Zhiyuan Fan’s scientific contributions

Background and Aim: The performance of China's aerobic gymnasts in international competitions has seen a significant decline over the past decade, following notable successes from 2000 to 2012. In recent years, certain training issues from the past have gradually come to light. Consequently, it holds great significance to delve into the factors and standards influencing the competitive performance of high-level aerobic gymnastic athletes. This study aims to develop a comprehensive battery test to assess and enhance the performance of high-level aerobic gymnasts, addressing existing training inadequacies and competition underperformance. Materials and Methods: This study was a mix of methods of research and development that followed: (1) reviewing relevant literature on the competitive abilities of aerobic gymnastic athletes, initially selecting influencing factors, and establishing an indicator evaluation system; (2) conducting expert interviews and inviting 9 experts to modify and optimize the indicator system; (3) organizing focus group discussions and inviting 19 experts for consultation to further optimize the indicator system and testing content; and (4) developing testing content, operational procedures, and evaluation criteria for the evaluation indicator system, and conducting correlation tests. Data were primarily analyzed using mean, standard deviation, median, two-class imbalance rate, coefficient of variation, and correlation. Results: The results found that (1) the factors that affect Chinese aerobic gymnastics athletes' performance include physical performance (physical form, physical function, and physical fitness), skills, and choreography; (2) the battery test, consists of 3 physical form tests, 6 physical function tests, 7 physical fitness tests, 3 skill tests, 3 mental tests, and 6 choreography tests; and (3) after conducting test-retest reliability and organizing the data from both tests, the values ranged from 0.73 to 0.97, which indicated that the data from various tests had high reliability and validity. Conclusion: A comprehensive battery test assesses these factors, including physical, skills, mental, and choreographic aspects. The test's reliability and validity are high.