Anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) are responsible for a successful first step execution in handstand walking. This study evaluates gymnasts' ability to adapt their APAs and stepping parameters in response to adding/removing an external load over repeated handstand walking initiation trials. Eighteen gymnasts performed five handstand walking initiation trials without load (PRE), eight trials with an external load (LOAD) and five trials with removed load (POST). Force platforms and a motion capture system were used to quantify mechanical parameters from the anticipatory phase and the stepping phase. During the first LOAD trial, APAs did not change, however, the step height decreased by 0.56 cm compared to PRE (