Explosive power of lower limbs in rhythmic gymnastics athletes in different competitive levels

In Rhythmic Gymnastics, the gymnast must present powerful muscular groups, to achieve a good performance in the training and competition routines. However, “powerful” cannot be interpreted as “bulky”, because the RG athletes present a longilineal muscular structure, forti ed and elastic which allows the lightness and loveliness movements. € e gymnasts are usually thin and don’t present muscular mass de nition in excess, once the muscular hypertrophy is not aesthetic in this sport. € e gymnast depends on the strength capacity for technical performance mastery. According to Badillo and Ayestáran, the technical failures are often wrongly explained by lack of coordination, ability or training, the authors said that they happen by lack of strength in the muscular groups. According to the authors is necessary for an adequate performance of the movements. For the public often the strength is not considered a relevant motor capacity in RG, since the gymnasts are associated to a high  exibility level only. However the strength in RG is part of the great majority of movements performed by the gymnasts, with or without apparatus. € e correct technical performance, with the necessary range and intensity are only possible if a high level of strength development is achieved. € erefore is unquestionable that the strength represents a determinant role to the high performances in this sport. RG requires gymnasts with high  exibility Abstract