Effects of bungee-based training on physical performance and arch jump kinematics in female college rhythmic gymnasts

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an eight-week bungee-based training program on selected physical performance variables and arch jump kinematics in female college rhythmic gymnasts. Material and methods: Eighteen female college students (age: 18.1 ± 0.9 years) were randomly assigned to an experimental group (EG; n = 9) or a control group (CG; n = 9). The EG completed a bungee workout training program three times per week for eight weeks, while the CG followed a traditional rhythmic gymnastics training program. Physical performance variables included vertical jump, leg strength, back strength, standing long jump, and sit-and-reach flexibility. Arch jump kinematics were assessed using video-based motion analysis. Pre- and post-intervention comparisons were conducted within and between groups. Results: Following the intervention, the EG demonstrated significant improvements in all physical performance variables (p < 0.05), whereas no significant changes were observed in the CG. Between-group post-test comparisons revealed significantly greater physical performance outcomes in the EG, with moderate to large effect sizes. In terms of kinematics, significant between-group differences favoring the EG were identified for jump height, pelvis angle, flight phase time, landing phase time, and selected upper-limb joint angles (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed for center-of-gravity displacement or selected lower-limb joint angles. Conclusions: An eight-week bungee-based training program effectively enhanced physical performance and induced selective, task-specific kinematic adaptations in the arch jump among female college rhythmic gymnasts. These findings suggest that bungee-based training represents a valuable complementary conditioning method for improving strength, flexibility, and jump mechanics in rhythmic gymnastics.