Techniques used in high-scoring and low-scoring 'Roche' vaults performed by elite male gymnasts

The 16 highest-scored Roche vaults (G1) performed during the 2000 Olympic Games were compared with those receiving the 16 lowest-scores (G2). A 16-mm motion picture camera operating at 100 Hz recorded the vaults during the competition. The results of t tests (p < .05) indicated G1, compared to G2, had (a) shorter time of board support, greater normalised average upward vertical force and backward horizontal force exerted by the board, greater change in the vertical velocity while on the board, and greater vertical velocity at board take-off, (b) comparable linear and angular motions in pre-flight, (c) smaller backward horizontal impulse exerted by the horse, smaller loss of the horizontal velocity while on the horse, and greater horizontal and vertical velocities at horse take-off, (d) greater height and larger horizontal distance of post-flight, (e) higher body mass centre at knee release, and (f) higher mass centre, greater normalised moment of inertia, and smaller vertical velocity at mat touchdown. Therefore, gymnasts and coaches should focus on sprinting the approach; blocking and pushing-off the take-off board rapidly and vigorously; departing the board with a large vertical velocity; exerting large downward vertical force and small forward horizontal force from the hand-stand position while on the horse; departing the horse with large horizontal and vertical velocities; and completing the majority of the double salto forward near the peak of trajectory and releasing the knees above the top of the horse to prepare for a controlled landing.     

Somersaulting techniques used in high-scoring and low-scoring Roche vaults performed by male Olympic gymnasts

The aim of this study was to compare the somersaulting techniques used in the 16 highest-scoring and 16 lowest-scoring Roche vaults. Our hypothesis was that the gymnasts performing the highest-scoring Roche vaults would demonstrate a better technique than those performing the lowest-scoring Roche vaults while on the horse (pushing off the horse more effectively), somersaulting (executing most of the required somersaults higher in flight), and landing (showing a greater control). A 16-mm motion picture camera, operating at 100 Hz, recorded the vaults during the official competition. The two-dimensional direct linear transformation was used for spatial reconstruction. The results of t-tests (P < 0.05) indicated that, compared with the low-scoring gymnasts, the high-scoring gymnasts had: (1) greater height of body centre of mass and a more fully extended body position at the horse take-off; (2) greater height of body centre of mass at the peak of post-flight, knee release, and touchdown on the mat; (3) greater horizontal and vertical displacements of body centre of mass, greater somersaulting rotation, and longer time from the knee release to mat touchdown; and (d) markedly smaller landing point deductions. In conclusion, a successful Roche vault is likely when the focus is on: (a) leaving the horse with a large vertical velocity in an extended body position to achieve a high trajectory of centre of mass by first extending the legs, then immediately pushing off the horse vigorously, using the muscles of the upper extremity; (b) grasping the knees immediately after the take-off from the horse, achieving the tightly tucked body position early during the ascent to the peak, and completing two-thirds of the required somersaults at a great height; (c) releasing the knees and extending the body above the top level of the horse; and (d) contacting the mat with a high body centre of mass position.     

Somersaulting techniques used in high-scoring and low-scoring Roche vaults performed by male Olympic gymnasts

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the somersaulting techniques used in the 16 highest-scoring and 16 lowest-scoring Roche vaults. Our hypothesis was that the gymnasts performing the highest-scoring Roche vaults would demonstrate a better technique than those performing the lowest-scoring Roche vaults while on the horse (pushing off the horse more effectively), somersaulting (executing most of the required somersaults higher in flight), and landing (showing a greater control). A 16-mm motion picture camera, operating at 100 Hz, recorded the vaults during the official competition. The two-dimensional direct linear transformation was used for spatial reconstruction. The results of t-tests (P < 0.05) indicated that, compared with the low-scoring gymnasts, the high-scoring gymnasts had: (1) greater height of body centre of mass and a more fully extended body position at the horse take-off; (2) greater height of body centre of mass at the peak of post-flight, knee release, and touchdown on the mat; (3) greater horizontal and vertical displacements of body centre of mass, greater somersaulting rotation, and longer time from the knee release to mat touchdown; and (d) markedly smaller landing point deductions. In conclusion, a successful Roche vault is likely when the focus is on: (a) leaving the horse with a large vertical velocity in an extended body position to achieve a high trajectory of centre of mass by first extending the legs, then immediately pushing off the horse vigorously, using the muscles of the upper extremity; (b) grasping the knees immediately after the take-off from the horse, achieving the tightly tucked body position early during the ascent to the peak, and completing two-thirds of the required somersaults at a great height; (c) releasing the knees and extending the body above the top level of the horse; and (d) contacting the mat with a high body centre of mass position.     

