Some facts from training

Ragnhildur Steinunn Jónsdóttir
The best gymnast in Keflavik 1998

Steinunn, as she likes to be called, came to my training group in October 1991. Seven years is enough long time to observe young girl's developpment from beginner to elite gymnast. And what have I found? Steinunn is extremely motivated and hardworking gymnast. Her highroad to the success was not easy. She was never the leader of the group, but she was working when others took break. She gave up dream vacation on Canary Island, because she wanted to compete in Icelandic Championships. And she took bronze medal on beam - the first medal from Championships of Iceland for Keflavik in more than 10-years long history. Step by step Steinunn became one of the best gymnast in Iceland and a national team member. Here are her best results:
  • 1993 - Andresinumot - 1. All around (AA), 1. Uneven bars (UB)
  • 1995 - Championships of Keflavik - 2. Balance beam (BB), 3. Floor (FX)
  • 1996 - Championships of Iceland - 3. BB
  • 1996 - Unglingameistaramot Íslands - 1. BB, 2. FX
  • 1997 - Teams Championships of Iceland - 3. Keflavik
  • 1997 - International Championships of Slovakia - 5.BB, 6. Vault (VT)
  • 1998 - Teams Cup of Iceland - 3. Keflavik
  • 1998 - Seniormot 3.BB
  • 1998 - Championships of Keflavik - 1.AA, 1.VT, 1.UB, 1.BB, 1.FX

In the following part you can find some facts from Steinunn's training Chart NR. 1 illustrates her body height changes.
Chart 1 - Body height Steinunn

 

Number of trainings

Steinunn came to my training group in October 1991. In chart 2 you can see number of trainings in the years 1991 to 1998. She completed altogether 1.488 practices in 7 years. Red line in chart shows number of trainings her group had. Sum Present and Absent number can be different from group's number of trainings because of some extra trainings.
Chart 2 - Number of Steinunn's trainings

 

Total sum of points in tests

At least three times per training year we were doing tests to see her conditioning training's level. I chose four tests:
  1. Number of pull-ups in the hang on higher bar of uneven bars
  2. Time of holding legs horizontally in hang on lower bar, which I call L-hang
  3. Degree of side split in lying on back position
  4. Long jump from stand. Because of dependence on body height I calculated
    Index = long jump (cm) / body height (cm)
Using my experience from testing in Slovakia I made scale of points for these test results. In chart NR. 3 you can see total number of Steinunn's tests points and the best result from her group in these tests. She started in August 1990 from 10 points:
pull-ups = 0, L-hang = 1,1 sec., side split = 126°, long jump = 153 cm, index = 1,13
and her best result now is 41 points:
pull-ups = 12, L-hang = 50,0 sec., side split = 128°, long jump = 235 cm, index = 1,44
The best result of the group 49 points reached Asta S Tryggvadottir in December 1997:
pull-ups = 16, L-hang = 40,5 sec., side split = 136°, long jump = 244 cm, index = 1,54
Very interesting is to see the reduction between Steinunn and best result, which proves, that starting level is not as much important as development.
Chart 3 - Total points in tests

 

Pull-ups

From hang in regular grip with straight body she had to pull up chin over higher bar without any movement of legs and return to the starting position. Her starting level was very low, but thanks to her hardworking character there is significant increase also in this test. The best result of the group 19 pull-ups reached Asta S Tryggvadottir in December 1997
Chart 4 - Pull-ups

 

L-hang

From hang in regular grip on lower bar with bent hips she had to lift legs to the horizontal position and hold them stretched as long as she can. As you can see she made it from one second to over fifty seconds. The best result of the group 63,7 sec. reached Tinna Ösp Karadottir in May 1993.
Chart 5 - L-hang

 

Lying side split

From lying position on the back she had to move legs apart as far as she could having all the time conntact with the floor. In the maximum side split position I measured distances and then calculated angle between legs. The level of Steinunn active legs flexibility actually didn't change in all these years and persist between 116 and 129°. The best result of the group 151° reached Asta S Tryggvadottir in December 1992.
Chart 6 - Lying side split

 

Standing long jump

From stand on run-approach mat for vault she had to jump as far as she could. Her result increased from 153 to 235 cm and difference between her and best result was never too big. The best result of the group 244 cm reached Asta S Tryggvadottir in May 1998.
Chart 7 - Standing long jump

 

Jump index

Because I was interested to see real level of explosive leg strength, I calculated long jump / body height index. This way I could observe very progressive development from 1,13 in August 1990 to 1,44 in May 1998. The best result of the group 1,54 reached Asta S Tryggvadottir in August 1997 and May 1998.
Chart 8 - Standing long jump / body height

Thanks for visiting my Coaching Corner. I haven't tried to do any scientific research. I just wanted to express this way my gratitude to Steinunn for her great enthusiasm for gymnastics. I'll be delighted to answer all your questions or read your opinion and suggestions

 

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