RG Science Information

The information below is selectively listed by Dr. M. “Shino” Shinohara, PhD, FACSM.

Expert Scientists

Contact each expert directly for consultation

Muscle Biomechanics

  • Dr. Marie M. Moltubakk, PhD. Education Advisor at Norwegian Gymnastics Federation, Norway.
    ResearchGate, Linkedin, Facebook, Instagram
    Science of flexibility and stretching in rhythmic gymnastics

Neuromuscular Physiology, Motor Control/Learning

  • Dr. M. “Shino” Shinohara, PhD. Associate Professor at Georgia Institute of Technology, USA; USA RG National Team Member Coach.
    Homepage, ResearchGate, Linkedin, Facebook, Instagram
    Neuromuscular Sciences for Efficient Rhythmic Gymnastics Training

Sports Psychology

  • Dr. Gloria Balague, PhD. Former Professor at the University of Illinois, USA.
    ResearchGate, Facebook

Recorded presentations

  • Marie M. Moltubakk. The science of flexibility and stretching in rhythmic gymnastics, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Scientific Conferences and Seminars

Academic Journals

Other Resources

Summary of valuable research papers

The use of a dual-task paradigm to identify superior sensory organisation ability in rhythmic gymnasts. Yeh TT, Chang HY, Ju YY, Chen HY. J Sports Sci. 2018 Nov 13:1-7.

  • Better visual utilization of sensory organisation ability in rhythmic gymnasts is apparent when a sensory organization test is performed with an arithmetic task.
  • Coaches can use the dual-task paradigm for talent identification or diagnostic assessment of sensory organisation ability.

The relative contribution of physical fitness to the technical execution score in youth rhythmic gymnastics. Donti O, Bogdanis GC, Kritikou M, Donti A, Theodorakou K. J Hum Kinet. 2016 Jul 2;51:143-152.

  • Active sideways leg extension was the best predictor of the technical execution score.
  • Active sideways leg extension: Gymnasts stood upright, slightly supporting one hand on the ‘barre’ and lifted the contralateral leg bringing it sideways and upwards as close to the trunk as possible. Both legs remained stretched and the torso was kept upright. The angle between the two legs was measured.

Motor Learning as Young Gymnast’s Talent Indicator. di Cagno A, Battaglia C, Fiorilli G, Piazza M, Giombini A, Fagnani F, Borrione P, Calcagno G, Pigozzi F. J Sports Sci Med. 2014 Dec 1;13(4):767-73.

  • Precision of motor learning (of skills unrelated to gymnastics) in young gymnasts predicts gymnastics performance improvement and their ability to develop it in the next 3 years, rather than their current performance.