Authors
Anna E. Campos, Sul Ross State University, East Highway 90, Alpine, Texas, 79832, USA
Julianna M. Dean, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, Texas, 78229, USA
International Journal of Exercise Science 19(6): 6013, 2026.
DOI: 10.70252/IJES2026613
Abstract
Currently, there is no way to identify “good” gymnasts other than by scores; biological markers of what makes them “good” are unstudied. Although gymnastics is usually classified as an anaerobic sport, the women’s 90- sec floor routine demands contribution from the aerobic energy system. This system is an unstudied potential performance limiter that first requires descriptive research. The primary purpose of this brief study is to describe muscle oxygen saturation (SmO2) levels in the vastus lateralis in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I female gymnasts. A secondary purpose is to observe possible relationships between SmO2 and floor scores; we hypothesized that overall higher SmO2 values would correspond to higher season average floor scores. Nine gymnasts voluntarily consented to participate. We attached a near-infrared spectroscopy monitor to the dominant leg, and each gymnast performed her floor routine. Live, continuous SmO2 measurements were transmitted to software which calculated average, peak, and minimum SmO2. Pearson correlations were calculated for SmO2 values and average 2023-2024 season floor scores for those who competed floor. Significance was set at p<0.05. Average SmO2 was 45.1 + 9.7%; average peak SmO2 was 63.9 + 6.3%; average minimum SmO2 was 30.7 + 11.8%. There were positive correlations between SmO2 and floor scores (r(1) = 0.997, p = 0.05; r(1) = 0.996, p = 0.05; r(1) = 0.998, p = 0.04 for SmO2 min, average, and peak, respectively). Our results are the first to describe SmO2 patterns in female gymnasts. The findings from this brief report provide evidence that SmO2 is a practical biomarker to collect and analyze. Future, larger studies should consider at least 19 participants to power robust correlations between SmO2 and performance in gymnasts.
Recommended Citation
Campos, Anna E.; Dean, Julianna M. (2026) “Muscle Oxygen Saturation during Floor Exercise in United States Female Collegiate Gymnasts: A Brief Descriptive Study,” International Journal of Exercise Science, 19(6):6013.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.70252/IJES2026613