening exercises could play a preventive role in managing low back pain. Future research should involve a larger sample size and interventional programs to better understand the impact of core training.