The Hecht vault performed at the 1995 World Gymnastics Championships: Deterministic model and judges' scores

The aim of this study was to determine the mechanical variables that govern success of the Hecht vault. The participants were 122 male gymnasts from 30 countries performing the vault at the 1995 World Gymnastics Championships. The vaults were filmed using a Photosonics 16-mm motion picture camera operating at 100 Hz. Approximately 80 frames were digitized for each vault analysed. The method of Hay and Reid was used to develop a theoretical model to identify the mechanical and physical variables that determine linear and angular motions of the vault. Correlational analysis was used to establish the strength of the relationship between the causal mechanical variables identified in the model and the judges' scores. Significant correlations (P ? 0.005) indicated that the following were important determinants of success: large horizontal and vertical velocities at take-off from the board and the horse; large vertical and angular distances of pre-flight; large vertical impulses of high force and short duration exerted on the horse and the resulting large changes in vertical velocity on the horse; and large horizontal and vertical distances and long times of post-flight. Of the 18 significant variables identified in the present study, the angular distance of pre- and post-flights, the horizontal velocity and angular momentum at take-off from the horse, and the average moment of inertia and duration of post-flight collectively accounted for 57% of the variation in the judges' scores.     

踺子转体180°前手翻接直体前空翻转体类跳马动作的运动学分析

目的:研究踺子转体180°前手翻接直体前空翻类跳马动作,揭示这类跳马的运动学规律和技术特点.方法:对程菲和洪淑贞完成的"踺子转体180°前手翻接直体前空翻转体180"(简称"R180"),以及程菲完成的"踺子转体180°前手翻接直体前空翻转体540°"("程菲跳")进行三维运动学分析,对三组跳马动作身体重心的水平速度和垂直速度、主要关节的位移、关节角度、身体翻转角速度等运动学参数进行对比分析.结果:三组动作踏板时重心水平速度基本相同,踏板及推手阶段关键位置的关节角度相近,但"程菲跳"推离马重心垂直速度和第二腾空时间明显高于"R180",第二腾空转体角速度略大于"R180"的3倍,而翻腾角速度略小.结论:踺子转体180°前手翻接直体前空翻类跳马动作触马前的技术动作基本相同,难度较高的技术动作需要更高的推离马垂直速度和更快的第二腾空转体角速度.     

The Hecht vault performed at the 1995 World Gymnastics Championships: deterministic model and judges' scores

The aim of this study was to determine the mechanical variables that govern success of the Hecht vault. The participants were 122 male gymnasts from 30 countries performing the vault at the 1995 World Gymnastics Championships. The vaults were filmed using a Photosonics 16-mm motion picture camera operating at 100 Hz. Approximately 80 frames were digitized for each vault analysed. The method of Hay and Reid was used to develop a theoretical model to identify the mechanical and physical variables that determine linear and angular motions of the vault. Correlational analysis was used to establish the strength of the relationship between the causal mechanical variables identified in the model and the judges' scores. Significant correlations (P < 0.005) indicated that the following were important determinants of success: large horizontal and vertical velocities at take-off from the board and the horse; large vertical and angular distances of pre-flight; large vertical impulses of high force and short duration exerted on the horse and the resulting large changes in vertical velocity on the horse; and large horizontal and vertical distances and long times of post-flight. Of the 18 significant variables identified in the present study, the angular distance of pre- and post-flights, the horizontal velocity and angular momentum at take-off from the horse, and the average moment of inertia and duration of post-flight collectively accounted for 57% of the variation in the judges' scores.     

A two-segment simulation model of long horse vaulting.

The optimum pre-flight characteristics of the Hecht and handspring somersault vaults were determined using a two-segment simulation model. The model consisted of an arm segment and a body segment connected by a frictionless pin joint, simulating the vault from the Reuther board take-off through to landing. During horse contact, shoulder torque was set to zero in the model. Five independent pre-flight variables were varied over realistic ranges and an objective function was maximized to find the optimum pre-flight for each vault. The Hecht vault required a low trajectory of the mass centre during pre-flight, with a low vertical velocity of the mass centre and a low angular velocity of the body at horse contact. In contrast, the optimum handspring somersault required a high pre-flight trajectory, with a high angular velocity of the body and a high vertical velocity at horse contact. Despite the simplicity of the model, the optimum pre-flights were similar to those used in competitive performances.     

