EFFECT OF HOLISTIC GYMNASTICS IN THE FLEXIBILITY OF GIRLS BETWEEN 10 AND 12 YEARS

ABSTRACT The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of Holistic Gymnastics on the flexibility of the lumbar and pelvic joints of girls aged 10 to 12 years. A total of 43 female children were divided into: 21 in the control group (CG) and 22 practitioners of Holistic Gymnastics in experimental group (EG), with 9 weeks of practice once a week. The flexibility was analyzed using photogrammetry (software SAPO) and the test on the distance the fingertip-to-floor (FTF) the ground (tape). Descriptive and inferential statistics were used with p <0.05 significance level. In fingertip-to-floor (FTF) test, in the comparison between the pre- and post-intervention measures, the average for CG increased by 2.9 cm, while the average for EG declined by 7.7 cm in finger-ground distance. For angle measures, the average for CG was 92º in pre intervention and 81, 8º in post intervention measure, with an increase in distance from the standard. For EG, the average was 86,8º in pre intervention measure and 92,4º in post intervention measure, indicating approximation to the standard. The comparison between groups showed a significant difference between them (p= 0.0001). The Holistic Gymnastics produced increased flexibility.