Criteria of Initial Selection of Candidates for Artistic Gymnastics

<bold>Background:</bold> The effectiveness of the training process and the level of sports results largely depend on the selection of candidates with appropriate psycho-physical predispositions and the efficiency of the training system. Therefore, selection for artistic gymnastics must be based on coaches' thorough knowledge regarding physical development, interdependence of particular systems and analysers, motor skills and mental determinants.

The aim of the study was to develop quantitative criteria of initial selection of candidates for artistic gymnastics.

<bold>Material/Methods:</bold> The study material comprised 319 boys aged 6 qualified for gymnastic training at the Interschool Sports Club and the Academic Sports Association of the Academy of Physical Education and Sport in Gdańsk in 1998 and in years 2002-2008.

<bold>Results:</bold> The application of study results of correlative and factor analyses allowed determining that in the group of control indices one should consider independent most representative tests. They include somatic build indices of selected motor skills and special fitness.

<bold>Conclusions:</bold> On the basis of indices of asymmetry and the concentration of the values of results around the mean value, optimal parameters, which can be viewed as model characteristics, have been worked out.