Live streaming vs pre-recorded training during Covid-19 pandemic in Italian rhythmic gymnastics

Abstract: The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak led to an inevitable and drastic transition to online training
systems. This study aimed to analyze the differences between live-streaming and pre-recorded
training modalities in rhythmic gymnastics (RG) with coaches and gymnasts of different technical
levels. A total of 238 coaches and 277 athletes affiliated with the Italian Gymnastics Federation (FGI)
participated in the study. The data collection tool was a self-collected questionnaire structured in three
sections: participant’s information, characteristics of live-streaming training, and characteristics of prerecorded
training. A 2 2 ANOVA was used for each numeric variable. A Pearson’s chi-squared test
was used for each categorical variable. For the athletes, training frequency, motivation, and efficacy
were significantly higher (p < 0.05) with live streaming (3.7 1.5 day/week, 3.8 0.9 score and
3.8 0.8 score, respectively) than with a pre-recorded modality (2.2 1.7 day/week, 3.1 1.2 score
and 3.7 0.9 score, respectively), while for coaches, significant differences (p < 0.005) were found
between the two modalities only for training frequency (live streaming, 3.6 1.8 days/week vs.
pre-recorded, 2.1 1.7 days/week). The adherence (number of No:Yes) was significantly higher
(p < 0.05) for the live-streaming modality than for the pre-recorded modality in gold athletes (1:74 vs.
14:61, respectively), silver athletes (12:190 vs. 28:174, respectively), and gold coaches (3:63 vs. 11:55,
respectively), but it was not for silver coaches. Physical preparation was performed significantly
(p < 0.005) more often (number of No:Yes) for live streaming than for the pre-recorded modality by
gold athletes (9:66 vs. 34:41, respectively), silver athletes (25:177 vs. 77:125, respectively), gold coaches
(8:58 vs. 37:29), and silver coaches (33:139 vs. 85:87, respectively). Free body technical preparation
was performed significantly (p < 0.005) more often (number of No:Yes) for live streaming than for
the pre-recorded modality by gold athletes (15:60 vs. 39:36, respectively), silver athletes (84:118 vs.
121:81, respectively), gold coaches (10:56 vs. 38:28), and silver coaches (60:112 vs. 105:67, respectively),
while no differences were found for silver athletes’ and coaches’ technical preparations for apparatus
training between the two modalities. In conclusion, live streaming had greater positive effects on RG
training during home confinement. However, pre-recorded training could be more effective for some
types of training, depending on the technical level of the athletes.