Hitting the vault board: Implications for vaulting take‐off ‐ a preliminary investigation

Gymnastics vaulting relies on a specialized take‐off board for propulsion during the take‐off phase of the vault. There is little information on the vault board and its behaviour. The aim of this study was to characterize the behaviour of the vault board during handspring drill take‐offs of young male gymnasts (n = 36). The side of the top surface of the vault board and the wooden base were marked with three reflective markers, placed at the end of the vault board nearest the vault table and the centres of the two rearmost coil springs. The vault board surface was divided into two areas, rear and middle, based on marker location. The gymnasts’ groups were determined from the location of the gymnast's lateral malleolus at vault board contact. Landings with the malleolus directly above or behind the rearmost marker were considered rear landings; landings with the malleolus forward of the rearmost marker were considered middle landings. Marker movements were automatically digitized and the right malleolus was hand digitized at 120 Hz. The maximum vertical displacement, vertical deflection time, and vertical velocity at take‐off of the vault board markers did not differ statistically between board contact groups (all p > 0.05). The lateral malleolus velocity components also did not differ between board contact groups. Some low to moderately strong correlations were observed between the various marker displacements, durations and take‐off velocities. Modest correlations were obtained between board markers and right malleolus velocities. The results indicate that foot contact on the vault board, as defined here, did not result in differences in board marker behaviour or right lateral malleolus velocities. This information does not support the idea that vault board contacts at the rear of the vault board are worse than contacts near the middle of the vault board. More research is needed to ascertain the role of the vault board's vibration characteristics to whole body actions that are observed in the subsequent preflight phase.     

对我国优秀跳远运动员起跳技术的运动学比较研究

通过对我国优秀跳远运动员23人起跳技术影片的解析，并与世界优秀跳远运动员起跳有关环节运动学参数变化的对比分析发现，我国优秀跳远运动员助跑绝对速度较低，在起跳过程中身体重心水平速度损失较小，从而获得的垂直分速度亦较小，腾起角度相应偏小，运动员的起跳能力较差，在快速助跑中跳不起来。提高跳远运动员的绝对速度能力，应是我国跳远速度训练的重点；正确处理“跑得快与跳得起”的矛盾，仍是我国跳远技术训练亟待解决的课题。     

男子跳远运动员不同起跳级次及其起跳技术的运动学分析

采用现场定点高速摄像、录像分析以及数理统计等方法,通过对A、B两组起跳阶段不同时相身体重心水平速度和垂直速度的变化与着板角、起跳缓冲和蹬伸阶段膝角变化的比较分析。结果表明:成绩较好,缓冲阶段身体重心水平速度的减小值会略大,垂直速度的增加值则更大;而且,离板瞬间身体重心水平速度和垂直速度都呈现出相对较大的趋势。     

跳马“踺子转体180°前手翻屈体前空翻”动作上板踏跳技术分析

采用三维影片解析法,分析了许钢跳马“踺子转体180°前手翻”类动作上极踏跳技术。结果表明：许钢在侧手翻推离地面时已开始了“纵转180°向外转体”,至着板、蹬离时已完成了较大幅度的转体动作;踏跳过程中,水平速度损失少,重心轨迹左右偏离度小。     

我国优秀运动员郭佳浩“侧手翻接屈体后空翻两周半”的运动学分析

采用图像解析的方法对郭佳浩“倒手翻接屈体后空翻两周半”技术动作进行运动学分析研究,研究表明,郭佳浩助跑速度快;上板踏跳快速有力．垂直速度增加较高;撑马时间短促有力;第二腾空横轴和纵轴转体角速度快,空中姿态保持较好,落地较稳;第二腾空时间长,腾空高度高;不足之处在于他触马瞬间到离马瞬间过程中垂直速度有所减小。     

优秀男子跳远运动员起跳技术的运动学分析

运用对比分析法对中外优秀男子跳远运动员起跳有关环节的运动学参数研究发现,我国优秀跳远运动员助跑绝对速度较低;在起跳过程中身体重心水平速度损失较小,从而获得的垂直分速度亦较小,腾起角度相应偏小;踏板缓冲阶段动作消极、运动员的起跳能力较差是我国跳远运动水平落后的症结所在。     

Show‐Jumping

This study examined the effects of the rider on the linear projectile kinematics of show‐jumping horses. SVHS video recordings (50 Hz) of eight horses jumping a vertical fence 1 m high were used for the study. Horses jumped the fence under two conditions: loose (no rider or tack) and ridden. Recordings were digitised using Peak Motus. After digitising the sequences, each rider's digitised data were removed from the ridden horse data so that three conditions were examined: loose, ridden (including the rider's data) and riderless (rider's data removed). Repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant differences between ridden and loose conditions for CG height at take‐off (p < 0.001), CG distance to the fence at take‐off (p = 0.001), maximum CG during the suspension phase (p < 0.001), CG position over the centre of the fence (p < 0.001), CG height at landing (p < 0.001), and vertical velocity at take‐off (p < 0.001). The results indicated that the rider's effect on jumping horses was primarily due to behavioural changes in the horse's motion (resulting from the rider's instruction), rather than inertial effects (due to the positioning of the rider on the horse). These findings have implications for the coaching of riders and horses.     

