Physical determinants of vault performance and their age-related differences across male junior and elite top-level gymnasts

Run-up speed and jumping ground reaction force of male elite gymnasts on vault in China

Background

A high run-up speed and a big jumping ground reaction force are crucial to perform difficult movements and improving the quality of movement performance in the competition vault. However, the relationship between performance in the competition vault and run-up speeds, as well as jumping ground reaction force, still needs to be discovered in detail.

Objective

We aimed to investigate the interrelations between different run-up speeds and jumping ground reaction force, and to explore the different requirements of performing different vault styles as well as difficult movements on run-up speed and jumping ground reaction force.

Methods

The data, including vaulting run-up speed and jumping ground reaction force of 30 Chinese male elite gymnasts of performance testing, were analyzed. Descriptive statistics and Binary logistic regression analysis were used for statistical analysis.

Results

There was no significant difference in the pedaling run-up speed between the Front handspring types and Cartwheel types (p > 0.05). The comparison between interval run-up speeds revealed that the last 5 m run-up speeds were faster during the 25 m run-up distance, and 30 m sprint speed was strongly associated with the 25 m vaulting run-up speed of Handspring and Cartwheel (r = 0.81, p < 0.01). There are significant differences in the jumping ground reaction force of different types and difficult movements (p < 0.01). When the D-score is greater than 4.6, the jumping ground reaction force will increase significantly. Jumping ground reaction force was strongly correlated with 25 m run-up speed (r = 0.715, p < 0.01), last 5 m run-up speed (r = 0.718, p < 0.01), and 30 m sprint speed (r = 0.704, p < 0.01) respectively, but not significantly associated with last 10-5 m run-up speed as well as before the last 10 m run-up speed (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

The special requirement for run-up speed and jumping ground reaction force may vary as the difficult vault. Moreover, the optimization of interval run-up speeds and improvement of the 25 m run-up speed may contribute to the bigger jumping ground reaction force and increase the potential to perform more difficult Handspring/Cartwheel vaults. The topic may merit an interventional study to optimize run-up rhythm and improve lower limb strength for achieving higher run-up speeds and bigger jumping ground reaction force within the limited run-up distance to perform more difficult vaults for male elite gymnasts in China.

Age-Related Differences between Maximum Flight Height of Basic Skills on Floor, Beam and Vault and Physical Condition of Youth Female Artistic Gymnasts

In women's artistic gymnastics, difficult elements with great flight heights have to be performed on the apparatuses. However, the importance of the physical condition for generating flight height and its development with age remains elusive. Therefore, we investigated the age-related differences of lower body power, reactive strength, 20 m sprint speed, flight heights (basic elements on beam and floor) and run-up speed on the vault of 33 youth female gymnasts. Further, we calculated correlations between all parameters separately for different age groups (7-9 y; 10-12 y; 13-15 y). We found larger differences between the age groups 7-9 y and 10-12 y than between 10-12 y and 13-15 y on the apparatuses (10-12 y vs. 7-9 y: +23% to +52%; 13-15 y vs. 10-12 y: +2% to +24%) and for physical conditioning variables (10-12 y vs. 7-9 y: +12 to +24%; 13-15 y vs. 10-12 y: + 5% to +16%). The correlations between flight heights and physical condition were the lowest for age group 7-9 y (r: from -0.47 to 0.78; 10-12 y: r: from -0.19 to 0.80; 13-15 y: r: from -0.20 to 0.90). An optimal application of the physical condition to enhance the gymnastics-specific performance (e.g., flight height) is strongly age-dependent. Regular monitoring of jumping abilities and the derivation of training recommendations can accelerate this development and the future performance of young athletes.

Movement Prototypes in a Complex Teamgym Gymnastics Technique on the Vaulting Table and Their Relationship with Judges' Scores

A successful high-level gymnastics performance is the result of the coordination and inter-relation of body segments to produce movement prototypes. In this context, the exploration of different movement prototypes, as well as their relations with judges' scores, can aid coaches to design better learning and practice methodologies. Therefore, we investigate if there are different movement prototypes of the technique of the handspring tucked somersault with a half twist (HTB) on a mini trampoline with a vaulting table and its relations with judges' scores. We assessed flexion/extension angles of five joints during fifty trials, using an inertial measurement unit system. All trials were scored by international judges for execution. A multivariate time series cluster analysis was performed to identify movement prototypes and their differential association with judges' scores was statistically assessed. Nine different movement prototypes were identified for the HTB technique, with two of them associated with higher scores. Statistically strong associations were found between scores and movement phases one (i.e., from the last step on the carpet to the initial contact of both feet with the mini trampoline), two (i.e., from the initial contact to the take-off on the mini trampoline) and four (i.e., from the initial contact of both hands with the vaulting table to take-off on the vaulting table) and moderate associations with movement phase six (i.e., from the tucked body position to landing with both feet on the landing mat). Our findings suggest (a) the presence of multiple movement prototypes yielding successful scoring and (b) the moderate-to-strong association of movement variations along phases one, two, four and six with judges' scores. We suggest and provide guidelines for coaches to encourage movement variability that can lead their gymnasts to functionally adapt their performance and succeed when facing different constraints.

Current issues and future directions in gymnastics research: biomechanics, motor control and coaching interface

The sport of gymnastics is undergoing a global examination of its culture and the relationship between the gymnast, coach and environment is a central focus. The aim of this review is to explore biomechanics and motor control research in skill development and technique selection in artistic gymnastics with a focus on the underlying concepts and scientific principles that allow performance enhancement, skill development and injury risk reduction. The current review examines peer reviewed papers from 2000 onwards, with a focus on contemporary approaches in the field of gymnastics research, and highlights several key directions for future gymnastics research. Based on our review and the integration of the models of Newell (1986) and Irwin et al. (2005), we recommend that future gymnastics research should embrace at the very least a multidisciplinary approach and aim for an interdisciplinary paradigm.