Millions compete in Cheersport, yet athlete performance remains understudied. This cross-sectional study examined body composition, fitness, and performance to understand its physiological demands.Thirty national team members (coed and all girl) were recruited to participate in this study. Age, height, and training history were collected via a questionnaire. Body composition was measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Performance testing included the countermovement jump (CMJ), push-ups, plank, and the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test. Maximum oxygen uptake (<InlineEquation ID="IEq999"> <InlineMediaObject> <ImageObject Color="BlackWhite" FileRef="12662_2025_1043_Article_IEq999.gif" Format="GIF" Height="18" Rendition="HTML" Resolution="72" Type="Linedraw" Width="14" /> </InlineMediaObject> <EquationSource Format="TEX">\(\dot {\mathrm{V}}\)</EquationSource> </InlineEquation>O2max) was estimated based on the distance covered during the Yo-Yo test.Flyers were younger (23.8±2.3 years), smaller (159±7 cm), and lighter (53±2.6 kg) than bases (males: 26.4±4.9 years, 178±4 cm, 95±13 kg; females: 27.0±3.3 years, 167±5 cm, 66±11 kg). Male athletes had higher fat-free mass than female athletes (88.0±13.3 vs. 55.1±8.1 kg). All subgroups (bases, flyers, males, females) had low to very low fat mass (7.5–11.9%) and good jumping performance compared to other sports (males: 47±3 cm; females: 34±6 cm). All subgroups had similar results in push-up (19±3 repetitions), plank performance (228±33 seconds), and estimated <InlineEquation ID="IEq997"> <InlineMediaObject> <ImageObject Color="BlackWhite" FileRef="12662_2025_1043_Article_IEq999.gif" Format="GIF" Height="18" Rendition="HTML" Resolution="72" Type="Linedraw" Width="14" /> </InlineMediaObject> <EquationSource Format="TEX">\(\dot {\mathrm{V}}\)</EquationSource> </InlineEquation>O2max (42.2±2.0 mL/kg/min). Women tended to have less training background in resistance training (2 years), while men tended to have no history of endurance training.This study adds to the understanding of Cheersport demands, highlighting anthropometric differences by position and sex. While athletes showed good jumping ability, <InlineEquation ID="IEq995"> <InlineMediaObject> <ImageObject Color="BlackWhite" FileRef="12662_2025_1043_Article_IEq999.gif" Format="GIF" Height="18" Rendition="HTML" Resolution="72" Type="Linedraw" Width="14" /> </InlineMediaObject> <EquationSource Format="TEX">\(\dot {\mathrm{V}}\)</EquationSource> </InlineEquation>O2max could be improved. Given the low strength and endurance training background of these elite athletes, findings suggest a need for sport-specific strength and conditioning programs to enhance performance and reduce injury risk.

Physical fitness, body composition, and training background of elite cheersport athletes

期刊论文
发表日期：

2025年5月7日

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Simon Gavanda,
Travis Foster,
Thimo Wievelhove,
Christoph Zinner,
Martin Lange

摘要

Millions compete in Cheersport, yet athlete performance remains understudied. This cross-sectional study examined body composition, fitness, and performance to understand its physiological demands.

Thirty national team members (coed and all girl) were recruited to participate in this study. Age, height, and training history were collected via a questionnaire. Body composition was measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Performance testing included the countermovement jump (CMJ), push-ups, plank, and the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test. Maximum oxygen uptake ( \(\dot {\mathrm{V}}\) O₂max) was estimated based on the distance covered during the Yo-Yo test.

Flyers were younger (23.8±2.3 years), smaller (159±7 cm), and lighter (53±2.6 kg) than bases (males: 26.4±4.9 years, 178±4 cm, 95±13 kg; females: 27.0±3.3 years, 167±5 cm, 66±11 kg). Male athletes had higher fat-free mass than female athletes (88.0±13.3 vs. 55.1±8.1 kg). All subgroups (bases, flyers, males, females) had low to very low fat mass (7.5–11.9%) and good jumping performance compared to other sports (males: 47±3 cm; females: 34±6 cm). All subgroups had similar results in push-up (19±3 repetitions), plank performance (228±33 seconds), and estimated \(\dot {\mathrm{V}}\) O₂max (42.2±2.0 mL/kg/min). Women tended to have less training background in resistance training (2 years), while men tended to have no history of endurance training.

This study adds to the understanding of Cheersport demands, highlighting anthropometric differences by position and sex. While athletes showed good jumping ability, \(\dot {\mathrm{V}}\) O₂max could be improved. Given the low strength and endurance training background of these elite athletes, findings suggest a need for sport-specific strength and conditioning programs to enhance performance and reduce injury risk.