Volleyball

The purpose of this investigation was to detect whether differences exist concerning the dynamic and kinematic parameters of vertical squat jump (SJ) on rigid (RS) and sand (SS) surface. Fifteen elite male beach volleyball players (age: 25.6±6.2 years; height: 188.0±3.5cm; body mass: 83.2±6.0 kg; mean ±SD, respectively) performed SJ. Force platform and kinematic analyses were used with paired sample T‐tests to evaluate the differences. Vertical jump height was significantly smaller (p < .001) on SS than RS. Maximal force and maximal power were significantly higher on RS than SS (p < .05 and p < .01 respectively). Impulse time was larger in SS but with no significant difference (p = .286). Kinematic analysis revealed significant differences between the values of ankle joint during starting posture (p < .01) and of hip joint at the moment of take‐off (p < .05). Ankle joint range of motion and angular velocity was larger in SS (p < .05). In conclusion, SJ height on SS was smaller than on RS because of the compliance and the instability of the sand. This resulted in a reduction in maximum force and take‐off velocity. Furthermore, the compliance of SS made it hard for the ankle to push along the vertical axis of the movement of the body and as a result it slipped behind in an attempt to maximise propulsion. As a result, the body tries to balance and equalise this movement and move the hip to larger extension.     

The influence of the vaulting table on the handspring front somersault

The traditional “horse” was replaced by a new vaulting “table” in artistic gymnastics competitions in 2001.The aim of this study was to determine whether the table led to a change in vaulting technique. This was achieved by comparing three-dimensional video-based analyses (50 Hz) of selected biomechanical discrete and continuous variables across four elite male gymnasts performing a series of handspring front somersault vaults on the traditional horse and the new table. Individual joint and inter-segment coupling (continuous relative phase) were used to quantify techniques used on the two apparatuses. Differences were attributed in part to the design and construction of the new table. No differences were observed for the approach and take-off from the board. Significant differences in hip flexion at board take-off and strike angle on the table were observed. One of the effects of the latter was an increase in vertical take-off velocity compared with the horse. Individual strategies were observed in hip and shoulder coordination patterns that were obscured when group data were considered. Close monitoring of the evolution of skill on this new apparatus is paramount for gymnastics coaching, and further studies of current elite competitive vaulting techniques are required.     

我国优秀男子跳远运动员起跳中不同时相速度变化特征

采用现场定点高速摄影、影片解析及数理统计等研究方法。结果表明，我国优秀男子跳远运动员起跳缓冲阶段，身体重心水平速度减小，并与垂直速度增加之间存在密切关系；蹬伸阶段身体重心水平速度略有回升，垂直速度保持增加的态势，且离板瞬间身体重心水平速度和垂直速度都呈现出相对较大的趋势。     

不同蹬地角立定跳远的运动学和动力学对比研究

通过录像和测力台同步的方法,对5名受试者进行不同蹬地角形式的立定跳远测试,运用录像解析系统和三维测力平台的软件（V5.2）获得运动学和动力学数据,并对所得数据进行灰理论分析。结果显示：（1）起跳时的水平速度和垂直速度随着蹬地角的增大而减小。（2）在LPA下,髋、膝、踝3关节的角度相比其他两种方式（PA、HPA）较小,使得人体蹬离地面向前摆动总体的转动惯量减小,从而增大了向前的转动角速度。（3）无论是蹬伸冲量还是踏跳冲量在立定跳远中都可以评价踏跳效果,由于LPA下蹬伸阶段的平均力值比较小,肌肉收缩速度比较快,机械效率比较高,再加上蹬伸冲量比较大,因此踏跳效果好。（4）影响立定跳远成绩的关联度为蹬伸阶段的平均力值〉蹬伸时间〉蹬地角〉起跳垂直速度〉蹬伸冲量〉起跳水平速度。     

Eccentric flywheel post-activation potentiation influences swimming start performance kinetics

This study aimed to assess the effects of post-activation potentiation in the strength related variables of a kick start. Thirteen competitive swimmers performed three kick starts after a standardized warm up (denoted USUAL) and another after inducing post-activation through five isotonic repetitions on an eccentric flywheel (denoted PAP). A T-test was used to quantify differences between USUAL and PAP warm up. The best trial of each subject achieved by natural conditions (denoted PEAK) was compared with data obtained after PAP. An instrumented starting block with independent triaxial force plates, collected the strength variables related with the impulse at take off. Improvements in the vertical components of force were observed after PAP compared with USUAL, meanwhile no differences were detected on the horizontal components of it. The velocity at take off was higher after PAP compared with USUAL (4.32 ± 0.88 vs 3.93 ± 0.60 m*s-1; p = 0.02). No differences in force or velocity were detected comparing PAP with PEAK (4.13 ± 0.62 m*s-1, p = 0.11). The PAP warm-up increased vertical force and it was transferred to a higher resultant velocity at take-off. This improvement would equal the best result possible obtained in natural conditions after some trials.