Optimised performance of the backward longswing on rings
Introduction
Judging criteria for the rings event in Men's Artistic Gymnastics stipulate that elite gymnasts must perform backward and forward swinging elements completed in stationary handstand positions to score highly in competition (F.I.G., 1997). The straight arm backward longswing (Fig. 1) fulfils these requirements and consequently is performed by many elite gymnasts. However, if a gymnast possesses appreciable motion in the final handstand, points are deducted, and a lower score is given for the routine. The ability to perform a backward longswing to a stationary handstand is therefore of great importance to elite gymnasts.
Previous studies of longswings have used two-dimensional analyses to identify differences in cable tension patterns between elite and non-elite gymnasts (Nissinen, 1983), to calculate net forces at the shoulders (Brüggemann, 1987) and to estimate resultant hip and shoulder torques (Sprigings et al., 2000). From observations (Fig. 1), however, it is clear that elite gymnasts make use of extensive lateral arm movements during the descending (b–d) and ascending (f–h) phases of the longswing, indicating that three-dimensional analysis of the activity is necessary. As a consequence, the previous two-dimensional studies may provide only limited insight into the performance of a backward longswing to still handstand.
In a recent simulation study, Sprigings et al. (1998) developed a three-segment planar model to investigate the potential problem of removing unwanted swing in a handstand when performing a backward longswing. By varying the gymnast's technique and the initiation of the longswing with respect to the angle of the rings cables from the vertical, an initial handstand displaying 10° of swing-amplitude was reduced to 1.5° swing in the final handstand. Furthermore, the study found that when commencing the longswing from a stationary handstand, the model could not produce a final handstand with less than 3° residual swing.
This raises the question of whether the residual swing can theoretically be reduced to zero using a sufficiently detailed simulation model. If this is so and a gymnast should be able to produce zero residual swing using perfect technique and perfect timing then what are the practical limits of performance? This paper will address these two questions using a three-dimensional model of a gymnast and rings apparatus incorporating elastic structures.
Section snippets
Methods
The methods comprised: the collection of force and video data for a backward longswing, the development and evaluation of a three-dimensional simulation model of swinging on rings, the optimisation of longswing performance and the sensitivity of the optimised performance to changes in the timing of the gymnast's technique.
Inertia parameters
Values for the inertial parameters of the rings apparatus and personalised segmental values for the gymnast in the video and simulation model are presented in Table 1.
Model evaluation
The stiffness and damping parameters for the model's springs determined in the evaluation procedure are provided in Table 2.
A comparison of simulation and video data shows that the model gives an accurate representation of a backward longswing (Fig. 3).
The rms differences between the actual and simulated values for the components
Discussion
Unlike the study of Sprigings et al. (1998) where only a subjective validation of the model was presented, in the present study an objective evaluation against an actual backward longswing performance was conducted. In general, the evaluation indicates that the three-dimensional model provided an accurate representation of a gymnast performing a backward longswing on rings. The angular motion of the gymnast and rings cables were particularly close to the actual performance and this provides
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to acknowledge the support of British Gymnastics World Class Programme, Sport England and UK Sport.
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